Cows Speak Sun Hive Maria Thun
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JOURNAL OF THE BIODYNAMIC ASSOCIATION n ISSUE NO: 117 n SUMMER 2012 n ISSN NO: 1472-4634 n £4.50 COWS SPEAK SUN HIVE MARIA THUN - A TRIBUTE INTERVIEW WITH DENNIS KLOCEK THE Biodynamic Agricultural College STAR & FURROW BIODYNAMIC The Biodynamic Agricultural College at Emer- Journal of the Biodynamic Association ASSOCIATION (BDA) son Campus in Forest Row is now part of the Published twice yearly Biodynamic Association.. The College offers full Issue Number 117 - Summer 2012 The Association exists in order to support, time accredited two year courses in Biody- ISSN 1472-4634 promote and develop the biodynamic approach namic Agriculture and Horticulture. to farming, gardening and forestry. This unique STAR & FURROW is the membership form of organic growing seeks to improve the Seed development project magazine of The Biodynamic Association. nutritional value of food and the sustainability The Association is working to develop a It is issued free to members. of land by nurturing the vitality of the soil sustainable on-farm plant breeding programme, through the practical application of a holistic increase the availability of high quality seed and spiritual understanding of nature and the varieties suited to organic growing conditions Non-members can also purchase Star and human being. Put simply, our aim is greater and encourage the establishment of a coopera- Furrow. For two copies per annum the rates are: vitality for people and planet through more tive network of biodynamic seed producers. 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Design & layout: Dave Thorp of ‘The Workshop’ Membership income funds in part the work of Our Roots in Anthroposophy Printed on a 100% recycled FSC paper by the Association, so they are directly furthering Biodynamics was first envisioned by Rudolf Severnprint, Gloucester the aims of the BDA; however there are also Steiner (1861-1925) in a series of lectures given further benefits. in 1924. Since then, biodynamics has continued Published by the Biodynamic Association to develop and the Association keeps abreast © Biodynamic Association 2012 Members receive a quarterly newsletter, Star of developments in science, nutrition, education, Charity No: 269036/VAT No: 791 2859 91 and Furrow twice a year, early booking on health and social reform. It is linked to the Ag- training courses and events days. They get in- ricultural Section of the School of Spiritual Sci- volved in organising and supporting biodynamic ence (Switzerland) and affiliated as a group of The function of Star and Furrow is to encour- initiatives through the local group network the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain. It age the free exchange of ideas and experience and there are conferences, the AGM and many is also a full member of Demeter International, among those who work with, or are interested in other events that they can attend. Many are SUSTAIN and IFOAM. biodynamic farming, gardening and related sub- supported in their own biodynamic practical jects. Contributors subscribe to no dogma and work through advice from the Association Spiritual Purpose are bound by no rules. 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Please send articles to the editor at the biodynamic production standards are being fol- it resound in our hearts and in our organisation. Biodynamic Association Office. lowed. These standards cover both production and processing and apply in more than forty Funding BIODYNAMIC countries. They are equivalent to or higher The Association is a small organisation wholly ASSOCIATION than basic organic standards. The certification dependent on subscriptions, donations and scheme is accredited by the United Kingdom grants. There is a growing interest in biodynam- Patron: Patrick Holden CBE Accreditation Service and is recognised in the ics and to meet this welcome development Chief Executive: Sebastian Parsons UK with the coding GB-ORG-06. additional funds are being sought. Becoming a Council Chairman: Peter Brown member and encouraging others to join is an Council Members: Elspeth Austin, Ian Bailey, Apprentice Training important way of supporting the work. Dona- Charlotte von Bulow, Spencer Christy, The Biodynamic Association offers a practical tions over and above the recommended mem- Vivian Griffiths, Heidi Herrmann, John Lister, two year apprentice training in biodynamic bership subscription are also extremely helpful. Chris Stockdale. agriculture and horticulture. This takes place on Even the smallest contribution can make a Executive Team: Sebastian Parsons, Peter well established biodynamic holdings around real difference. For those considering making a Brown, Jessica Standing, Tarry Bolger and the country and is open to everyone aged 21 Will and possibly leaving something to support Richard Swann and over. Apprentices usually live and work on biodynamic development, a legacy leaflet is now Association Administrator: Jessica Standing the farm in exchange for board, lodging and available. Please contact the office for a copy. Telephone: 01453 759501 training. Their practical tuition is supported by Email: [email protected] weekly tutorials and a programme of seminars For information on all aspects of the and block courses. Association’s work contact: BIODYNAMIC CERTIFICATION The objective of the course is to gain basic Biodynamic Association, Committee Chairman: agricultural/horticultural skills, understand the Painswick Inn Project, Sue Bradley principles and practice of biodynamic tech- Gloucester Street, Stroud, niques and create a foundation for developing Glos, GL5 1QG Administrators: an independent understanding of the earth, life +44 (0)1453 759501 Angela Wilson/Gabriel Kaye and human beings from a spiritual perspective. [email protected] Telephone: 01453 766296 Successful graduates will receive a Crossfields www.biodynamic.org.uk Email: [email protected] Institute Diploma accredited by Edexcel. Certification Manager: Tarry Bolger Telephone: 01453 766296 Email: [email protected] Annie and Calf © Yiyi ZHAO www.zhaoyiyi.com 2 Star & Furrow Issue 117 Summer 2012 JOURNAL OF THE BIODYNAMIC ASSOCIATION n ISSUE NO: 117 n SUMMER 2012 n ISSN NO: 1472-4634 n £4.50 CONTENTS Editorial page Biodynamic Association Chairman The passing of Maria Thun in February marks the end of an era in a way. Peter Brown 4 Her work has been very pivotal to the development of the biodynamic work Rediscovering the sacredness of Nature for the past 50 years. The Sowing and Planting Calendar is an ambassador for Interview with Dennis Klocek 5 biodynamics throughout the world, being translated into many languages. Cows Speak For many the Calendar has been their gateway into biodynamics. The Pea Horsley 14 Maria Thun - an Appreciation discovery, that the day on which wine is opened has an effect on its taste was Bernard Jarman 17 ‘discovered’ by the wine trade and thence led to the popular booklet When The Biodynamic Calendar: Wine Tastes Best, opens yet another door. It will thus be interesting to see how A Century of Endeavour Nick Kollerstrom 23 Maria Thun’s work develops over the next years and what other doors are Potato Sowings over a solar eclipse opened. Mark Moodie and Nick Kollerstrom 25 It was a privilege to have attended Dennis Klocek’s workshop on Biodynamic Venus in the Scorpion, for Agriculture as an Alchemical Path at Ruskin Mill in April. One of his tasks is to penetrate Making a Pepper Nick Kollerstrom 27 some of the indications given in the Agriculture Course and see them as a further The Sun Hive Project developments of alchemy. The interview in this issue gives a little insight into some of Peter Brown 28 this research as well as the weather work for which he is more well known. Hive Epiphany Heidi Herrmann 30 After last year’s successful conference at Emerson The Future of Agriculture - Tablehurst Farm solar panels 32 a biodynamic approach we are being called on to hold another one next year. One strong GREEN suggestion is that we should turn to the question of food and nutrition. A couple Mike Atherton and Matt Adams 34 How can we understand nutrition of articles by Mike Atherton and Wendy Cook as well as the image by Touchstone Mike Atherton 38 Collaborations point in that direction which we hope to build on in future issues. The Star Anise Arts Café Wendy Cook 41 Richard Swann On what piques my interest Editor Peter Brown 44 The Most Important Conversation in Agriculture Patrick MacManaway 48 Steiner invited us to think in pictures. inspirational experience of working ThinkingFood is a thought-picture to with the cycle of food – compost- be with, to muse on and to inspire ing, growing, cooking and eating.