In August, the Section for Agriculture at the Goetheanum piloted four further-training web seminars.

Biodynamic farming has developed fast and consistently in recent years, particularly in Asia and South America. This asks for urgent steps in providing professional development and training opportunities. A start has been made with the introduction of the new quality system for international biodynamic advisors and the international training conference in Switzerland in the autumn of 2019.

The training centres and advisors also asked for further training opportunities. In cooperation with the Biodynamic Federation – Demeter International (BFDI), the Section for Agriculture at the Goetheanum has developed a new further training concept, which has now been implemented with a pilot project.

A web seminar on ‘preparation plants’ for training centres and advisors from Asia was offered in August in four modules that included practical exercises. 45 people from nine Asian countries, including China, Taiwan and Sri Lanka, registered for the seminar. Their feedback revealed enthusiasm about the opportunities provided and the competent instruction. These web seminars allowed the Section and the instructors to experience both the advantages and limitations of online training.

Following the positive response from participants, we will go ahead with developing more modules on biodynamic farming to be offered both as web seminars and in-person training opportunities.