In this episode we talk with Manfred Osterroth and Allen Clements about the chances and challenges of biodynamics in tropical regions. We talk about the chances of trees and why agroforestry might be an integrative way to apply biodynamic principles.
Manfred is a small-scale farmer and agronomist, developing a new, anthroposophical inspired agriculture for the tropics: ART, agriculture-regenerative-tropical, which is a complete metamorphosis of “temperate climate Biodinamics”. He lives on a farm-school, an experimental project that combines agroforestry with policultures of fruits and vegetables. Tropical Forests as integrated life communities, inspired the courage to try a completely new approach. The methodology are being developed out of a Goethean scientific View and out of the research work of Ernst Goetsch, Lyn Margulis, Wolfgang Schad and some important Brazilian farmers and also researchers. Manfred loves conversation and the sharing of practical experience, to improve his daily work in the agroforestry organism. Check out his website here: https://en.regenerativa.art.br
Allen is a filmmaker that has been training and dreaming for years with the hopes of having his own farm. In the Summer of 2022, that dream came true and his family now lives in harmony with nature on a 13-acre (5 ha) agroforestry farmstead where he is working to apply Biodynamics to agroforestry, namely NTFPs (non timber forest products) and the growing of mushrooms.
Allen has loved nature all his life but found a very prominent permaculture and regenerative agriculture community while living in Lancaster County Pennsylvania. Not long after he started studying permaculture, his family purchased a home across from a Waldorf School. It was at this time that Waldorf Education, then Anthroposophy and finally Biodynamic Agriculture was brought to light within the Clements family. Allen attended the 2019-2020 session of Biodynamics training at the Pfeiffer Center in New York where he did an in depth study of the Agriculture lectures, made preps and peppers while learning from Biodynamic experts and bonding with burgeoning farmers from the region. Allen’s approach to Biodynamics revolves primarily around building intuition for harmonious communion with nature and the elemental beings. Check out his website here: http://www.gnomewoodfarm.com
