vital soil - vital food

‘A mere centimetre of living humus spread across the world’s crop lands could solve the entire carbon problem.’  - Joachim Bauck (1941 - 2009)

Soil is great for holding plants up, but given half a chance, it will supply nutrients too. Developing a living, humus filled soil would help improve sustainable agricultural practices and consequently food production and security. Conventional farming practice depletes the soil’s natural capacity to provide the plant with nutrition, as it sprays on insecticides and throws out the natural food web with the use of chemical fertilizers. Organic cultivation aims to restore the capacity of the soil to feed the plant whilst biodynamics offers the means to enhance it.

The aim of this conference is to explore what biodynamics and the soil foodweb approach can do for the soils. Laverstoke Park Farm is a biodynamic farm owned by former Formula One World Champion driver Jody Scheckter. It has a state of art laboratory where they measure the microorganism level of the soils. This information can be used to improve microbial activity using various techniques including compost teas and the biodynamic preparations to bring vitality and life back to the soil.

These preparations and the understanding framework of biodynamics were given by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Since then researchers have further developed the tools and understanding of biodynamics.

Participants will have the chance to experience what these two approaches have to offer through practical hands on activity, as well as discussion with experienced practitioners.

As part of the conference, growers can send in a sample of their soil for analysis (full details with costs can be found on the BDAA website). The results will then be presented and discussed in plenum as part of the conference. If you are interested in having a soil analysis you would need to send in your sample by the 4^th September at the latest.

For more information see the BDAA website: www.biodynamic.org.uk

programme

Friday 2nd October

10:00 Registration and coffee

10:30 Welcome and introduction by Jody Scheckter

11:00 Presentation: ‘An introduction to Soil Biology and the use of Compost and Compost Teas in Sustainable Agriculture’ by Joel Williams (Laverstoke Park)

12:30 Lunch

14:00 Site visit of Laverstoke Park Farm

16:00 Tea

16:30 Practical activities and demonstrations (in groups)

18:00 Supper

19:30 Presentation: ‘Harnessing the energy of soil’ by Richard Thornton Smith

Saturday 3rd October

09:00 Presentation and discussion of results of soil analyses previously sent in.

10:30 Coffee

11:00 Practical activities and demonstrations (in groups)

12:30 Lunch

14:00 Practical activities and demonstrations (in groups)

15:30 Tea

16:00 Plenum and summing up of conference findings

18:00 Buffet supper followed by social evening

biodynamic association agm

Sunday 4th October

09:30 Brief summing up of conference and lead into AGM

10:30 Break

11:00 Biodynamic Agricultural Association AGM business meeting and reports

12:30 Light refreshments and departure

contributors

Joel Williams – Agronomist, Laverstoke Park

‘An introduction to Soil Biology and the use of Compost and Compost Teas in Sustainable Agriculture’

Dr. Richard Thornton Smith – Soil scientist and biodynamic inspector

‘Harnessing the energy of soil’

Tony Carlton – Biodynamic Gardener

‘Using the Biodynamic Preparations to sensitise the soil’

booking

Please send the attached form together with your payment to :

BDAA Office, Painswick Inn Project, Gloucester Street, Stroud, Glos. GL5 1QG.

Cost: £75 conference fee plus £45 for meals.

Please make cheques payable to “BDAA”.

For questions related to the workshop or booking please contact the BDAA Office :

Tel: +44 (0)1453 759501 email: office@biodynamic.org.uk

location

Laverstoke Park Farm, Overton, Hampshire, RG25 3DR - for directions see BDAA website.

accommodation

A list of local B&Bs etc can be sent on request (accommodation cost is not included in the workshop fee).

meals

Laverstoke Park will cater for the conference. This will be organic and comprise of ingredients grown on the farm. Participants have a choice to take this as an option or make their own arrangements. The cost is £45 for 2 lunches and 2 evening meals.

www.biodynamic.org.uk