Biodynamic Preparations

This book is for the beginner; concepts and ideas gleaned from Rudolf Steiner’s agriculture lectures and applied over decades by Peter Proctor in New Zealand offer clear and practical insight for the contemporary farmer and gardener.

Norrie Pearce provides a succinct introduction to the biodynamic preparations and practical applications.

Maria Thun has been researching Rudolf Steiner’s biodynamic agriculture for 60 years. This is a colourful and practical guide to the potential of biodynamics, with many useful tips for gardener and small holders. A wonderful presentation of biodynamics. Share it with your friends.

Biodynamics works with the earthly substance and the cosmic forces.  The antipodean Astro Calendar is an introduction for working with the rhythms of sun. moon, planets and constellations.  Working with these cosmic forces makes agriculture more interesting and, when successfully applied, increase yields and quality.

This is a practical guide for anyone who wants to garden or farm in true harmony with the forces of nature.  The book offers accessible tips on: favourable times for planting, harvesting and growing; ways of combating pests and diseases; building soil fertility – crop changes and rotation; and, how planets and stars affect plant growth.  (128 pages)

Nutrition: a holistic approach

This great little book contains everything you’ve ever wanted to know about composting, and it’s well illustrated too.  The topics covered include: general principles of composting; ingredients and methods for composting; evaluating compost quality; a glossary of technical terms for compost and soil, and a related bibliography.

“Agriculture in the Service of the Earth and Humanity” is the sub-title this important book by Dr Herbert Koepf.  He provides a vast array of research data and results as well as many helpful details on animal feeding, crop rotations, diseases, pests and fertilizing – proving that the biodynamic method is the alternative that can turn farming around.  An essential reference book for farmers, students of agriculture, and everyone else concerned about the Earth’s future.

This book presents one small segment of the deep knowledge and vast understanding Dr Pfeiffer had of living plants: how they grow, what they reveal about their surroundings, and how their powers may be harnessed for the benefit of the human beings who appreciate and use them

This book is written as an introduction to gardening in its wider aspects, linking it to historical, philosophical and cosmological contexts – when one takes a shovel to hand to turn the soil; life permeates it in manifold forms: cosmic cycles of sun and moon warm it, cicculate water through it lure out of it the season’s vegetation, and man shapes it according to his thinking and willing [and] according to his cultural traditions . . .  All that is gardening!

This valuable book contains information about all the biological pest control organisms that can be bought ‘off the shelf’ in Australia and New Zealand from members of Australian Biological Control (ABC).  This second edition contains descriptions of twelve new organisms that were not included in the first edition.  A general section on integrated pest management (IPM) rounds out the book.

Biodynamic Gardening: for health and taste – discover how the rhythms of the moon, sun, stars and planets influence your garden, creating ideal periods in which to sow, weed and harvest plants.  Through straightforward advice and illustrations, Hilary Wright’s practical guide shows how even the novice gardener can use biodynamic techniques to produce a healthy, abundant garden.

Virtually every subject which needs to be considered by herb growers is covered somewhere in the 500-plus pages.  The essence of twenty years of hands-on experience is instilled in this definitive book on herb production.

This book consists of a compilation of translated lectures and extracts.  Most of the selections appear for the first time in English.  From a spiritual perspective Steiner discusses: coffee, tea, alcohol, nicotine, milk, honey, roots, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, meat, vegetarianism, and more.

Mulloon Creek Natural Farms, Bungendore, New South Wales

Saturday 21st September, 2013 9am – 5pm

1-day Introduction to Biodynamics & Farm Fertility with John Priestley and Hamish Mackay.

The intro workshop is perfect for students who are new to biodynamics. You will learn about: The life of the soil | Creating fertility in your soil | Managing your natural resources | Practical use of the biodynamic preparations.

Registration: Click the Add to Cart button to book and pay online

Small set: 6 cubic meters.

Large set: 24 cubic meters.

Manure Concentrate Set

Mulloon Creek Natural Farms, Bungendore, New South Wales

Sunday 22nd September, 2013 9am – 5pm

1-day Biodynamics Management and Planning with John Priestley and Hamish Mackay.

The Biodynamics Management and Planning workshop is suitable for past students who all ready have an understanding of biodynamics and would like to further their knowledge on the biodynamics calendar. Your will learn about: Climate risk management | Production Management | Planning of Application

Registration: Click the Add to Cart button to book and pay online,

Mulloon Creek Natural Farms, Bungendore, New South Wales

Monday 23rd September, 2013 9am – 5pm

1-day Advanced Biodynamic Practices workshop with John Priestley and Hamish Mackay.

There is a growing number of biodynamic practitioners who are developing their knowledge, skills and practices in various fields of agriculture, horticulture and viticulture. This event will be participant oriented focusing on the questions and observations of the group. To attend you must have used the biodynamic preparations for at least one year.

Registration: Click the Add to Cart button to book and pay online,

Are you looking to…

build humus and improve the health of your soil
increase your soil’s water holding capacity
increase the drought tolerance of your land
decrease high cost inputs on your farm

Biodynamics is a cost effective method of producing high quality plants, food and fibre with regenerative ecological outcomes. You will learn how biodynamic preparations contribute to the soil food web creating fertility and balance in your soil.
What you will learn

Introduction to Biodynamics
Natural Soil Fertility- Soil Food Web – Biodynamic Preparations – their connection to the soil food web and soil fertility
Biodynamic field sprays: Horn Manure 500, Horn Silica 501
Biodynamic compost preparations: Yarrow 502, chamomile 503, Nettle 504, Oak Bark 505, Dandelion 506, Valerian 507, Equisetum 508
John Priestley’s presentation on practical applications of biodynamics
Managing Practical Applications
Developing on farm fertility methods
Building a compost heap
Manure Concentrate
Seaweed tea
Effluent management

Meet your biodynamic educators

John Priestley: A third generation ecological farmer. John has been evolving his practice and knowledge of biodynamics for over 50 years. With his wife Dorothy he grows award winning citrus and beef cattle at Paterson in the NSW Hunter Valley. He is a wealth of practical knowledge with a keen eye for the small observations that can make a difference to farming.

Hamish Mackay: Hamish has been working with biodynamics for 35 years and travels Australia presenting introductory biodynamic workshops and consulting with growers to help them adopt biodynamics as a cost effective way of producing high quality food and fibre whilst improving our environment. He is renowned for his clear and effective way of demystifying biodynamics, making it accessible to the practical farmer.
Inclusions

Lunch
Morning & afternoon tea
Take home samples of biodynamic preparations
Information hand-outs

Plus as a special bonus, Mulloon Creek Natural Farms will be applying biodynamic preparations 500 and 501 from the air on the weekend of the course. All participants are invited to observe preparation and aerial spraying of 500 on Friday afternoon and 501 early Saturday morning. This is an optional add-on at no charge but is subject to conditions being favourable for spraying. Details will be confirmed closer to the day.
Book your place for our Biodynamics Course for Growing Soils for the Future – Food for Today.
Booking Options

Want to immerse yourself in biodynamics? Then book for the 2-day course.
Only have 1-day to spare? Then we recommend the following:
Sat 21 Sept – this intro workshop is perfect for students who are new to biodynamics
Sun 22 Sept – is ideal if you have attended a biodynamics intro course previously and want to increase your knowledge on the biodynamics calendar
Booking as a couple? Then take advantage of our Special Couples Rate of $412.50 for the 2-day workshop (save $137.50). Please use the Group Rate to receive this special offer.

Event Properties
Start: Sat 21 Sep 2013 9:00 am
End: Sat 21 Sep 2013 5:00 pm
Cut off date Fri 20 Sep 2013
Price plus GST $159.00
Location The Barn at the Home Farm, Mulloon Creek Natural Farms

CFA Centre, cnr Milton & High Sts, Bannockburn, Vic

Monday 14th – Tuesday 15th October, 2013 9am – 5pm

2-day Introduction to Biodynamics & Farm Fertility with John Priestley and Hamish Mackay.

The intro workshop is perfect for students who are new to biodynamics. You will learn about: The life of the soil | Creating fertility in your soil | Managing your natural resources | Practical use of the biodynamic preparations.

Registration: Click the Add to Cart button to book and pay online