Four Pillars of Future Agriculture – held at Waitawheta Camp, Waihi from 26th to 28th April 2019.

The 2019 Biodynamic Conference will be held at Waitawheta Camp, Waihi from the 26th to 28th April 2019.

The programme for the conference is coming together and looks to be a thought-provoking weekend. As the title suggests, there will be discussions on three different modes of agriculture, and then how biodynamics can draw all of them together. The four pillars of future agriculture that we will look at are:

• Mineral Balancing – William Albrecht’s work
• Biological Management – Elaine Ingham’s work: Soil Food Web
• Holistic Grazing – Alan Savory’s work
• Biodynamics – Rudolf Steiner’s work

There will also be a farm visit and Steve & Jenny Erickson will kindly open up their farm for us to look at and discuss the differing parts of the property that make up the organism that is Chaos Springs.

The programme will be completed and registrations open in the next week or so. Any questions please contact the office.

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Conference registrations will be closing this weekend.  Don’t miss out on a wonderful opportunity to hear some great speakers.  Registrations can be made here.

Press Release – 2018 Biodynamic Conference

Biodynamic agriculture is a way of living, working and relating to nature. Based on common sense practices, a consciousness of the uniqueness of each landscape, and the inner development of each practitioner. It provides a holistic, economical farming system, reducing our dependence on expensive and polluting mineral fertilisers and other chemical or synthetic inputs.

Based on the philosophies of Rudolf Steiner, biodynamics works in harmony with nature’s rhythms, improves the quality of the soil, strengthens the natural immunity of land, plants and animals and embraces the health of the environment.

The organizing committee for the Biodynamic Association’s Annual Conference are made up of members of The Otago Biodynamic Community, a discussion group – set up in 2013 and managed by Su Hoskin and Loran Verpillot. The group holds informal meetings to share ideas and knowledge, run workshops and seminars relating to organic and biodynamic land husbandry.

There is a growing movement of Biodynamic farmers in our region and we are excited to be hosting an event, which, hopes to attract more than a hundred attendees from all over New Zealand and beyond.

Each year different regions within New Zealand host the conference. This year Central Otago was chosen to showcase some of the countries most extreme climates and diverse terrain. The perfect backdrop for the theme – Water and Light.

Whilst central Otago is home to some of New Zealand’s most significant biodynamic wine producers, this is not a wine event. Although it is interesting that the wine industry has been the one to take the subject of biodynamics seriously. This might be due to the fact that the wines tend to have a vitality and vibrancy and are a more honest interpretation of the vineyards terroir.

The opening day will be held at The Orchard Gardens in Clyde on 22nd June and continue at the Rippon Hall, Wanaka on the 23^rd and 24^th to coincide with the Winter Solstice and Matariki celebrations.

The programme includes talks by leading biodynamic experts including a keynote presentation by Thea Maria Carlson from the Biodynamic Association in the United States. The weekend event includes workshops; farm visits, a banquet on the Saturday evening with local band Black Lagoon providing entertainment.

Locally owned and run Oasis Yurts will be accommodating our guest speakers in a unique lodge setting.

We are grateful to our generous sponsors including Ceres Organics, the Otago Community Trust, Eurofins, Commonsense Organics, Chaos Springs and BioGro.

Registrations and further details can be found at https://biodynamic.org.nz/news-events/our-sponsors-2018

We have three main goals for our conference. One of these is, as the Biodynamic Association mission states, to foster, guide and safeguard the biodynamic approach to agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry in New Zealand. This involves nourishing, strengthening, and supporting our current biodynamic community.

Our second goal, however, is to use the conference to reach out to new individuals and groups who may be interested and offer them an opportunity to explore biodynamics in a friendly, open setting. This is one of the reasons we have an introductory workshop that will be held at Domaine Thomson Vineyard in Lowburn on the 21^st June.

Our third goal is to support the growth and development of the wider food and social change movements. In light of this, our presenters and keynote speakers are not just biodynamic folk. Many people are seeking to align their lives, their farming and gardening practices and their food buying, cooking, and eating practices with a deeper understanding of the earth. In this regard, we see this conference as an important bridge-building event. We have learned from our previous conferences that this combination of goals and audience works very well together. It creates a dynamic mix of people and perspectives that builds a powerful sense of community.

The global biodynamic movement is growing both inside and out of the wine business. Herein lies your opportunity to immerse yourselves into one of our country’s unique wine growing regions, whilst taking in the breathtaking Alpine scenery and the spirit of its people during one of the most important seasonal and cultural festivals of the year.

All places have been booked and registration has now closed for the Pre-Conference Workshop being held on Thursday, 21st June.  We are sorry if you have missed out, but if you would like to go on a waiting list in case of cancellation please email info@biodynamic.org.nz.

Water & Light – Biodynamic Conference 2018 sponsored by Ceres Organics

Registrations are now open for the 2018 biodynamic conference being held on 22 June in Clyde and 23-24 June in Wanaka.  The theme for the conference is Water & Light.  The programme includes experienced national and international biodynamic speakers .

Find a copy of the programme for the three days here.

Further information about the speakers can be found here.

Registrations for the conference can be made here.

Registrations are now open for the Pre-conference workshop “an Introduction to Biodynamics”.  Spaces are limited for this workshop and will fill up quickly.

Information about the day can be found here.

Bookings can be made here.  Once we receive your payment your space will be reserved.

The theme for the 2018 Biodynamic Conference is Water and Light.  And what a wonderful place to appreciate both – Central Otago.

The 2018 Biodynamic Conference will take place from Friday, 22nd to Sunday, 24th June 2018.  The first day will be spent at The Orchard Garden in Clyde and moving to Rippon Vineyard for the Saturday and Sunday workshops.

Keynote addresses will be given by Thea Maria Carlson, the newly appointed Executive Director of the American Biodynamic Association (BDA), who will share highlights of the BDA’s recent work in promoting the biodynamic movement in North America.

The second keynote speaker is Ian Trousdell, director of The Foundation for Water.  Ian will talk on the rhythmical dynamic flow and energy of water.

There will be workshops on Maori Star Lore and the Dark Skies, which is appropriate as this is around the time of year that the festival of Matariki is celebrated.  Other talks will cover tree pruning and working with the biodynamic tree paste, along with further talks on water and light.

Mark your calendar now for an inspiring weekend.  Even better, book your flights and accommodation!  The Queenstown Winter Festival is on at the same time so it will be a busy place to get to.  More details and updates will be added here or on our Facebook page in the coming weeks.

(Photo: Rippon)

2018 Biodynamic Conference, held at Clyde 22nd June and Wanaka 23rd & 24th June 2018.

Due to the success of the pre-conference workshop last year, we’re delighted to announce that we will again be hosting an introductory workshop before the 2018 Biodynamic Conference.  This workshop will be held at Domaine Thomson Vineyard, Cromwell on Thursday, 21st June 2018.

Topics that will be covered include all the important basics such as compost making, the compost preparations, the biodynamic calendar and much more.

There will be plenty of opportunity for people to ask questions and make the most of the opportunity to spend time with inspiring and knowledgeable teachers of biodynamics.

Mark your calendar now for an inspiring day.

For more information watch this space!  More details and updates will be added here or on our Facebook page in the coming weeks.