Advanced biodynamic distance learning course with Cory Eichman

November 7, 2019 - March 5, 2020

Registration for the 2019-2020 cohort is closed

Digging Deeper: Cosmic and Earthly Evolution for Farmers is an advanced biodynamic course designed for those who wish to delve deeper into the spiritual scientific foundations of biodynamics.

Rudolf Steiner gave thousands of lectures, but wrote only a couple dozen books. The book An Outline of Esoteric Science (also titled Occult Science in previous translations) is Steiner's most comprehensive summary of the entirety of his work meant for the general public, and lays the foundation for most of the lecture courses he gave, including Agriculture

The curriculum of this course is centered on Chapter 4 of An Outline of Esoteric Science, which looks at the evolution of our Solar System, the Earth, the kingdoms of nature and humanity.  We will specifically explore those aspects that relate to our work on the land.

This course is open to anyone with a strong foundation in biodynamics.

Course Format

Digging Deeper: Cosmic and Earthly Evolution for Farmers will meet for fourteen weekly sessions on Thursday evenings from 7-8:30pm ET/6-7:30 CT/4-5:30 PT, beginning November 7, 2019, and ending March 5, 2020. There will be a break in November for American Thanksgiving and BDA National Conference, as well as a winter break over late December and early January. 

Cory and course participants will meet through interactive video classes that will include:

  • Lectures from Cory to illuminate and clarify the topics of study
  • Readings with study questions from An Outline of Esoteric Science
  • Question and answer sessions
  • Small-group and full-group facilitated conversation and discussion
  • Meditative and artistic activities

To fully participate in the live video sessions, you will need to have a reliable internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a camera and microphone. If you don’t have a device that will support this video technology, you may access the course via telephone. Video and audio recordings of each weekly session will be available to participants to review content or make up for a missed class. 

To ensure continuity and a high-quality educational experience, participants are asked to commit to the full four months and late registrations will not be accepted.

A certificate of completion will be available, please review requirements here.

For the full course schedule, click here.

Required Text

Steiner, Rudolf. An Outline of Esoteric Science. SteinerBooks, 1997.

Available from Steiner Books at www.steinerbooks.org or 703-661-1594.

Chapters 1-3 of the book are expected to be read before the first session on November 7. Reading these before this course will help bring context for Chapter 4 which will be the main focus of Digging Deeper.

Registration

Registration for the 2019-2020 will open in August. Tuition for this course is $300. Soil Builder members receive a discounted rate of $270 (10% off), Seed Sower and above members receive a rate of $240 (20% off). Not a member? You can join for as little as $5 and receive the discount instantly.

Partial scholarships are available through the Biodynamic Scholarship Fund

Testimonials from Participants in Digging Deeper

"I feel like I can never hear and discuss these concepts enough times, especially with Cory as teacher/facilitator. He is fantastic! "

"Cory offered us a rich mosaic of ideas and questions -- I'm sure I will continue to return to this work of this class as I continue to study Steiner."


Cory Eichman has been farming in the context of biodynamic CSAs for over 20 years, beginning with apprenticeship in 1992. In 1997, he founded Saugeen River CSA, an 80-acre draft-horse-powered biodynamic farm in Durham, Ontario. Cory has been active in the Ontario Biodynamic Society since 1998, and on the board for 6 years. He was also on the board of Demeter Canada for 6 years. Cory has mentored apprentices since 1998, and has been teaching introductory and advanced Biodynamic courses through the Rudolf Steiner Centre Toronto and independently since 2005. He helped to found the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program beginning in 2006, and continues to be a member of the steering committee.