Upcoming Events Covers Events Between
Friday, January 16, 2009
and
Monday, June 15, 2009.
The Agriculture Course: An Intensive Study of the Origins and Future of Biodynamics
The Pfeiffer Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY
1/15/2009through 1/19/2009
In his Agriculture lectures of 1924, Rudolf Steiner observed that modern agricultural practices – such as the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, monoculture, and specialization – were depleting the soil and yielding produce and livestock of ever-declining vitality. In response, Steiner offered a revolutionary approach to agriculture, one that treats the farm as an organism, contained in itself yet worked upon from outside by multitudes of unseen and often unacknowledged forces.
In eight lectures delivered over nine days at Koberwitz, Silesia, Steiner outlined the “Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture” – the basis for reversing the decline of agriculture by understanding and working with all the elements of the farm organism.
In the 84 years since, countless men and women have worked in every corner of the globe to understand, apply, and refine Steiner’s indications. In January 2009, some of BD’s leading exponents and practitioners will gather at the historic Threefold Educational Center – site of Ehrenfried Pfeiffer’s pioneering work from the 1930s until the 1960s – to study and share their knowledge about the origins and future of Biodynamics. Like the original course, this four-day seminar will include time for artistic activities, discussion, and hearty meals, and participants are expected to leave with much new knowledge – and many new questions as well.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not an introductory course. Participants must be familiar with the Agriculture lectures and have a working knowledge of Biodynamics.
Cancellation policy: No refunds for cancellations two weeks or less before the course. Earlier cancellations will receive a refund, less a $25 administrative fee.
Presenter: Mac Mead, Malcolm Gardner and Steffen Schneider
Introduction to Organic Beekeeping Planning a New Hive for Spring
The Pfeiffer Center, Chestnut Ridge, NY
2/21/2009through 2/21/2009
9:00:00 AMTill 5:00:00 PM
Learn about the basic requirements and responsibilities for first-time beekeepers. Understand the mechanics of a hive, the tools involved, elements of site selection, and gain an appreciation for a naturalist's approach to the bees' needs. This is a hands-on workshop, which includes a demonstration of the assembly of a wooden hive and is intended to get beginners started. Includes information and sources for bees and equipment.
Please note: Ordering honeybees for spring is usually done by mid-to-end of February. Honeybees are available in bee packages, which are sold by weight, and as nucs, which are small five-frame colonies. Local beekeepers, with a healthy approach to their bees, can sometimes be a good source for nucs. Beekeeping clubs can also provide access to honeybees. Chris Harp / HoneybeeLives has a limited number of nucs available for students to order.
Cancellation policy:There are no refunds for cancellations less than one week in advance of a workshop. More than one week in advance, registration may be cancelled in exchange for credit toward a future workshop or course.
This workshop is for anyone who wants to start a vegetable garden, incorporating basic skills for new gardeners. Topics covered will include: planning the garden (what goes where and when), preparing the soil, fencing the garden, planting and raising seedlings, companion planting, and weeding and mulching. Participants will walk away with the information and hands-on experience they need to get started this spring in their own garden.
The general context will be that of organic and Biodynamic gardening, although details about specific Biodynamic practices will not be included. The workshop is recommended for those without previous gardening experience who are interested in attending the One-year Part-time Training in Biodynamics, which covers such topics as composting and Biodynamic preparations.
Cancellation policy:There are no refunds for cancellations less than one week in advance of a workshop. More than one week in advance, registration may be cancelled in exchange for credit toward a future workshop or course.
In his agriculture lectures of 1924, Rudolf Steiner observed that soil takes on new liveliness and vitality when it is built up in mounds. We easily observe this in the workings of compost piles, and it also holds true when we farm and garden using raised beds. The added benefit of using raised beds is that the soil imparts its enhanced liveliness to what we grow.
These effects hold true at any scale. They are as applicable in the backyard as in the field.
In this one-day workshop, Mac Mead will present both the principles underlying raised-bed cultivation and the practical aspects of growing in raised beds. In hands-on sessions, we will learn how to build up, amend and cultivate raised beds. Demonstrations of tractor methods of raised-bed farming will show how this valuable technique can be applied to larger-scale farming.
Presenter Mac Mead has some 30 years experience as a biodynamic practitioner, farmer and gardener. As a co-worker at the Fellowship Community from 1975 until 2005, Mac learned Biodynamic methods directly from former co-workers of Ehrenfried Pfeiffer. Mac was the resident farmer at the Fellowship's Duryea farm from 1997 until 2005.
Cancellation policy:There are no refunds for cancellations less than one week in advance of a workshop. More than one week in advance, registration may be cancelled in exchange for credit toward a future workshop or course.
Friday April 24, 2009 4:30 PM to 9 PM
(Beginners session 2 PM)
Saturday April 25, 2009, 9 AM to 6 PM
This workshop covers topics suitable for all beekeepers, from novice to expert, with a focus on intermediate and advanced techniques. An optional Friday afternoon session for beginners demonstrates hive construction and the basics of handling bees.* The rest of the workshop – Friday evening and all day Saturday – presents a balanced view of natural beekeeping topics not ordinarily covered in lectures and articles, including: swarming as an expression of the bees’ vitality; working with swarms and making splits; the importance of wax production; and acid treatments for Varroa mites. Weather permitting, the day is punctuated with visits to the hives, where techniques for handling bees are demonstrated.
*Beginners are strongly advised to take a separate one-day introductory workshop before attending (such as that offered on February 21). If that is not possible, please sign up for the beginners' session at 2 pm.
Cost: $185 ($225 with optional beginners' session)
Ross Conrad has been a beekeeper by trade in Vermont since the late 1980s. He is the author of Natural Beekeeping: Organic Approaches to Modern Apiculture (Chelsea Green, 2007).
Chris Harp is a beekeeper and educator based in New Paltz, NY, with a special interest in natural hive management techniques, which he has practiced and taught for more than 15 years.
Mac Mead is director of the Pfeiffer Center for Biodynamics and the Environment. He has been a Biodynamic farmer for more than 30 years.
Cancellation policy:There are no refunds for cancellations less than one week in advance of a workshop. More than one week in advance, registration may be cancelled in exchange for credit toward a future workshop or course.
Rudolf Steiner taught that every farm should aspire to be a self-contained individuality, or organism, a condition that requires having the appropriate kinds and number of livestock on the farm. Among all the farm animals, the horse is as important as ever for generating fertilizer, while its usefulness as an energy-independent, nonpolluting source of work energy is greater than ever.
In this one-day workshop, farmer Mac Mead will present a comprehensive picture of the role of the horse in the farm organism. After reviewing the basic nature and care of the draft horse and its harness and equipment, we will move from the classroom to the barn, where attendees will get hands-on instruction and practice in the tasks of grooming and harnessing. In the field, attendees will try their hands at several practical tasks, such as logging, plowing, discing, and working raised beds.
Presenter Mac Mead has some 30 years experience as a biodynamic practitioner, farmer and gardener. As a co-worker at the Fellowship community from 1975 until 2005, Mac learned biodynamic methods directly from former co-workers of Ehrenfried Pfeiffer. Mac was the resident farmer at the Fellowship's Duryea farm from 1997 until 2005.
Cancellation policy:There are no refunds for cancellations less than one week in advance of a workshop. More than one week in advance, registration may be cancelled in exchange for credit toward a future workshop or course.
. 
