Гита-нагари, Spiritual retreat center in Juniata County, Pennsylvania
Gita-nagari is a retreat center spread across about 430 acres with meditation spaces, forest trails, guest quarters, and sustainable farming operations. The property integrates buildings for lodging, pastures for animals, and structures for spiritual practice into the natural landscape.
The center was founded in 1975 and established North America's first USDA certified dairy farm without animal slaughter. This founding set new standards for how ethical farming could be practiced on the continent.
The center combines spiritual practices with ecological farming methods, and visitors can observe how these two approaches work together daily. Traditional approaches to animal care are woven into modern thinking about protecting living beings.
The property offers lodging in comfortable rooms with wireless internet access and organic products available at the on-site shop. Visitors can join farm tours and explore animal areas without needing special preparation or equipment.
The property maintains a sanctuary where cows and oxen live protected throughout their lives. Despite prioritizing animal welfare in this way, the facility still produces certified organic dairy products.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.