What if the whole earth, like a human being, is a self-regulating, multi-dimensional organism with a body, soul and spirit? What might this mean for sustainable agriculture, environmental activism and the education of children? In the morning lectures, we will build up a spiritual-scientific understanding of the natural world and then use this as a basis for understanding the principles and practices of biodynamic agriculture and Waldorf education. In the morning workshop, we will practice embodying the wisdom of bees by deepening our ability to connect creatively and harmoniously with nature as well as one another, so that our social ecosystems can begin to reflect and tap into the same sources of wisdom we witness in the natural world and on biodynamic farms.
GUEST SPEAKER: Robert Karp
MORNING LECTURE: Earth, Water, Air and Fire: Exploring the Spiritual Scientific Foundations of Biodynamic Agriculture
The morning lectures will build up a spiritual-scientific understanding of the natural world, including the human world. This will lay a foundation for understanding the principles and practices of biodynamic agriculture, such as the farm organism, the farm individuality and the biodynamic preparations. It will also shed light on the mysteries of the elemental beings, the seasons and the stages of child development.
MORNING WORKSHOP: Embodying the Wisdom of the Bees: Social Life as Ecological Practice
How do we harmonize individual initiative and collective wisdom in our groups and schools? Can the way we work with and in groups begin to reflect the wisdom we witness in the natural world, on biodynamic farms or in a colony of bees? In this workshop, we will engage with a host of social-ecological-artistic exercises designed to deepen our ability to creatively connect and work with nature as well as one another.
AFTERNOON WORKSHOP: An Examination of Honeybees: Nuances through Nature
Honeybees are intrinsically fascinating. The harmonious relationship they have amongst their colony and plants is awe inspiring. Chicago Beekeeper, Naaman Gambill, will lead the group in understanding how to manage honeybees with contemporary methods, the importance of bees to our ecosystem, and the daily miracles they perform inside their hives.
Robert Karp
Robert Karp, M.Ed. is a writer, educator, consultant and social entrepreneur informed by the insights of the philosopher and social activist Rudolf Steiner. Robert has served as executive director of the Biodynamic Association and of Practical Farmers of Iowa. He is the founder and director of New Spirit Farmland Partnerships, which helps organic and other conservation minded farmers secure long-term access to farmland by facilitating partnerships with social impact investors. Robert lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he is also active in supporting the work of the Emmaus Branch of the Anthroposophical Society.
Naaman Gambill
Naaman Gambill, Managing Partner of The Hive: Chicago’s Beekeeping Supply Store, has been beekeeping in Chicago for the last 7 years. Prior to establishing Chicago’s first fully devoted beekeeping store, Naaman served as Westside Bee Boyz LLC’s Head Beekeeper and Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance’s Head Beekeeper and Greening Programs Coordinator. His experience as a teacher and relationships to the beekeeping community led him to opening the store to assist beekeepers in the Chicagoland area.
SCHEDULE
8:30-9:30: Folk Dancing with Jutta & the Hi-Dukes
9:30-9:45: Brief break
9:45-10:45: Earth, Water, Air and Fire: Exploring the Spiritual Scientific Foundations of Biodynamic Agriculture with Robert Karp
10:45-11:15: Snack break, provided daily by Arcturus
11:15-12:15: Embodying the Wisdom of the Bees: Social Life as Ecological Practice with Robert Karp
12:15-1:30: Lunch break
1:30-3:30: An Examination of Honeybees: Nuances through Nature with Naaman Gambill