The North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program, a program of the Biodynamic Association, will hold its 3rd annual Farmer-Mentor Conference Feb. 4-6 in Fair Oaks, CA. With a focus on two key issues of on-farm education - the legal and business aspects of having apprentices or interns on your farm, and the joys and challenges of teaching other adults - this event presents a wonderful collegial opportunity to learn from your peers. For full information, including schedule and registration form, download the PDF version of the flyer.

You can read about Steiner's "life on the road" (i.e. trains) on the Anthroposophical Society's homepage and find detailed route and departure information for the European "Rudolf Steiner Celebration Train" at www.rudolf-steiner-2011.com. In addition, the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland, will hold a ceremony on February 27 on the occasion of Steiner's birthday.

Steiner, the founder of biodynamic agriculture, was a highly trained scientist and respected philosopher. Long before many of his contemporaries, Steiner came to the conclusion that western civilization would increasingly bring destruction to itself and the earth if it did not begin to incorporate an objective understanding of the spiritual world and its interrelationship with the physical world. Steiner's spiritual scientific methods and insights have given birth to practical holistic innovations in many fields including education, banking, medicine, psychology, the arts, and, not least, agriculture.

We would love to hear from you! Please email Editor Rebecca Briggs at rebecca@biodynamics.com with your thoughts. 

Photo ©Neil Palmer (CIAT)

We extend our warm gratitude to all who took the time to watch Robert Karp's video presentation of our emerging five-year goals and to give us your feedback in the corresponding survey. We have reviewed your responses and suggestions and have integrated them into our planning efforts. 

To keep you in the loop, we have set up a web page with an overview of some of the results from this survey.

Our doors are never closed, however. Please feel free to contact us at any time with your hopes, dreams, suggestions, and thoughts. 

Biodynamic Farmer Sought: Cresset Farm Development Initiative, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Johnstown, CO, is still looking for a biodynamic farmer for a 120-acre farm. Please see full listing for details and application information.

Feb. 4-6: The Art & Business of On-Farm Mentoring, Rudolf Steiner College, Fair Oaks, CA

Feb. 5: Introduction to Biodynamics, Rudolf Steiner College, Fair Oaks, CA

Feb. 10-12: Organicology Conference, Portland, OR

Feb. 13-19 and 20-25: Biodynamic Winter Intensive: Animals, Humanity and the Living Context of Agriculture, Hawthorne Valley Farm, Ghent, NY

Feb. 23-26: MOSES Organic Farming Conference, LaCrosse, WI

Feb 26: Annual Meeting of the BC Biodynamic Agriculture Society, North Vancouver, BC