The theme of this year's conference, which took place from 4 to 7 February 2026, was “You Never Farm Alone”. Around 750 enthusiastic participants from 46 countries gathered at the Goetheanum for the event. A further 700 people followed the conference via live stream on Goetheanum.tv. Our focus was on three key areas: The Farm as the Foundation of Living Communities, Remaining Human: The Farm as a School of Freedom and Healing, Research and Knowledge Communities.
The Farm as the Heart of a Living Community – Nurturing Social, Economic, and Cultural Growth
We explored the question: How can the farm become the living center of a renewed, conscious community? At the beginning of the conference, we reflected on the idea that farming is far more than food production; it is a vital foundation for community building, cultural life, and economic renewal. We looked at powerful examples like the Krumhuk Farm in Namibia or the Vilicus Farms in Montana, of how farming communities, working under very different circumstances, have come together to strengthen and revitalize their social fabric.
At the same time, we recognized that none of this is possible in today’s world unless collaboration arises from free will. Conscious cooperation is the essential basis of our work and the soil from which living communities can truly grow.
Another key aspect we proposed was to re-think economic activity on the farm. Through a panel presentation and dialogue, we explored several different economic approaches that revealed the richness and creativity of economic thinking within biodynamic agriculture. Representatives of large cooperative models with numerous members—such as EcorNaturaSì in Italy and Odin in the Netherlands—were joined by smaller initiatives, including the French initiative led by Olivier Clisson. These perspectives helped us see how economic life can be shaped in diverse and innovative ways at different levels of biodynamic farm practice.
Remaining Human – The Farm as a School of Freedom and Healing
Another important theme that we explored was the question of how farm life can encourage freedom, wisdom, and the development of the human being. This topic focuses on the farm as a place where people can develop. To explore this theme, we worked with a panel that provided us with practical examples integrating communities of healing, education, agriculture, and social arts. The next century of biodynamics invites us to reconsider how learning, work, and society are rooted in a deep connection to the living earth. In the model proposed in the panel, the farm becomes a 'universitas', where children and adults collaborate, care for the land, and engage in meaningful, hands-on learning. Hof Pente in Germany is a prime example of this, combining a CSA farm with a school and kindergarten to nurture responsibility, creativity, and social skills. This unique project proposes that farm life teaches us that every action matters, thereby grounding education in real-life purpose and ecological stewardship.
Living Research and Knowledge Communities
At our last Biodynamic Research Conference, we demonstrated how contemporary research in biodynamic agriculture is fostering the development of research communities and the sharing of knowledge in many ways. As a global community of practice, we are committed to rethinking the ways in which we know, grow, and research in harmony with the living world around us. Farms can participate in research and freely chosen collaborations that will shape the future of biodynamic agriculture, with the farm acting as a laboratory for research.
The Michael Letter – a condensed text by Rudolf Steiner about the activity of Michael as the spirit of our time – formed the basis of all our work, providing inspiration and direction. The letter proved to be remarkably aligned with today’s challenges. Every morning, the Michael Letter was discussed by two different contributors, who were either farmers, leaders or teachers, or students of the biodynamic movement. These dialogues were rich, deep, and practical, highlighting points of view from many different regions and cultures around the world.
By the end of the conference, we had concluded that the idea of 'You Never Farm Alone' could be considered both an affirmation and a research question. This concept also stems from working with and connecting to communities in various ways and realms, including the spiritual world. Our research question received an enthusiastic and hopeful response. It is something that we created together as a community during the conference, and we hope that it will continue to nurture the communities of all those who experienced or found out about the conference in their own way.
The next Agriculture Conference will take place from 3 to 6 February 2027, on the theme: Working with the Intelligence of Life. Biodynamic Agriculture Brings Microcosm and Macrocosm Together. The foundation for the conference will be the Michael Letter "The Future of Humanity and the Activity of Michael" by Rudolf Steiner, Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts, GA 26.
Photo gallery of the Agriculture Conference 2026
Please credit the photographer "Xue Li, Goetheanum" when using the photos.
