On a ‘descending root day’ the North Auckland, Land Based Training: Sustainable Primary Production students gathered at Shelly Beach Farm to dig up last year’s cow horns and spread 500 on the pasture. By all accounts it was a great social event.
Bridget Henderson has shared with us some fantastic photos of the students in action and the following observation;
“When the horns were laid down we buried some with openings facing down and some lying on their sides. Upon digging up, the ones facing down had not turned as well as the ones on their sides.. interesting!”
We would like to thank Bridget for sharing with us these fabulous images – its great to see biodynamics in action!
If you have any images and stories of events you have attended around New Zealand, we would love to hear from you and feature your event in our monthly members newsletter, or here on the blog.
Please email secretary@biodynamic.org.nz to share your stories and images.
https://biodynamic.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/28d8986a-08f0-49af-8645-2460b3485f75.jpg20481536Biodynamichttps://biodynamic.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/logo-for-web2022-colour2.pngBiodynamic2024-11-21 16:26:342024-11-21 16:46:34Land Based Primary Production Students in Action
Spring Equinox inches closer with the usual August snow and frosts one day and clear sunny warm days the next; encouraging the bulbs and fruit tree buds towards blossoming… Spring is on its way!
We are now heading into one of the busiest times in the Biodynamic year. It is a last opportunity to prune fruit trees and vines, apply tree paste, spread out compost and CPP to stabilise the Spring growth forces. Its also time to sow seeds for Spring and Summer planting, prepare to dig up the Horn Manure 500 horns and stir and spray Horn Silica 501, as bud burst occurs on fruiting plants.
To help you with your planning some key dates are:
September 3rd with ascending new moon opposition Saturn in Leo, in front of Sun sign Leo, for seed sowing, or spraying Horn Silica 501 if you have fruit trees and have already put out several lots of Horn manure 500.
The Sun moves in front of the Virgin, just into the early morning of the 18th September with a Perigee Full Moon Lunar Eclipse that day, and a Node on the 19th. Consequently it might be best to either dig up your BD500 horns, or stir 500 on Sunday 15th September, or wait until the 22nd/23rd/24th September and join the crowds!
100 Years Spring Equinox Countrywide Stir Sunday 22nd September 3pm! With Spring Equinox not far off, Biodynamics New Zealand invites you to gather together with friends, regional groups, and BD whanau to stir some Horn Manure 500 or CPP to enliven your properties. The Moon will be in a descending phase in earth (root) sign Taurus on the 22nd and 23rd September, so perfect timing for some down to Earth action.
If you are keen to participate in the 100 years Spring Equinox Stir, please send in a photo or short reel to Jayne secretary@biodynamic.org.nz in doing so you agree to have your images/videos posted on social media or used in our monthly 500Footnote email.
All those who send in photos or videos will go in the draw to win a prize pack that includes a Brian Keats calendar, the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Calendar and a preparation pack of 500, 501 and CPP.
Entries are open to New Zealand residents only and close at 5pm September 29th and the winner will be drawn on October 1st, 2024. The winner will be contacted directly and posted in the October footnote and featured on social media.
Good luck to all who enter, we cannot wait to see your photos and videos!
https://biodynamic.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/logo-for-web2022-colour2.png00Biodynamichttps://biodynamic.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/logo-for-web2022-colour2.pngBiodynamic2024-08-30 12:54:102024-08-30 12:55:00Get Ready For Spring!
We invite you to join us in the beautiful Hawkes Bay May 4-5th during organic week to celebrate the biodynamic community and the agriculture course birthed 100 years ago.
https://biodynamic.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/original-CA27A2D7-1AC7-4294-B654-DE462D16F113.jpeg16151154Biodynamichttps://biodynamic.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/logo-for-web2022-colour2.pngBiodynamic2024-01-26 12:11:302024-04-25 13:16:59Soil ~ Soul ~ Social Conference Celebrating 100 Years of Biodynamics
What a fabulous weekend! Three days of learning, inspiration and connection 🙂
Here’s what one attendee said ->
“It was incredible to be able to connect with everyone! In the beginning everyone was basically strangers, and by the end I knew so many people! The food was fab and the range of speakers was great. Also loved to get some of the older BD magazines”
Pre-Conference Introductory Workshop
The Pre-Conference Introductory Workshop was the first (unofficial) day of this year’s Biodynamics Conference and it was hosted by Joanne and Greg Turner at Woodhouse Farm Organics.
Rachel Pomeroy and Katrina Wolff were our tutors for the day, and we started with Rachel taking us through a bit of the background of Steiner’s the Agriculture Course. Katrina then takes us through the preparations.
A great overview for anyone new to biodynamics!
We then got the group outside to start building the biodynamic compost! You can see everyone standing around the work of art that was created 🙂
If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you can check out a few short snippets of the wisdom and inspiration that Rachel and Katrina shared at this workshop.
Conference Day One
After a productive Pre-Conference Workshop – it was time to dive into the Biodynamics Conference proper. On Saturday we heard from speakers; Gary Williams, Dieter Proebst, Kaitlyn Lamb, Peter Bacchus and Andrew Criglington.
Attendees were particularly inspired by Kaitlyn, our youngest speaker who shared her story and journey with composting and biodynamics. Kaitlyn became interested after being introduced via Katrina’s social media – Blue Borage.
Charlie was the last speaker of the day and he surprised us by doing a short interview with Rachel Pomeroy! Giving us a little laster of what his podcast – The Regenerative Journey – is like.
“Loved Charlie Arnott, Kaitlyn and the homeopathic speakers.”
Joanne Turner introducing the first speaker of the dayGary Williams speaking on Regenerative Practices for Land and WaterDieter Proebst speaking on PermacultureKatrina Wolff introducing our youngest speaker Kaitlyn LambJoanne thanking Kaitlyn for her presentation – ‘Finding My Ikaigai’Peter Bacchus speaking on homeopathyAndrew Criglington speaking on homeopathyCharlie Arnott speaking on the Power of ConnectionCharlie Arnott interviewing Rachel Pomeroy
Conference Day Two
The final day started with some yoga and meditation for those who wanted to join, then we got straight back into it! Charlie took Sunday’s first session on ‘Why Regenerative Agriculture Matters – Lessons from my Farming Journey’.
Monique Macfarlane took us through her inspiring journey and ‘The grounding perspective of the interconnectedness of everything’. And last, but certainly not least, was Cathy Tait-Jamieson with a poignant story about her journey with BioFarm and learnings from incorporating the philosophy of Hua Parakore.
Sunday wrapped up with some group collaboration and brainstorming. We gathered in our regional groups to talk about the best ways to connect and work together. Some great ideas came out of this session!
If you weren’t at conference but have some ideas – please feel free to fire them through to Laura marketing@biodynamic.org.nz. Especially as we have the 100 year anniversary coming up next year…
Attendee feedback
“Hearing the younger members giving talks, bringing up the real needs and renewal of Biodynamics. The conversation night was such a brilliant idea, an amazing evening!”
“The connections I made! All the people I was able to talk to! Such great people!”
“Very good and interesting presentations.”
Christine taking the opening verse prior to Charlie’s second sessionMonique speaker on her journey into biodynamicsCathy Tait-JamiesonAll the speakers and Council Members involved!
Video Snippets from Katrina and Rachel at the Pre-Conference Workshop
Biodynamics New Zealand is committed to working together with you to bring learning opportunities, create stronger relationships and build community. We have identified the need for an industry specific platform to engage our members and others on a social level that is easy to access.
You are invited to collectively engage in our latest initiative ‘Vine & Wine Online’.
These FREE monthly one-hour online meetings offer opportunities to gather with like-minded others and serve as an informal platform for sharing knowledge, inspirations, and aspirations around biodynamic and organic vineyard management, viticulture and wine making.
We will be covering themes which are relevant to seasonal activities and inviting some of our biodynamic champions to the discussions to share their wisdom through regular gatherings. Join us on the last Thursday of every month beginning August 26th 6.30 p.m to 7.30 p.m Pacific Time.
A Zoom link will be sent out closer to the date for members of Biodynamics New Zealand. If you are not currently a member we welcome you to join the Association.
This auspicious time of year lends itself to conversation around compost, pruning, tree paste and planning for the Spring season, but will be a general forum for sharing ideas, and insights into all things biodynamic.
Bring your questions, thoughts, and viewpoints to this informal gathering hosted by our Education Coordinator Su Hoskin.
Please feel free to share to your networks and the wider community. The Education Coordinator program is generously funded by The Kete Ora Trust.
Biodynamics New Zealand is committed to working together with you to bring learning opportunities, create stronger relationships and build community.
You are invited to collectively engage in our latest educational initiative ‘Cultivating Conversations’.
These FREE (for members of Biodynamics New Zealand) monthly one-hour online meetings offer opportunities to gather with like-minded others and serve as an informal platform for sharing knowledge, inspirations, and aspirations around biodynamic land management.
We will be covering themes which are relevant to seasonal activities and inviting some of our biodynamic champions to the discussions to share their wisdom through regular gatherings. Join us on the third Thursday of every month. Our next session will be on 16th September 2021, 6.30 p.m to 7.30 p.m Pacific Time.
A Zoom link will be sent out closer to the date for members of Biodynamics New Zealand. If you are not currently a member we welcome you to join the Association.
This auspicious time of year lends itself to conversation around compost, tree paste and planning ahead for the Spring season, but will be a general forum for sharing ideas, and insights into all things biodynamic
Bring your questions, thoughts, and viewpoints to this informal gathering hosted by our Education Coordinator, Su Hoskin. The Education Coordinator program is generously funded by The Kete Ora Trust.
We update this page regularly with upcoming workshops so come back soon. As a member we will send you regular updates of what is coming up via our e-newsletter.
You can also register your interest in workshops with Biodynamics New Zealand. You might be looking to attend a workshop or deliver one with our support. Please email us here and let us know what you are looking for and which region of the country you are in.
Please remember that if you are a member of Biodynamics New Zealand you get all these benefits listed here.
