Dear Kristy, et. al., I think what you, Jeff, Allan and others, particularly in Hawaii, Texas, the midwest and out on the west coast, have done as regards making BD info available to the public is quite commendable. Also let us not forget the salubrious efforts of Hugh Courtney, without whom we would have little in terms of availability of the Steiner remedies, to say nothing of availability of literature and presence at conferences auch as ACRES.
I do not agree that what Alex Podolinsky has done in Australia is any model to copy, as he has run a rigid and even hidebound program where those who venture outside of his box can be excommunicated. But at least he has created a support system for farmers who want to put BD into practice. The BDGFAA (Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association of Australia) arose in response to the need for more openness than Podolinsky allowed, and it wouldn't do to give Podolinsky full credit for their efforts. They have really done a lot--perhaps more than Alex--to spread BD in Australia. Here in the US it has always been my impression--though for a brief period we did have a national extension agent--that there was no real support for farmers from the central organization. If anything there was a cult atmosphere coming from the central offices and I think it discouraged and turned off people right and left. In my own case I have let my membership in the BD Association lapse after 25 years of trying to pull biodynamics forward against the inertia, resistance and cult atmosphere of the central offices. Maybe Greg is being extreme in his criticism, but when Demeter excommunicated him and prohibited Victor Landa from using the term "biodynamic" on any products not certified by Demeter I had my fill of wrongheadedness. I'm calling what I do Quantum Agriculture and I only use the term biodynamic in a transitional way. I don't support the BDA or Demeter in any way at this point. Probably I'm one of those Greg refered to who dropped out because they cannot stomach the dogmatism, obstructionism and cultishness any further. I believe I'm pretty thick skinned or I couldn't have taken it as long as I did. The whole fumble of claiming to be the focus of the CSA movement and then doing nothing--even terminating the CSA conferences--was vexation enough and I should have left then. But there have been enough other blunders, including terminating the national extension program, that I should have identified the BDA as non-viable long ago. As far as I'm concerned they are baggage--excess baggage in my case. I can't see any reason for name calling or getting upset or any of that jazz. I have noticed that I'm reaching a wider audience with field broadcasters by calling my work quantum agriculture instead of BD. I suspect BD has a notorious reputation as being inscrutable, cultish and a big turn-off to many farmers. Really most farmers don't understand quantum mechanics either, but I don't seem to face anything like the rejection of my message by couching it in those terms. My lecture room at ACRES was full this time. I seem to be getting further by leaving BD behind. Does that tell you anything? It's still the same remedies, still the same insights into how nature works, I still talk about Rudolf Steiner and the whole nine yards. I just leave the terminology of biodynamic behind. Quite frankly I think it is just fine that Demeter owns the term. Let them have it. As far as I'm concerned it was a big lead anchor around my waist. Best, Hugh Lovel > >Dear Allan, >We have certainly made ourselves available regionally, and offer advice and >suggestions for numerous growers each year, plus orgainzing educational >events. Jeff Poppen is always also taking in visitors, and holding >educational events, writing and doing the TV shows. Allan, you do a huge >amount of educational work yourself. JPI has its new farmer advisory >program. > >I think we are wishing for an outdated paradigm when we expect to have some >top down organizational figure heads baby us through our movement. This is >the era of the conciousness soul, the age of individuality. What ever is >lacking in the movement is no one fault but our own. Christy Visit our website at: www.unionag.org
