Cow Land Partnership Updates

In the last e-newsletter, we launched the Feed the Cows Campaign. The cost of hay for the ISCOWP herd is $18,750.00. So far, you have donated $14,315.20. That leaves only $4,434.80 left to purchase all the winter hay for the cows. We should purchase hay sometime in October. Don’t forget we also launched the Matching Gift Challenge for $25,000 at the same time as the Feed the Cows Campaign. So your gift will be doubled for the cows!

Here is the breakdown of what your donation will achieve.

You can help purchase winter hay for the ISCOWP herd for a day, a week, or a month.

One bale costs $75.
$75 to feed the herd of 23 cows for a day
$525 to feed the herd of 23 cows for a week
$2,100 to feed the cows for a month

Thank you!

Weather Changes

Here in Florida, Spring was hotter and dryer than ever, causing the pastures to turn completely brown. The brown pastures lasted a while, meaning we had to feed hay out longer than usual.

Summer was one of the hottest on record, with sporadic rain. Near the end of summer, we noticed the pasture had not totally revived. Our gardens also suffered. Storms and hurricanes have had more destructive impacts in the last two years. As of the writing of this e-newsletter, we are experiencing our fifth day without electricity.

Adapting to Weather and Price Changes

Since COVID, the price of hay, grain, and cow supplements has doubled. Combined with unfavorable weather patterns, the cost of cow protection has increased. Therefore, we are making some adjustments to counteract these changes.

We have opened up our home compound of 2 acres to cows from the hospital pasture, which will allow those pastures to revive and be weeded and seeded. We are also considering opening up the garden gate to the cows. Eventually, the amount of land available to the cows will increase. We have Priyavrata, Siya, and her two babies, Gopi and Lalita, in the compound. They have thrived and are very happy.

Rescue of More Cows

The arrangement to rescue two bull calves has not happened yet. The owner is caught up with other activities, but the deal is still ongoing. You may have noticed we’re rescuing mostly Asian breeds like Gyr. Such breeds are known to be more thrifty than Western breeds.

We have found they eat weeds in the pasture that Western breeds will not eat, and they tolerate heat and dry weather better. Thus, such breeds help with pasture management, hay, and vet costs.

Partnering with Project YouthBuild

Sarah Mills, AmeriCorps engagement coach, recently contacted us about partnering with Project YouthBuild. Sarah develops and implements daily service projects with Gainesville’s local non-profit and governmental entities. After meeting with each other, we were all enthused to work together to impact young lives positively and, at the same time, work on developing projects at the ISCOWP cow sanctuary. Sarah signed us up for several visits starting in January 2025. Sarah and a group of 5-8 members of YouthBuild will come for 3-hour visits to volunteer their time and services for the cows. If all involved are satisfied with the arrangement, Sarah wants to make ISCOWP an ongoing volunteer destination for YouthCorps. We at ISCOWP are enthused at the positive possibilities! Thank you, Sarah, for contacting us!