BIODYNAMIC WORKSHOP
Friday, March 16, 2018 4:00 p.m. thru
Sunday, March 18, 2018 4:00 p.m.
Hawthorne Valley Farm, Harlemville, NY
The Institute for Mindful Agriculture (IMA) will host The Next Step: Biodynamics as a Science of Initiation; The Evolution of Form with Enzo Nastati and Frank Chester, in collaboration with Steiner Books and the Biodynamic Association as part of the SteinerBooks Spiritual Research Seminar series.
with Enzo Nastati and Frank Chester
“The stated primary aim of [Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on Agriculture] was to address three problems that had often been brought to [his] attention: the degeneration of plants; the diminishing nutritional value of food; the lowering fertility of farm animals. One can experience a certain wry amusement to think that these were pressing concerns in the 1920s, when we would now be happy to have those plants and their nutritional value. Evidently, however, there were already early signs of a situation that was destined to worsen dramatically to the point that, in our opinion, it is now no longer remediable with the methods of organic farming alone.”
Enzo Nastati, Commentary on Dr. Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course
As we approach the third decade of the twenty-first century, the call to Do Something to Save the Earth is more urgent now than ever before. That is, if we can even hear it. The distractions of twenty-first century life multiply, while the human tendency—admirable and necessary in some respects—to accept “the way things are” with equanimity is presenting humanity and the living Earth with the most serious crisis of action either has ever known.
To love the Earth and humanity is to recognize that “the way things are” has to be remedied; and, considered broadly, we are running late in so doing. But only fully-conscious human beings can affect the necessary remediation; can offer Mother Earth the proper medicine.
To begin, the first thing that has to change is our thinking.
What, then, comes next?
This year’s SteinerBooks Spiritual Research Seminar will present (inspecial collaboration with the Biodynamic Association and The Institute for Mindful Agriculture) two individuals who point the way forward with accomplishments born of their own research. EnzoNastati and Frank Chester are exemplary not only for translating the insights of Rudolf Steiner’s spiritual science into fruitful, positive deeds in the world, but also in picking up and carrying those insights further. We hope and expect that this weekend will inspire others to do the same.
MAIN SPEAKERS:
Enzo Nastati will explain the development of classic biodynamics into new areas, such as developing new plants, new resistances, new qualities, and new machines that will bring new life to farms and gardens, as well as how this provides new insights into esoteric Christianity.
Frank Chester will speak on the development of new forms and shapes to improve vitality and stimulate new ways of perceiving the world around us.
Schedule:
Friday, March 16
6:15 pm On-site registration and check-ins
7:00 pm Opening greetings and introductions (Gene Gollogly)
7:15 pm The task of biodynamics in the evolution of the Earth (Enzo Nastati**)
Saturday, March 17
9:00 am How to develop the impulses given by Rudolf Steiner in Koberwitz (Enzo Nastati)
10:30 am (Break)
11:00 am How to stimulate new qualities and resistance in plants and animals I (Enzo Nastati)
12:30 pm (Lunch)
2:00 pm How to stimulate new qualities and resistance in plants and animals II (Enzo Nastati)
3:30 pm (Break)
4:00 pm New plants and new machines (Enzo Nastati)
5:30 pm (Dinner)
7:00 pm Evolution and form (Frank Chester)
Sunday, March 18
9:00 am How to grow plants in difficult environments (Enzo Nastati)
10:30 am (Break)
11:00 am Setting up an evolutionary agricultural organism (Enzo Nastati)
12:30 pm (Lunch)
2:00 pm Form and evolution: The science of the future (Frank Chester)
3:30 pm Biodynamics as the science of initiation (Enzo Nastati)
*Note 1: Monday Morning, March 19, participants are invited to join Enzo Nastati and Steffen Schneider (Director of the Institute for Mindful Agriculture and longtime farm manager of Hawthorne Valley Farm) for a walking tour of Hawthorne Valley Farm and a discussion afterward. (The exact time for the tour to be determined.)**Note 2: Enzo Nastati will deliver his presentations in Italian; these will be translated in segments by a professional translator highly experienced in working in this manner with Mr. Nastati.
Cost: $200
Location: Hawthorne Valley Farm, a 500-acre biodynamic farm located at 327 County Route 21C Ghent, NY 12075. We will meet in the Community Hall of the Hawthorne Valley Waldorf School, across the street from the farm.
Getting there: There is no public transportation to the farm so arrangements must be made privately. The closest airport is Albany International (ALB), approximately 45 minutes away by car; Hudson, NY (approximately 20 minutes by car) is serviced by Amtrak; MetroNorth commuter train service stops at Wassaic, NY (45 minutes by car).
Meals: The Hawthorne Valley Farm Store Cafe provides reasonably priced all-organic breakfast, lunch, and dinner (until 6:30 pm). The Farm Store is open from 7:30 am to 7 pm, seven days a week.Lodging: A list of accommodations near Hawthorne Valley can be found here:https://hawthornevalley.org/contact/accommodations/
Registering: <https://steinerbooks.regfox.com/2018-spiritual-research-seminar>
Check by mail to:
SteinerBooks, “ATTN: Seminar”, 610 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
(please include your name, address, phone number, and email address)
Credit card over the phone:
413-528-8233, ext. 4, during regular business hours
In-person beginning at 6:15 pm on Friday, March 16