Invitation

Farmers in India are increasingly opting for organic farming as a viable alternative to chemical agriculture. In this context, biodynamic (BD) agriculture will strengthen the organic farming movement and be of immense help to organic farmers.

The next basic six-days BD training course is being held at Sacred Heart college, Shenbaganur, Kodaikanal from March 5^th to 10^th, 2012. This will be followed by a three-days BD preparation making and retrieval course from March 12^th to 14^th, 2012 . A number of experienced BD practitioners trained by Peter Procter will conduct the course. The course includes a good balance of both theory and practical sessions.

Background

What is BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE?

Biodynamic farming is based on Dr. Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course held in 1924 in Germany. It is one of the oldest forms of organic farming in a modern sense, but is much more than organic farming. In BD agriculture, the farm is a treated as a ‘living whole’ where all farm activities are interrelated and influence each other. Careful observation and prudent farm management along with the use of the BD preparations can improve soil fertility and enhance the health of plants. The use of lunar and planetary rhythms for deciding farm activities is also helpful. The theory and practical sessions during the course include the following;

 A. Basic Course (6 days) from March 5^th to 11^th, 2012

• The crisis in modern agriculture and principles of organic / sustainable farming.

• Biodynamic Preparations BD500 and BD501 – theory and practice.

• Practical demo: 1.) Horn Manure (BD500) –  making, retrieval, stirring and application.

• 2.) Horn Silica (BD501) – making, retrieval, stirring and application.

• Biodynamic compost preparations (BD502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507) – theory.

• Practical demos:  1.) BD compost, 2.) cow pat pit manure (CPP), 3.) liquid manure.

• The significance of moon rhythms and planetary and stellar constellations, and the use of a planting calendar in agriculture.

• Increasing soil fertility, control measures of plant pests & diseases, and weed control.

• Animal husbandry in BD farming.

• Converting a farm to organic and BD agriculture.

• Demeter standards and certification procedures.

 B. Preparation making and retrieval course (3 days) from March 12^th to 14^th, 2012

1. Retrieval of BD501.

2. Practical demonstration of making BD500 preparation.

3. Demo of making and retrieval of compost preparations BD502, BD503, BD504, BD505, BD506, & BD507.

Biodynamic Agriculture Training Course

Basic Course – March 5 to 10, 2012 (6 days)

BD Preparations - demo of making & retrieval course – March 12 to 14, 2012 (3 days)

(Course fees are inclusive of simple boarding and lodging for one person)

 Note:  If from a society or NGO, please attach a letter with the letterhead of the institution.

Other information

• Members of the BDAI (with corporate or society membership) can avail the discount for only one participant.

• Only a limited number of seats are available and preference will be given on a first-come, first-serve basis.

• Please send the filled-in form (as given below) for registration, and the course fee by demand draft in favour of Biodynamic Association of India (BDAI) payable at Kodaikanal.

• For cancellations, 75% of the fees paid can be refunded, if the BDAI secretariat receives information at least 10 days before the course starts. After that no refund will be given.

• Participants are advised to come to the course venue, Sacred Heart College, Shenbaganur, 6 kilometers before Kodaikanal, on Sunday, March 4^th 2012.

• Only applications accompanied with the bank Demand Draft will be accepted.

• Plant and animal parts are used for the making of BD preparations (similar to practices in Vriksha Ayurveda)

• Non-participating spouse or husband and children and pets cannot be accommodated.

• Course fees include basic accommodation and boarding in SHC, a Jesuit monastery.

Please send all postal correspondence related to this course to: