The Biodynamic Journey: From Garden to Plate workshop

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Thank you to Gill Bacchus, for this post:

On 15 March Titirangi Rudolf Steiner school teachers hosted a workshop that focussed on biodynamic gardening principles and how they can be practically applied in school and home gardens; preparing and eating nutritious vegetables and their health benefits.

Diane de Saint Quentin greeted 14 participants warmly and guided them on a tour of several productive gardens that harmoniously blend into extensive bush clad school grounds. “Have you ever wondered how some gardens manage to flourish even in the face of challenging conditions? she asks. As we wander through the gardens, Diane emphasises the art of observation and the importance of understanding nature as a whole ecosystem. Discussions spark among participants:

· Could these holistic methods regenerate even the most depleted soils?

· How might these principles be applied to urban home plots and container gardening?

The answers begin to reveal themselves as the group explores the orchard and the Ngahere (bush kindergarten) garden beds. The teachers and parents speak to the land’s resilience and their commitment to learning about biodynamic practices. Together, they navigate challenges such as dry summer heat, limited water, and bush terrain. These spaces prove vital for children, fostering connection to nature, inspiring curiosity, and cultivating stewardship. Attendees begin to reflect: What does it truly mean to nurture the land that sustains us? We see how biodynamics has built fertile soil and discuss how the soil and plants could be further improved such as applying preparation 501 to balance the growth from preparation 500 application.

Next, Gill Bacchus invites participants to look beyond the soil – to their relationship to plants and their food. Drawing inspiration from Rudolf Steiner’s teachings, she highlights the profound connection between plant vitality and human well-being. “What does the flavour of a tomato reveal about its nutritional life force?” she asks, offering both supermarket and biodynamic tomatoes for tasting. The contrast is striking: the biodynamic tomatoes radiate vibrancy, embodying the care and holistic practices invested in their growth. She discusses how formative forces enhanced by a biodynamic system increase plant vitality and stimulate our physical, soul and spiritual health.

As midday arrives, the enticing aroma from the outdoor kitchen draws everyone near. Kevin Helas, founder of The Wholefood Kitchen, greets the group with culinary wisdom and a simmering pot of stock. “Simple ingredients,” he explains, “yield the richest meals when treated with care and creativity.” Sharing his macrobiotic expertise, Kevin demonstrates how seasonal, foraged produce like nettle and potatoes served with sourdough bread can be transformed into nutrient-dense soup and one-pot meals bursting with flavour. The act of sharing food became- a moment to savour not just the kai but also the deep connections – to nature, to ourselves, and to the life-sustaining cycles that surround us. Kevin introduces the Māori concept of kotahitanga (unity), emphasising the profound bond between people, the whenua (land), and its abundant bounty. In this shared tasting, kai becomes an expression of gratitude and celebration, woven into a tapestry of holistic connection.

As the workshop draws to a close, teachers meet with Gill and Diane to continue their good work of embed biodynamic principles within the school. Plans emerge for more compost-making sessions and further application of biodynamic preparations.

Practical Biodynamics – an exciting new workshop

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The team at Biodynamics New Zealand have been busy behind the scenes creating an exciting workshop “Practical Biodynamics” – aimed at introducing biodynamics to the keen gardener,  this workshop covers the main principles and practices, whilst you learn the simple steps needed to get started with biodynamics in your own gardens and properties. 

With interest in organic produce and growing methods, continue to gain popularity, biodynamics offers a holistic approach to growing which can enhance any organic or regenerative growing system. Biodynamics is unique, in that, it focuses on working with natures rhythms and uses the biodynamic ‘preparations’, 9 soil remedies made from plants and minerals, to create soil fertility and thriving balanced ecosystems.

Learning new concepts and ways of doing things can often feel overwhelming for those new to biodynamics, this is where the Practical Biodynamics workshop comes in, as it is a fun way to connect with like minded people, learn from a biodynamic practitioner, be introduced to the biodynamic approach and also provides a space for you to ask all your burning biodynamic questions!

Taught by Bridget Henderson a biodynamic practitioner, educator and BDNZ council member, our first Practical Biodynamics workshop was held on Sunday 27th April, 2025 at Ethos Garden.

The day started with a presentation on the main concepts found in biodynamics and then carried on with two hands on activities: burying biodynamic preparation 500 in the ground and spreading it over the Ethos garden.

Participants were also encouraged to bring an empty 2-4 L container so they could take some preparation 500 home to use on own garden or property. We are so pleased to report that the feedback from participants was extremely positive!  

A big thank you to Ethos Garden for providing such a wonderful space to host our workshop in.

BDNZ will be hosting more Practical Biodynamics workshops over the next few months, if you are keen to learn more or to attend one, please keep an eye on the BDNZ facebook page  as we will upload all the details of the event- including location and ticket details, we hope to see you at our next Practical Biodynamics workshop!

Women in Biodynamics – Celebrating International Women’s Day

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It was recently International women’s day on March 8th; and this year we wanted to celebrate by spotlighting a few of the fabulous women we have practicing Biodynamics here in Aotearoa. 

From home gardeners, to keen writers and educators, to biodynamic based businesses; these women are out in their communities and are sharing their knowledge and passion for biodynamics and we think that deserves to be celebrated this International Women’s Day.

Of course there are many women out there in our communities doing incredible work to bring Biodynamics to their family, friends and communities (we would have loved to have shone a spotlight on you all) ….we applaud each and every one of you!

Please read on to learn more about each of the women we were  able to feature in our “Women in Biodynamics” social media posts, for International Women’s Day and be sure to check out the links they have shared, so that you can further learn from them and support the work they do.

Katrina Wolff:

Katrina has been mesmerised by biodynamic gardening since discovering it in 2009 when her two children were at the Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School. She blended her hobby of gardening with other anthroposophical studies until she started Blue Borage in 2018 with the hopes of helping bring biodynamic methods (especially composting) into mainstream gardening and urban waste management practices. 

She’s in the 2025 ‘top 50 women in food and drink’ with Cuisine Magazine, and in the ‘Next 95’ with the Sustainable Business Network. Her current focus is exploring how the plants used in the biodynamic compost preparations can be used to make a simple floral compost activator, following the work of Maye Bruce (1879-1964), you can listen to her talk about this with Kate Heming Panchal from the JPI Institute on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/bxxMrsqvry4?si=jeTNbd2XGroFP7bQ

If you’d like to learn more about this research, then there are links in this blog post: https://blueborage.podia.com/blog/floral-compost-activator

Katrina’s often out in the community teaching composting workshops, and is the garden coach for Ceres Organics in Auckland. Her wide range of online courses are designed to help beginners find ways for biodynamics to make sense in their home, workplace, school and community. Look out for a new series soon on ‘Closing the Loop: the Art of Composting’

Please follow on LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube for updates, or sign up for her weekly emails to see the latest offerings from Blue Borage. 

www.blueborage.co.nz

Gita Krenek:

Gita shares: “My biodynamic journey began in 1979 when my husband and I took over a sheep farm in North Canterbury and converted it to biodynamics. Over a few years, we introduced cattle and grain growing into the mix, and built a millhouse so we could start milling our grain and selling to private customers and shops. Twenty five years later it was time to hand over to our son, and I retired to Golden Bay (Top of the South) where I take care of a large vegetable garden, some fruit trees, and a couple of livestock. I also give occasional workshops on biodynamics, and have written a small book on the biodynamic preparations.”

Please keep an eye on the BDNZ web shop for Gitas booklets.

Joanne Turner:

Joanne shares this about her biodynamic journey, “Twenty something years ago, Greg and I moved to our little property and we wanted it to be run organically from the day we arrived.  Greg was interested in biodynamics and I was happy with organics, so it seemed a good fit to be certified with Demeter.  During the first few years Greg did all the preparation work and I did all the paperwork.   As I was working fulltime on the property I would be making compost heaps during the week, but Greg wouldn’t get round to adding the preparations until the weekend.  I decided it was time I took over that task.  I also used to help with the stirring of preparation 500 and 501 but not the application.  My thinking of this also changed and I now help with the application.  I felt that I was not fully being a part of the farm and needed to be involved with the preparation work.  It’s a wonderful feeling to be using the preparations and to feel connected to the organism that is Woodhouse Farm Organics.  I still do all the paperwork.”

Please check out Woodhouse Farm Organics here https://woodhousefarmorganics.co.nz/

Su Hoskin:

Su Hoskin has spent two decades practicing biodynamic farming principles on a mixed farm, vineyards and on her home gardens and allotment. She is a trustee and active member of The Hawea Food Forest and community gardens and Co-hosts the Wanaka Death Café where her affinity is advocating for environmentally sound burial practices and a more holistic approach to end of life matters.

Her training at Taruna, in 2005 gained her a certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics. She later went on to help facilitate the same course in her own region, Central Otago in the South Island.

Between 2015 and 2018, She completed a term on the New Zealand Biodynamic Associations Council, Education Coordinator and was a trustee on the Kete Ora Trust for many years.

For those interested in learning more about Su Hoskin,  please check out Biodynamic Community Aotearoa,https://www.facebook.com/groups/768457823177333

Hawea Food Forest https://www.facebook.com/groups/3051328904899592

and Wanaka Death Cafe https://www.facebook.com/groups/1170353396645132

Jan Koberstein:

Jan has this to share about her journey into biodynamics, “I was introduced to biodynamics 25 years ago when our children joined the Tauranga Rudolf Steiner kindergarten.   Biodynamics so resonated with me and my learning journey with biodynamics began.  I practiced biodynamics developing big gardens with lots of fruit trees as we moved properties a few times.  I completed the Taruna Certificate of Applied Organics & Biodynamics in 2009 with intentions of bigger things.  Wherever I have resided, I have enjoyed connecting with local BD groups and I enjoy organising local get togethers for a BD 500 stir or CPP making etc. I am a co-opted member of the BD Council learning in the ins out outs of keeping the BD Association thriving.    I have recently taken on the Biodynamic Preparation Dispatch Role and library service, so If you are in the Kapiti Coast or Horowhenua area, keep an eye out in the footnote for a get together at my place to open a few library books.”

Monique Macfarlane:

As a holistic food systems facilitator, Monique Macfarlane of Natural Wisdom teaches a variety of workshops within biodynamics, spiritual gardening and planting by the moon. She has spent time growing in many different climatic regions throughout New Zealand, and produces an accessible monthly biodynamic calendar with Soil & Health and Biodynamics NZ. Her heartfelt passion for food, localisation, and thriving nature is the foundation of her incredible offerings – and finds her greatest joy in helping people back to the land, and themselves. 

Monique has also just recently returned from the Goetheanum in Switzerland, where she presented a keynote lecture ‘Feeling the Earth as a Living Being’ with Agriculture Section co-leader Eduardo Rincon at Agriculture Conference 2025. Weaving anthroposophy and biodynamics closer together is her current passion, breathing a deeper life into our lands and our practice. 

https://www.natural-wisdom.net/  or https://www.instagram.com/_natural_wisdom_/

Jan Johns: 

Jan on how she came to biodynamics, “A chance meeting and visit( 20 something years ago) from Peter Proctor and Rachel Pomeroy “opened my eyes” to biodynamics.

 Peter said “Don’t let the perfect get in the way, just do it!” It took a little more time!

I completed the Certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics through Taruna and then with the enthusiasm of our vigneron, Jeremy Hyland, have been using biodynamic principles in the vineyard since 2018.

We now make all our own preps (often with other members of the local biodynamic community) and our vineyard and wines are showing the benefits.

Peter was right!!”

Bridget Henderson:

Bridget learnt all about Biodynamics while living and working on Shelly Beach Farm, mentored by John Pearce. She continues to practice and promote BD and is currently a BDNZ Councillor.  Bridget is also actively involved with Organic Farm NZ, as regional chair and auditor, as well asTutor of NZ Certificate in Sustainable Primary Production.  Bridget believes in taking every chance to share the BD magic!

Christine Moginie:

Christine Moginie’s love of Nature, Colour and Form, has lead her on a long destiny journey through urban organic gardening and rural lifestyle life in NZ and Australia.

Art, artistic therapy, storytelling, biography counselling, teaching adults and children, meditation, and biodynamics all melded together through studies in Anthroposophy since 1983.

Christine’s businesses “Conversations in Colour Artistic Psychotherapy” and Vortex Biodynamic Gardening Workshops and Consultation, combined with motherhood, and a love of learning, led her to join the BDNZ Council in 2020, and the role of Chair since 2023. Biodynamic preparations as medicines for the Earth .If you would like to connect with Christine and her work we encourage you to follow her @vortexbiodynamics 

Jane Cumberworth:

Jane is active stirring 500 twice a year since being involved in Beehive gardens Hastings 1980s .  She introduced children to 500 stirring at schools too: Hastings 1986, Welcome Bay Waldorf school, 1990s and Motueka Steiner School,2004 to 2016.  Now Jane is involved with groups who organise stirs for the school’s land care group in Robinson Road, Motueka, as well as a group who do 500 stirring and 501 for home gardens.

Land Based Primary Production Students in Action

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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.

Get Ready For Spring!

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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!

Soil ~ Soul ~ Social Conference Celebrating 100 Years of Biodynamics

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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.

Read more

Biodynamics Conference 2023

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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 day
Gary Williams speaking on Regenerative Practices for Land and Water
Dieter Proebst speaking on Permaculture
Katrina Wolff introducing our youngest speaker Kaitlyn Lamb
Joanne thanking Kaitlyn for her presentation – ‘Finding My Ikaigai’
Peter Bacchus speaking on homeopathy
Andrew Criglington speaking on homeopathy
Charlie Arnott speaking on the Power of Connection
Charlie 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 session
Monique speaker on her journey into biodynamics
Cathy Tait-Jamieson
All the speakers and Council Members involved!

Video Snippets from Katrina and Rachel at the Pre-Conference Workshop

Biodynamics New Zealand Conference 2023

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Read more

Vine & Wine Online

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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.

CULTIVATING CONVERSATIONS

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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.