Biodynamics is a unique approach to farming and gardening, first suggested by the Austrian philosopher Rudolph Steiner in 1924, and today practiced by thousands of people in more than 50 countries worldwide.  Although many practices in Biodynamics are similar to those of organic gardening, the method takes a more holistic approach, recognizing cosmic influences on soil, plant and animal health, as well as local influences like the weather.  Further, Biodynamics uses herbal and animal-based preparations, in homeopathic doses, to enliven both soil and plant health through the dissemination of a myriad of forces.  These forces nourish the soil, resulting in dramatic improvements in the overall soil biology.  They also support plant growth processes, such as photosynthesis and seed development.  Well-grown Biodynamic crops tend to be sturdy, resistant to pests of all kinds, and imbued with superior flavor and nutrition when compared to organic or chemically-grown crops."

The workshop will include a comprehensive annotated bibliography of Biodynamic sources. Your presenter, John Mellquist, has been gardening organically in the Upper Valley since 1972 and began working with Biodynamics in 2001.  In 2013 he completed the one-year training in Biodynamics at the Pfeiffer Center in Spring Valley, New York.