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JOURNAL OF THE BIODYNAMIC ASSOCIATION n ISSUE NO: 126 n JANUARY 2017 n ISSN NO: 1472-4634 n £5.50 SACRED SEED BIODYNAMIC PREPARATIONS FARMING IN THE ORKNEYS HOMOEOPATHY FOR FARM ANIMALS THE Biodynamic Land Trust STAR & FURROW BIODYNAMIC The purpose of the Biodynamic Land Trust Limited ASSOCIATION (BDA) (BDLT) is to secure land for biodynamic farming, Journal of the Biodynamic Association gardening and food growing in the long term. We Published twice yearly The Association exists in order to do this in many ways, including: gift and lease back, Issue Number 126 - January 2017 support, promote and develop the bequests, partnerships, community involvement ISSN 1472-4634 biodynamic approach to farming, and share offers. gardening and forestry. This unique STAR & FURROW is the membership form of organic growing seeks to The BDLT is a charitable community benefit magazine of The Biodynamic Association. improve the nutritional value of food society No 31448R, registered with the FSA (now It is issued free to members. and the sustainability of land by FCA) in 2011 and directed by a small board of nurturing the vitality of the soil through volunteer directors who are elected by members Non-members can also purchase Star and the practical application of a holistic at Annual General Meetings. Members join by Furrow. For two copies per annum the rates are: and spiritual understanding of nature investing in withdrawable, non-profit shares. Both UK £13.00 including postage and the human being. Put simply, our individuals and organisations can join, each member Europe (airmail) £18.00 aim is greater vitality for people and has one vote. The BDA is the custodian trustee of Rest of the World (airmail) £20.00 planet through more biodynamic acres, the Biodynamic Land Trust. more biodynamic food and more Editor: Richard Swann, understanding of biodynamics. Biodynamic and Organic Plant E-mail: [email protected] Breeding and Seeds Limited, Design & layout: Dave Thorp of ‘The Workshop’ trading as Seed Co-operative Membership is open to everyone. Our members The Biodynamic Association has been instrumental Printed on a 100% recycled FSC paper are interested in working with, developing and in bringing about the Seed Co-operative. It is work- by Severn, Gloucester learning about biodynamics. Subscription rates are ing to provide a future for OPEN POLLINATED £35 (for up to 2 adults per household) or £20 SEEDS. These seeds are vital for our food future. Published by the Biodynamic Association concessions. Membership income funds in part Due to genetic diversity these seeds are able © Biodynamic Association 2016 the work of the Association, so they are directly to naturally adapt to their local conditions and Charity No: 1158301/VAT No: 791 2859 91 furthering the aims of the BDA; however there are changes in climate. also further benefits. The function of Star and Furrow is to encourage the We work in three main themes: free exchange of ideas and experience among those Members receive a quarterly newsletter, Star and n Breeding new strains of open pollinated plants. who work with, or are interested in biodynamic farming, Furrow twice a year, early booking on training n Producing certified biodynamic and organic seed. gardening and related subjects. Contributors subscribe courses and events days. They get involved in n Sharing knowledge and skills about seed saving, to no dogma and are bound by no rules. Their organising and supporting biodynamic initiatives plant breeding and the importance of seed and contributions are personal documents, through the local group network and there are food sovereignty. not official utterances by the Association. conferences, the AGM and many other events that they can attend. Many are supported in their own The Seed Co-operative is registered under Final dates for contributions are 1st April for the biodynamic practical work through advice from the Co-operative and Community Benefit summer issue and 1st October for the winter issue. the Association from whom they also source their Societies Act 2014 as a Community Benefit Copy can either be submitted in a typed printed biodynamic preparations and books. Society, registration number 7013 format or as an electronic text document by e-mail. Please send articles to the editor at the Biodynamic Biodynamic Certification The BDA is a custodian trustee of the Association Office. The Association owns and administers the Dem- Seed Co-operative eter Certification Logo that is used by biodynamic Our Roots in Anthroposophy BIODYNAMIC producers in the UK to guarantee to consumers Biodynamics was first envisioned by Rudolf Steiner ASSOCIATION that internationally recognised biodynamic produc- (1861-1925) in a series of lectures given in 1924. tion standards are being followed. These standards Since then, biodynamics has continued to develop Patron: Patrick Holden CBE cover both production and processing and apply and the Association keeps abreast of developments Director: Peter Brown in more than forty countries. They are equivalent in science, nutrition, education, health and social Council Chairman: Chris Stockdale to or higher than basic EU organic standards. The reform. It is linked to the Agricultural Section of the Council Members: Ian Bailey, Sophie Christopher certification scheme is accredited by the United School of Spiritual Science (Switzerland) and affili- Bowes, Lynda Brown, Spencer Christy, Liz Ellis, Kingdom Accreditation Service and is recognised in ated as a group of the Anthroposophical Society in Odilia Kirst, Beatrice Krehl, John Lister, Chris Stock- the UK with the coding GB-ORG-06. Great Britain. It is also a full member of Demeter dale, Joel Williams, Julia Wright International, SUSTAIN and IFOAM. Executive Team: Peter Brown, Jessica Standing, Biodynamic Agricultural College and Richard Swann The stated aims of the college are to provide Spiritual Purpose Association Administrator: Jessica Standing education in biodynamic agriculture. This is done by The BDA makes the most of every penny; we Telephone: 01453 759501 providing two learning opportunities. are determined and focussed on achieving our Email: [email protected] purpose. Our resources are used effectively and Distance Learning efficiently and the co-workers in our organisation BIODYNAMIC A distance learning course called Biodynamic are empowered to direct their free and active will CERTIFICATION Principles and Practice, which makes education to their task. We also notice the last line of the in biodynamic agriculture available to students Foundation Stone Meditation by Steiner ‘With Certification Board Chairman: worldwide and at the same time offers sup- Single Purpose’ and let it resound in our hearts and Richard Thornton-Smith port to an international culture of learning in our organisation. Manager Director: Tarry Bolger and researching biodynamic agriculture. www. Telephone: 01453 766296 bdacollege.org.uk Funding Email: [email protected] The Association is a small organisation wholly Administrator: Margaret Richardson Work Based Learning Programme dependent on subscriptions, donations and grants. Telephone: 01453 766296 A practical two year apprentice training in bio- There is a growing interest in biodynamics and Email: [email protected] dynamic agriculture and horticulture. This takes to meet this welcome development additional place on well-established biodynamic holdings funds are being sought. Becoming a member and around the country and is open to everyone encouraging others to join is an important way of aged 21 and over. Apprentices usually live and supporting the work. Donations over and above work on the farm in exchange for board, lodg- the recommended membership subscription are ing and training. Their practical tuition is sup- also extremely helpful. Even the smallest contribu- ported by weekly tutorials and a programme of tion can make a real difference. For those consider- seminars and block courses. ing making a Will and possibly leaving something to support biodynamic development, a legacy leaflet is The objective of the course is to gain basic now available. Please contact the office for a copy. agricultural/horticultural skills, understand the For information on all aspects of the Association’s principles and practice of biodynamic tech- work contact: niques and create a foundation for developing an independent understanding of the earth, life For information on all aspects of the and human beings from a spiritual perspective. Association’s work contact: Biodynamic Association, OPENhouse, Painswick Inn, Gloucester Street, Stroud, GL5 1QG Cover photo: © Richard Swann +44 (0)1453 759501 [email protected] www.biodynamic.org.uk 2 Star & Furrow Issue 126 January 2017 JOURNAL OF THE BIODYNAMIC ASSOCIATION n ISSUE NO: 126 n JANUARY 2017 n ISSN NO: 1472-4634 n £5.50 Editorial CONTENTS page From a quick look at the contents page you can see that seeds form a significant part of this From the BDA Director issue of the Star and Furrow. This comes at a time as the new Seed Cooperative establishes Peter Brown 4 itself at Gosberton in Lincolnshire under the skilful eyes of David Price, Kate Ayre and The Sacredness of Seed Hans Steenbergen. I visited the site a few weeks ago and was very impressed by the huge Liz Hosken 5 potential that lives there. There is however a lot of practical work to do still! It is in the heart Open Pollinated Seeds Ute Kirchgaesser 8 of the UK bulb-growing region and was formerly used for that purpose and so has a large SEED: The Untold Story amount of glasshouses. It is an excellent opportunity for biodynamics to shine amongst the David Price 12 surrounding intensive agriculture. Sementes Vivas, Living Seeds by Wendy Cook 13 At the Biodynamic Gardening Conference at Ryton Gardens in September, the BDA Gardening Cooperative launched its Community Share Offer supported by the showing of the Conference pictures 16 excellent film SEED: The Untold Story. I was inspired especially by a short address by one Ruskin Mill Trust’s new speaker, Liz Hosken of the Gaia Foundation.