CREATING HEALTH THROUGH BIODYNAMICS By Rober t Karp, Execut ive Director, Biodynamic Associat ion

RETHINKING AGRICULTURE SUMMER/FALL 2014 NEWSLETTER

Long Hungry Creek Farm, where Jeff Poppen will host a post-conference on-farm field day

(© M

ark

Trel

a)

Foxhollow Farm, where pre- and post-conference field days will be held

More than 700 people gathered at the 2012 Biodynamic Conference

Laura Riccardi Lyvers explains the biodynamic strategies at Foxhollow Farm

What is health? And what contributes to it in our farms and gardens, landscapes, and communities? We use the word health habitually, but do we know what we mean by it?

The usual understanding of health is negative, meaning the absence of illness and disease. And yet this is precisely the kind of definition that leads to endless problems because it fosters a superficial way of seeing nature and human beings. Let me give you a small example of how this superficial logic works.

There are a handful of maple trees in my yard and hundreds in my neighborhood with ugly black spots on their leaves. I researched the disease and was shocked to discover that, while scientists consider the spots to be ugly, they do not consider the fungus that causes them to be dangerous to the “health” of the trees! Rather than looking at the spots as an important indicator of something deeper going on within the trees and within the larger ecosystem of soil, water, and air, these scientists look only at the surface and see the fungus as non-health threatening because it is not, in the short term anyway, killing the tree.

This is the same kind of reductionism that leads people to treat:

• Soil as only a medium for delivering nutrients to plants rather than as a living, bio-diverse ecosystem which must be properly cared for and nourished; • Weeds and pests as just the “enemy” to be eradicated rather than as important indicators of imbalances on the farm; • Animals as simply a source of food for humans rather than as sentient beings with an innate dignity; • Human beings as interchangeable units of labor rather than as creative agents of health and healing in the fabric of nature and society. Continued on Page 2

Biodynamics offers a much deeper perspective on health and healing – a living, dynamic perspective that opens our eyes to the subtle expressions of health and illness in soil, plants and animals and to the subtle forces that must be stimulated to bring about true health. It is this deeper understanding of health and how to foster it that we will be exploring at our next North American Biodynamic Conference in November, “Farming for Health.”

A remarkable array of keynoters and workshops leaders –from both within and outside the biodynamic community –are coming together to share not only their perspective on these deep questions, but also the many practical ways they have learned to foster, stimulate, enhance, and restore health on their farms, gardens, and communities.

And of course, we will not simply talk about this topic and share lessons, techniques, and strategies. We will also seek again to gather in a sacred manner that actually creates health through the way we come together as a community.

We should not underestimate the significance of such gatherings for our own rejuvenation, for the life and health of our movement, and for the life and health of the earth itself. For when we gather together in harmony, uniting our diverse interests, capacities, and perspectives in a higher unity, we create indeed a special kind of medicine for the healing of our own souls and the soul of the earth.

Through guided conversations, learning community and interest group meetups, music and dancing, sensory exercises, extraordinary food, open space for conversations and networking, and our closing ceremony, we will seek again to rise to the occasion of being a community of people dedicated to the healing of the planet through the sacred wisdom and practices of biodynamics.

In this spirit, I warmly invite you to join us for another historic gathering in the beautiful and gracious mid-south city of Louisville, Kentucky!

B IODYNAMIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND:Providing Access to Educat ional and Advis ing Oppor tuni t ies

“

”

Small-group discussions at the 2012 Biodynamic Conference

The Biodynamic Scholarship Fund is a program of the Biodynamic Association serving those who want to learn about and develop their skills in biodynamics, but who lack the financial resources to participate in educational opportunities. Since 2010, we have awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to more than 200 farmers, aspiring farmers, educators, and others to attend the North American Biodynamic Conference and other biodynamic courses, workshops, and conferences.

As one 2012 scholarship recipient reflected:

The biodynamic conference was an unforgettable experience. I have never felt so at home with so many people. It was so amazing to hear people’s stories and how they were connected to biodynamics, from ones who have never heard of the word before the conference to all the farmers I’ve read and heard about and always wanted to meet. The workshops and keynote speakers were excellent. One thing that really stood out to me was the sense of community and united vision. I feel honored to be a part of the biodynamic movement that is truly committed to being sacred stewards of the land.

Each time we hold the Biodynamic Conference, we hear from more and more young and beginning farmers who yearn to learn new ideas and connect with other farmers at this exceptional educational and community-building event. This year we have already received more than 100 scholarship applications, many from farmers who have not yet had the opportunity to participate in a biodynamic conference. Can you help us open the doors for them to attend by making a donation to the scholarship fund?

Your gift will help bring health to the land and to the lives of farmers and rural communities. To donate, please call 262-649-9212, visit www.biodynamics.com/donate, or select a donation amount when you register for the conference. Thank you for your support!

Pfeiffer Center midwinter intesnsive scholarship recipients

SNAPSHOTS OF THE NORTH AMERICANBiodynamic Communi ty

Digging biodynamic horn manure at Hack Farm in Kincardine, ON (© Laurie McGregor)

Goats at Mountain Song Community School in Colorado Springs, CO, just one aspect of a new urban farm on a former acre-and-a-half parking lot (© Kirsten Young) (read more in our July 21 post at biodynamicsbda.wordpress.com)

BDA Executive Director Robert Karp visited the Community Farm of Ann Arbor in MI, one of the early adopters of community supported agriculture (find out more in our July 17 post at biodynamicsbda.wordpress.com)

Picking dandelion blossoms for fall at Hack Farm in Kincardine, ON (© Laurie McGregor)

VEGETABLE GARDENING FOR ORGANIC AND BIODYNAMIC GROWERS:Joel Morrow’s ser ies of vegetable “biographies”

Long-time members of the Biodynamic Association may remember Joel Morrow’s series of vegetable “biographies” in the Biodynamics journal. His interviews with vegetables have continued for 30 years. This newly published collection is a wealth of inspiration, cultural background, and practical biodynamic growing information. Availablethrough our webstore www.biodynamics.com/_webstore.

The Biodynamic Scholarship Fund is a program of the Biodynamic Association serving those who want to learn about and develop their skills in biodynamics, but who lack the financial resources to participate in educational opportunities. Since 2010, we have awarded over $50,000 in scholarships to more than 200 farmers, aspiring farmers, educators, and others to attend the North American Biodynamic Conference and other biodynamic courses, workshops, and conferences.

As one 2012 scholarship recipient reflected:

The biodynamic conference was an unforgettable experience. I have never felt so at home with so many people. It was so amazing to hear people’s stories and how they were connected to biodynamics, from ones who have never heard of the word before the conference to all the farmers I’ve read and heard about and always wanted to meet. The workshops and keynote speakers were excellent. One thing that really stood out to me was the sense of community and united vision. I feel honored to be a part of the biodynamic movement that is truly committed to being sacred stewards of the land.

Each time we hold the Biodynamic Conference, we hear from more and more young and beginning farmers who yearn to learn new ideas and connect with other farmers at this exceptional educational and community-building event. This year we have already received more than 100 scholarship applications, many from farmers who have not yet had the opportunity to participate in a biodynamic conference. Can you help us open the doors for them to attend by making a donation to the scholarship fund?

Your gift will help bring health to the land and to the lives of farmers and rural communities. To donate, please call 262-649-9212, visit www.biodynamics.com/donate, or select a donation amount when you register for the conference. Thank you for your support!

BIODYNAMIC ASSOCIATION1661 N. WATER STREET, SUITE 307MILWAUKEE, WI 53202info@biodynamics.com | www.biodynamics.com

NONPROFITUS POSTAGE

PAIDEUGENE, OR

PERMIT NO. 921

2014 Biodynamic ConferenceFARMING FORHEALTHNovember 13th through 16thHyatt Regency, Louisville, KY

REGISTER NOW AT WWW.BIODYNAMICS.COM/CONFERENCE

EXPLORING THE INTIMATE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE HEALTH OF SOIL, PLANTS, ANIMALS AND PEOPLE

More than 60 workshops in 13 tracks, including biodynamic basics,

animals, health, soil and compost, biodynamic preparations, and advanced biodynamics. More than 70 presenters from across North America and overseas. Plus on-farm field days,

a celebratory food and wine tasting, exhibits, children’s activities, artistic activities, dancing, and much more!