Who would have thought that in the land of cheese and brats you would find a thriving vegan community?

It's true, every day Milwaukee is becoming more and more vegan friendly.

The Vegan Milwaukee site is here to help you whether you're a visiting vegan from out of town, a new vegan looking to find out where to eat, or a long-time vegan who wants to connect with other like-minded people and continue to expand your horizons.

We're here to serve you, so please feel free to send in your suggestions and ideas to help us provide the kind of information you need.

So...relax, take a look around, tell your friends and share your ideas. We want you to feel right at home!

Looking for the best places in Milwaukee for vegan food? Check out our Restaurant Guide or the article on the top ten vegan-friendly restaurants in the city!

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Vegan Milwaukee - Your Guide to Being Vegan in Milwaukee

Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants.

Requirements vary from country to country (List of countries with organic agriculture regulation), and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include:

In some countries, certification is overseen by the government, and commercial use of the term organic is legally restricted. Certified organic producers are also subject to the same agricultural, food safety and other government regulations that apply to non-certified producers.

Certified organic foods are not necessarily pesticide-free, certain pesticides are allowed.[2]

Organic certification addresses a growing worldwide demand for organic food. It is intended to assure quality and prevent fraud, and to promote commerce. While such certification was not necessary in the early days of the organic movement, when small farmers would sell their produce directly at farmers' markets, as organics have grown in popularity, more and more consumers are purchasing organic food through traditional channels, such as supermarkets. As such, consumers must rely on third-party regulatory certification.

For organic producers, certification identifies suppliers of products approved for use in certified operations. For consumers, "certified organic" serves as a product assurance, similar to "low fat", "100% whole wheat", or "no artificial preservatives".

Certification is essentially aimed at regulating and facilitating the sale of organic products to consumers. Individual certification bodies have their own service marks, which can act as branding to consumersa certifier may promote the high consumer recognition value of its logo as a marketing advantage to producers.

To certify a farm, the farmer is typically required to engage in a number of new activities, in addition to normal farming operations:

In addition, short-notice or surprise inspections can be made, and specific tests (e.g. soil, water, plant tissue) may be requested.

For first-time farm certification, the soil must meet basic requirements of being free from use of prohibited substances (synthetic chemicals, etc.) for a number of years. A conventional farm must adhere to organic standards for this period, often two to three years. This is known as being in transition. Transitional crops are not considered fully organic.

Certification for operations other than farms follows a similar process. The focus is on the quality of ingredients and other inputs, and processing and handling conditions. A transport company would be required to detail the use and maintenance of its vehicles, storage facilities, containers, and so forth. A restaurant would have its premises inspected and its suppliers verified as certified organic.

Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) represent an alternative to third party certification,[4] especially adapted to local markets and short supply chains. They can also complement third party certification with a private label that brings additional guarantees and transparency. PGS enable the direct participation of producers, consumers and other stakeholders in:

Participatory Guarantee Systems are also referred to as "participatory certification".[5]

The word organic is central to the certification (and organic food marketing) process, and this is also questioned by some. Where organic laws exist, producers cannot use the term legally without certification. To bypass this legal requirement for certification, various alternative certification approaches, using currently undefined terms like "authentic" and "natural", are emerging. In the US, motivated by the cost and legal requirements of certification (as of Oct. 2002), the private farmer-to-farmer association, Certified Naturally Grown, offers a "non-profit alternative eco-labelling program for small farms that grow using USDA Organic methods but are not a part of the USDA Certified Organic program."[6]

In the UK, the interests of smaller-scale growers who use "natural" growing methods are represented by the Wholesome Food Association, which issues a symbol based largely on trust and peer-to-peer inspection.

Organic certification, as well as fair trade certification, has the potential to directly and indirectly contribute to the achievement of some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which are the eight international development goals that were established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, with all United Nations member states committed to help achieve the MDGs by 2015. With the growth of ethical consumerism in developed countries, imports of eco-friendly and socially certified produce from the poor in developing countries have increased, which could contribute towards the achievement of the MDGs. A study by Setboonsarng (2008) reveals that organic certification substantially contributes to MDG1 (poverty and hunger) and MDG7 (environmental sustainability) by way of premium prices and better market access, among others. This study concludes that for this market-based development scheme to broaden its poverty impacts, public sector support in harmonizing standards, building up the capacity of certifiers, developing infrastructure development, and innovating alternative certification systems will be required.[7]

The body Codex Alimentarius of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was established in November 1961. The Commission's main goals are to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the international food trade. The Codex Alimentarius is recognized by the World Trade Organization as an international reference point for the resolution of disputes concerning food safety and consumer protection.[8][9] One of their goals is to provide proper food labelling (general standard, guidelines on nutrition labelling, guidelines on labelling claims).

In the United States the situation is undergoing its own FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

In some countries, organic standards are formulated and overseen by the government. The United States, the European Union, Canada and Japan have comprehensive organic legislation, and the term "organic" may be used only by certified producers. Being able to put the word "organic" on a food product is a valuable marketing advantage in today's consumer market, but does not guarantee the product is legitimately organic. Certification is intended to protect consumers from misuse of the term, and make buying organics easy. However, the organic labeling made possible by certification itself usually requires explanation. In countries without organic laws, government guidelines may or may not exist, while certification is handled by non-profit organizations and private companies.

Internationally, equivalency negotiations are underway, and some agreements are already in place, to harmonize certification between countries, facilitating international trade. There are also international certification bodies, including members of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) working on harmonization efforts. Where formal agreements do not exist between countries, organic product for export is often certified by agencies from the importing countries, who may establish permanent foreign offices for this purpose. In 2011 IFOAM introduced a new program - the IFOAM Family of Standards - that attempts to simplify harmonization. The vision is to establish the use of one single global reference (the COROS) to access the quality of standards rather than focusing on bilateral agreements.[10]

The Certcost was a research project that conducted research and prepared reports about the certification of organic food.[11] The project was supported by the European Commission and was active from 2008-2011. The website will be available until 2016.[12]

In the United States, organic is a labeling term for food or agricultural products (food, feed or fiber) that have been produced according to USDA organic regulations, which define standards that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. USDA standards recognize four types of organic production:

Organic agricultural operations should ultimately maintain or improve soil and water quality, and conserve wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife.[13]

In the U.S., the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 "requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances which identifies synthetic substances that may be used, and the nonsynthetic substances that cannot be used, in organic production and handling operations."[14]

Also in the U.S., the Secretary of Agriculture promulgated regulations establishing the National Organic Program (NOP). The final rule was published in the Federal Register in 2000.

USDA Organic certification confirms that the farm or handling facility (whether within the United States or internationally) complies with USDA organic regulations. Farms or handling facilities can be certified by private, foreign, or State entities, whose agents are accredited by the USDA (accredited agents are listed on the USDA website). Any farm or business that grosses more than $5,000 annually in organic sales must be certified. Farms and businesses that make less than $5,000 annually are exempt, and must follow all the requirements as stated in the USDA regulations except for two requirements:

Exempt operations are also barred from selling their products as ingredients for use in another producer or handlers certified organic product, and may be required by buyers to sign an affidavit affirming adherence to USDA organic regulations.[13]

Before an operation may sell, label or represent their products as organic (or use the USDA organic seal), it must undergo a 3-year transition period where any land used to produce raw organic commodities must be left untreated with prohibited substances.[15]

Operations seeking certification must first submit an application for organic certification to a USDA-accredited certifying agent including the following:[13]

Certifying agents then review the application to confirm that the operations practices follow USDA regulations, and schedule an inspection to verify adherence to the OSP, maintenance of records, and overall regulatory compliance[16]

Inspection The during the site visit, the inspector observes onsite practices and compares them to the OSP, looks for any potential contamination by prohibited materials (or any risk of potential contamination), and takes soil, tissue, or product samples as needed. At farming operations, the inspector will also examine the fields, water systems, storage areas, and equipment, assess pest and weed management, check feed production, purchase records, livestock and their living conditions, and records of animal health management practices. For processing and handling facilities, the inspector evaluates the receiving, processing, and storage areas for organic ingredients and finished products, as well as assessing any potential hazards or contamination points (from sanitation systems, pest management materials, or nonorganic processing aids). If the facility also processes or handles nonorganic materials, the inspector will also analyze the measures in place to prevent comingling.[13]

If the written application and operational inspection are successful, the certifying agent will issue an organic certificate to the applicant. The producer or handler must then submit an updated application and OSP, pay recertification fees to the agent, and undergo annual onsite inspections to receive recertification annually. Once certified, producers and handlers can have up to 75% of their organic certification costs reimbursed through the USDA Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs.[13]

Federal legislation defines three levels of organic foods.[17] Products made entirely with certified organic ingredients, methods, and processing aids can be labeled "100% organic" (including raw agricultural commodities that have been certified), while only products with at least 95% organic ingredients may be labeled "organic" (any non-organic ingredients used must fall under the exemptions of the National List). Under these two categories, no nonorganic agricultural ingredients are allowed when organic ingredients are available. Both of these categories may also display the "USDA Organic" seal, and must state the name of the certifying agent on the information panel.[18]

A third category, containing a minimum of 70% organic ingredients, can be labeled "made with organic ingredients," but may not display the USDA Organic seal. Any remaining agricultural ingredients must be produced without excluded methods, including genetic modification[14], irradiation, or the application of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, or biosolids. Non-agricultural ingredients used must be allowed on the National List. Organic ingredients must be marked in the ingredients list (e.g., "organic dill" or with an asterisk denoting organic status).[19] In addition, products may also display the logo of the certification body that approved them.[20]

Products made with less than 70% organic ingredients can not be advertised as "organic," but can list individual ingredients that are organic as such in the product's ingredient statement. Also, USDA ingredients from plants cannot be genetically modified.[20]

Livestock feed is only eligible for labeling as 100% Organic or Organic."[21]

Alcoholic products are also subject to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau regulations. Any use of added sulfites in wine made with organic grapes means that the product is only eligible for the made with labeling category and therefore may not use the USDA organic seal. Wine labeled as made with other organic fruit cannot have sulfites added to it.[22]

Organic textiles made be labeled organic and use the USDA organic seal if the finished product is certified organic and produced in full compliance with USDA organic regulations. If all of a specific fiber used in a product is certified organic, the label may state the percentage of organic fibers and identify the organic material.[23]

Organic certification mandates that the certifying inspector must be able to complete both trace-back and mass balance audits for all ingredients and products. A trace-back audit confirms the existence of a record trail from time of purchase/production through the final sale. A mass balance audit verifies that enough organic product and ingredients have been produced or purchased to match the amount of product sold. Each ingredient and product must have an assigned lot number to ensure the existence of a proper audit trail.[24]

Some of the earliest organizations to carry out organic certification in North America were the California Certified Organic Farmers, founded in 1973, and the voluntary standards and certification program popularized by the Rodale Press in 1972.[25] Some retailers have their stores certified as organic handlers and processors to ensure organic compliance is maintained throughout the supply chain until delivered to consumers, such as Vitamin Cottage Natural Grocers, a 60-year-old chain based in Colorado.

Violations of USDA Organic regulations carry fines up to $11,000 per violation, and can also lead to suspension or revocation of a farm or businesss organic certificate.[13]

Once certified, USDA organic products can be exported to countries currently engaged in organic trade agreements with the U.S., including Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan, and do not require additional certification as long as the terms of the agreement are met.[13]

In Canada, certification was implemented at the federal level on June 30, 2009. Mandatory certification is required for agricultural products represented as organic in import, export and inter-provincial trade, or that bear the federal organic logo.[26] In Quebec, provincial legislation provides government oversight of organic certification within the province, through the Quebec Accreditation Board (Conseil D'Accrditation Du Qubec). Only products that use at least 95% organic materials in production are allowed to bear the Canadian organic logo. Products between 70-95% may declare they have xx% of organic ingredients, however they do not meet requirements to bear the certified logo.[27] Transitioning from a conventional agricultural operation to an organic operation takes the producers up to three years to receive organic certification, during which time products cannot be marketed as organic products, and producers will not receive pricing premiums on their goods during this time.[28] Cows, sheep, and goats are the only livestock that are allowed to be transitioned to organic, under Canada's regulations. They must undergo organic management for one year before their products can be considered certified organic.[29]

EU countries acquired comprehensive organic legislation with the implementation of the EU-Eco-regulation 1992. Supervision of certification bodies is handled on the national level. In March 2002 the European Commission issued a EU-wide label for organic food. It has been mandatory throughout the EU since July 2010.[30] and has become compulsory after a two-year transition period.[31]

In 2009 a new logo was chosen through a design competition and online public vote.[32][33] The new logo is a green rectangle that shows twelve stars (from the European flag) placed such that they form the shape of a leaf in the wind. Unlike earlier labels no words are presented on the label lifting the requirement for translations referring to organic food certification.[34]

The new EU organic label has been implemented since July 2010 and has replaced the old European Organic label. However, producers that have had already printed and ready to use packaging with the old label were allowed to use them in the upcoming 2 years.[35]

The development of the EU organic label was develop based on Denmark's organic food policy and the rules behind the Danish organic food label which at the moment holds the highest rate of recognition among its users in the world respectively 98% and 90% trust the label. The current EU organic label is meant to signal to the consumer that at least 95% of the ingredients used in the processed organic food is from organic origin and 5% considered an acceptable error margin.[36]

Besides the public organic certification regulation EU-Eco-regulation in 1992, there are various private organic certifications available:

Following private bodies certify organic produce: KEZ, o. p. s. (CZ-BIO-001), ABCert, AG (CZ-BIO-002) and BIOCONT CZ, s. r. o. (CZ-BIO-003). These bodies provide controlling of processes tied with issueing of certificate of origin. Controlling of compliancy (to (ES) no 882/2004 directive) is provided by government body KZZ (Central Institute for Supervising and Testing in Agriculture)."9"|Source: "Information on organic produce of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic"

In France, organic certification was introduced in 1985. It has established a green-white logo of "AB - agriculture biologique." The certification for the AB label fulfills the EU regulations for organic food. The certification process is overseen a public institute ("Agence franaise pour le dveloppement et la promotion de l'agriculture biologique" usually shortended to "Agence bio") established in November 2001. The actual certification authorities include a number of different institutes like Aclave, Agrocert, Ecocert SA, Qualit France SA, Ulase, SGS ICS.

In Germany the national label was introduced in September 2001 following in the footsteps of the political campaign of "Agrarwende" (agricultural major shift) led by minister Renate Knast of the Greens party. This campaign was started after the mad-cow disease epidemic in 2000. The effects on farming are still challenged by other political parties. The national "Bio"-label in its hexagon green-black-white shape has gained wide popularity - in 2007 there were 2431 companies having certified 41708 products. The popularity of the label is extending to neighbouring countries like Austria, Switzerland and France.

In the German-speaking countries there have been older non-government organizations that had issued labels for organic food long before the advent of the EU organic food regulations. Their labels are still used widely as they significantly exceed the requirements of the EU regulations. An organic food label like "demeter" from Demeter International has been in use since 1928 and this label is still regarded as providing the highest standards for organic food in the world.[citation needed] Other active NGOs include Bioland (1971), Biokreis (1979), Biopark (1991), Ecoland (1997), Ecovin (1985), Ga e.V. (1989), Naturland (1981) and Bio Suisse (1981).

In Greece, organic certification is available from eight (8) organizations approved by EU.[40] The major of them are BIOHELLAS and the DIO (Greek: - )[1]

In Ireland, organic certification is available from the Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association, Demeter Standards Ltd. and Organic Trust Ltd.

In Switzerland, products sold as organic must comply at a minimum with the Swiss organic regulation (Regulation 910.18).[41] Higher standards are required before a product can be labelled with the Bio Suisse label.[42]

In Sweden, organic certification is handled by the organisation KRAV (agriculture) with members such as farmers, processors, trade and also consumer, environmental and animal welfare interests.[43]

In the United Kingdom, organic certification is handled by a number of organizations, regulated by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), of which the largest are the Soil Association and Organic Farmers and Growers. UK certification bodies are required to meet the EU minimum organic standards for all member states; they may choose to certify to standards that exceed the minimums, as is the case with the Soil Association.[44][45]

The farmland converted to produce certified organic food has seen a significant evolution in the EU15 countries, rising from 1.8% in 1998 to 4.1% in 2005. For the current EU25 countries however the statistics report an overall percentage of just 1.5% as of 2005. However the statistics showed a larger turnover of organic food in some countries, reaching 10% in France and 14% in Germany. In France 21% of available vegetables, fruits, milk and eggs were certified as organic. Numbers for 2010 show that 5.4% of German farmland has been converted to produce certified organic food, as has 10.4% of Swiss farmland and 11.7% of Austrian farmland.[46] Non-EU countries have widely adopted the European certification regulations for organic food, to increase export to EU countries.

In Australia, organic certification is performed by several organisations that are accredited by the Biosecurity[47] section of the Department of Agriculture (Australia), formerly the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce.[48] All claims about the organic status of products sold in Australia are covered under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.[49]

In Australia, the The Organic Federation of Australia is the peak body for the organic industry in Australia[50] and is part of the government's Organic Consultative Committee Legislative Working Group that sets organic standards.[51]

Department of Agriculture accreditation is a legal requirement for all organic products exported from Australia.[48] Export Control (Organic Produce Certification) Orders are used by the Department to assess organic certifying bodies and recognise them as approved certifying organisations. Approved certifying organisations are assessed by the Department for both initial recognition and on an at least annual basis thereafter to verify compliance.[52]

In the absence of domestic regulation, DOA accreditation also serves as a 'de facto' benchmark for certified product sold on the domestic market.[53] Despite its size and growing share of the economy "the organic industry in Australia remains largely selfgoverned. There is no specific legislation for domestic organic food standardisation and labelling at the state or federal level as there is in the USA and the EU".[54]

The Department has several approved certifying organisations that manage the certification process of organic and bio-dynamic operators in Australia. These certifying organisations perform a number of functions on the Department's behalf:[55]

As of 2015, there are seven approved certifying organisations:[57]

There are 2567 certified organic businesses reported in Australia in 2014. They include 1707 primary producers, 719 processors and manufacturers, 141 wholesalers and retailers plus other operators.[58]

Australia does not have a logo or seal to identify which products are certified organic, instead the logos of the individual certifying organisations are used.[48][59]

In China, the organic certification are administrate by government agency named Certification and Accreditation Administration of the Peoples Republic of China (CNCA). While the implementation of certification works, including site checking, lab test on soil, water, product qualities are perform by China Quality Certification Center (CQC) which is an agency of Administration of Quality Supervision,Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ). Organic certification procedure in china are perform according to China Organic Standard GB19630.1-42005 which issued on year 2005. This standard had governed standard procedure for Organic certification process perform by CQC, including application, inspection, lab test procedures, certification decision, post certification administration each. The certificate issue by CQC are valid for 1 year.

There are 2 logo are currently apply by CQC for Organic Certification, including Organic Logo and Conversion to Organic Logo.

In India, APEDA regulates the certification of organic products as per National Standards for Organic Production. "The NPOP standards for production and accreditation system have been recognized by European Commission and Switzerland as equivalent to their country standards. Similarly, USDA has recognized NPOP conformity assessment procedures of accreditation as equivalent to that of US. With these recognitions, Indian organic products duly certified by the accredited certification bodies of India are accepted by the importing countries."[60] Organic food products manufactured and exported from India are marked with the India Organic certification mark issued by the APEDA.[61] APEDA has recognized 11 inspection certification bodies, some of which are branches of foreign certification bodies, others are local certification bodies.

In Japan, the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) was fully implemented as law in April 2001. This was revised in November 2005 and all JAS certifiers were required to be re-accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture.[62]

As of 2014 the The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) had no organic certification process, but instead relied on international certification bodies; it does not track local producers who claim to have gotten organic certification.[63]

Organic certification is not without its critics. Some of the staunchest opponents of chemical-based farming and factory farming practices also oppose formal certification. They see it as a way to drive independent organic farmers out of business, and to undermine the quality of organic food.[64] Other organizations such as the Organic Trade Association work within the organic community to foster awareness of legislative and other related issues, and enable the influence and participation of organic proponents.

Originally, in the 1960s through the 1980s, the organic food industry was composed of mainly small, independent farmers, selling locally. Organic "certification" was a matter of trust, based on a direct relationship between farmer and consumer. Critics[65] view regulatory certification as a potential barrier to entry for small producers, by burdening them with increased costs,[66] paperwork, and bureaucracy[67]

In China, due to government regulations, international companies wishing to market organic produce must be independently certified. It is reported that "Australian food producers are spending up to $50,000 to be certified organic by Chinese authorities to crack the burgeoning middle-class market of the Asian superpower."[68] Whilst the certification process is described by producers "extremely difficult and very expensive", a number of organic producers have acknowledged the ultimately positive effect of gaining access to the emerging Chinese market. For example, figures from Australian organic infant formula and baby food producer Bellamy's Organic indicate export growth, to China alone, of 70 per cent per year since gaining Chinese certification in 2008,[68] while similar producers have shown export growth of 20 per cent to 30 per cent a year following certification[69]

Peak Australian organic certification body, Australian Certified Organic, has stated however that "many companies have baulked at risking the money because of the complex, unwieldy and expensive process to earn Chinese certification."[68] By comparison, equivalent certification costs in Australia are less than $2,000 (AUD),[70] with costs in the United States as low as $750 (USD) for a similarly sized business.[71]

Manipulation of certification regulations as a way to mislead or outright dupe the public is a very real concern. Some examples are creating exceptions (allowing non-organic inputs to be used without loss of certification status) and creative interpretation of standards to meet the letter, but not the intention, of particular rules. For example, a complaint filed with the USDA in February 2004 against Bayliss Ranch, a food ingredient producer and its certifying agent, charged that tap water had been certified organic, and advertised for use in a variety of water-based body care and food products, in order to label them "organic" under US law. Steam-distilled plant extracts, consisting mainly of tap water introduced during the distilling process, were certified organic, and promoted as an organic base that could then be used in a claim of organic content. The case was dismissed by the USDA, as the products had been actually used only in personal care products, over which the department at the time extended no labeling control. The company subsequently adjusted its marketing by removing reference to use of the extracts in food products. Several months later, the USDA extended its organic labeling to personal care products; this complaint has not been refiled.[72]

In 2013 the Australia Consumer Competition Commission said that water can no longer be labelled as organic water because, based on organic standards, water cannot be organic and it is misleading and deceptive to label any water as such.[73]

The label itself can be used to mislead many customers that foods labelled as being organic are safer, healthier, and more nutritious.[74][75][76][77][78][79][80]

Critics of formal certification also fear an erosion of organic standards. Provided with a legal framework within which to operate, lobbyists can push for amendments and exceptions favorable to large-scale production, resulting in "legally organic" products produced in ways similar to current conventional food.[81] Combined with the fact that organic products are now sold predominantly through high volume distribution channels such as supermarkets, the concern is that the market is evolving to favor the biggest producers, and this could result in the small organic farmer being squeezed out.

In the United States large food companies, have "assumed a powerful role in setting the standards for organic foods."[82] Many members of standard-setting boards come from large food corporations.[82] As more corporate members have joined, many nonorganic substances have been added to the National List of acceptable ingredients.[82] The United States Congress has also played a role in allowing exceptions to organic food standards. In December 2005, the 2006 agricultural appropriations bill was passed with a rider allowing 38 synthetic ingredients to be used in organic foods, including food colorings, starches, sausage and hot-dog casings, hops, fish oil, chipotle chili pepper, and gelatin; this allowed Anheuser-Busch in 2007 to have its Wild Hop Lager certified organic "even though [it] uses hops grown with chemical fertilizers and sprayed with pesticides."[83][84]

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Organic certification - Wikipedia

Skill Development Diploma in Basic Rural Technology (DBRT) This is course is for youth who want to start own enterprise. This course is ideal for youth between 15 20 years of age. This course is based on philosophy of Learning while doing and therefore you do not need to worry about remembering for exam and writing notes ! All emphasis on working in real life situations. The course lots of Doing things in the area of Agriculture , Engineering, Energy, Environment, Food processing etc. This is 1 year residential course conducted in Pabal village.

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Vigyan Ashram believes in use of Technology for increasing pace of development and increase productivity of our development efforts. We believe in use of technology to reduce drudgery, stop exploitation of natural resources, balancing environment and also to ensure better quality of life for all citizens.

Our rural areas of full of problems ! and Vigyan Ashram believes Every problem is an Opportunity ! We tries to find out technological solution to the rural problems.

We are located in small village Pabal and that helps us to be closer to the community and understand the difficulties faced by rural people.

VA is continuously engaged in developing , adapting and disseminating new technologies useful to rural community.

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You can Make Almost Anything ! in the Fab Lab for digital fabrication @ Vigyan Ashram. Fab Lab is global network of local Fab labs.

To know more @ Fab Lab concept, please visit website of Fab Foundation : http://www.fabfoundation.org

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Vigyan AshramandSavitribai PhulePune Universitycollaboratively started Design Innovation Center at Pabal. The center is funded by MHRD as part of National Design Network.

DICwill incubate ideas which are useful for society. Efforts will be made to convert these ideas into products. Requirement of users will be taken into account from the conceptualization of idea to making final products.

DICwants to promote culture of design at college level. Our rural areas are facing with various development problems. These problems are great opportunities for creative minds.DICaims at training youth to taken on these challenges and come out with useful solutions.

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You dont need money to become successful entrepreneur. You need to have good business idea, appropriate skills, workable plan and Passion. If you have Passion to become successful then Vigyan Ashram supports you for the rest !

Become Entrepreneur.. ..Start your Enterprise.. Vigyan Ashram provides following support to its alumni, rural youth with business ideas, SHGs, farmer groups etc. We encourage them to start technology based enterprises.

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Vigyan Ashram

The ashram received its approval for occupancy on 16 August 2012, permitting abhyasis and spiritual seekers to step into this sanctuary where they can further their journey towards the goal.

The journey to establish this newest centre of light began in early 2007 with a generous gift from two abhyasis in the area. With Masters grace and blessing, a big portion of renovation of the existing structure was done during work weekends by abhyasi sisters and brothers who gathered in his remembrance. Their relentless efforts successfully complied with the rigorous local, state and federal government building and environmental codes. Many a time, the yatra seemed difficult; but Masters guidance at every step helped us make it to the finish, transforming the place into a spiritual abode.

The ashram is located about an hour away from Manhattan, NY, and about 10 minutes away from Princeton University in New Jersey. The 7,000 sq. ft. Monroe Ashram, as it is called, features a 2,200 sq. ft. meditation hall, a childrens/community area, a kitchen and a dining space. It also includes a library for abhyasis and their children.

The three-acre property rests in an arboreal locale inhabited by Kwanzan cherry, Norway maple, elm, beech, redwood, zelkova and oak trees. It is nestled in an area of protected wetlands that is home to endangered animal species. A separate one-bedroom quarter will host an onsite caretaker, and there is also a separate storage utility shed on site. The property provides for 55 parking spaces laid out using environmentally friendly precast textured foundations that allow green cover and blend with the surroundings. A brook and a patch of fenced wetland within the property also attract interesting birds.

The ashram is centrally located for those travelling from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. It is close to Exit 8A on the New Jersey Turnpike, easily accessible from the international airports of Newark, Philadelphia and New York. It is a 10-minute drive from the Princeton Junction train station that serves the New Jersey Transit Northeast Rail Corridor and Amtraks New York to Washington D.C. line.

This regional ashram will serve the regional community and beyond, and that it will give abhyasis all opportunities to come together in unity of purpose as urged to do by Babuji Maharaj in Whispers from the Brighter World, Special Messages.

Satsangh Schedule:

Sunday: 9.00 am and 2.00 pm. Saturday: 9:00 am.

Postal address:

45 Wycoff Mills Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831, USA Phone and voicemail (for leaving messages): +1-609-448-4950

Address for GPS navigation:

Some GPS devices do not provide guidance to the postal address accurately. In such cases, please use the below alternate address.

53, Halsey Reed Road, Monroe, NJ 08831.

The Ashram is located at the intersection of Wycoffs Mills Road and Halsey Reed Road.

Contact: Ravi Ivaturi: +1-646-401-2974 (mobile) Ragini Jagadish: +1-917-225-4696 (mobile)

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Sahaj Marg Raja Yoga Meditation - Monroe, New Jersey

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Il termine sanscrito rama (devangar ; adattato in lingua inglese anche come Ashram) indica, nella tradizione indiana sia un luogo di meditazione e romitaggio che ciascuno dei quattro stadi della vita.[1]

un romitaggio dove i saggi (vedi rishi) vivono in pace in mezzo alla natura. I residenti vi eseguono varie forme di pratiche spirituali, di meditazione e di yoga; in alcuni in passato venivano altres eseguiti sacrifici (yajna), austerit e penitenze. Molti ashram servono pure da scuole residenziali. Oggi il termine viene principalmente usato come riferimento a una comunit formata primariamente per l'innalzamento spirituale dei suoi membri, spesso guidati da un mistico, da un capo religioso o da un maestro spirituale.

Nell'induismo il Varnashrama dharma il sistema sociale basato sull'et e sulle caste (varna), secondo il quale la vita umana divisa in quattro periodi[2]:

Per "Ashram" si intende ognuno di questi stadi che, stimando una durata massima della vita di 100 anni, durano ciascuno 25 anni. Il risultato di ognuna delle fasi costituisce il presupposto per passare allo stadio successivo. I quattro scopi (Purushartha) della vita sono, rispettivamente: Dharma, Artha, Kama, e Moksha[4].

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rama - Wikipedia

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic as follows:

Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.

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100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients

Organic: Made with at least 95% organic ingredients

Made With Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no GMOs (genetically modified organisms)

Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package.

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However, some recently published studies in peer-reviewed journals have shown organic foods to have higher nutritional value. For example, researchers at the University of California, Davis, recently found that organic tomatoes had higher levels of phytochemicals and vitamin C than conventional tomatoes.

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An increasing number of consumers are also of the opinion that organic food tastes better. Because organic food is grown in well-balanced soil, it makes sense that these healthy plants have a great taste. Try organic food for yourself and see what you think!

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See the article here:

Organic.org - Organic FAQ

By Colleen Huber, Naturopathyworks

A common perception is that whole organic food is so expensive that it is out-of-budget for the average family or even for the average single consumer. It is also commonly perceived that the average grocery purchase of processed foods at a neighborhood supermarket, using the store discounts, makes the processed food diet within the budget of most families.

If you go along with those who accept the above hypothesis on faith, you may be quite surprised by what you find in this article.

Knowing what I spend on groceries in an average week for my all whole-food, mostly organic-eating family, I had to test the conventional wisdom for myself. So one day in January 2005 I went to a typical supermarket right around the corner from me to see how the other half lives ...

Jotting down in my notebook many processed foods as well as their weights and prices, with all the store savings, I prepared a long list of foods from which I could construct a hypothetical week's worth of processed food for a family of three.

Below you will find a menu of all processed food items for a week, and a list of prices for all the groceries that I hypothetically bought. Then I assembled my hypothetical purchases into a meal plan for a family of three, which you will see below, along with the price list.

Following that, you will find a week's menu and price list for mostly organic, all whole-food meals for the same family of three.

For the sake of simplicity and realistic comparison, I stuck to the following constraints:

There are no leftovers from before the beginning of the week, nor saved at the end (empty refrigerator beginning and end, and no throwing out food; everything purchased gets eaten by the three hypothetical family members).

Unless specified otherwise, all beverage consumption is water.

There are no separate snacks, except for Sunday afternoon, unless an individual saves part of a meal to snack on later.

Neither the cheapest generic brands, nor the most expensive brands were chosen, but rather a brand in the middle, especially if it was on sale.

Portions are listed per family member of a three-person family, although the heartiest appetite in the family may consume some part of the portion left by the smallest appetite. It is assumed that everyone eats the same food at the same time everyday, and that the six ounces of soda at every lunch is either carried in a thermos to work or school, or that this family is on vacation at home, eating every meal at home together and pouring their soda directly from a large bottle kept in the refrigerator.

It is assumed that no family member is deliberately restricting calories, or is otherwise restricting any type of food.

The cold bottled coffee at breakfast may seem a bit extravagant, but consider that this replaces visits to coffee shops or any other form of coffee or tea or recreational beverage. Also, the all-processed food family does not get milk with their cereal, but rather cold, bottled, sugared coffee.

Now consider a menu prepared entirely from whole, organic and free-range foods. One might consider such a diet to be extravagantly expensive. Yet the cost for a week's worth of organic whole food groceries for a family of three is about the same as for the "cheap" processed food.

The same rules apply as with the processed food. No leftovers from the beginning of the week or saved at the end (empty refrigerator beginning and end, with no waste). No restaurant eating or take-out. No beverages other than water. No snacks except for what one person may save for later from his/her apportioned meal. No deliberate calorie restriction, and everyone eats until full.

All meals are listed for one person only of a three-person family, assuming that those with larger appetites may have more, and those of smaller appetites may have an equal amount less, in order to balance out to the average portions listed below.

A significant difference is that the processed food eating family gets a dessert of an ice cream bar, while the whole food eating family gets no dessert. The whole food eating family, however, generally gets much bigger meal portions. The reason behind this is partly demographic realism: those who eat denatured food are missing nutrients that they seek in desserts and other denatured foods, whereas whole food eaters feel completely full when eating in proper proportions for their metabolic types.

We made no attempt to quantify the salad ingredients. Fresh plants and salads are such anarchy of ingredients, they defy standardization. Cooking large meals with whole foods is a little trickier to quantify than packages of pre-weighed processed foods.

The difference is made up in the leftovers. For example, the large crockpot chicken stew at the beginning of the week, the eggplant curry in the middle of the week, and the roast beef at the end are massive enough not only for everyone's dinner, but also for two days' lunches as well, with generous one-pound portions. The one-pound portions of stew are about half added water by weight.

Both the salmon dinners and squash-and-broccoli raab dinners are small enough that the leftovers put together make just one lunch for the family. The advantage to cooking enormous crockpot or Dutch oven meals, with subsequent leftovers, is that although it is more time-consuming to prepare whole food from scratch, it is easier just to do it in fewer larger amounts during the week. If this still seems daunting, please see my article, Cook Whole Food from Scratch, and Keep Your Day Job.

You will notice the savings of $1.22 with a mostly organic, whole-food diet. In fact, our organic food price list shows higher than realistic prices in two ways: The prices shown are at retail health food stores in the Phoenix area. But also in this area, there are at least three organic food-buying groups, with prices for organic produce at about $1.00 per pound.

To find organic food buying groups, co-ops, health food stores, local retail farms and farmers markets in your area, see localharvest.com.

Furthermore, if you have a backyard, especially here in the Southwest, you can save further in ways that processed food eaters can't: Almost all year we grow salad greens, herbs, braising greens of some kind and/or various squashes. (The salad herbs oregano, thyme, mint and parsley never quit here in any season!)

Subtracting the prices of what we are currently pulling out of our backyard garden from what is on the sample menu:

Which means we spend only $122.42 - $5.07 = $117.35 in an average week for a three-person family, which is $6.29 less than the family eating all processed food.

Of course, gardeners in colder climates tend to have really prolific harvests in summer and fall, which is when they will realize much better savings. Processed food eaters are entirely dependent on commercial supply, no matter what the season.

However, the biggest savings of the whole-food eating family has yet to be calculated, as we consider the difference in medical care needs between whole food eaters on the one hand, and those who will continue eating for decades such chemicals as MSG (a.k.a. hydrolyzed wheat protein and several other names), carcinogens or nerve poisons (a.k.a. pesticides), sugar, aspartame and other sweeteners, as well as margarine and other trans-fatty acids, to name some of the most infamous processed food ingredients.

As a wise saying goes, the best reason to eat organic is that pesticides don't know when to stop killing.

Now answer honestly: Can you afford NOT to eat whole organic food?

Colleen Huber, 46, is a wife, mother and student at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, Ariz., where she is training to be a naturopathic physician. Her original research on the mechanism of migraines has appeared in Lancet and Headache Quarterly, and was reported in The Washington Post.

Her double blind placebo controlled research in homeopathy has appeared in Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy, European Journal of Classical Homeopathy, and Homeopathy Today. Her website Naturopathy Works introduces naturopathic medicine to the layperson and provides references to the abundant medical literature demonstrating that natural medicine does work.

Continued here:

Your Family Could be Eating Organic Food for the Same ...

Alexander C.N., et al. Treating and preventing alcohol, nicotine, and drug abuse through Transcendental Meditation: A review and statistical meta-analysis. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 13-87, 1994.

Aron E.N. and Aron A. The patterns of reduction of drug and alcohol use among Transcendental Meditation participants. Bulletin of the Society of Psychologists in Addictive Behaviors 2: 28-33, 1983.

Clements G., et al. The use of the Transcendental Meditation programme in the prevention of drug abuse and in the treatment of drug-addicted persons. Bulletin on Narcotics 40(1): 5156, 1988.

Gelderloos P., et al. Effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation program in preventing and treating substance misuse: A review. International Journal of the Addictions 26: 293325, 1991.

Gelderloos P., et al. Effectiveness of the Transcendental Meditation program in preventing and treating substance misuse: A review. International Journal of the Addictions 26: 293325, 1991.

Orme-Johnson D. W. Transcendental Meditation as an epidemiological approach to drug and alcohol abuse: Theory, research, and financial impact evaluation. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 11, 119-165, 1994.

Royer A. The role of the Transcendental Meditation technique in promoting smoking cessation: A longitudinal study. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 219-236, 1994.

Shafii M. et al. Meditation and marijuana. American Journal of Psychiatry 131: 60-63, 1974.

Shafii M. et al. Meditation and the prevention of alcohol abuse. American Journal of Psychiatry 132: 942-945, 1975.

Wallace R.K. et al. Decreased drug abuse with Transcendental Meditation: A study of 1,862 subjects. In Drug Abuse: Proceedings of the International Conference, ed. Chris J.D. Zarafonetis (Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger): 369-376, 1972.

Walton K. G., and Levitsky, D.A. A neuroendocrine mechanism for the reduction of drug use and addictions by Transcendental Meditation. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly 11: 89-117, 1994.

Read more from the original source:

Transcendental Meditation (TM) Technique - Baltimore, MD

1. In study after study, research from independent organizations consistently shows organic food is higher in nutrients than traditional foods. Research shows that organic produce is higher in vitamin C, antioxidants, and the minerals calcium, iron, chromium, and magnesium.

2. Theyre free of neurotoxinstoxins that are damaging to brain and nerve cells. A commonly-used class of pesticides called organophosphates was originally developed as a toxic nerve agent during World War I. When there was no longer a need for them in warfare, industry adapted them to kill pests on foods. Many pesticides are still considered neurotoxins.

3. Theyre supportive of growing childrens brains and bodies. Childrens growing brains and bodies are far more susceptible to toxins than adults. Choosing organic helps feed their bodies without the exposure to pesticides and genetically-modified organisms, both of which have a relatively short history of use (and therefore safety).

4. They are real food, not pesticide factories. Eighteen percent of all genetically-modified seeds (and therefore foods that grow from them) are engineered to produce their own pesticides. Research shows that these seeds may continue producing pesticides inside your body once youve eaten the food grown from them! Foods that are actually pesticide factoriesno thanks.

5. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that pesticides pollute the primary drinking source for half the American population. Organic farming is the best solution to the problem. Buying organic helps reduce pollution in our drinking water.

6. Organic food is earth-supportive (when big business keeps their hands out of it). Organic food production has been around for thousands of years and is the sustainable choice for the future. Compare that to modern agricultural practices that are destructive of the environment through widespread use of herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers and have resulted in drastic environmental damage in many parts of the world.

7. Organic food choices grown on small-scale organic farms help ensure independent family farmers can create a livelihood. Consider it the domestic version of fair trade.

8. Most organic food simply tastes better than the pesticide-grown counterparts.

9. Organic food is not exposed to gas-ripening like some non-organic fruits and vegetables (like bananas).

10. Organic farms are safer for farm workers. Research at the Harvard School of Public Health found a 70 percent increase in Parkinsons disease among people exposed to pesticides. Choosing organic foods means that more people will be able to work on farms without incurring the higher potential health risk of Parkinsons or other illnesses.

11. Organic food supports wildlife habitats. Even with commonly used amounts of pesticides, wildlife is being harmed by exposure to pesticides.

12. Eating organic may reduce your cancer risk. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides, and 30 percent of insecticides potentially cancer-causing. It is reasonable to think that the rapidly increasing rates of cancer are at least partly linked to the use of these carcinogenic pesticides.

13. Choosing organic meat lessens your exposure to antibiotics, synthetic hormones, and drugs that find their way into the animals and ultimately into you.

14. Organic food is tried and tested. By some estimates genetically-modified food makes up 80% of the average persons food consumption. Genetic modification of food is still experimental. Avoid being part of this wide scale and uncontrolled experiment.

15. Organic food supports greater biodiversity. Diversity is fundamental to life on this planet. Genetically-modified and non-organic food is focused on high yield monoculture and is destroying biodiversity.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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15 Reasons To Eat Organic Food | Care2 Healthy Living

Our Ashrams are located in 3 places in South India.

Vadarevu Ashram is located on the east coast of India along the Bay of Bengal in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Chirala, a major railway station between Kolkata and Chennai, is about 8 kms from the Ashram. Buses run regularly from Chirala railway station.

This ashram was established by Lalitananda Swami about 70 years ago. Vadarevu Swami and PV Swami successively took care of the ashram. Suruli Arulananda Swami developed and expanded the Ashram with major renovations, addition of many temples, performance of regular hOmams, and initiating many charitable service activities.

The Ashram has temples for vallabha gaNapati, Adi parAshakti, danDapANi, shiva, and rAma, a gOshAla with many cows, yAgashAla, and a dining hall. Also, this ashram has a dispensary, vocational training centers, and residential buildings for visitors.

Ganapati temple: After the formation of Arulananda Trust, Lalitananda Swami appeared in Swamijis dream and asked him to build a powerful Ganapati temple that will be good for the devotees coming to the ashram. Swamiji had a vision of Vallabha Ganapati during his meditation. Accordingly, a Vallabha Ganapati temple was constructed. Ganapati statue was carved on stone obtained from Tiruvannamalai by sculptors in Mahabalipuram. Ashta Ganapathy Homam was performed and the Vallabha Ganapati moorti (statue) was installed following the Vedic rituals with a Kumbhabhishekam on completion. On the day of Kumbhabhishekam, after the vedic ceremony was over, a man in dirty white clothes appeared in the temple and spoke to one devotee in Hindi. This devotee did not take him serious, then he spoke to Swamiji in Tamil and asked if the Kumbhabhishekam was over and Swamiji acknowledged and asked him to have food. He spoke to few others in different languages such as English, Kannada, and Telugu. Then, he went to the building and sat on Swamijis chair. He was playing with the bottles of siddha medical oils. One devotee of Swamiji saw this person and asked him what he was doing like a mad person. He replied, if you think I am mad I will go and as he was going down the stairs, Swamiji realized he is the elderly person who had given the mantra to him at Papanasam and sent a Laddu for him through another devotee. He accepted the Laddu and put it in his bag and walked up to the Ganapati temple. Then he disappeared from the sight of people. As per Lalitananda Swamis wish, this Ganapati temple is now visited by devotees as well as the local villagers and when they fulfill their wishes, they perform poojas at this temple.

Dining room and Guest house: When more people started coming to the ashram, a big dining room and a guest house was constructed for the devotees in the ashram in 2003. Visitors are fed nutritious and sattvic food everyday for free.

Sri Rama temple: In 2004, Sri Rama temple was built at the ashram. At the time of the Kumbhabhishekam of this temple, some devotees have seen two saints moving in and out of the ashram. They were not visible to everyones eyes.

Yaga Shala: As Lalitananda Swami was interested in performing homams, he appeared in Swamijis vision and asked him to build a yaga shala. A Yaga shala was built in 2003 according to vedic traditions. Ganapati homam is performed at this yaga shala daily.

Subramania Swami temple: Vadarevu Swamis Samadhi was in a deteriorating condition. In the year 2004, as per devotees' request, the building was renovated and a Dandayudha Pani moorti (statue) was installed on Vadarevu Swami's Samadhi.

Daily activities in the ashram:

Monthly functions: Full moon day pooja to ambal, Sri Rama nakshatra pooja on punarpoosam

Annual functions: Maha Shivaratri, Sri Rama Navami, Sri Valli Kalyanam, Aradhana of Sri Vadarevu Swami and PV Swami (on the day which they attained samadhi), Guru purnima, birthday of Arulananda Swami, Navaratri, Aradhana of Lalitananda Swami are the main functions of the ashram.

Apart from all these programs, maintenance of Goshala (cow shed), Veda Pathasala and nitya annadanam for the devotees who visit the ashram are maintained by the Arulananda Trust. All visitors to the ashram are fed for free and can stay for free for a few days. To continue and extend these services, Swamiji decided to visit overseas. Swamiji first visited Germany in June 1998. Since then, annually he has been visiting Europe for 2-3 months to guide his disciples. Disciples and devotees from within India and various foreign countries have visited and stayed at the ashram. Within the last five years, overseas devotees' contributions have made a tremendous impact in expanding the service activities of the Ashram through the Arulananda Trust.

Chillakallu Ashram is established by Suruli Arulananda Swami and located on the national highway between Hyderabad and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, India.

During the initial days of Swamiji at Chirala in the early 1990's, he treated a patient from Hyderabad who was suffering from leukemia. Upon their request, he started visiting Hyderabad twice a month to see the devotees there. One day when Swamiji was traveling to Hyderabad, they stopped at a place, called Chillakallu, to have their lunch in the afternoon. A small boy, who was apparently dumb, approached Swamiji and asked if he could have some food. Swamiji asked the people who were traveling with him to provide him with some food. When he was served, the little boy consumed all the food the group had brought for their journey. After eating, he gave Swamiji twenty five paisa (a quarter), crossed the road, and started across a piece of land and at a certain spot he disappeared. That night, Agastya Maharishi appeared in Swamijis dream and said to him, "I came to you today but you did not recognize me; I want you to establish a center at that spot and perform medical and public service to the society." In 1994, Arulananda Trust has purchased 7 acres of land, at the spot where the little boy disappeared in Chillakalu and Swamiji named it Ananda Ashram.

Following this, when Swamiji went to Papanasam Kalyana Teertham Shiva temple in 1996, he had a vision of Agastya Maharishi. When Swamiji asked about the state of the land in Chillakallu, Agastya Maharishi asked him to wait for 4 years before starting any work. In 2000, when Swamiji visited Suruli hills, the old man with a stick appeared again to Swamiji and said "now the four years is over, you can start the work at Chillakkalu, that is not a place for worship, it will be a centre for treating patients and serving humanity." After getting instructions from the old saint, Swamiji visited papanasam. On a full moon day, chitra pournami, when Swamiji was meditating after performing abhishekam to Shiva, Agastya appeared and asked Swamiji to name the ashram as Sadasiva Bramhendrar ashram. Agastya said that he did not ask Swamiji to name the ashram as Ananda ashram and that he only instructed to construct an ashram. Agastya instructed Swamiji to change the name to Sadasiva Brahmendra ashrama and asked Swamiji to visit Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's Samadhi mandir in Nerur in Tamilnadu. Accordingly, Swamiji started filling the land in Chillakkalu in preparation for the building construction. In 2006, a building with a dining room on the ground floor and 20 rooms on the first floor and a guest house with six rooms were completed.

Swamiji never heard about Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami nor about his mandir. Around this time, when Swamiji went to Tiruvannamali and stayed at Gingee, one person came from Coimbatore named Bhupathi. While taking blessings from Swamiji, a photograph of Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami and a small vibhoothi packet fell down from his pocket. He mentioned to Swamiji that this was the photo of Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami and that he visted his Samadhi mandir just before coming to see Swamiji. Swamiji took him and went to Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's mandir at Nerur near Karur. There is a Bilva tree on Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's samadhi and Swamiji felt the place to be very familiar to him.

About Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami: Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami is a great saint who achieved jeeva samadhi at Nerur. He took sannyasa deeksha from the 57th Peethadhipathi of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, His Holiness Sri Paramasivendra Saraswathi Swamigal. After getting initiation from Paramasivendra Saraswathi Swamigal, he started his sannyasa life. During this period, he has constructed Tanjavur Punnanallur mariamman temple (presently called as Tanja Mariamman temple). Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami drew a yantra and made a small vigraha and performed abhishekam at this temple. Even today, though the letters in the yantra are barely visible, abhishekam is still performed to it. Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's statue can still be seen on the rajagopuram of this temple. During the early days of his sannyasam, Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami used to talk and debate much and in the process he would develop more doubts and discuss with everybody. One day, Paramasivendra Saraswathi Swamigal, with a disturbed face, asked Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami to stop talking too much. Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami took that as an order from his Guru and from that day, during his entire life, he never uttered a word. He became a muni and stopped all form of verbal communication. Till he left his mortal he maintained his mounam (silence).

In those days (mid-18th century), Pudukkotta Maharaja used to rule this area and he was very interested in following spiritual and divine life. One day, he saw Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami who was without dress and roaming like a mad man but the king felt that there is some secret with him. Then he started following Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami for some time and after the Swami saw the King and his devotion, Swami wrote a mantram on sand and showed it to the king. The king started chanting the mantram and took the sand and kept as a prasdam with him. Another time, Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami entered the quarters of a Muslim nawab inadvertently. On seeing Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami naked, the nawab cut his hand in rage at this intrusion. However, God-intoxicated Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami continued on while bleeding and without any reaction. The nawab felt remorse and fell at his feet and asked for forgiveness which is only when Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami realized that his hand has been cut off. He took the severed arm and attached it back to his body and then just went along.

Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami has performed a lot of miracles and helped a lot of people during his lifetime and even after he had taken Samadhi. Before he took to Jeeva Samadhi, he had informed all of his devotees. At the time of Jeeva Samadhi, Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami sat in samadhi in a pit, absorbed in Bhagavan, and the devotees filled it up. That same night, Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami appeared in the dream of Pudukkottai Maharaja and asked him to plant a bilva tree and place a lingam on his Samadhi. Only then did the Maharaja know that Swami had left his mortal. After planting the bilva tree, the Maharaja performed all the pujas according to the Sastras and from then on sent all the materials required for the maintenance of the Samadhi.

The 33rd Peethadhipati of Sringeri Peethan His Holiness Sri Sacchidananda Sivabhinava Narasimha Bharati, learned about Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami and visited his Samadhi at Nerur and stayed for a couple of days in meditation. The Peethadhipati's desire was to become like Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami in spiritual and meditative life. He wrote his experiences about Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami and drew a picture of Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami as appeared in his vision. With that picture, an idol was recently installed in Chillakallu ashram along with a Shiva lingam by the site of Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami.

Coming back to Arulananda Swami's visit to Nerur, Swamiji performed puja after visiting Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's Samadhi for the first time. The same night, while in meditation Swamiji saw a big black cobra around the bilva tree of Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's Samadhi and slowly the snake came with Swamiji to Chillakallu ashramam. The snake stopped at a particular spot in Chillakallu ashram and danced. After one week, Swamiji went to papanasam and in meditation asked Agastya what needs to be done in Chillakallu next. Agastya instructed to construct a Dhyana mandir and install the idol of Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami and his statue is installed right at the spot where the snake had danced in Chillakallu. The main temple is also constructed right at that spot.

Since then, Swamiji had visited Nerur a number of times and currently Arulananda Trust is helping the Nerur ashramam. The bilva tree, which was installed by the Pudukkottai Maharaja, on Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's Samadhi is drying. On a recent trip to Nerur, Swamiji heard the sound of Shankhu Nadam (Sound of Conch) from Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's Samadhi from which Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami appeared and asked Swamiji to install 3 bilva trees at Chillakallu ashram by the side of Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's mandir and said that he will give darsan from Chillakallu ashram. Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami also said that it is he who elected the place and that he will guide Swamiji. In Chillakallu ashram, by this time the construction of Subramania Swami temple and Ganapathi temple already finished. Fortunately, there was some gap in between and the bilva trees were planted in that gap.

Kumbhabhishekam and Inauguration of Chillakallu Ashram in 2009: The ashram became fully functional in 2009 with the inauguration of temples for Ganapathi, Subramania, and Shiva. Ganapathi vigraham inside the temple is named, Vijaya Ganapathi and the one at the entrance of the Ashram is named as Veera Ganapathi. Subramania Swami with Valli and Devasena are installed in another temple inside. The Shiva temple includes Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami's idol and Siva linga. The kumbhabhishekam for Brahmendra mandir was held from March 12-14, 2009. Mandalabhishekam was performed on the May 4-5, 2009. Foundation was laid for office, library, guest rooms, and siddha research institute.

The Ashram already has 12 single bed room quarters constructed for the staff which are now occupied. The staff includes driver, manager, accountants, cooks, and other kitchen staff. Currently, there are 6 rooms for visiting guests and another 20 rooms above the kitchen. There is also a goshala that has a few cows and a Yaga Shala for performing homams. A veda pathashala has also been started with 12 students in May 2009 with one Veda Acharya. Currently, Yajur Vedam is being taught and and Atharvana Vedam will be starting soon. We are also planning to include instruction in Rig Vedam and Sama Vedam. The boarding, food, and education expenses are completely borne by the Trust so it is entirely free for the students. The plan is to expand the Veda Pathashala to accommodate at least 100 students. When Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami was physically alive, he was in charge of the establishment of Veda Pathashala at Kanchi Peetham. Nearly 32 people are working in the ashram including the purohits. Currently, two priests take care of the temple.

After the Kumbhabhishekam, a number of people are getting benefited by meditating in the Dhyana mandir and by worshiping Sadasiva Brahmendra Swami. In India, Swamiji is mostly available at Chillakallu.

Daily activities in the ashram:

Future proposal

A siddha ayurvedic research unit with facilities for meditation, yoga, siddha therapy, laboratory and pancha karma treatment is being planned. It is envisaged that people can visit this center on weekend retreats and have relaxation for the mind and soul with yoga, meditation, and other siddha medicine treatment facilities. An out-patient clinic has also been planned for construction.

Apart from this, Arulananda Trust plans to establish a mini-hospital by the side of Chillakallu ashram to focus on women's health. We plan to recruit a gynecologist, a general physician, a pharmacist, technicians, and upfit a simple lab with nurses and other attendants. The Trust also plans to maintain a mobile vehicle with medical officers and medical technology to visit the surrounding rural villages and bring awareness on hygiene and promote health through screening. When necessary, the patients will be brought to the hospital at the Ashram and given needed treatment. There are also plans to have an old age home by the side of the ashram.

Pasumalai Ashram was established by Lalitananda Swami and is near Melolakkur, in Sengi Taluka, South Arcot District near Tiruvannamalai. Lalitananda Swami's samAdhi is located here.

In 1993, Swamiji visited the Pasumalai ashram with his devotees according to Lalitananda Swamis instructions. Swamiji performed a pooja and donated some amount for the maintenance of the ashram. After Swamiji returned to Vadarevu, the villagers and the Panchayat president of Pasumalai visited Swamiji at Vadarevu and asked him to help develop Pasumalai village and help with childrens education etc. Swamiji was invited by this group of villagers. When Swamiji visited Pasumalai next time, they welcomed him at the entrance of the village with traditional music and a procession of villagers. The procession ended at the Pasumalai ashram and a public meeting was convened. The headmaster of the local school and the Panchayat president requested Swamiji to develop the facilities at the local school and also start a secondary school for local children as there were no facilities for secondary education in the local village. At that time, children aspiring secondary education traveled 10km to the nearest school. Within two years of this request, Arulananda Trust paid more than 150,000 rupees lawfully to the government to upgrade the local school to higher secondary level. Since there were no teachers at this school, the Trust appointed teachers who were able to teach at primary and secondary level. Arulananda Trust also inaugurated a vocational training center to teach sewing and typing for poor women in the Pasumalai village. When women completed sewing courses, they were given sewing machines for livelihood. Arulanada Trust also provides financial help for poor students for their higher education. Some sick people in the area receive aid from the Trust for their health needs. Arulananda Trust maintains the Pasumalai ashram and has also constructed a building called Sri Valli Nilayam for the purpose of feeding people and also constructed a guest house for pilgrims visiting Pasumalai.

Looking at the developments of this Pasumalai village, several other local villagers in the surrounding areas have approached Swamiji and requested help to renovate old temples. Swamiji has helped for the renovation of Ambal temples, Ganapathy temples and Subramania Swami temples in the local vicinity and celebrated Kumbabeshekam as well. Lalitananda Swami used to visit a nearby village, called Thanial, at the beginning of his spiritual life. He visited a Chelli Ambal temple in Thanial and asked the villagers to dig the ground at a particular spot and they excavated a lingam from underground. This Lingam was installed in front of the ambal temple. Following this resurrection, Lalitananda Swami performed a Mahachandi homam for forty eight days, which was attended by people from all walks of life such as cine actors, politicians, the rich, and the poor. Almost ten thousand people were fed daily during this homam. During this period, Ambal has appeared to Lalitananda Swami and also to several devotees participating in the homam in different forms.

At this period, Lalitananda Swami installed a Subramania Swami statue and constructed a temple in the local Shiva temple in Thanial for the benefit of the villagers. After the homam was over, Sri Shanmuga Mudaliyar, his relatives, and the villagers convened a meeting and asked Lalitananda Swami to remain in Thanial. Lalitananda Swami had then told them that whenever he visits Pasumalai, he will visit Thanial. He also said that another saint from the Yogar family will come and renovate these temples and develop the villages around here. This story was relayed to Sri Arumugam by late Shanmuga Mudaliyar.

In 2002, when Swamiji was visiting Pasumalai, a group of Lalitananda Swamis devotees from Thanial visited Swamiji and requested him to renovate their Ambal and Shiva temples. The renovation of these temples was completed in 2007.

In 2003, in recognition of Swamijis social services to Pasumalai and surrounding villages, a meeting was convened by the district collector and the district education officers and others at the high school of Melolakkur village near Pasumalai ashram.

Arulananda Swami developed Lalitananda ashram in Vadarevu through Arulananda Trust by donations received from the devotees and the public who visited the ashram. While this ashram was developing rapidly, Lalithananda Swami asked Swamiji to help maintain the Pasumalai Samadhi temple. Swamiji visited the Pasumalai Samadhi temple with a group of devotees and decided to help with the maintenance through the Trust. The secretary of the Trust Sri Krishna Rao directed Sri Subramania Sharma of Chirala to look after the maintenance of the Samadhi temple, which happens until date. Arulananda trust is interested in further developing the Pasumali Samadhi temple.

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Swami Arulananda's Ashram