living soil + climate mitigation
Centenary Conference Talks On Zoom
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SUN EARTH HUMAN – Ueli Hurter
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MOISTENING YOUR FINGERS IN THE SOIL – Sophia Montefiore
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AS CONSUMERS, WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EARTH – Ueli Hurter
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DESERT HEALTH – James Bretherton
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SYDNEY’S FOOD BOWL UNDER THREAT – Kate Mason
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FREE, EQUAL AND MUTUAL – Ueli Hurter
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A DESERT MIRACLE – Helmy Abouleish
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CEO, SEKEM EARTH FORUM/ CLIMATE ACTION NOW – Ueli Hurter, Helmy Abouleish, Gael Kennedy
$25 each OR $150 ALL OF THE ABOVE
Please select which talk you wish to view, and make the total payment to:
Biodynamics Sydney Sydney Mutual Bank BSB: 611001 A/c: 129258
Once this form is returned via email to: biodynamicssydney@gmail.com, and payment is received you will be sent the relevant links.
Note: A film of the conference is being produced.
The talk “Beyond Regenerative" with Diane Watkin, which was not zoomed, has been filmed and shortly will included on this website.
Many thanks to David Newbattn for graciously allowing the use of his beautiful artwork, which appeared on our biodynamic conference brochure and BD Sydney T-shirts
Biodynamics Sydney
BD Sydney holds workshops, lectures, film screenings, a training apprenticeship program (T.A.P.), and backyard garden advisory service. It has also run programs in Cyprus, China, and as a keynote speaker at the BD N.Z. Conference and A.G.M. Workshops profile the concept of wild garden and planting with various cover crops.
Biodynamics Sydney exists to promote the benefits and advantages of Biodynamic Agriculture to its supporters and the public, and to raise the profile of Biodynamics above the usual perception of gardening to one of world-wide significance in times of climate change.Benefits of becoming a supporter of the Sydney BD group are:
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information
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support
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demonstrations and “hands-on”
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networking
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resources
More specifically, it also allows you to:
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order the BD preparations through the group
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access to library, other information and resources
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attend demonstrations / workshops / lectures / discussions at 10% dicount
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network and socialise with others of similar interests
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access garden information and assistance with problems
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environmental crises – find up-to-date solutions
Why not support us now? – a group aiming for an ecologically sustainable future, based on old and practical wisdom and knowledge with a “hands-on” approach right in the present. Check us out at www.facebook.com/biodynamics.sydney inc. Your subscription purchases ingredients & ‘BD preps’ for more compost heaps!
The Compost Preparation Workshop at Warrah Farm was a great success. What an wonderful day we spent together - good vibes, good communication, good food, deep questioning and a wonderful interest in each other and the work.
We can take this work further by each one becoming an advocate for biodynamic food (outlined in our March newsletter). It doesn't take a great deal of time to visit a likely shop when doing your own regular shopping. Just ask if they have any bd products, and then explain the benefits of the nutrition and how it benefits the environment by using atmospheric carbon in the soil-food-web cycle. Remember - superior nutrition and climate change mitigation are the key!
Most shopkeepers (apart from Coles and Woolworths) use Metcash, so they should contact them and place an order. They can also contact Back to Eden - just take a look at their current home page!
Upcoming
There will be a compost workshop in Gladesville in June or July - keep an eye out in the newsletter for details. Free magazines and marked-down books available.
Elvesgate Truffle Farm will again be holding their Forage and Feast days in June and July. We had a wonderful time there last year - highly recommended for a day or weekend away in the bracing air of the Southern Tablelands.
Biodynamic dairy producer of the month
Recently spotted at Unique Wholefoods in Leichhardt, Mungalli Creek icecream is creamy, delicious and lactose-free!.
Restaurant of the Month
Staying with icecream, the gelato from Pompei's in Bondi has to be eaten to be believed! They also use biodynamic ingredients in other dishes.One of our members brings her family here from the other side of Sydney to celebrate every special occasion!.
Membership - new and renew
Biodynamics Sydney exists to promote the benefits and advantages of Biodynamic Agriculture to its supporters and the public, and to raise the profile of Biodynamics above the usual perception of gardening to one of world-wide significance in times of climate change.
Benefits of becoming a supporter of the Sydney BD group are:
information
support
demonstrations and “hands-on”
networking
resources
More specifically, it also allows you to:
Order the BD preparations through the group
access to library, other information and resources
attend demonstrations / workshops / lectures / discussions at 10% dicount
network and socialise with others of similar interests
access garden information and assistance with problems
environmental crises – find up-to-date solutions
Why not support us now? – a group aiming for an ecologically sustainable future, based on practical wisdom and knowledge with a “hands-on” approach right in the present.
$120.00 for 3-year membership
$50.00 / per annum- commences January
$20.00 / per annum - youth membership
donation
Bank details:
BSB: 611001
A/c : 129258
Ref: Your name
Biodynamic Icecream
Mungalli Creek Dairy are supplying delicious icecream to Unique Wholefoods (Leichhardt and Crows Nest) and Taste Organic (Enmore and Cammeray).
Supplier of the Month
Obviously goes to Mungalli Creek Dairy of Far North Queensland.
There are BD books at marked-down prices at Rudolf Steiner Book Centre, while stocks last. Also available are calendars, Soil Activator and BD compost.
BD ambassadors foraying into new shops – don’t forget to get some BD business cards for “street-cred” for retailers!
Events ahead:
Saturday 17 June – Winter Solstice presentation at Rudolf Steiner House – further details to come.
Farm workshop
Saturday 12 April 2025 - 10.30am-5pm. Warrah Farm, Harris Rd, Dural
Pre-bookings preferred
BD farmers and gardeners help lower atmospheric carbon, use it to build healthy soil and grow highly nutritious food.
Now is your chance to find out how by making and using the unique biodynamic preparations and taking some home as well!
Get help and support in using the Astro Calendar, the "BD Bible" for planting, tending and harvesting, with explanations and discussions on the ups and downs and ins and outs of when to plant out.
There will be calendars on sale.
Bring food for shared lunch - join the group working for the health of the Earth!
Cost $50/$45 members of BD Sydney/concession/$20 under 40s
Please email biodynamicssydney@gmail.com or ph 95501682
**A reunion has been planned in July to dig up the Soil Activator at Warrah Farm.
Online Workshop: Spiritual food for biodynamic farmers and home gardeners:
5 consecutive Thursday Evenings
Beginning Thursday 13th March 2025 7.00pm – 8.30 pm
Get your first lecture free ticket here
For a short YouTube introduction click here
W: http://www.spiritinmatter.com.au/
E: info@spiritinmatter.com.au
"Learning Biodynamics as a Path of Self-Discovery"
Produced by the Section for Agriculture at the Goetheanum in collaboration with the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International (BFDI), the Handbook for Trainers and Teachers "Learning Biodynamics as a Path of Self-Discovery" aims to provide trainers with inspiration and knowledge to help them design meaningful learning experiences in biodynamics, while at the same time guiding trainers along their learning and development path.
It can be downloaded here
You can't go past with delicious biodynamic products:
*Paris Creek Biodynamic cheeses, butter, milk and yoghurt from South Australia
*Mungalli Biodynamic Dairy cheeses and yoghurts from Queensland
*Greenwood Demeter Orchards’ Biodynamic fruit and juice from Victoria
*Pineview Orchards, Batlow, vegetables and fruits.
*Biodynamic herbs from Glovers Garden in Sydney
Hello to all,
It seems a long while since we last sent a newsletter, but the team has been hard at work with much productive activity taking place – and of course, making plans for this year.
We will not be running the one-year workshops which existed for many many years and to which many of you have come.
A friend from the South Coast who viewed the Centenary Conference on Zoom has said she was glued to her computer that whole rainy weekend, and commented enthusiastically, “It was fantastic, it was great – you got the message out loud and clear – now go out and do it!”
Our theme for 2025 will be Food and Nutrition.
One member has been helping a friend with a large productive vegie garden, and recently did a stirring of the soil spray. This has elicited responses from friends to say how healthy the plants are.
Another member has networked extensively with five Sydney retailers to get them to regularly order in and sell biodynamic dairy products. See the following piece for details and pics. When supplies ran out in two of the shops, the managers promised to “up their order”!
You, too, can be a representative for biodynamic food this year, and it is opportune to announce our Ambassadors Team. Simply go to your local food stores and ask for biodynamic products. As we know, biodynamics far surpasses organics, which is becoming more widely available. BD also uses carbon from the warming atmosphere to boost the nutrients in foods grown using the BD preparations.
We are currently updating the Biodynamic Suppliers list so please advise us urgently of any new or existing suppliers in your area of nutritious biodynamic products. The updated list will be sent in a subsequent newsletter and also published on our facebook page.
Welcome to our new youth members
Now it's time to join or renew
Biodynamics Sydney exists to promote the benefits and advantages of Biodynamic Agriculture to its supporters and the public, and to raise the profile of Biodynamics above the usual perception of gardening to one of worldwide significance in times of climate change.
Benefits of becoming a supporter of the Sydney BD group are:
information
support
demonstrations and “hands-on”
networking
resources
More specifically, it also allows you to:
Order the BD preparations through the group
access to the library, other information and resources
Attend demonstrations/workshops/lectures/discussions at a 10% discount
network and socialise with others of similar interests
access garden information and assistance with problems
environmental crises – find up-to-date solutions
Why not support us now? – a group aiming for an ecologically sustainable future, based on old and practical wisdom and knowledge with a “hands-on” approach right in the present.
Check us out at www.facebook.com/biodynamics.sydney inc.
Your subscription purchases ingredients & ‘BD preps’ for more compost heaps!
Please choose your membership level, make your payment using the bank details below, and email us a confirmation with your name, address, phone number and email address
$130.00 for a 3-year membership
$50.00 / per annum- commences January
$20.00 / per annum - for under-40s
donation
Bank details:
BSB: 611001
A/c: 129258
Ref: Your name
Compost
New high-quality compost is now available, thanks to the expanded Soft Soil team of Biodynamics Sydney, who have recently built two new compost heaps in Leichhardt and Gladesville. Much of the compost collected from those sites is going to John Apostolides' BD-in-conversion garlic farm near Goulburn. The rest is now available for sale at $25 a tub.
Now there’s a little more space for us to reflect on last year’s mammoth achievements, including that historicBD Centenary Conference. Ueli Hurter, head of the Agriculture Section in Switzerland, was our keynote speaker over that rainy weekend, and his two insightful and deep lectures have been worth re-watching. His thoughts will help form the next events in the ever-increasing consciousness of health for the earth and human beings. And so we encourage you to participate again in the zoom talks from the conference. The recordings can be accessed by emailing us at biodynamicssydney@gmail.com We are meanwhile strengthening our connections with other BD groups in Australia.
Biodynamic Preparations
Inexpensive solutions to help nourish your soil and remediate contaminated soil and atmosphere
BD500 – soil preparation
BD501 – atmospheric preparation
Soil Activator – activates microbial life and nourishes soil
BD Tree Paste – for tree damage repair
Biodynamic Compost – available from May – order now
Biodynamic Compost Preparations
Preparations made by the Soft Soils Group in Sydney, and available from Rudolf Steiner Book Centre, Rozelle and at workshops.
Podcasts
Interviews by James Bretherton with Diane Watkin
https://soundcloud.com/creaturescomeoutatnight/
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Biodynamics
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Water and Flood Inundations – Flooding
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Food Security
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Weeds and their uses and benefits
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Premium Soil Fertility and CO2 carbon capture and usage (6 mins)
ABC TV: www.abc.net.au/landline
Click on Archives
Scroll down to 8 Sept 2019 (15 mins.)
“Excess carbon regenerating soils”
Link to 2 mins. Biodynamic Workshop Promotional Video by James Bretherton: https://1drv.ms/v/s!AsodmVdPDr7YgwzEyXKo4Qmt8oDV
Recommended Reading
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Agriculture Lectures’ (R. Steiner)
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Grasp the Nettle’ (P. Proctor)
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Antipodean AstroCalendar’ (B. Keats)
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Agriculture’ (Alex Podolinsky)
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The Biodynamic Preparations’ (M. Klett)
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Bees’ (R. Steiner)
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'2025 Calendar’ (M. Thun) (northern hemisphere)
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‘Future Soils’ Scientific tests (BD Sydney)
Research
Trials, studies, tests. “Future Soils” document (available from the Rudolf Steiner Book Centre).
