Biodynamics

The Association's Biodynamics journal has a long history as one of the preeminent publications on biodynamic farming and gardening. First published in 1941 soon after the formation of the Association, Biodynamics has been in nearly constant publication since then. Now a quarterly publication included as a membership benefit, each journal provides a thoughtful collection of original articles centered on a theme of interest to the biodynamic community. Recent themes have included farm-based education, preserving farmland, biodynamics and the environment, opportunities for new farmers, and research.

What can you find in an issue of Biodynamics?

• in-depth articles and resources related to the quarterly theme
• voices from the community — farmers, gardeners, winemakers, apprentices, consumers, BDA members, etc.
• discussion of the biodynamic preparations
• regional, national, and international news and updates
• book and film reviews
• event overviews
• organizational updates — what we're doing, and news from those with whom we collaborate
• seasonal recipes from Chef Anthony Lo Pinto
• regular columns — such as "Voices from the Farm" and "The Last Word," John Bloom's regular installment on the cultural and literary connotations of various vegetables
• and more...perhaps farm poetry, student photography, short stories — please keep coming to us with your ideas!

Please consider subscribing to Biodynamics by becoming a member. Our deep appreciation goes to all our members who make the investment in these difficult economic times to help us nurture the seeds of deep spiritual, social, and agricultural renewal. We must continue to bring our unique contribution, if the scales of our civilization are going to tip in the direction of a knowing, loving, skillful, and reverent approach to food and farming. Your support and participation are essential for this hope to be realized.


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Fall 2009 — Farm-Based Education




Growth on the Farm

Letter from the Editor

We hope you find as much inspiration in this issue’s theme of farm-based education as we found in compiling it. Reading about the various ills of our time in the news — of disease and obesity and malnourishment, of the environmental degradation of conventional industrialized agriculture, of our collective disconnection from the natural world and our social and spiritual disfunction — one can grow disheartened. But through farm-based education
we find some hope, not only that we can address our health and environmental woes, but also that we might further our own human development. More than a simple exhortation to respect nature, farm-based education at its best can help to develop the individual as a full human being, and also help to develop society as a whole. The BDA will continue to support these efforts, as we have done most recently with the retreat we co-sponsored in November for farm-based educators whose work is inspired by biodynamic agriculture, Waldorf education, or anthroposophy.

Jennifer Rosenstein brings to life how visiting and working on a farm (Hawthorne Valley, in particular) can provide children with much more than just academic knowledge; the experience actually engenders deeper, more meaningful changes within them. The following article by Matthew Davis explains the practical aspects of Hawthorne Valley’s children’s programs and how the “authentic” experience of spending time on a truly working, commercial farm, as opposed to the idealized farms of stories, is grounded in the “ecological and economic realities of the present day.” We extend our tremendous gratitude to Matthew for his invaluable advice and contributions as we put this issue together.

Moving from children to young, and sometimes older, adults, we provide several perspectives on the apprenticeship learning experience on biodynamic farms: “Re-Imagining Possibilities on Spikenard Farm,” by Peter Alexanian; “Seasonal Learning at Frog Belly Farm,” by Maggie Mahle; and poetry inspired by Michael Geselbracht’s apprenticeship experience on Alderlea Farm in British Columbia. Thanks to the number of fantastic responses, we will be offering additional apprenticeship perspectives in subsequent issues and online. Related to this topic, the recently formed North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program, which is co-sponsored by the BDA, provides an update on the winter intensive courses at Hawthorne Valley that will fulfill part of the Program’s classroom requirement.

Finally, Jacqueline Freeman brings her first-hand knowledge as we look at the adult educational experience on the farm. On-farm classes are one avenue, as are “agritherapy” farm-stays. Jacqueline eloquently walks us through the agritherapy experience, which seems a fitting complement to more traditional on-farm education, as “[a] heartfelt connection to Nature brings us back into the primal co-creative partnership with the world around us and shows us how to contribute to our community.”

As always, this issue also includes our regular features, news, and organizational updates. We are also very honored to present Malcolm Gardner’s thoughtful study of the Fourth Lecture of Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course, as well as the fascinating results from sensitive crystallizations conducted by Philippe Coderey of Bonny Doon Vineyard.

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For comments, questions, submissions, or inquiries, please email journal@biodynamics.com or write to Rebecca Briggs, Editor, Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, 25844 Butler Road, OR 97448.

Biodynamics is our quarterly membership journal. Please consider becoming a member. We greatly appreciate and rely upon your support!

Table of contents for this issue, including selected articles available in HTML. (More to come.)

• Photographs accompanying Sensitive Crystallizations, by Philippe Coderey

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Click here for submission and editorial information. Advertising information is available in pdf format.

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ARCHIVES

Spring 2009: Preserving the Farm

Winter 2009: Biodynamics and the Environment

Fall 2008: Opportunities for New Farmers and Gardeners

Summer 2008: Research

Spring 2008: Associative Economics and Community Supported Agriculture

Winter 2008: Biodynamic Agriculture Past, Present, and Future — 70th Anniversary of the Association

Fall 2007: Commemoration of Herbert H. Koepf