November 2008
With Sandor Katz, Laura Button, Crazy Owl and others practicing the healing arts with nature's gifts. For more information, visitwww.barefootfarmer.com.
Ecology Action will be holding a Three-Day GROW BIOINTENSIVE Sustainable Mini-Farming Workshop in Willits, CA on November 7-9, 2008. This will be an opportunity for in-depth learning of GROW BIOINTENSIVE philosophy and techniques that have been developed by the Ecology Action staff over a 36-year period.
The workshop consists of lectures, discussion, and demonstration, including a full range of information on: Soil Preparation, Sustainable Soil Fertility, Fertilization, Compost, Compost Crops, Efficient Resource Use, Crops for Full Nutrition, and Crops for Income--as well as the perspective and whole-system approach which tie these topics together. Presenters are John Jeavons, Director of Ecology Action and author of the best-selling book How to Grow More Vegetables (now in its 7th edition and translated into seven languages, including Braille), and Carol Cox, a development professional for over 20 years, who is Ecology Action's Garden Research Manager and co-author of The Sustainable Vegetable Garden. This workshop is a unique opportunity to network with and learn from others who have an interest in sustainable food-raising and living.
The workshop cost is $350 if registration is received by October 10, plus approximately $70 for the publications. Discounts are available to Ecology Action members. Lunches and a networking dinner are included; lodging and other meals are not.
For more information go to www.growbiointensive.org or contact: Ecology Action, 5798 Ridgewood Rd, Willits CA 95490. (707) 459-0150 (office), (707) 459-5409 (fax).
All-day event, with lecture by Hugh Courtney. Lunch will be served. No fee for this day of good conversation and good energy. For further information, contact Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, P.O. Box 133, Woolwine, VA 24185, (276) 930-24185, info@jpibiodynamics.org.
Co-op America's 7th annual Green Business Conference, with the theme of "Building an Authentic Green Business." Discover advantages of sustainable business practices from innovative business leaders, learn techniques to scale up your green business, gain information about the marketplace, and participate in hands-on workshops. For more information, visit coopamerica.org/cabn/conference.
The 2008 Sustainable Ag Expo has something for everyone. Join us on November 13-14, 2008 at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Monterey, CA. The Expo is for farmers of all crops and commodities to learn about sustainable farming methods – environmentally sound, socially equitable and economically feasible. This event features trade exhibits and educational programs that help growers and ranchers maintain economic viability while also protecting the environment and promoting healthy communities. Expo seminars will focus on best management practices to protect water quality, alternative energy sources, food safety and water quality interactions, carbon footprint and lifecycle analysis, reduced-risk pest control, and whole farm practices. For more information, visit www.sustainableagexpo.org.
Location: The Passenger Shed, British Empire and Commonwealth Museum, Bristol.
The Soil Association's 2008 conference will bring together everyone with an interest in rebuilding sustainable food systems, including citizens, farmers and growers, food manufacturers, retailers, researchers, policy makers and the media. Fossil fuel depletion, climate change, diminishing soil and water resources and population growth present an unprecedented threat to global food security. To address these challenges Britain and every country in the world needs a future food plan. The conference also includes a series of workshops exploring responses to the issues raised, with themes such as soil, energy, public procurement and trade. The conference is taking place in the Soil Association's home city, in the heart of Bristol. The venue is adjacent to Temple Meads train station with connections throughout the UK, in an historic railway terminus building built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. To book, go to the conference webpage: www.soilassociation.org/conference.
Michael Howard and Siegwart Elsas will be with us and the theme will be: "The Art of Research: Cultivating Feeling as an Organ of Perception for Scientists." Contributions and reports describing your own research are encouraged.
Conference Registration Fee - $240. Annual Dues - $15. Make payment to: Natural Science Section and mail to: Natural Science Section/Elizabeth Howe, 3920 Fairway Drive, Soquel, CA 95073.
The Community Shared Agriculture Conference endeavors to generate support for small community–based farm operations. Workshops and presentations will focus on practical techniques, tools and resources specific to organics and CSA farming. Topics include production, marketing and financial aspects of running a CSA operation. For more information, visit www.csaconference2008.ca/home.html. Unique to the 2008 conference, a CSA mini–school will be offered to novice farmers or existing farm operators interested in switching to a CSA program.
"Herbal World 2008" An International Conference and Exhibition on Medicinal Plants, Herbal Products and Natural Health, 28 – 30 November 2008, Matrade Exhibition and Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.
This event is in collaboration with Malaysian Herbal Corporation (MHC), Herbal Medicine Research Centre (HMRC), Halal Industry
Development Corporation(HDC), Malaysian OIC Trade Chamber, Forest Research Institute Malaysia(FRIM), Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation(MOSTI), Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Malaysian Agriculture Research Institute (MARDI), Johor Biotech & Biodiversity Corporation(J-BioTech), Industries, Universities, Research Institutions, Government Departments, Ministries, Regional
and International Organizations.
The objective of this conference and exhibition is to gather all key players in this industry on this common platform ie. Herbal World
2008, to share global experiences, exchanging ideas, thus, creating a global market for herbal products and to establish Malaysia as a
"Global Herbal Hub" for building a Buyer's-Seller's Platform and Business Matching with the business group for searching possible
profitable business linkages.
Herbal World 2008 would also incorporate an exhibition, focusing on the display of the Medicinal, Aromatic & Spice Plants, Herbs related
materials. Cynrix Innovations Sdn Bhd has a very good global network with the researchers, academicians & business organizations of these sectors and in this context, a lot of cultivators of medicinal plants, manufacturers of herbal medicine, health & beauty products, trade bodies, importers, exporters, national, regional and international companies and organizations and activists would be participating in
Herbal World 2008.
For detailed information of the event, visit www.herbalworld-expo.com.
December 2008
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 4-6, 2008. Pre-Conference Intensive Study Options, Dec. 1-3, 2008. Hyatt Regency Union Station, St. Louis, Missouri.
The annual Acres U.S.A. conference sets the standards for innovation and learning. It is where you find farmers and consultants from every side of eco-farming who come together to share their experience and expertise. Attend the non-stop event, learn the latest in cutting-edge technology and methods, and return home ready to make your farming operation the best it can be. For more information, visit www.acresusa.com/events/events.htm.
This Short Course will introduce students to proven BD approaches to soil, crop and animal husbandry through lectures, hands-on learning and readings from Bio-Dynamic Farming Practice (Sattler & Wistinghausen). Standard scientific study of biodynamic practices, as well as Goethe’s pioneering phenomenological studies of plant morphology, the primary background for the biodynamic approach to ecological farming, will be presented.
Workshop tuition: $200 per person. Instructors: Barry Lia, PhD; Henning Sehmsdorf, PhD, and Elizabeth Simpson, PhD. For more information, to preview the curriculum and pre-register (required), contact: barrylia@comcast.net. Limited to 20 students.
This Course is made possible by support from the Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR) BIOAg Program. It is also supported by discounts from the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association. Sponsored by King County Extension and by the S&S Center for Sustainable Agriculture, a BIOAg Learning Site.
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Kansas Rural Center Winter Conference, St. Monica-St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 1007 East Avenue, Blue Rapids Ks. beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. The purpose of the conference is to provide an opportunity to discuss the big picture of agriculture in this time of increasing input costs and volatile markets and high energy prices, provide practical information on alternative marketing and production ideas; and provide opportunities for farmer, rancher, and consumer networking.
Keynote speaker in the morning will be Dr. Fred Kirschenmann, Distinguished Fellow for the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, who will talk about the challenges of climate change, high input costs, expensive energy, and volatile markets. Dr. Daryl Buchholz, KSU, and Donn Teske, Kansas Farmers Union president, and others to be announced, will offer a response to Dr. Kirschenmann’s remarks, followed by audience discussion about agriculture and the food system’s future.
The afternoon offers six workshops covering a range of practical information including switching to grass based livestock systems, reducing input costs with integrated crop and livestock systems, local and regional food system opportunities and how to produce food for your neighbors and community, transitioning to organic farming, and on-farm and community wind energy options.
For more information, visit www.kansasruralcenter.org/calendar.html#KRC.
January 2009
With Dennis Klocek. A Coros Institute event in conjunction with the Biodynamic Association of Northern California (BDANC). The principles of the polarity of cosmos and earth in the Biodynamic preparations will be presented using images from embryology, physiology and natural science. The activity of forces in natural systems will be explored as the basis for understanding the unique pairings of organ and substance in the different preparations.
Topics will include: the activity of boundary layers in nature; the action of center and periphery as formative principles; silica as the archetypal form principle of sheaths; the function of nerve and blood in organ processes; secretion and sense activity in organisms; the infinitely distant and infinitely inward in plant growth.
Registration: sliding scale $65-100. Preregistration by January 5 includes lunch and refreshments. (Amounts above $75 can be considered a donation for scholarships: receipt is available upon request.) Use registration form at www.corosinstitute.org or call (916) 342-5718.
With keynote lecture by Dennis Klocek, "The Harmony Between the Natural World and the Soul." Open to the public. For more information, email lauraliska at cs.com.
In January 2009, some of the leading practitioners and exponents of biodynamic agriculture will gather at the historic Threefold Center - site of Ehrenfried Pfeiffer's pioneering work - to study and share their knowledge about the origins and future of Biodynamics. Those with an active interest and working knowledge of Rudolf Steiner's Agriculture lectures are invited to join in this enlightening seminar. Contact Mimi Satriano, (845) 352-5020 x15, mimi@threefold.org, www.pfeiffercenter.org.
29th annual Eco-Farm conference. Details to be announced.
January 21–24, 2009. Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, Tenn. This year the pre-conference courses will start earlier to give you more intensive learning experiences. We'll have two full days of pre-conference activities starting Wednesday morning, including a good variety of courses and field trips. The two full days of general conference will start Friday morning and will conclude after the big banquet dinner Saturday evening. Then on Sunday, we have a bonus event! We are partnering with USDA to provide a free grant writing workshop for those working with community based organizations and institutions that serve the agricultural community. The complete pre-conference and conference program, with registration information, is now posted on the Southern SAWG website at www.ssawg.org.
February 2009
Covers basic tasks for the first time beekeepers, with an emphasis on honoring the bees' needs. Contact the Pfeiffer Center 845-352-5020 X20, info@pfeiffercenter.org or visitwww.pfeiffercenter.org to learn more.
Nature’s life can become more embodied in our work when we enliven own perceptions and enhance our ability to form dynamic and holistic pictures of Nature’s creatures and processes. Winter is a good time to step back from day-to-day concerns and concentrate on honing our inner skills. We will work with different content areas and at the same time practice what Goethe called “exact sensorial imagination”—a way of coming alive to nature, or we might say, bringing nature to life in us. Each day will consist of the following activities
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Projective Geometry: Picturing and thinking in polarities
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Plants and Animals: Their essential and contrasting ways of being
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Observation exercises relating to plants and animals
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Astronomy: Finding orientation in the night sky
The course will be led by Craig Holdrege and Henrike Holdrege.
It begins at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25 and ends at 12 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.
For more information contact us. Gloria Kemp, The Nature Institute, 20 May Hill Road, Ghent, NY 12075 (518) 672-0116 fax (518) 672-4270 gloria@natureinstitute.org or visitwww.natureinstitute.org to learn more.
Join us for our 20th Anniversary Organic Farming Conference. Celebrating 20 years of sharing knowledge, finding solutions, and growing the organic movement together. Join a community of 2000+ farmers, educators, and advocates for a variety of informative workshops, dynamic speakers, and incredible food.
This year, for our 20th Anniversary we are pleased to have Dr. Vandana Shiva and Dr. Alan Greene as our keynote speakers!
Visit www.mosesorganic.org/conference to learn more. Full conference details will be listed in November.
The 14th Water Conservation Conference will focus on the links among, global, regional and local water issues and how the interests of food/agriculture, ecosystem stewardship and management dovetail with landscape and reduced-water consumption. Keynote address by Maude Barlow, Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. Day two keynote is Wes Jackson, President and Founder of the Land Institute. Visit www.xeriscapenm.com for speaker information or PDF brochure.
March 2009
Topics covered will include: planning the garden (what goes where and when), preparing the soil, planting and raising seedlings, companion planting, and weeding and mulching. Contact the Pfeiffer Center 845-352-5020 X20, info@pfeiffercenter.org or visit www.pfeiffercenter.org to learn more.
April 2009
Create the most favorable conditions for growing garden produce or crops with this simple, effective technique. Work with both hand tools and machines will be presented. Contact the Pfeiffer Center 845-352-5020 X20, info@pfeiffercenter.org or visit www.pfeiffercenter.org to learn more.
This annual event has become a must for many regional beekeepers wishing to keep up with the latest natural and holistic methods. Optional session for beginners. Contact the Pfeiffer Center 845-352-5020 X20, info@pfeiffercenter.org or visit www.pfeiffercenter.org to learn more.
May 2009
June 2009
The horse is an important source of petroleum-free power for the small farm, as well as fertilizer, and plays a vital role when the farm is seen as an organism. This workshop will include hands-on sessions in caring for and working with draft horses. Contact the Pfeiffer Center 845-352-5020 X20, info@pfeiffercenter.org or visit www.pfeiffercenter.org to learn more.
The All Things Organic (TM) Conference and Trade Show will mark its ninth year in 2009. Presented by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Diversified Business Communications, All Things Organic is the definitive annual meeting place of the North American organic industry, with an extensive conference program and a focused trade show floor open to only certified organic products and products approved for use in organic processing. The show has grown from 100 exhibitors in the 2001 inaugural event in Austin, TX, to over 600 booths of organic products and services and a buying audience of 12,000 in 2008. One hundred percent of all revenue OTA receives from All Things OrganicTM is reinvested in programs that support the organic business community.
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