The area
from the loafing shed to the barn full of potholes and mud last
winter.
That area
excavated
this
summer (2005)
Knee deep
in mud by the silo last winter.
The crew
finishing laying the cement around the silo and the complete area from
the loafing shed to the barn. Now there will be no chance of the cows
and humans getting stuck in the mud or falling because of the pot
holes.
We thank
all of you for donating to the "Remove the Mud" Project. You have
helped complete the first part of the project. Approximately $15,000
was collected for this project beyond the general operational expenses
of ISCOWP for the year. $13,000 of that was used for the excavation
and cementing of the above pictured area of the barnyard so that there
would be no more deep mud and potholes. We were fortunate to finish
this part of the project before the winter when the cows are confined
to the barnyard area. As we do every year, we will publish an annual
financial report recognizing all our donors. We are eternally indebted
to you for the comfort of the cows.
$2000 was
collected for the gutters on the barn roof. As of the printing of this
newsletter, we are waiting for the contractor to do the job, which
should be soon. Then the cementing of the area under roof in the front
of the barns is the last part of the project left. $13,000 is needed
to complete that part of the project.
Click on
picture to enlarge
The area
where Chayadevi (Irene) and Rudra are standing has been a source of
concern since there is no cement there and therefore it is full of
potholes and deep mud. The cows use this area of the barn. It will be
helped by the gutters being installed (soon to happen) which will
direct water away from the area, but will not solve the problem.
The
picture on this page shows the area in front of the barn. If you look
closely, you can see how the water draining directly from the roof on
to the ground leaves a natural trench in the ground. This fills up and
drains into the dirt under the roof next to it. This will be corrected
by the installation of the gutters.
The area
from the last row of poles, where Chayadevi (Irene) is standing, to
the next row of poles behind it, is only earth, which has deep
potholes because there is no cement.
To correct this situation, the
first step would be to clean it out (which would bring it down 12
inches approximately)
fill it up
18 inches with shale, and then cement it about 6 inches deep to bring
it level with the rest of the barn floor.
This area
needs improvement because the cows must traverse it and often sit
there, as it is a sunny spot in winter. When the temperatures are
freezing, the earth is very hard and it is not so dangerous except for
the potholes, which can make the cows trip if they get a foot into
one. The minute the temperatures are above freezing, the earth begins
to thaw. This compounds the problem by creating deep mud in addition
to the deep potholes. Once a cow puts their foot in deep mud, it is
difficult for them to remove it because of their heavy weight.
This
holiday season of giving, we are asking if you could find it in your
heart to give something to this project so that we could begin the
project next year as soon as the good weather is upon us. At that
time, the cows will go out to the green pastures, and we will be able
to work on the area. To contribute, please use the form and envelope
that is enclosed in this newsletter
LONG AREA IN FRONT OF BARN
Shale $2,550.00
Excavating $2,400.00
Rental of
machines $1,000.00
Cement $6,000.00
Wire $364.00
Labor $1,000.00
TOTAL $13,315.00
