These are tough times for biodynamic and organic farms. A cold wind is blowing from the socio-political and economic macro climate. Not only the social climate is harsh, but often the ecological climate as well. As a result, the inner certainty and confidence of the rural people is increasingly fragile. Taken together, the three challenges - social-economic, ecological, and spiritual - are far too much.
Where are the seeds for the sustainability of society, the earth and its climate and our own biography? On an excursion and during discussions in Belgium, and particularly in Flanders, where extremely dense, intensive, industrialised agriculture is practiced, we came to the conclusion that no one can do it alone. The pressure is too great, the hurdles are too high, the loneliness is too strong. That's why communities are formed on De Kollebloem farm: a community in the form of a cooperative among the farmers, a community in the form of a foundation for the land property, a community with two other farms for agreements on cultivation and marketing, a community for a shop in Ghent, a festive community for a seed festival every autumn. That's how it works and that's the only way. ‘You never farm alone’ is the motto.
Once again, the meeting will take place in cooperation with the World Goetheanum Association and the participants of the online call ‘Challenges in the organic sector’ are cordially invited; the meeting will be moderated by Ueli Hurter and Andrea Valdinoci.
Programme
11:00–13:00
Welcome with Ueli Hurter and Andrea Valdinoci
Topic 1: The individual farm (introductory presentation: De Kollebloem farm, Belgium, approx. 15 min.)
Pitches: Additions from farmers present
Exchange in small groups and résumé: What is needed to strengthen the farm organisms?
13:00-14:30 Lunch together (registration required)
14:30-16:00
Topic 2: Supra-regional trade (Alois Lageder winery, Banana initiative ODIN NL and NaturaSi tomato project, IT, 10 min. each)
Pitches: Additions from traders present
Exchange in small groups and résumé: What is needed to make pricing more socially just?
16:00-16:30 Break
16:30-18:00
Topic 3: Worldwide situation (aspects of Dunlop from the World Power Conference Impulse 1924)
Ueli Hurter: ‘The earth as a living being actually provides the framework’, 15 min.
Pitches: Additions from those present
Exchange in small groups and résumé: What is needed and what can we create as a value-orientated community with our skills and resources?
18:00-18:30 Conclusion / appointments
18:30-21:00 Dinner in the Schreinerei together with the participants of the other pre-conferences (registration required)
