Biodynamic Agriculture & Anthroposophy
Course description
Through deepening into anthroposophy, biodynamic agriculture can be experienced in a truly fruitful way. Anthroposophy develops an image of the human being, whereby the human being - completely connected with the soil, plants, animals and the climate - is able to penetrate nature in such a way that a personal relationship with the spiritual world of beings, which appears in it, can develop.
Out of this spiritual relationship you can work practically, for example with the biodynamic preparations, you can shape the farm into a living organism and you can align your commitment with the big picture of the earth as a living being.
Where does the human ability to cultivate nature come from? How far are we as human beings actually allowed to cultivate nature agriculturally? These are some of the questions we will look at in this course.
Next Date
27th November - 21st December 2023
Find here a report from a participant of the first course in November 2021.
Enrollment is not yet open, but you are welcome to indicate your interest here without any commitment, and we will be happy to inform you as soon we have more information.
Course leader & main contributors
Ueli Hurter, Course leader
Co-Leader of the section of Agriculture, since 2010. Board-member of the General Anthroposophical Society, since 2020.
In the Supervisory Board of the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International, since 2020. For 30 years biodynamic farmer in Switzerland on ‘Ferme de L’Aubier’ an Co-entrepreneur in the associative initiative L’Aubier, until end of 2020.
Jean-Michel Florin, Contributor
Studied agriculture and nature conservation, coordinator of the biodynamic association in France (MABD) and trainer for bd farming, author and editor of books and journals, expert and speaker on the subjects: Goethean approach of nature, medicinal plants, landscape, viticulture, etc. Since 2010 Head of the Section for Agriculture.
Program
The course lasts four weeks, with a maximum weekly workload of 5,5h, of which a 3h face-to-face.
The course is structured using various components and is designed in such a way that it can easily be attended on a part-time basis:
Practical exercises as well as self-study and peer group learning accompany and connect the regular live sessions during the four weeks of the course.
More information will follow
Practical Information
Costs
Participation fee: CHF 300
Participation for middle income countries + students: CHF 120
Participation fee for low income countries and students from middle income countries: CHF 65
https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups
Language
English
Required learning material
Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts: Anthroposophy as a Path of Knowledge: The Michael Mystery, Rudolf Steiner, CW 26
The Agriculture Course, Rudolf Steiner, CW 327
Technical requirements
Desktop, Laptop or Tablet Computer with up-to-date browser and, microphone & video camera
Zoom Application (Zoom Client for Meetings, free download: https://zoom.us/download#client_4meeting)
Telegram app for in-between conversion with other students: https://telegram.org/
Participation terms
The in-depth modules are designed to support people who want to work in the field of biodynamic agriculture at the level of farm management, communication, advisory services, training, coordination or research. They are mainly addressed to people who already have previous knowledge and are connected to the biodynamic movement. A basic interest in the anthroposophical background, as well as the will to explore the subject in depth, should be present.