The fencing controversy points to a previously existing divide within the community connected with the very mandate and mission of the Saranagati Village project. Is the project meant to serve primarily as a retired home for senior Vaisnavas or is the project meant to be primarily a vibrant agrarian based community where cows and land form the basis of the community's activities and its economic base?
I would humbly suggest that this matter needs to be addressed in all seriously. I don't think these two visions need to exclude one another, but for that to happen, some in dept discussions and introspections are needed by all residents.
When the focus of the majority of Saranagati residents will encompass and support the primary objective of developing a localized self-sufficient and sustainable community where land and cows become the center of attention, we will more easily see the vital importance of fencing to protect our crops
and maintain a herd of our own productive cows.
SVHI owns nearly 2000 acres of land. We are the only non rancher, non commercial entity in the entire region (perhaps in all of western Canada) holding that volume of land resource. What we choose to do with the land tells the world who we are. Our entrance sign announces that this community project is dedicated to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, therefore the choices we make for managing our land is also a reflection on Srila Prabhupada.
In 2006 it was documented by an independent 3rd party study funded by the government that the overgrazing by beef cattle in Venables Valley had a number of negative and environmentally destructive consequences. Specifically the overgrazing was resulting in a loss of flora species, introduction of invasive weeds, and increased volumes of pest
populations. If left unchecked, the study concluded, such a practice would eventually turn former hay fields into lifeless hard-pan. That same study also noted that the entire riparian zone of Venables Valley was being degraded by trampling. Unfortunately the laws of the land favor the ranchers. If we wanted to prevent unrestricted beef cattle on our land it was going to be our responsibility to fence them out, that's the law, that's what all private land owners do.
At the 2014 AGM we SVHI shareholders formally accepted the challenge to take back
Krishna's land. We terminated the contract with Bob Pasco, applied for our own farm status, and began the process of fencing our land. The attached map explains in a glance how much fencing has been completed since then and how much fencing remains to be finished. The lay of our land is such that we do not have to fence every single foot of our property boundaries. In many places steep hillsides act as natural barriers which prevent access by cattle.
The Vaisnava's vision is that the earth is a divine being, a goddess. Taking this opportunity to use our land as a vehicle for Krishna's service is indeed “Bhakti Yoga, Country Style” and is a living confirmation of our belief that the earth truly is sacred. Having a share in 2000 acres of land is a responsibility. It also affords us a chance to demonstrate our inspiration to please and serve God.