Each year, representatives of the Section for Agriculture at the Goetheanum suggest a new theme of the year, which, slightly changed, becomes the theme of the conference the following year.

In past years there was always a kind of alternation in the yearly, or conference themes. If the one theme showed a more opening gesture, the next following showed more a deepening aspect. With the theme “Spirituality and Agriculture” in 2008, the gesture was an opening one; with this year's theme, “The agricultural lecture-course” we are given rather a deepening gesture.

The yearly themes build on each other, rather like on a hike; the next hill can only be seen when you have climbed the first hill.

In working with the two previous themes, the Christian dimension of bio-dynamic agriculture progressively gained clearer contours. This so to speak emerged out of the fog as we penetrated further.

In the conference on spirituality, motives emerged, such as the earth not only needs healing but even a hallowing. In the agricultural lecture-course, the individualising and developing principle can be experienced as constituting bio-dynamics. These themes are eminently Christian motives. One senses straight away that for bio-dynamics much more lies in this Christian dimension.

Those representing the Section have agreed on the theme of the year:

“Christian development – a motive for an agriculture for the future”

Those representing the Section find it very important to emphasise the following. What is here termed Christian is not meant as something sectarian, and consequently limiting. On the contrary, motives of development are beyond the confessions. They are present in all the religions, and indeed can be found in all regions of the world.

With the theme of the year, the aim is that we search together for the Christian motives of development for an agriculture of the future. By carefully looking at it, partly also getting practical, perhaps an enhanced carrying perspective for bio-dynamics will arise for the future.

We look forward to working together on this theme.

For the Section representatives,

Nikolai Fuchs

Dornach, 7 February 2009

The Michaelmas Newsletter, devoted to the theme of the year, carries as a motto: “First and second part: What is revealed when between death and a new birth we look back to our previous lives?” (Rudolf Steiner. Anthroposophical Leading-Thoughts. GA 26).

Dates for the upcoming Agricultural Conference: 3 to 6 February 2010