Re: Perfect Orchard -soil test
Perfect Orchard -soil test What do you need to look for in a soil test, and why ? looking for an ag interpretation Per Garp/NH Per - For a literal answer to your question, Go to the EarthWorks site I gave you the url for earlier. There you can find both a blank soil test form (results ie what's quantified) and, I believe, the interpretive commentary.
THREE KINGS UPDATE
I spoke to Hugh Courtney this a.m. He has 3 Kings kits on hand. I pass this info to you as a service. There is no mercantile intent. Shipping, due to the holidays and the weekends, is problematic, however, since this prep must be initiated on Dec 31. If you are interested in applying three kings this season, you need to place your order today or no later than mid-day Dec 26. (I believe JPI is closed on the 24th and, definitely, on the 25th) You will also have to pay FED EX shipping, as Hugh does not believe the Post Office can get the prep to you timely. Don't forget: the use of the 3 Kings Prep assumes that you have the other BD preps in your soils. If you do not, be sure to discuss this with Hugh. He undoubtedly has ways of making your soil appropriate for the use of this prep. Also, do not rely on email to place an order with JPI on this short notice JPI: (276) 930-2463
Re: Perfect Orchard-Calcium
Lloyd said: Roger, dont you think you have got a bit carried away with this? Lloyd , I assume that Roger was responding to my more generalized statement about the use of artificial fertilizers to jump start a depleted piece of ground. Roger, I appreciate that you spoke up for the finer sensibilities. I ask that you understand that Pfeiffer was advocating the use of commercial fertilizer as a TOOL in a biodynamic farming practice and not as an end in and of itself. Quantities of synthetics used would be small, and, as I understand it, applied one season,only. The suggetion, of course, is for situations of extreme depletion, just to get green covers growing that inturn would perk up the biology. All this is assuming that the grower couldn't access tons of high quality compost for this start-up season. Hear! Hear! for remembering the higher principles!
THE THREE KINGS PREPARATION INFO
This info from the Three Kings Prep kit as provided by JPI. This is scanned from colored paper and passed on unproofread. Please make the most of the information here. It's not to late to order this prep!! As we say here at ther ranch: GET IT ON!!!-AB) The Three Kings Preparation Please be aware - In light of the events in the world today, it is increasingly important that more and more people must consciously take up the use of the Three Kings Preparation and thereby express a willingness to work with the elemental kingdom, whether we have a direct awareness of them or not. Humanity has so frequently ignored and betrayed the elemental beings by our desecration of nature. The mere fact that these beings are invisible to the majority of human beings does not mean they do not exist, and the sooner we take some sort of positive action that provides a message to them that we wish to work with them, the sooner we can counter much of the chaos so apparent in the world. No other action on our part can send this message to the elemental kingdom quite as well as our use of the Three Kings Preparation. There is one quite fundamental warning that must be issued to, those who would take up the use of this preparation: under no circumstances should one use the Three Kings Preparation unless one has first used all nine of the biodynamic preparations on the area to -be treated. This is a necessity because ' the nine biodynamic preparations serve to balance as well as to ground and enhance the existing forces, thereby establishing a foundation for the elemental kingdom to build upon. Bear in mind that the biodynamic preparations need to be regarded as forces, not substances. To apply only the Three Kings Preparation is the equivalent of placing a fence around livestock, thereby, securing them from predators, but failing to ensure that the pasture or hay supply is adequate in the area where they are enclosed. That is why it is of utmost importance that one should make an additional commitment to continue to use, in a diligent manner, Steiner's nine basic biodynamic preparations on the area treated with the Three Kings Preparation. When using the Three Kings Preparation, you are in essence sending a message to the elemental kingdom that here within a 'magic circle, they will be provided a safe haven as well as the profound spiritual nourishment of the biodynamic preparations. However, failure to provide that nourishment both before and after using the Three King's Preparation is tantamount to another betrayal of the elemental world by humanity. We need not betray them again. How It is Made and Applied December 31st - At New Year's Eve beginning at 11:30 p.m., using a porcelain mortar and pestle, grind together 0.175 ozs./5 gms. of Aurum metallicum D2, 0.175 ozs./5 gms. of Frankincense and 0.175 ozs./5 gms. of Myrrh gum resin for one hour. To this powder add 0.29 ozs./5 gms of rainwater and 0.29 ozs./5 gms. of vegetable glycerin and thoroughly mix for an additional five minutes. This emulsion can be used immediately after preparation, but it also remains effective for years if stored in an airtight, non-metallic container in a cool, dry and dark area. January 6th Three Kings Day also known as Epiphany - Add approximately I teaspoon of the Three Kings Preparation (dissolve this in a small portion of 140' F water before adding to the larger quantity of water, otherwise it will remain a stiff paste) to approximately 2 gallons plus 2 cups of warm rainwater, or sun soaked pond water. Stir for one hour starting at 1:30 p.m. using a non-metallic container, with a wooden keg or bucket being the first choice as a stirring vessel. The method of stirring is the same as is used for the horn manure or horn silica preparations, that is, stir in the usual biodynamic fashion. It is particularly important in the case of the Three Kings Preparation that the person stirring be fully conscious of and focused on the purpose to be accomplished through use of this preparation. After stirring, it is to be sprayed out in the etheric-cosmic inbreathing phase of the late afternoon around 4:00 p.m. The person spraying walks around the perimeter of the area to be protected and stops about every 55 yards (+/-) to spray once in the direction of the neighboring fields, that is, aim the spray away from the center of the property to be protected. It takes about 1/2 gallon (+/-) to cover 3,280 feet of boundary or the perimeter of 16 acres. (Please note: the perimeter of one acre is 835 feet +/-). In a certain sense, one is forming a magic circle of protection around a particular area. Supply Information The ingredients to make the Three Kings Preparation are available through JPI. The quantity supplied by JPI covers a large area! upwards of 90 contiguous acres of boundary. The cost is $20.00 plus shipping and handling. To order, call (276) 930-2463, fax: (276) 930-2475 or write:
Re: Soy (PLEASE, don't think that that is all you can do)
Allan, of interest: my naturapath recently told me that she no longer eats much miso because it can bring on infections stored in the body. I beg your pardon? Do you have more details on what is meant by this? If you are saying that infections are stored in the body, why wouldn't you want them brought out? As everyone probably knows, miso is not only a source of readily accessible nutrition, but it is also a source of beneficial microorganisms for the human gut. For what it's worth, It is said that people who survived Hiroshima and took miso soup regularly in their diet before and after the blast, did not suffer radiation illness.
Re: Calcium chloride
Don't mean this to be an endorsement.. sorry Allan if listing a company is inappropriate... just thought someone might have time to check it out further oh.. and he's practically a neighbor of yours... Perry - There's no harm at all listing sources on BD Now! You handled this exactly as you should have. Posted the information and stated your relationship to the cash flow. Perry - I'm in west virginia now. West Virginians don't have ANY neighbors in Virginia!! Later -Allan
Percy Schmeiser Lecture On-line
Dear Friends - Thanks to support from Nancy, Jane and Curtis that was both necessary and sufficient, I've installed the first of many streaming audio lectures at the BD Now! home page. Do yourself a favor and listen to what Percy has to say. If you are not in a motiating rage right now about what's happening to this good man, you probably simply do not know the extent of the injustice and outright harrassment this good soul is suffering. Please pass this link on to many because an informed population is the best defense against tyranny. At this point, this sort of stuff can still be stopped by the courts if the will of citizens is known. To hear this presentation you will need a computer that can support REAL AUDIO. This is streaming audio, so you don't need a lot of disk space or a high speed connection. I'm very happy that this technology is available to we grassroots workers. I have a number of other tapes waiting to be digitized and installed. This will only happen if there clearly is an interest in this sort of resource. Feel free to pass on this link. Please credit BIODYNAMICS NOW! for making it available on-line. What you'll hear here is an audience recording. If you'd like a copy of the professional tape, please contact ACRES USA at http://www.acresusa.com Here's the link: http://www.ibiblio.org/biodynamics check it out and give me feedback. If you want to talk technical problems after you listen, contact me off-line at [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want to wax philosophical about the theft of foundation seedstocks, please write to BD Now! Thanks (and thanks again to Nancy, Jane and Curtis) -Allan
It's a Big Country: but where's AP?
Friends - I'm still trying to find information on what Alex Podolinsky is up to nowadays. If you've heard or if you work with him, please let me know what you know, ok? Thanks -Allan
Re: It's a Big Country: but where's AP?
Have heard that AP will be giving a lecture some time next year at the Orange campus, uni of Sydney. Will post details when I get them. LL Liz Thanks, Liz. Let's get a tape, too, ok? -Allan
Re: Monsanto in financial trouble
Monsanto have gone too far and now they are in financial trouble. Have a look at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/2589789.stm Thinking so much about Percy Schmeiser recently (has anyone other than Kara tested the site?), I seemed to recall that we were hearing that Monsanto was going under after the terminator failure, also. Is this a false memory? Or were they rope-a-doping us? -Allan
Mad Cow Mark Purdey On-line
I've installed a Real Player lecture at the Sound Archive Page (http;//www.ibiblio.org/biodynamics) by Mark Purdey at Sally Fallon's Wise Traditions Conference this past Spring. In case you've missed it: Mark Purdey is the leading independent researcher into the cause of Mad Cow and related wasting diseases. Comments on the lectures are welcome here on the list. Bug reports or requests for support should come directly to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] -Allan
Vandana Shiva: STOLEN HARVEST
Another Audio file at the BD Now! Sound Archives Page: http://www.ibiblio.org/biodynamics Vandana Shiva discusses the machinations of multi-nationals in rural India. Saving the world for the children. Let's discuss it here in BD Now! when you get a chance. All bug reports or requests for support should go directly to me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks -Allan
Re: Perfect Orchard-Calcium
Dear friends - Does anyone know of anyone who has 'applied lime' using the Kolisko approach? If so, can you comment on the effect(s)? Thanks _Allan
BD Olive and Beef Operation in OZ
A transcript of a tv interview with the celebrity owners of a Podolinsky advised BD Olive and Beef operation can be found at: http://www.abc.net.au/austory/transcripts/s377105.htm
Re: PLEASE, don't think that that is all you can do
I'll point out that the is mounting evidence (that should have been collected in the first place) that both Canola and soy are detrimental to human animal heath. Sorry, M, I was too busy looking at the forest to see the trees. Even if you don't give a hoot for canola or soy as foods - - and, properly handled, soy is an excellent food for humans - - please open your heart to the harm that organic farmers are experiencing through Monsanto's carelessness and their power. It is my understanding that Monsanto is rolling out (no pun) GM wheat this coming seaon in Canada and the Mid-West. I guess it comes as no surprise to anyone but me, but GM genes are dominant genes (it wouldn't make sense otherwise, would it?) so anything that get GM genes gets the intended GM effect.
Re: Perfect Orchard-Calcium
Lloyd - Remind me: how do you get the calcium nitrate down? What are your rates? How would you modify this if you were working in a garden? Thanks -Allan
Re: PLEASE, don't think that that is all you can do
Sorry Allan, but if you do your research
Re: PLEASE, don't think that that is all you can do
Sorry Allan, but if you do your research Gil - I do do my research, thanks. Even Sally Fallon supports traditional cultured soy products as foods for humans. Not just as acceptable foods for humans, but foods that have long histories of being nourishing, healthful foods. These foods include tempeh, tofu, natto, miso, soy sauces, and many more. To my recollection, even Bill Mollison tolerates the use of the earth to grow soy beans to make these cultured or traditional products because they do provide useable protein (and more!). As an EI person myself, I am well aware of the dangers of processed soy. It's not good for man or breast, or is that 'beast'? Feeding soy to ruminates has resulted in health problems in the humans that consume their flesh, and so on. Canola. I don't think I've ever said anything good about canola. The press sure has, though, haven't they? And canola is recommended by many health food books (none of which I believe). Is this clear, or do I need to rant further? ;-) -Allan
Saving foundation seedstocks from GMO contamination
Never have corporations been so obvious in their attempt to remove us from Nature. The contamination of our seedstock is simply a corporate business plan. Worse, it currently appears that governments will support the rights of corporations to the owner ship of our native food plants. This is a very important topic. The future of the human race is literally in our hands, or should I say, it's currently up in the air? Learn more about the preservation of our foundation seedstocks at http://www.npsas.org/GMOFactSheet.html Sign the petition there, but, PLEASE, don't think that that is all you can or must do. -Allan from the Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society (url above) Q. What is Transgenic Contamination? A. Transgenic contamination (TC) occurs when a plant that contains transgenic/genetically modified organisms (GMO) [such as a gene inserted into plants to make them resistant to Roundup] cross-pollinates with a plant that is not genetically modified. Some of the seeds of the nontransgenic plant will then be transgenic. TC can also occur through kernel flow or commingling of transgenic and nontransgenic varieties. Q. What are Foundation Seedstocks? A. Foundation seedstocks (FS) are the seeds for varieties that are grown directly from breeder's seed, registered seed or foundation seed. They are produced under the control of the originator or sponsoring institution or licensee. Breeder's seed is seed in its purest form. Foundation seed is seed that has gone through increase to make the variety available for certified seed production. If FS were to be contaminated, the seed would have to be destroyed at the expense of the program in order to contain the contamination. The FS program would then have to go back to the breeder's seed and go through the process of increasing that seed to rebuild the foundation seedstocks, setting the program back and restricting supplies. Seed would then go through the certified seed program to again make the variety available to farmers. Q. Why is a zero tolerance of seed contamination important? A. Foundation seed is the genetic basis for the certified seed program, giving producers access to seed certified to be what the producer intends to purchase. A substantial number of our export markets as well as Identity Preserved (IP) markets do not want transgenic products due to food safety concerns on the part of their consumers, and the lack of long-term testing and environmental impact studies. Most organic standards do not have a tolerance level for transgenic contamination. Access to genetically pure seeds safeguards farmers' rights to self determination and their ability to produce to the demands of their markets. Q. Why focus only on the seed issue and not on contamination in crop production? A. TC during crop production is also a huge issue for agriculture. However, if we lose the genetic purity of our seed sources, we will have contamination regardless of what we do in the crop production phase. It all begins with and depends on seed. It is a critical issue and warrants our immediate attention. Q. Where are Foundation Seedstocks kept? Who is responsible for maintaining their purity? A. Nearly every state maintains a Foundation Seedstocks program or is affiliated with an agency that performs these functions. Many FS programs are within the land grant university structure but may be a separate legal entity. The purpose of these programs is to increase, maintain and distribute genetically pure seed of new and established crop cultivars. Q. Why all the concern? A. In March 2001 NPSAS discovered that a Round-up Ready wheat research plot was located in proximity to the FS plot for Coteau wheat at one of NDSU's Research Extension Centers during the 2000 growing season. Top of page In April 2001 NPSAS received an email stating that NDSU's position regarding [wheat] varieties grown at NDSU Research Extension Centers is such that there can be no guarantee that GMO DNA has not been introduced. Q. What isolation distances are required to keep outcrossing by pollination from occurring? A. In February 2001 when asked if there has been research on the distances required to prevent gene flow through cross pollination in wheat, NPSAS was told that the research has not been done. (Cole Gustafson, personal communication, 2/26/01) To date the research and understanding of crop pollination and the exact distances needed to prevent pollen flow in various crops is incomplete and therefore inadequate to provide any assurances. Q. Is the same equipment used for Foundation Seedstocks and transgenic research? A. In some cases, yes, and in some cases, no. Q. Can shared harvest, handling and cleaning equipment be cleaned 100% so that zero contamination is possible? A. According to agricultural engineers, it is impossible to remove every seed from combines, trucks and cleaning/conditioning equipment even when it is completely
Re: Other than Jeavons?
Thanks, Patti. You seem to be one of the blessed, already realizing that the cup must be emptied before it can be filled! I appreciate the feedback. -Allan
Re: Perfect Orchard-Calcium
Dorothy, et al - If you get a good soil test, like one from Jerry Brunetti http://www.agri-dynamics.com or Joel at Logan Labs, the recommendations for lime will be layed right for you: you'll know if you need dolomite or if you need high-calcium lime. A good soil test interpreter will also look at your overall test and decide if you can get jumpstarted by using some (or a lot of!) gypsum. The issue for me is being able to trust the source of my lime. Southern States here in the South East US just doesn't think tere is any reason that I need to know that the lime is anything but lime. We bought our high calcium lime in 50 lb bags from Doug Brit of Ag-Life. It's expensive that way, but at least we knew what we were getting. I've also been advised to ask anyone selling lime where their quarry is and could I get a state analysis of their lime. Apparently, a lot of lime is contaminated by heavy metals and that will show up in one of these reports. As everyone knows, I worked in a hellish situation last summer. (I growing food for 160 families on soil that had been supporting no-till conventional ag for the previous 30 years) We needed a lot of lime to reach our Albrecht goals. I bought the finest talc-like lime I could buy. I still had lots of weird plant problems and never ever felt that foliars for CT applications were effective. Graham of Nutri-Tech at ACRES pointed out that I couldn't possibly have adequate accessible lime in one season and that I should have moved to liquid calcium in my situation. I realize that this is not a certificable organic substance, but I also understand that it is considered to be a safe amendment by many responsible sustainable growers, particularly those who push for hi-BRIX plant quality. I'd like to experiment with liquid Calcium in my 2003 gardens. Does anyone know where or how to buy it in the US? I'm looking for more advice on buying field lime, also. -Allan
Re: Percy Schmeiser and the beast known as Monsanto
Among the many insanties of this is that Monsanto can 'own' canola if it simply contains one of their genes. It doesn't matter how many years canola has been part of the commons, now, with one little change, Monsanto can claim the entire plant as its own. The value to them of contaminating ALL canola shoud be obviius to everyone. The trajedy is that not only have we been unable to stop the progress of the biotech companies, few Americans really understand how much they are stealing from both the past and the future. The regular American non-ag people I've told Schmeiser's story to are at first incredulous and then outraged. We, as sutainable ag workers, need to becoming knowledgeale about thse issues and we need to talk to everyone we can. Blesssings to Percy Schmeiser: 72 years old and globetrotting to get the word out! -Allan
Re: Want video of Percy Schmeiser and the beast known asMonsanto
I tried to find a video of Percy Schmeiser giving a talk about this. There must be a video. You don't really get the urgency of it all until you hear his story from his own heart. The Environmental Committee of the Northern Panhandle Green Party in Sandpoint is going to put on a program about genetic engineering and we would love to have a video of Percy speaking. Maybe Steve D. knows. Merla In the very near future I'll be posting a presentation by Percy in streaming audio on the Gardening for the Future website. You're right, Merla, hearing Percy speak makes unperceived scales fall from one's heart. There were no dry eyes at the ACRES presentation, that's for certain. -Allan
Re: Percy Schmeiser and the beast known as Monsanto
Schmeiser's appeal will come to the Canadian Supreme Court in the near future. The issue there will be the protection of a patent already extended to a lifeform, will it not? It will be interesting to see how it comes out at that level. -Allan . One faint glimmer of hope: the Supreme Court of Canada last week refused to allow the patenting of the Harvard mouse - no patents on life forms. I haven't read the decision, but it may help to restrain some of this biotech in years to come. Nancy G
Re: Perfect Orchard-Calcium
Pardon my ignorance, Lloyd: do you have any idea of why calcium nitrate is not acceptable for organically certified crops? Graham is very health conscious and he was very accepting of calcium nitrate as a first season or emergency input. How do you feel about it? (And, why?) Thanks! -Allan
Re: book review?
Martha - I looked at this book when it first came out. My recollection is that the title of this book is an appropriation of the term 'biodynamics,' Fortunately, according to Amazon.com, this book is out of print. The following user review appeard at the Amazon site: This book is not about biodynamic gardening!!!, April 2, 1999 Reviewer: [EMAIL PROTECTED] from Tennessee Having used organic gardening methods for years, I became interested in Rudulf Steiner's BIODYNAMIC farming and gardening methods. I hoped that was the subject of this book. I was very disappointed. Nowhere does it mentions Steiner's methods. It is a good book for beginning ORGANIC gardeners, covering composting, natural pest control, etc. I don't know the history of this book, but its appearance presented a very excellent opportunity for Demeter to exercise their copyright on the word 'biodynamics' to make certain that the public was not presented inaccurate information about this very important topic. At ACRES USA we also saw amendment salesmen who had most definitely biodynamic product using the word to describe their line. Again, in the hope of minimizing confusion in the world, let's hope Demeter takes action. -Allan Has anyone read this book? If You Like My Apples by Clue Tyler Dennis Luke Miller Here is the blurb on it:
Re: sealant for cut tree limb?
Lily - Hopefully Jim Marquardt will verify this, but it is my understanding that sealers are out of vogue and that properly done pruning cuts should be left un-dressed. -Allan
Re: Ferdinand's clay coating
OK, Woody - Let's hope you are really there...or here! -Allan Wasn't it Ferdinand who was coating his tree trunks in the wintertime with a mixture of cow manure and clay? Is anyone else doing this and if so, what are the benefits / results?
Re: Perfect Orchard
Lloyd - I take it that this is the 'dolomite' that Pat Colbey recommends as a free choice mineral supplement for livestock. Everyone - Is LIME what we would ask for to get 'dolomitic lime'? Is this something that one can buy with confidence at the coop or is it best purchased from an organic amendment salesman? Thanks -Allan # Dolomite (often called LIME in your country) is a combination of magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate - again a finely ground rock - only use this where there is a tested need for magnesium in the soil CEC. Thats only likely to be sandy and sandy loam soils. Excess dolomite will tighten up soils and burn out nitrogen so the fertiliser men love to see farmers using dolomite to neutralise acid soils, cause they will soon be back in the store to order heaps of bagged nitrogen.
Re: Ferdinand's clay coating
Here's an early BD Tree Paste recipe (preceded by a recipe for a tree wash spray) From: The Biodynamic Treatment of Fruit Trees, Berries, and Shrubs by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer (Available from JPI) Ad. 4. Tree Washing with No. 500 and equisetum tea, One portion, or unit, of No. 500 is suspended in 2 to 4 gallons of plain water or rain water. If chlorinated city water has to be used, let it stand for a few hours in a pan or bucket exposed to the daylight, if possible to sunlight. To this add a tea made from horsetail-equisetum arvense. Theoretically a total solution consisting of 2% of the tea would be best. There is, however, not enough equisetum arvense available. We have, therefore, made a compromise and suggest the use of an 0.5% solution. This means that the final wash or spray solution should have a (tea) strength of 0.5%. For each gallon of spray solution, 2/3 of one ounce of the dry herb has first to be measured out. Thus we would have: for 1 gallon, 2/3 of one ounce; for 2 gallons 1 and 1/3 ounce; for 3 gallons, 2 ounces ; for 4 gallons, 2 and 2/1 ounces. The required amount of the tea is just covered with water and brought to a boil, then allowed to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes (finely powdered or shredded equisetum arvense for a shorter time, coarse material for a longer time) to make a tea concentrate. The concentrate is then mixed with the suspension of the Preparation No. 500 in water, and well stirred for about 10 minutes. Then it is so sprayed into the tree that the solution covers the entire trunk and branches. This very same spray is used as a foliage spray to reduce fungus development, especially during a wet season (damping off, or mildew, for instance). Equisetum arvense contains a protective factor against fungus infection. The Preparation No. 500 stimulates the growth and renewal of the cambium - as well as doing this for the root when sprayed on the soil. This washing of the tree is recommended in all cases where the tree has a lot of loose, peeling bark, split bark, bleeding, lesions from pruning or breaking off branches, and especially recommended if the tree is covered with mold, mildew, lichen, MOSS. In the latter case it is a preparatory step to the application of the tree paste. Ad. 5. The B. D. Tree Paste Application. This has been, in our experience a most effective means of getting healthy trees with a smooth bark, healing lesions, and protecting the tree as much as possible against pests, especially those which hibernate underneath the bark, or in crevices - sucking insects, scale, aphis, wooly aphis, etc. That is, provided that the job is done right. The principle is that the entire tree, trunk, branches, twigs, buds, is thoroughly covered with the paste. Many of our biodynamic orchardists have covered only the trunk. This restores a healthy trunk. Yet many pests hibernate and lay their eggs on the outer twigs and near the buds - for instance bud borer, aphis, scale - and are in this case not counteracted by the paste. It is especially important that not only the under side of the branches is covered, but the entire branch, including the dead corners where the branching off takes place, and that no loose bark remains to give hiding places. Any lesion of the timber can be painted with the paste, which is a much better procedure than covering with tar, oil, asphalt, or paint, as is usually done. Holes in the trunk should be well cleaned out and then filled with the paste. If eggs, larvae, scale, are covered with the paste, it will exclude the air from them and they will perish. Since this paste is entirely harmless, and in no way toxic, it is an ideal means of protecting the tree and avoiding poisoning sprays. We have even sprayed it on the green foliage, when this was attacked by pests and fungi (rust for instance, or mildew), so that the leaves were entirely painted yellow. The rain washes it off eventually, and leaves recover with a healthy green. The original recipe for the tree paste was: 1/3 sticky clay, 1/3 cow manure, 1/3 fine sand. This mixture is approximate, for the sticking quality varies and the proportions have to be somewhat altered accordingly. As much water is added as is needed so that the paste can be easily applied and still will stick to the tree. To the solution can be added the Preparation No. 500, the equisetum tea (if needed), an extract of nasturtium plants against aphis, or other ingredients that one wants to apply. For many years it was the biodynamic practice to apply the paste, in solution form, with a whitewash brush, by hand, to the trunk and larger branches. Nowadays one finds few orchardists who want to paint a tree by hand with a whitewash brush, and we admit it is a rather messy procedure. But everybody is eager to use a pressure sprayer or spray rig. For a few individual trees, the hand application may still be the easiest. For a large orchard spraying is the only
Percy Schmeiser and the beast known as Monsanto
Percy Schmieser is the Canadian seed-saving Canola grower who was accused by Monsanto of stealing their patented Round-up Ready canola seed from them. Instead of bowing down before Monsanto, Percy, whose family has worked over 40 years to develop the strain of Canola that he grows, chose to fight Monsanto in court. His story is still open ended. The government has most definitely NOT supported rights that we all, perhaps erroneously, take for granted. Percy Schmeiser spoke at Acres this past Saturday evening. His honesty and humilty are undeniable. The horror of the situation he has been thrust into is unimaginable, as is the greed of Monsanto. After Percy's presentation, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, nor anyone who wouldn't do all they could to make sure that everyone knows how underhandedly Monsanto deals with farmers and how the courts of Canada are under the influence of Monsanto. You can get a lot of information about Schmeiser at http://www.percyschmeiser.com Please tell everyone you meet about his plight and how Monsanto is working with world governments to contaminate the natural world so that everyone in the future will have to pay them huge sums for the use of their copywriten biology. -Allan
GETTING ON BD NOW! and GETTING OFF BD NOW!
Envirolink has it's quirks. One of those quirks is that it is so anti-spam that it often rejects subscribers from posting to this list. Sometimes, it's so cautious that is outright unsubscribes people, without fanfare. If you ever took a look at the spam files that BD Now! generates, my friends, I'm sure you would forgive envirolink of all of her quirks! We really get some crap thrown at us, none of which makes it to the list. Anyway, if you have problems, get thrown off the list, or whatever, just email me at my personal account, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Put something like NEED BD NOW! HELP! in the subject or I just might anti-spam your message myself, never seeing what you had to say. OK? You can unsubscribe yourself,, as long as you do it from the address you subscribed from. send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Put UNSUB in the message area. That's all there is to it. If you can't send from your original email address, or if your unsub doesn't take, just send me personal mail at [EMAIL PROTECTED] with something like UNSUB BD NOW! in the subject of your message and I'll take care of it in a little while. I get about 500 messages a day. Most of them from the descendents of African potentates. I'm really quick on the delete key, so, by all means, get that BD NOW! in the subject of your message!! Thanks -Allan
Re: GETTING ON BD NOW! and GETTING OFF BD NOW!
Rose - et al - PLEASE, let's keep focused on the biodynamics and not allow ourselves to be drawn off topic by the quirks of the moderator. Anyone who cannot abide by this request, I will personally give the email address of to the YOUR KIND ASSISTANCE spammers and they will never want again for email. Anyone who wants to 'chat' or needs clarification of anything I've said due to my constitutional inability to play it straight, please contact me directly at [EMAIL PROTECTED] where we can chat up a storm. Thanks -Allan , whose unsub trigger finger is even faster than envirolink's
Evolving meaning of CSA
Evolving Concept of CSA ROBYN VAN EN CENTER CSA is a relationship of mutual support and commitment between local farmers and community members who pay the farmer an annual membership fee to cover the production costs of the farm. In turn, members receive a weekly share of the harvest during the local growing season. The arrangement guarantees the farmer financial support and enables many small- to moderate-scale organic family farms to remain in business. Ultimately, CSA creates agriculture-supported communities where members receive a wide variety of foods harvested at their peak of ripeness, flavor and vitamin and mineral content. As Wendell Berry identifies, how we eat determines to a considerable extent how the world is used. With this in mind, it is important to remember that the goals of CSA support a sustainable agriculture system which . ++ JUST FOOD CSA helps to support family farms that are struggling to stay in business, while providing city people, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, with access to good, affordable produce. In a CSA arrangement, a farmer sells shares in his or her farm's upcoming harvest to individuals, families, and institutions in the city. The share price goes toward the costs of growing and distributing a season's worth of produce and paying the farmer a living wage. The cost of a share - for a bounty of organic vegetables - is less than the same amount of vegetables (conventionally-grown) at most grocery stores. During harvest months, the farmer delivers field-ripened vegetables once a week to city neighborhoods where the CSA members pick up their share of farm produce. Just Food is contributing to the nationwide movement to build CSA by focusing on NYC and experimenting with training and outreach methods in low-income communities. We do not run CSAs - we train others (urban groups and farmers) to run them. We focus our efforts on promoting alternative financing mechanisms and reaching out to low-income urban communities where fresh, affordable vegetables are in poor supply. Since 1996, Just Food has provided training and assistance to help start 24 CSAs, serving approximately 6,000 people. + LOCAL EXTENSION University people don't see CSA as a relationship. They like to refer to it as 'another tool in the farmers marketing kit.' Not clear in the paragraph below is that the 'shares' would be assembled from various farms and then most likely transported by a 3rd party to the distribution site. In other words, contact between consumer and farmer is at a minimum. I'm envisioning acooperative CSA (basically the only way to get some in-roads where I'm heading), using Metro parking lots for a weekly distribution point. Idea is to catch people as they get off the train and walk to their cars or houses, and once a week have their goodies right there for them. This tries to catch a bunch of people all in one place. Lowest cost of infrastruce if the grower delivers his produce weekly to the mtro stop where it is packed, and then consumer picks it up right there. Worst case (meaning most expensive which is difficult) but nicest for the farmer is to have a truck pick up the product from the farmers and then go park at the metro stop.
Re: CSA Retention rates
Also, Leigh, in your own CSA practice, you make a point of maximizing your contact with the shareholders, delivering food yourself and chatting the folks up rather than delegating that task. I had to use interns to deliver this season. I just couldn't leave the farm for that long twice a week. Because of the foundation politics, I was stressed by May. It's funny how little empathy farmer stress will invoke inlight of the amount of negativity it can bring out in people. The 'box scheme' version of CSA, the one tht extension advocates, where crops from various farms are pulled together and delivered to the shareholders would prefer to hire a driver who wasn't associated with ANY of the farms, thereby completing the separation of farmer and consumer. Just like Safeway, eh? -Allan
RODALE (RE) EMBRACES REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE Fwd: The Rodale Institute and the return of The New Farm®
From SANET Status: U Thread-Topic: The Rodale Institute and the return of The New Farm® Thread-Index: AcKgap5lFkiXveFgR6SFTitmr2Hilw== Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2002 11:47:28 -0500 Reply-To: Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sender: Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: Lotter, Don [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: The Rodale Institute and the return of The New Farm® To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Anthony Rodale's executive assistant, Susan B. Dorschutz, asked me to post the following update on The Rodale Institute in order to follow up on last week's SANET postings about J.I. and Robert Rodale. Don Lotter, Ph.D. The Rodale Institute 611 Siegfriedale Rd. Kutztown, PA 19530 (610)683-1400 3rd Generation leadership of The Rodale Institute and the return of The New Farm® Moving to Regenerative Agriculture -- A Matter of Survival Anthony Rodale, Chairman of the Rodale Institute, spearheads The Institute in its mission to move the U.S., and indeed, the world, toward sustainable, regenerative agriculture. The challenges are dire. Synthetic chemicals that large, conventional agriculture uses by the ton leave residues. These poisons can remain in our soil and water as well as in the food we consume. At the same time, Americans are increasingly obese, while people in developing countries suffer starvation. Something is profoundly wrong with the way we are growing and consuming food, and Anthony Rodale is doing something about it. Anthony advances the concept of regenerative agriculture that emphasizes healthy soil and its relationship to healthy food, human health and the environment. Through the Institute's educational and research efforts, Anthony is bringing new levels of awareness to regenerative agriculture. He is specifically targeting the two most important change agents of all for agriculture and food: farmers and children. This year, Anthony has led the Institute in launching two new websites (September 2002), NewFarm.org, aimed at farmers and KidsRegen.org (November 2001), headed by Anthony's wife, Florence, aimed at children. The websites extend the Institute's educational reach around the world in a cost-effective way, carrying the main message: healthy soil = healthy food = healthy people: It's a matter of survival. Also, this year, the Institute has partnered with several academic institutions, such as the University of Wisconsin, on research projects and with several governments in the developing world. The move towards regenerative agriculture The Rodale Institute has led for 60 years, is far from being a fad. In large part, through The Rodale Institute's leadership, the organic food business, has grown to $10 billon per year in the U.S., alone, representing the fastest-growing segment of the food industry. In October, 2002, the US Department of Agriculture instituted precise labeling guidelines for organic foods. The movement that Anthony's grandfather and father started more than 60 years ago, is today, under Anthony's leadership, bearing very healthful fruit indeed. Nature is giving us a silent environmental wake up call! We have all the knowledge to make positive changes today, for us and future generations. Tomorrow will be to late! Anthony Rodale, Chairman, The Rodale Institute Susan B. Dorschutz The Rodale Institute www.rodaleinstitute.org [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Hugo Erbe
Mark - I'm certainly interested in a copy for myself. You can contact Hugh Courtney at [EMAIL PROTECTED] to get an order from JPI. Hugh's very into the elemental stuff and, as you know, there are very few good books out. -Allan PS Yes, I'd be happy buying my copy from JPI
CSA and United way
Instead, try and get national local non profits involved in your csa's to sponsor share prices for low income members, such as Roxbury Farm did this year, through the United Way, sponsoring some membership in Harlem. Got any more info on this, Jane? Are there any write-ups? This is brilliant, a strong variation on what I've been working towards the last 5 years. Let me know, ok? Thanks -Allan
Re: WENDELL BERRY: The Agrarian Standard
Rose - You can read the Berry Agrarian article at http://www.oriononline.org/pages/om/02-3om/Berry.html It came from the Orion Society homepage -Allan
Re: Other than Jeavons?
My only information on biodynamic gardening is from the Jeavons books. Anything else I should be reading? Rose Rose - Emphatically, Jeavons is NOT biodynamic. Biodynamics is a spiritual approach to farming Jeavons was exposed to biodynamics from Chadwick, who claimed to have studied directly with Steiner. Jeavons, although a spritual man himself, intentionally stripped the spirituality from biointensive and pushes it as a way of building topsoil and producing more vegetables. Biodynamics, of course, does much more than that. If someone hasn't already posted a list of BD books, I'll do that later. If you are going to buy your books on-line and not through JPI, please use the BD Now! Amazon portal at http://www.growingforthefuture.com Thanks! -Allan
Re: Hugo Erbe
I've been advised that the rights to the English version of this work are owned by Schaumburg Publications in Schaumburg, Illinois, Tel/Fax (708) 351-2444. It would be inappropriate, I understand, to introduce another commercial English translation under these circumstances. It's essential that in these circles we honor the efforts of our brothers and sisters. I applaud Mark for his effort and initiative and appreciate that he was willing to run his plans up the flag pole before he went forward. Thanks -Allan
Re: Hugo Erbe
They have the rights, but are things actually progressing with the translation? Maybe Shaumburg would like some one to assist in the process? Christy easy enough to check out: Shaumburg Tel/Fax (708) 351-2444. -Allan
Re: Wendell Berry and others
Thanks for your input, Martha. It's a profound question: Why would anyone listen to Wendell Berry? What does it matter what he says? Who does he think he is, an so on. I think these thoughts every time I pick something up he has written. Ineveitably, however, he resonates with what I know to be true, with those basic values or truths that I feel come before enculturation. If nothing else, he reminds me of what will happen to all and everything if I give up my grassroots organic movement sensibilities and allow my self to go with the flow. What I find in this particular piece is as strong a delineation of the values of the industrial agriculturist and those of the true agrarian, one who senses that there is more responsibility owed to life than acquiring money and what it can buy. This paragraph Everything that happens on an agrarian farm is determined or conditioned by the understanding that there is only so much land, so much water in the cistern, so much hay in the barn, so much corn in the crib, so much firewood in the shed, so much food in the cellar or freezer, so much strength in the back and arms -- and no more. This is the understanding that induces thrift, family coherence, neighborliness, local economies. Within accepted limits, these become necessities. The agrarian sense of abundance comes from the experienced possibility of frugality and renewal within limits. for me is the most elegant expression of why agrarians cannot farm in tandem with industrialists and why industrialists become so disgusted by agrarians. The difference between working with Nature and taking from Nature. I'd like to hear more thoughts on this. -Allan I went to the Orion Society link and read Berry's essay. I think what I have a hard time with this is that yes, he's been writing 'agrarian' for over 25 years. Now his writings have been more (it seems to me) : 'I told you this was going to happen. You didn't listen now I'm tired and we're worse off than before.'
Re: WENDELL BERRY: The Agrarian Standard + FRESH AND LOCAL
Pat - What's a DOD contract? -Allan
Fwd:(from SANET) call for papers on 'Good Food'
Alternatives JOURNAL ***Please circulate widely*** **Apologies for Cross Postings** Call for Proposals for a Special Issue on Good Food We all know we should eat good food. But good food isn't just what's recommended in the Canada Food Guide - good food isn't just healthy for people, it is healthy for our environment, for non-human species, for our communities and for a just society. From the farm to the truck to the store to the table to the garbage bag, our food choices have significant social, economic and ecological implications. Thousands of Canadians - and millions of people worldwide - are working to bring us all good food. The Fall 2003 issue of Alternatives will be dedicated to sharing the stories of these on the ground efforts and to exploring how different people define good food. For this special issue, Alternatives is seeking feature articles (max. 3000 words, including endnotes) that will be subject to formal refereeing, shorter reports or commentaries (750-1200 words) and sidebar notes and profiles (up to 500 words). Topics of interest: - good practices: Community-shared agriculture, small businesses, food co-operatives, community kitchens, bioregional restaurants, etc. What are some of the most promising on-the-ground practices in the transition to a sustainable food system? Will these initiatives be able to substantially replace conventional agriculture? - organic food production: Is the presence of large agribusiness and food retailers in organics a sign of mainstream success or co-optation? Does scale matter? How does one compare locally grown, conventional food to imported, organic food? Are there advantages to integrated pest management (IPM) over organic agriculture? Will organic food become broadly accessible? What role do labels play in ensuring choice - or greenwashing consumers? - food movements and coalitions: Slow food movement, anti-globalization movement, land reform movements, food security networks, etc. What are the key successes of these food movements? How is food a catalyst for building coalitions among different groups, such as labour, feminists, cultural organizations, etc.? - justice, access and food security: Should food be considered a human right? What is food sovereignty and how does it differ from food security? Why are labour regulations for agriculture different from other industries? How are food and justice issues approached differently in the North and the South (e.g., around access, patenting, genetically modified organisms)? - overcoming barriers: What are the key barriers to developing a sustainable food system in Canada (e.g., subsidies and research funding, monopoly control)? What should be the key strategies or policy recommendations for overcoming these barriers? We would also be interested in short (max. 1000 words) commentaries on some of the key controversies in the field, such as hog farms, food irradiation, GMOs, etc. Alternatives is a quarterly journal dedicated to in-depth analysis of environmental issues and, in particular, to the connections among ecological, social and economic dimensions. It combines the learned rigour of an academic journal with the accessible style and format of a general audience magazine, making a unique hybrid. The journal has been published continuously in Canada since 1971, making it the oldest environmental journal in the country. Prospective authors are encouraged to submit proposals by 10 January 2003. Proposals should include a one-sentence summary of the focus; a brief outline of the topic, essential argument, length and intended approach; and full contact details (phone, address, email). Feature manuscripts must be submitted by 1 March 2003. Report submissions will be accepted until 1 April 2002. A detailed style guide, Alternatives' Guidelines for Contributors, is available from the office or our web site at http://www.alternativesjournal.ca. Proposals and draft manuscripts should be sent in electronic form to Executive Editor Cheryl Lousley at [EMAIL PROTECTED] If electronic communication is not possible, mail to: Executive Editor, Alternatives Journal, Faculty of Environmental Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, N2L 3G1. -- Richard P. Haynes Editor-in-chief Agriculture and Human Values Executive Secretary Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society Department of Philosophy PO Box 118545 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-118545 Phone: 352-392-2084, ex. 316 Fax: 352-392-5577 or 352-379-1382 e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.clas.ufl.edu/users/rhaynes/afhvs http://web.phil.ufl.edu/afhvs
Re: WENDELL BERRY: The Agrarian Standard + FRESH AND LOCAL
Hi, Depart of Defense is DOD. They handle the food supplied to public schools as well as bombing other countries. Pat Pat - What's a DOD contract? -Allan Are you serious? When did this happen? I thought it was USDA or some education department that handled school lunches. (Where have I been?) -ALlan
Re: Disney cruise please
Also nterested in what people have heard about the Disney cruises that have resulted in much illness. Right after 9/11 i heard that the Bush family was heavily invested in the small pox vaccine. I don't doubt this is true. Again, can anyone tell me more? -Allan
Re: Allan, you old sneak!
Allan, when did you join Homesteader's Work group? Ahh, come on, Martha, you know, wherever two or more are gathered..
Re: fad?
This is a great motto...!!! What I should have said is I worry about how long the general population can hold interest in anything!! It's also interesting to know that herbalist Jim Duke refers to this and the preceding year as 'the great herbal depression.' His point is that less money is flowing towards the true bastions of herbalism than at any time in recent memory. This is because after 50 years of fighting for recognition of the value of herbs as medicine, Duke and other pioneers were over run by cheap, shallow competition. Consulting contracts were cut when companies saw their gross profits strong enough to support hiring 'college trained herbalists,' and so on. The real movement, the founding movement, the sustaining movement, didn't really share this wealth. Herbalgram, the publication that has done more than any other publication in establishing herbs as safe effective medicine is on the verge of bankruptcy. My point: popular acceptance doesn't necessarily bring financial security to essence practitioners.
Getting Worried
Will - It will be 3 weeks mon since I broke my foot and 3 weeks Wed since I put a cast on it. I'd VERY MUCH like to not have a cast at ACRES, in fact, I can't imagine getting from my room to the hall on fucking crutches. On the other hand, my Dr ain't going to go for taking the cast off and I don't seem to be able to find a CAM BOOT that fits me. (It goes on) I'm thinking of soaking the cast off myself on Monday but I'm wondering if that's practical (will the plaster 'get hot' when it gets wet?) I'm also afraid that with the cast off I still won't be able to walk because of disuse and, suddenly, I can't get from the parking lot to the plane. These are the things I worry about. What do you think? (The foot, btw, feels great, except it has pains in places tht I imagine are caused by walking in the friggin cast. -Allan
Re: Getting Worried
Oh, well
We grow Lemons but never make Lemonade
Friends, I guess it was Sally Fallon who first drew my attention to the sorrow of unrequited wastefulness. Sally pointed out that the great Hindi culture that everyone believes is strictly vegetarian actually gets a substantial amount of animal protein from the weevils in their grains. Later, a book I picked up at BIONEERS, MAN EATING BUGS, showed people all over the planet joyfully consuming traditional dishes made from everything from grubs to tarantulas. I realized at that time that there were cultural boundaries that I have not been able to transcend, that invisible shackles restrict my freedom to fully harvest my garden. That although I made great efforts to gather anything biological for the compost pile and square knotted short strands of salmon colored bailing twine together to make tiedowns for the truck, I was letting precious organically produced protein go to waste in my garden; although pests are seldom a chronic problem in my garden, it's undeniable that buckets of bean beetle and potato bug larva were going untilized and, some seasons, there must be BUSHELS of Japanese beetles that noone, man nor beast seems to be the least interested in cycling through their digestion although, they, too, have been fed their own choice of the freshest of biodynamically grown morsels. Unfortunately, I'm still there. I'm still stuck. Why is it that I'll eat shrimp and crayfish and, on occasion, even lobster, but would not consider munching similar dryland creaters, have never even tasting a grilled yellow-winged grasshopper? I shed the most tears for the pounds of cabbage loopers that cycle unharvested through my brassicas each year. I've never eaten one, not even the ocassional one that floats on top of the broccoli steaming water. How different it would be if one july morning I could grab the stainless colander from the kitchen counter and shout joyfully to the family as I strut through the screen door, Get the water boiling! The loopers are on again! It's true, the loopers appear to lose their magic green when boiled, but I guess one thing that makes it especially sad that they are seen as a pest and not as a bonus is that they would be so much easier to prepare than the some of the other high protein garden creatures that also are spared the skillet, the 4-leggeds like the groundhog, the rabbit, and, why not?, the lowly vole. What an accomplishment in agricultural layering, to harvest a high protein crop for the family that holds no value in the market place and saves spending controls for controls for delicacies that others take to be a pest! Unfortunately, I'm still wearing the handcuffs formed by the food choices of my own ancestors and, while I'll never use Bt-ready crops, I'm always Bt ready myself. If you've ever pondered this same dilemma, you might enjoy the program and recipe below: From a webpage for a forthcoming PBS show FOOD for the ANCESTORS, about the Day of the Dead in Mexico and the foods associated with that celebration http://www.pbs.org/foodancestors/main.html SALSA DE GUSANOS DE MAGUEY (WORM SAUCE) (yum-yum) Click to see Bruce eat worms - In Real Player Ingredients for Mexican cuisine are now widely available throughout the United States and Canada. Many supermarkets now carry sauces and even chiles used in many dishes. Dried pasilla and ancho chiles might be available in packages. Asian markets also carry ingredients used in Mexican cookery, such as cilantro and some chiles. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where people of Mexican extraction live, then such exotic items such as gusanos de maguey or chapulines might be available. If you cannot find any of these ingredients, then a trip to Mexico is in order. In case you don't want to eat the delectable dried and cured caterpillers from century plants (gusanos de maguey) themselves, here is a sauce that gives their flavor to any dish. Insects were a major part of the Pre-Columbian diet. Mexicans were deficient in animal proteins because they had so few domesticated animals. Therefore, insects were an important food supplement. Insect-eating lives on in many parts of the country and it one of the ways by which Mexicans retain their traditions. 5 pasilla chiles, soaked, seeded and deveined 5 ancho chiles, soaked, seeded and deveined water to cover 4-6 large dried gusanos de maguey (caterpillers from the maguey plant), soaked in 1 cup hot water 5 cloves garlic 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon dried shrimp Soak the pasilla and ancho chiles in water. When soft enough to puree, seed and devein. Soak gusanos in hot water until soft. Place all the ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until smooth. Heat before serving. Goes well with any tortilla-bases dish. Gusanos de maguey are hard to find in North America, so this recipe can be adapted to give some elements of their flavor. Simply substitute 1 large tomato for the gusanos and about 1 T mescal,
FWD: information please
Hello, I am Doris Hern=E1ndez, from Bogot=E1 Colombia. I am interested = in information about CD-Roms or Online Courses in Biodynamic Agriculture = to use in our postdegree department of the University jorge Tadeo = Lozano . We will know about contained and prices. Thanks a lot for you help. Sincerely, DORIS HERNANDEZ Director Assistant
Lee Don Bienski (?)
Friends - Can anyone help me with contact info for Lee Don Bienski, a chemistry professor and BD farmer in Texas? Thank -Allan
Re: Northern Star Planting Calendar
I've been looking over the JPI website and can't find where to order the calendar, nor the Stella Natura calendar I usually get. (I normally just buy mine from Allan so maybe I haven't been paying sufficient attention.) The flip side of the 'keeping your agreements with your pocketbook' thing is that during the last two group buys I was stuck with about 20 percent of the copies ordered. People requested copies which were ordered, but they never sent the funds. This really hurts with a calendar. With the maria thun books, it eventually worked out. Just send email to wanda at the jpi email address and ask her about the calendars or, better yet, call with a charge card. I wouldn't rely on the JPI web booklist staying up to date. Thanks, Martha -Allan
Re: Files, Photos, Attachments
Allan, as much as I dislike the Yahoogroups, (and I own/moderate a couple of them), they do have a good section for Files and Photos. Ithere any way members of BDNOW can post pictures, or send notices without having to attach mail to email? I rarely will even open attached mail anymore unless someone sends in a prior notice that they're sending a photo or something I need to open. Noone in their right mind will open an attachment that is sent to a newsgroup. For this reason, information intended for the group is often undelivered because noone reads the attachment. Everyone knows that the most recent virus is exactly the one that your virus detector won't find. etc If you have something that you deem necessary to share with the group, I'm happy to publish it to the web for you. As you know, I'm too grouchy to support chatty publishing, so make sure your items for publication are educational and not just show-and-tell. Thanks -Allan
Re: Files, Photos, Attachments
Thank you, Diana! You are the perfect reader that we do not want to exclude in our carelessness!! Remember, folks: trim all of your messages so that they will communicate and not choke!! -Allan Any big emails are just very hard to download and can clog up your system.
Re: N.S. Calendar info.
Dear Allan, I have just found out from Sandra and Brian that JPI did not wish to carry the Northern Star calendar this year. The BDA is carrying it. Tri-fold in Ontario is carrying it, but, is buying it through the BDA., with the BDA in the US as the middleman. No need to call JPI then, Allan. Cheers, Michael Thanks, Michael. Now we turn the other way: are yu going to go through with your order? If so, count me in, ok? Thanks -Allan
JPI **IS** Carrying the Northen Star 2003 Calendar was Re: N.S.Calendar info.
Dear Allan, I have just found out from Sandra and Brian that JPI did not wish to carry the Northern Star calendar this year. The BDA is carrying it. Tri-fold in Ontario is carrying it, but, is buying it through the BDA., with the BDA in the US as the middleman. No need to call JPI then, Allan. Cheers, Michael Michael - I went ahead and called JPI. As I suspected, JPI is also buying through the BDA, so, effectively, JPI is offering the Keat's calendar right now. Buying from JPI will support both JPI and the BDA, so I'll have to withdraw my offer to purchase from you. I spoke with Wanda, Hugh wasn't in, so I can't comment in more details on Sandra and Brian's statements. Thanks again for your efforts, -Allan
Applied Biodynamics On-line
Does anyone have the time to attempt to convince Hugh to put the out-of-print issues of Applied Biodynamics on-line where the world can read them? Original content is a sure way to draw people to your on-line bookstore. While you're at it, dear person who has JPI's ear, would you tell the staff there that FAX is now pretty much obsolete and most of we FlatLanders use web forms or email to communicate? It would be so nice to have a JPI that was truly on-line, even if it was just staff doing the 'talking.' (Call this my Christmas wish list) -Allan
Re: Applied Biodynamics On-line
Well, thanks, Perry. This sort of information is greatly appreciated! Thanks again -Allan
SUPPORTING THOSE WHO SUPPORT US was Re: JPI **IS** Carrying theNorthen Star 2003 Calendar was Re: N.S. Calendar info.
ok thanks, then. But, if anybody from US wants to go through me and if BDA and JPI don't object, let me know. It is not like I'll make much money on it! Probably just a little more than break even! Cheers, M. Thanks, Michael. I wish you well. Let me say this one more time: JPI to a great degree and BDA to some degree (they do receive an anual bequest from Dornach) support themselves by selling books. Hugh goes to great efforts to stock any thing related to biodynamics on his bookshelf. He also goes to great efforts to bring those books to public gatherings so that more people get an opportunity to learn about biodynamics and those of us who think we know about it get an opportunity to learn more. By doing this, Hugh is taking a risk: he is tying up his capital in the process of attempting to develop a bd userbase with greater knowledge and he's using a lot of his time and personal finances to make the books available either at conferences, over the phone or via mail. Implicit in this is his faith that I in turn will realize the value of his support and will support his efforts at any opportunity I have. Since anyone on this list can call Hugh Courtney up and get sage BD advice from him for AT LEAST 15 minutes without him even implying he will charge for his time and since so many of him rely on his teaching to learn to make our own preps, I, mayself have to feel that I will take every opportunity to send what money I can his way because the 40% or so mark up on calendar will go TOWARDS offsetting the expenses Hugh incurs providing the vital service he provides. More to the point, if I do not buy my calendar from him, he may wind up with unsold 2003-2004 Northern Star calendars and thereby actually lose money while attempting to provide me the service of having EVERY hard-to-find BD book in stock. If I buy from you, well, what am I supporting? An individual who wants to economically compete with fragile BD initiatives? Well, I kind see how that will do anyone, even Michael Roboz any good. It's really important that we consciously return energy to its source or, of course, one day it will run out of energy. (See Marie Steiner's comments, which have been posted to this list, on what became of RS because people took so much and returned so little.) I do thank you for providing the service of telling the group about this calendar. Not to take anything from your efforts, I'm certain, however, that between now and Easter 2003 (when the calendar actually becomes effective -or- the current calendar becomes ineffective), Brian Keats himself would have made an announcement to the list. Again, I hate to be a snore about this, but I think it's very important that we look out for those who look out for us. Simple mercantile transactions are one way of doing so. I fail to see issues of individual freedom over the efforts of a movement being anything other than devolution in action in a situation like this. -Allan
Re: supporting initiatives
I am not sure that you are not just being personal...Would you have started this campagne of Michael Roboz bashing if it was somebody else? Please don't be paranoid, Michael. My objections are not directed to you as a person. My objections are directed at your actions and to any actions that fork a fragile stream that is so important for all living beings. You posted a commercial notice to BD Now!, albeit related to biodynamics. Since the item you want to sell is one that is in competition with existing but far from financially flush BD initiatives in the US. I find it to be a potentially damaging thing to do. I also think it important to draw attention to how and why what you propose to do will damage people who actually sacrifice for biodynamics daily. Furthermore, I think it's important that everyone realize how much more dollars spent on a calendar from JPI buys BD in NA than a calendar bought from an individual such as - - but in no way limited to - - yourself. I do admit that I doubt I'd be grousing if you offered to do a not-for-profit group buy as many do on newsgroups and I've done here in the past, but that's a community building exercise in cooperation which, in its own way, serves to deepen the roots of the biodynamic movement. My issue is the one that most people in grassroots movements inherently understand: we must support those who support us when we can or they may not be there to support us when we need their support. Our economies are fragile and some level of mercantilism is imperative. A dollar spent is a vote for the world we want, etc. Other than that, Michael, do what thou wilt, ok? If your goal now is to only sell to your Canadian neighbors, then my blessings go to you because you are doing your friends and neighbors a favor while serving the planet. Aside from whatever you choose to do, you are a long time friend and I value your irregular contributions to the list -Allan
ADMIN: Re: NM Sustainable Ag Conference
Jeez, maybe Gil is right NO ATTACHMENTS TO THIS LIST, EVER!! Thanks -Allan Balliett moderator BD Now!
Re: sustaining initiatives and on with the show
Michael - I appreciate you and I apologize for not being sensitive to your own circumstances. It's very clear that I did misread where you were coming from, but, regardless of that, the results would be the same. I apologize to everyone for dragging out this discussion on the list but I hope the considerations brought up may have been worthwhile for some. Thanks for your patience everyone -Allan
Re: Northern Star BD Planting Calendars PLUS MORE
Michael - Normally flat-out commercial announcements go through me before they go to the list. Of course, this one is right on topic and no harm has been done. I do want to make a few comments that I would have made to you in private had you addressed this off-line initially. As far as I know, this calendar is also available from JPI. I'm not saying this to discourage you, but suggest that you check this out before you buy a container of this calendar. I find it to be my duty to purchase from JPI regardless of price because they always deliver more than a calendar or book for the price of the publication. i..e. I feel my dollars go deeper into the movement for living food in every home if spent with JPI. I used this calendar last year. I think it is beautiful and I think it offers some very good information that STELLA does not contain, but I see it as an adjunct to STELLA, not a replacement. (Which is ok, right? We all want to buy more stuff, don't we?) My biggest criticism was that the format was not as large as it usefully could have been and that the paper it was printed on rumpled at any hint of moisture, making it a very poor choice for hanging in the garden shed, where, of course, we want the planting calendar to be. Xerox it and, well, you've lost the color that makes this calendar so special. I emailed Brian about this short-coming, but never heard back. Do you know if the calendar is on better paper this year? Michael - If you put the pricing in your notice, I didn't see it. It w.b. nice to know what sort of money you will need for calendar and postage. Being an honorable man, I know that you pass on the exchange rate benefits that American's normally enjoy when buying from Canada. Please be sure to state that in your subsequent notices: Price in US dollars/price in Canadian dollars. I salute you in making this effort to support Mr. Keat's work and I trust that you will find a strong market among the Anthroposophy community. -Allan
Re: New Organic Standards
In the article it stated, Now the corporate titan must play by the same rules as the biodynamic farmer. I can only say that I hope that Beth's statement is accurate. -Allan
Re: Northern Star BD Planting Calendars PLUS MORE
MIchael - JPI is not on-line. I will call them tomorrow and see what the story is. I do not know for a fact that they have it this year, but one would assume that they would. If JPI does not plan to carry the Keats calendar this coming year, you can count me as a customer. (What do you expect to charge for postage?) Thanks for thinking of everyone and thanks for helping Brian out. -Allan Hi Allan, Thanks for telling me that JPI sells it also. Brian and Sandra did not tell me that. I also found it complemantary to the Stella Calendar, which I have already purchased. The Northern Star would retail cheaper, depending on how many I would order. I needed to get some idea of response before I make any investment. Those at JPI, this ad: was not meant as an insult or competition as I did not know you carred it. If there is an objection to my distribution of the Calendar, let me know now. I did not include the price in the original post, but, would guess that I would retail it for something like US$12.00 or so. Thanks Allan and look forward to response from JPI. Michael
Re: Northern Star BD Planting Calendars PLUS MORE
Gil - You missed my point totally. Michael, fortunately, understood totally and the matter is settled. If you want to discuss this further, let's take it off line where it's appropriate, ok? Write me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks -Allan Allan, who is playing Mr Grumpy, to day? What could be more to the point for a BD List? We have acres of reposted material from other non related lists on political/ social/ conspiracy etc, to wade through and find the odd bit to do with BD/ Organics. When some one posts a notice on one of the very few calendars, that are so important for people, who are as slack as I, and can't be bothered do the calculations my self. You jump them. I welcome the publicity on this calendar, having used the Southern form for ten years or more. As for the paper, anything wrong with having it in the office? Realistically one only needs to glance at it a couple of times a week and then remember the days and times preferred for tasks, if the other factors like soil moisture allow. Gil Allan Balliett wrote: Michael - Normally flat-out commercial announcements go through me before they go to the list. Of course, this one is right on topic and no harm has been done. I do want to make a few comments that I would have made to you in private had you addressed this off-line initially. Snip
RE: After Buy Nothing Day / Amazon Associates Program
By the way, what will you do with all the money? Are there BD farms in the Caymans? It's Funny, Nancy. Having been doing this so long, my needs for financial support have been sort of a concise history of the development of desktop technology. We've moved from needing more diskettes, to begging for zip disks to just this morning installing a 60gb firewire disk (the better to capture Hugh with!) You realize, of course, that the Ballietts live in a subsistence fashion, with very little available cash. When tech stuff, like storage media is needed, that's when contributions or support is essential. (This time, however, it was a hog that made the sacrifice for us.) Doing work like this upcoming educational event with Hugh Lovel will be a draw on this very small reserve. (Again, as I'm sure you are aware, the Amazon process will generate the price of about one zip disk a year, but, why shouldn't it?) But the goals are beyond all of us and plenty of intentional suffering is in order and is not the least self-indulgent. I want to aknowledge the support that has made it possible for me to attend ACRES this year. So much good comes for so many when this group gets to network with teachers whose insights are tangential to those of this community. Mark Purdy became a friend of BD Now! through our meeting with him at ACRES last year, the same with Elaine Ingham. Who knows what will come from this year's trip? I've set up a paypal account for receiving donations to BD Now! The address is simple: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Used at http://www.paypal.com) You know, down time this season was supposed to be the first vacation in, what, 10 years. With the foot (that now glows in the dark!) and with new financial burdens, that's not happening. In fact, I guess, the grindstone has worked through the nose and is abrading the front teeth right now. Back to work! -Allan
Re: After Buy Nothing Day / Amazon Associates Program
In a message dated 11/29/02 8:31:36 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: maybe I'll get my deadened ass into gear and implement this promise. Great idea, bravo...sstorch The slow down has been out of deference to Hugh Courtney's strong support of the bio/anthro reader. I have been hesitant to upstage him, preferring to refer people to him, rather than sell directly. I appreciate your encouragement. -Allan
Brainstorming with Michael Moore was Re: FW: [globalnews] AThanksgiving Day Letter from Michael Moore
Drawn from Jane's recent post for emphasis AB In the meantime, you, me, all of us, have to get together and come up with a plan that gets this country back in our hands. I have a few ideas. I'll bet you do, too. Why don't we have an online brainstorming session from now through the holidays? I'll set up a thread on my forum at http://www.michaelmoore.com/phpbb/viewforum.php?f=30 for you to post your comments and to generate a discussion about what we do for 2004. Or, if you want to send me your thoughts directly, email me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] I've just learned the site is getting over 2 million hits a day. Right now, 2,000,000 heads certainly feel better than one.
Re: FW: [globalnews] UN: Soil's Tiniest Organisms Could SolveHuge Problems
Calling it the largest source of untapped life left on Earth, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced a new $26 million project to understand and utilize the life forms underground. Another example of Rome building a church on the site of one of our temples? To learn about the soil foodweb and how ecological farmers benefit by working with it, check out Elaine Ingham's work at http://www.soilfoodweb.com. This, as I understand it, is also Elaine's work, and is well worth checking out: ** The Soil Biology Primer edited by by A.J. Tugel, and A.M. Lewandowski the ** source of the photos in this article, is online at: ** http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/soil_biology_primer.htm
100 Great Ag Books as rated by New Farm
Source info below. In the meantime, how many of these have you read?? The Next Green Revolution: Essential Steps to a Healthy, Sustainable Agriculture by James E. Horne and Maura McDermott, Food Products Press, ISBN: 1560228865, 2002 * Agroecology; the Scientific Basis of Alternative Agriculture by Miguel Altieri, Westview Press, ASIN: 0813372844, 1983 1987 (2nd edition) * Making Your Small Farm Profitable by Ron Macher, Howard W. Jr. Kerr, Storey Books, ISBN: 1580171613, 1999 * Holistic Management: A New Framework for Decision Making by Allan Savory, Jody Butterfield, Island Press; ISBN:155963488X, 1998 (2nd. Ed.) * Bio-Dynamic Gardening and Farming by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, ASIN: 0936132566, Mercury Pr, 1983 * Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman, ISBN: 1890132276, Chelsea Green Pub Co, 1999 * The New Organic Grower: A Master's Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardener by Eliot Coleman, ISBN: 093003175X, Chelsea Green Pub Co, 1995 * How to Grow More Vegetables: And Fruits, Nuts, Berries, Grains, and Other Crops Than You Ever Thought Possible on Less Land Than You Can Imagine by John Jeavons, ISBN: 1580082335, Ten Speed Press, 2002 * Organic Agriculture: Economic and Ecological Comparisons With Conventional Methods by Robert C. Oelhaf, John Wiley Sons; ASIN: 0470264276, 978 * Basic Book of Organic Gardening Robert Rodale (Ed) S605.5 B37 * Toward a More Sustainable Agriculture by Ray P. Poincelat S604.6 P65 * Gardening for the Future of the Earth by Howard-Yana Shapiro and John Harrisson, ISBN: 0553375334, Bantam Doubleday Dell Pub (Trd Pap), 2000 * The One-Straw Revolution: An Introduction to Natural Farming by Masanobu Fukuoka, ASIN: 0878572201, Rodale Press, 1978 * An ACRES U.S.A. Primer by Walters, Charles, Jr. and C. J. Fenzau, Acres USA; ASIN: 0911311505, 1979, 1996 (2nd. Ed.) * Introduction to Permaculture by B. C. Mollison, ISBN: 0908228082, Tagari Publications, 1997 * Permaculture: A Designers' Manual by B. C. Mollison, ISBN: 0908228015, Tagari Publications, 1997 Production techniques * You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start Succeed in a Farming Enterprise by Joel Salatin (Intro.), Allan Nation, Polyface Inc; ISBN: 0963810928, 1998 * Chicken Tractor: The Permaculture Guide to Happy Hens and Healthy Soil by Andy Lee and Pat Foreman, ISBN: 0962464864, Good Earth Pub, 1998 * Drip Irrigation for Every Landscape and All Climates by Robert Kourik, ISBN: 0961584823, Metamorphic Press, 1993 * American Horticultural Society Pruning Training by Christopher Brickell and David Joyce, ISBN: 1564583317, DK Publishing, 1996 * Creative Propagation: A Grower's Guide by Peter Thompson, ISBN: 088192251X, Timber Press, 1989, 1999 * Grass Productivity by Andre Voisin, ISBN: 0933280645, Island Press, 1993 * Greener Pasture on Your Side of the Fence: Better Farming Voisin Management-Intensive Grazing by Bill Murphy Arriba Pub, ISBN: 0961780738, May 1999 (4th ed.) * Handy Farm Devices and How to Make Them by Rolfe Cobleigh, ISBN: 1558214321, The Lyons Press; 1909, 1996 * Storey's Basic Country Skills: A Practical Guide to Self-Reliance by M. John Storey, ISBN: 1580172024, Storey Books, 1999 * Steel in the Field: A Farmer's Guide to Weed Management Tools by Greg Bowman, ISBN: 188862602X, Sustainable Agriculture Network, 1997 * The Stockman's Handbook. M. E. Ensminger, Prentice Hall; ISBN: 0813428955, 1991, (7th Ed.) * Managing Cover Crops Profitably by the Sustainable Agriculture Network, ISBN: 1888626046, Sanabria Inc, 1998 * Methodologies for Screening Soil-Improving Legumes by Marianne Sarrantonio, ISBN: 0878579893, Rodale Press, 1991 * Handbook of Legumes of World Economic Importance by James A. Duke, Plenum Pub Corp., ISBN: 0306404060, 1981 Production, crops specific * Growing Great Garlic: The Definitive Guide for Organic Gardeners and Small Farmers by Ron L. Engeland, ISBN 0963085018, Filaree Productions, 1995 * The Apple Grower: A Guide for the Organic Orchardist by Michael Phillips, ISBN: 1890132047, Chelsea Green Pub Co, 1998 * Knott's Handbook for Vegetable Growers by Donald N. Maynard, George J. Hochmuth, John Wiley Sons ISBN: 04711311512, 1997 (4th ed.) * The Bio-Dynamic Treatment of Fruit Trees, Berries, and Shrubs by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, ISBN: 0938250116, Bio-Dynamic Farming Garden Assn, 1957, 1976 * Peppers: The Domesticated Capsicums by Jean Andrews, ISBN: 0292704674, Univ of Texas Pr, 1995 * The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower's Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers by Lynn Byczynski, ISBN: 0930031946, Chelsea Green Pub Co, 1997 * Field Grown Cut Flowers: A Practical Guide and Sourcebook: Commercial Field Grown Fresh and Dried Cut Flower Production by Alan B. Stevens, ISBN: 096530650X , Avatar's World, 1997 * Small-Scale Livestock Farming: A Grass-Based Approach for Health, Sustainability, and Profit by Carol Ekarius, ISBN: 1580171621, Storey Books, 1999 * Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens by Gail
After Buy Nothing Day / Amazon Associates Program
Thanks to the many who have 'reminded' me about this again this year! I've just re-installed the 'real' gardening for the future pages whick include to linkthrough portal to Amazon.com.(http://www.gardeningforthefuture.com) I'm writing this to ask you that if you are doing Christmas shopping for yourself or other loved one and you plan to use Amazon.com as a supplier, if you will take the time to access Amazon.com through the logo in the upper right hand corner at http://www.gardeningforthefuture.com BD Now! will receive a small commission on your purchases!! There is absolutely no cost to you and the shipping of your order is not delayed in the least. This is a great opportunity to pass some juice to this list while going about your personal business as usual. (This symbiosis ONLY works if you initiate your visit to Amazon through http://www.gardeningforthefuture.com. Unlike earlier years, now EVERYTHING you purchase on a visit ONCE YOU ENTER THROUGH THE PORTAL accrues a commission for BD Now! Oh, joy!) What a painless way to help us get back on our feet here! (This meaning much more right now than it has other years!) It only costs you a little effort (going through http://www.gardeningforthefuture.com instead of directly) and, at no cost to you, BD Now! gets a small commission! A great opportunity for co-evolution within the dot-com sphere, no? ;-) I said this last year In the very near future I'll put up a list of recommended biodynamic and 'Gardening for the Future' books. If you order these directly from http://www.gardeningforthefuture.com, BD Now! will earn commissions up to 12 per cent of the purchase price! Given the black hole we are looking into here for the next several months, maybe I'll get my deadened ass into gear and implement this promise. Posts like this always raise questions about what the Ballietts will do with 'all this money.' To give this perspective: The smallest quarterly check that Amazon will write is $25. The BD Now! amazon account has failed to accrue as much as $25 with ALL the quarters of Year 2002 combined! A few good Christmas orders should help us free our accrued commissions for this past year! Thanks for your support! Thanks in advance for your support this Christmas (And many thanks to those of you who have gone to great efforts throughout this year to buy from Amazon through BD Now!! Your efforts and your support are very much appreciated.) -Allan PS If there are any webdesigners on the list who'd like to help get all the BD-related files I have that should be linked to www.gardeningforthefuture.com, please contact me off-line at [EMAIL PROTECTED] - AB
Re: Atmospheric regeneration
Allan What would be the technology required at the recieval end? I have a fairly old computer - what minimum capacity (cpu, memory, and modem line speed) would we need to do this - it sure sounds a good idea. Lloyd Charles Lloyd - Yes, two weeks on DSL and I'm getting arrogant!! Streamng audio and video are well supported now my the main browsers. Streaming video means that your computer can just process what you are seeing, you do not have to download EVERYTHING to see a ANYTHING. Most machines, even modem machines will support this. Better, though, I would think is that if Hugh were giving a class, it would be easier for one to find a system in one's neighborhood that would support the link rather than to have to travel to Indianapolis or Australia to attend a class in person. Back to the point: hardware demands will not be extreme. Maybe even audio w.b. enough, in which case, the requirements would be even less. The major point would be that we should do this in an associative fashion, knowing the expenses of doing the class and sharing those expenses. No one to make a profit, no one to contribute too much. If Hugh needs $2000 to talk for two days, that would be our nut, sliced by the number of people who are interested in subscribing, $100 each for 20 people, $2 each for 1000 people, and so on. If this could be done audio (maybe audio with an on-line portfolio), it w.b. VERY easy to do. I think the iterations - - the question and answer periods in real time - are what make a class like this, so I'm advocating a real time class. Just the same, the lectures could be archived, also, and return royalties to the presenters on a per-use basis. If we get into stuff like that, there will also have to be some tech overhead. However, I'm in on volunteering to set the first one up real time pro-bono. So, this is what I'm saying: more people world-wide can learn leading edge insights into biodynamics and the teachers can earn fair income in the process. I am an advocate of sharing information so that we can all learn together but I am very concerned that people like Hugh Lovel and Glen Atkinson give up a lot of their personal wealth (i.e. time with their personal income producing projects) to teach the rest of us face-to-face. Here is a chance to touch more farms, have less non-productive time, and to make some income to offset the time and energy expended. Am I on the right track here? It just dawned on me, Lloyd, that if one gives up the iteration, or if one off-loads the iteration to sessions on BD Now! or a private discussion group, this could be done easier and work on more home machines if it was CD-ROM-based and not a real time broadcast. Similar to the Elaine Ingham disks. (I don;'t really like this idea, myself.) Later
Prayer - Update
I just want everyone to know that about two hours after I made the request to imagine my foot regaining wholeness, all pain left my foot and an honest-to-god sense of well being entered it. This sense of glowing wellness has remained through the night. The temptation to throw down my crutches and walk is definitely there, but my head tells me to use caution. Special thanks to the person who is apparently listening to The Essential Elvis Presley while thinking of my foot getting well!! Thanks, everyone, and PLEASE keep up the good work!! -Allan
Re: Atmospheric regeneration
Great! Let' make some time at ACRES for getting this conceptually organized!! Thanks, Hugh, your openess is a glowing example to us all. -Allan Dear Allan, List, Go guys! If the means exist I'm into the teaching. Hugh
Re: Mars in its current cycle
A helpful woman at the Steiner bookstore in Spring Valley yesterday said astrosophy is the marriage between contemporary astrology anthroposophy. JS Bless you, Jane, for keeping this conversation out in the light of day. And bless everyone who feels that 'words are not enough.' -Allan
BD VITICULTURE Fwd: [compost_tea] Info for grape/wine growers
Status: U X-eGroups-Return: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Apparently-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Priority: 3 From: Scott Alexander [EMAIL PROTECTED] X-Yahoo-Profile: scottie_alexander Mailing-List: list [EMAIL PROTECTED]; contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Delivered-To: mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] List-Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Mon, 11 Nov 2002 18:29:27 +1000 Subject: [compost_tea] Info for grape/wine growers Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] I thought this might be of interest to the grape growers in our group. It comes from a newsletter from http://www.organicfarms.com.au/ Scott Rosnay Organic Wines, founded by the Statham and Gardner families of Rosnay Organic Farms, Canowindra, entered its first two organic wines in this, their first wine show. The result was astounding - Rosnay Organic won Best Red of the Show and silver and bronze medals for the 2001 Organic Shiraz and 2002 Organic Chardonnay respectively. So how can organic farming, dismissed by the high input, chemical farming sector, do so well in an open class wine judging? The Statham family, formerly extensive wool and beef producers at Barraba in northern NSW, never were big users of agrochemicals. Through low input pastoral management Richard Statham produced some of the finest wool in the district, claiming many Barraba Show prizes. My medico father had an interest in organic gardening and biodynamics, which my son Sam continued to explore in Europe and New Zealand, said Rosnay founder, Richard Statham Looking to move into a new industry, we found that organic and biodynamic grape growers were in fact producing some very good wine. For example, in 1997 Settlers Ridge (WA's Margaret River) won a silver medal at the prestigious Perth Royal Show with its very first Shiraz-Cabernet vintage. Cassegrain Wines at Port Macquarie, Botobolar Wines at Mudgee, Temple Bruer Wines at Langhorne Creek, Millton Estate in New Zealand, and M. Chapoutier in France all helped inspire us to try organic and biodynamic systems. said Richard. The Statham family planted their first vines at Rosnay, Canowindra in 1997, using organic methods from the outset and attaining certification as conversion to organic within their first year. Five years later, the work is paying off, with the resulting wines well balanced and flavoursome. After site and variety selection, we see biological activity in the soil as the key to unlocking the unique flavours of a vineyard. Soil life is developed through correct mineral balance, and generous application of organic matter, such as composted manures and straw. Plant health is assisted with organic fish and seaweed sprays, and natural sulfur to prevent powdery mildew, Richard explained To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
ADMIN: Re: FW: [globalnews] Japanese Researcher Proves Thoughtsand Feelings Affect Physical Reality
Thanks for the thought, Jane. BD NOW! Posters: Even on crutches I cannot tolerate the posting of files to BD Now! Please refer to graphics off from the list by siting a URL. If you are unable to publish a file in html yourself, send it to me and I'll publish it for you. Thanks!! -Allan
Re: FW: [globalnews] Japanese Researcher Proves Thoughts andFeelings Affect Physical Reality
I've never understood: will the same word always evoke the same crystal structure? If not, doesn't the idea that all crystals are different sort of make this concept suspect? Just asking! -Allan
Jeff Poppen on BIODYNAMICS
Jeff's got a new book out. It's called The Best of the Barefoot Farmer. Find out more about it at http://www.barefootfarmer.com or email him at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Biodynamics Macon County Chronicle July 24, 2001 Biodynamics has an organic farming method, born in 1924, which suggests that the use of artificial fertilizers will have a detrimental effect on our soils and eventually our human spiritual development. It appeals to me because it values old-time farming practices, such as using compost, cover crops and manure. By giving back to the earth these farm-produced fertilizers, a rich humus soil is created and maintained with very little cost. Food is carbohydrates, proteins and fats made up of mostly carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Guess what? These four elements are given to every farm freely in the form of the rain and air above our soils. Add a little sunshine and poof - plants can't help but grow, just like they've been doing for eons. They don't need artificial fertilizers, which, although promoting quick growth, lead to an unhealthy, unbalanced plant that is more susceptible to insect and disease problems. Farms need cattle my dad used to say, and old-timers knew the importance of keeping animals on the farm. Biodynamics echoes this by pointing out that with the right number of barnyard animals, the farm will become a self-sufficient individuality. This means their manure not only fertilizes enough land to grow all of their food, but food for the farmers and crops to sell, too. Farm animals transform plant growth and can fertilize more land than is needed to feed them. By moving the cattle around the farm, and carefully making hay and compost, a farm becomes a self-contained entity, capable of exporting some of the free carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen which is in the air and rain above it. Biodynamics reminds us of the old-timers' advice make do with what you've got. Planting by the signs is another old-time farming practice biodynamic farmers and gardeners employ. The planets and stars are constantly changing position and probably affect plant growth more than we know. Seventy-five years of biodynamic research has proven its effectiveness. Homeopathic doctors use very small quantities of specially prepared medicines to cure people of diseases. Modern scientists have discovered the affects of radiations. Before the mid-19th century, instinctual peasant wisdom suggested that, by certain practices, people could make themselves and the land more fit to grow crops. In biodynamics, we concentrate the forces of certain substances to make powerful remedies to heal the earth. Cow manure has great plant growing potential in it, as any old-timer will tell you. We strengthen this by burying cow manure in cow horns over the winter months, to create a homeopathic fertilizer. We stir one-third of a cup of it into three gallons of water for an hour, alternating deep vortexes one way for a half a minute, and then the other way for a half a minute. The we sprinkle the water on an acre of land in the evening, in a seemingly ancient ritual, which inoculates the soil with life-promoting enzymes and beneficial forces, and helps turn the soil into a rich, dark brown humus. To balance this powerful earth energizer, we need to work with the sun forces. So we grind pretty quartz crystals, mix the powder with water, and bury it in cow horns during the summer months. One half of a teaspoon is again stirred homeopathically for an hour, and sprayed on the plants in the morning to promote ripening and nutritional qualities. Compost plays a key role on the biodynamic farm, and again we make use of healing homeopathic remedies. The herbs yarrow, chamomile, stinging nettle, white oak bark, dandelion and valerian are sewn up in animal organs, or otherwise prepared, and buried in the earth for a year. Then they are inserted into our compost piles in small doses to give their enhanced qualities to the entire compost heap, and eventually the land it is applied on, and food grown there, and the people who eat it. The most important thing is that food grown on live soils gives health to humanity. In nature, everything is interrelated. Biodynamic farms keep hedgerows, wetlands, forests and meadows not only for their beauty and wildlife, but because they harbor forces beneficial to the cropland. We try to imagine the forces hidden behind what our senses perceive. Biodynamics has fostered the development of a new marketing strategy, too. People used to be able to make a living selling garden produce, and now, through Community Sponsored Agriculture, they can again. A group of thirty or forty customers cover the farmer's annual budget, and they in turn receive weekly baskets of produce during the growing season. The farmer is thus salaried and guaranteed an outlet for the farm's produce, which gets to the consumer without any extra costs for the middleman.
JEFF POPPEN, the Barefoot Farmer, on CSA
This article is from the Macon County Chronicle. See earlier post for contact info for Jeff Poppen and info on how to buy his newest book. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Jeff Poppen Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is the way we market about half of our farm's produce. I still sell vegetables to health food stores and have a cow/calf operation of about 30 head. But as our CSA approaches the end of its second year, the farm feels financially more secure A group of families living around the Nashville area care about the farm. I'm less concerned now with how to market produce, price fluctuations, and occasional crop failures, and can make important farming decisions based on what is best for the farm. This doesn't keep me from making wrong decisions; I should have dug those sweet potatoes by now. When people join our CSA, they agree to help cover the farm's expenses with $25 a week or $100 a month between Memorial Day and Thanksgiving. In return for their support, they receive a half bushel of vegetables every Monday afternoon, which they pick up in Nashville. But they get something else, too. These people, our members, have a chance to care for a piece of land - our farm. I encourage, and would like to insist, they come out to the farm and get to know its beauty and characteristics. Most folks don't want to be farmers. It's a dangerous and stressful occupation, although filled with numerous fringe benefits. When folks join a CSA, they enjoy many of the pleasures of a farm without having to won one. They can bring the family out for a picnic, see animals and gardens, and their Monday dinner will likely have been harvested that morning. But more importantly, they are reestablishing a connection to the land, reuniting a lost tie between the city and the country, developing a mutual trust and friendship with a farmer, and actually saving a farm. Every day farms are lost. The majority of food nowadays is not produced on small, self-sufficient farms, but on large corporate agricultural businesses with environmental and economic consequences which are often not in the local communities' best interests. The smaller family farms, which are disappearing at an alarming rate, are much more productive, healthy, and cared for. CSA members are using their vegetable dollars to support a sustainable agriculture system which is ever bent on improving the fertility and long term production of the land. They offer hope for rural America. Farmers who tend their farms organically, producing crops with just the energy of cover drops, compost, and animals, deserve to be paid well. CSA members made this admittedly biased opinion of mine possible. Best of all, the farmer in turn spends his money locally. I hire local people to help on the farm, I buy just about everything the farm needs locally and it's an economic fact that prosperous farmers create the need for many other local businesses. I can see where the tobacco allotment program, which is now being dismantled, has saved many of the small farms and communities in the Middle Tennessee and Kentucky area by insuring a market for a crop. CSA's now offer another chance to save a small family farm, this time by a group of families offering to meet the farm's financial needs in exchange for produce. Simply put, instead of a tobacco crop, I raise a few acres of vegetables. Instead of grossing 15 thousand from tobacco, I ask 25 people to pledge $100 a month for half a year, and gross the same amount. We start sending peas, lettuce, onions, carrots, and beets on Memorial Day, and soon add garlic, green beans, summer squash, and cucumbers. As the spring vegetables decline, we send tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and sweet corn. By fall, CSA members are getting winter squash, sweet potatoes, and an assortment of oriental vegetables. We try to add something new each week, and occasionally send melons, mushrooms, herbs, and flowers. A large garden, with 40 different crops, always has plenty to harvest. Mary drives the produce into Nashville where Gabrielle, Donna, and Tina divide it up into boxes for the members to pick up. Then Mary comes back to the farm with a handful of checks. I have a stash of Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternuts, and garlic to feed our members through Thanksgiving, if not longer. Our garden is full of greens which will also last through then. Our members feel secure knowing they have this organic food coming each Monday, and the farm knows its monetary needs will be met. Everyone gains from Community Supported Agriculture. It's a model for reinvigorating the countryside with productive and profitable small organic farms. Members learn where their food comes from, and eat what is in season. They bear crop losses with the farmer, and enjoy the bumper crops, too. They are part of the farm. Rekindling this feeling of caring for the land in the 21st century may be more nourishing than the
Re: [globalnews] Japanese Researcher Proves Thoughts and Feelings Affect Physical Reality
Come on Allan! Intent intent intent! Lost me again, Jane. I accept the intention. I'm just not clear on the proof, if there is one. -Allan
Re: Atmospheric regeneration
This is pie-in-the-sky for now, so don't let it disuade any Aussies from attending Hugh's forthcoming lectures, but we should work to figure out how to put Hugh and other popular BD lecturers on Pay-for-View net broadcasts so that they can get the income and more people can get the teachings. Even better, if Hugh could hit his minimums from his home office, well, hell, he could probably spend more time farming and who to say we wouldn't all gain from that. I'm talking serious here. The technology is avail. More than anything, we need point men like Hugh to be willing to spend the time thinking about how they could present their lecturers to an at-home audience. -Allan Hats off and thanks to Allan as this was catalysed in part by a posting on BDnow. Cheers all Lloyd Charles
Re: What is Magic?
Michelle: Green manure crops work best if turned back in with as much bulk as possible. Feeding off to livestock is just not the same unless you collect the manure and compost it and respread it. In fact by feeding it off you are depleting your soil and unless you have high biological activity the manure will just lay there for some time. The trend here in the mid-atlantic that is put forward by the sustainable ag extension agents is that root composting is more valueable that 'green manuring.' With this in mind, green manure crops are cut down and raked off - usually to the compost pile where they will live another day, probably a day in the fall. Turning in the green mature is seen as slowing down the soil in the important growing period. For some reason, it's assumed that the decaying root mass will not deny nitrogen to a new crop, or, at least this is never mentioned as a factor to wait for before planting the next crop. Myself, I like to feed the greenmatter to rabbits and the rabbit manure to the worms and the resulting crumbly to the beds later in the season. -Allan
David Kurtz on Waking Our Neighbors from the Illusion of Media
As Gil Scott-Heron said, in another time, another place, for a different reason: The revolution will not be televised. The revolution will not be brought to you by Xerox In 4 parts without commercial interruptions. The revolution will not show you pictures of Nixon blowing a bugle and leading a charge by John Mitchell, General Abrams and Spiro Agnew to eat hog maws confiscated from a Harlem sanctuary. The revolution will not be televised. http://www.bikesummer.org/1999/notTelevisedLyrics.htm That is to say, nothing will happen if you sit on your butt and wait for it to happen on the evening infotainment. Any sort of social or political change happens when enough people get adequately pissed off to actually *do* something. You're right; 20/20 will never challenge the DMCA. This means that *you* have to do that, *I* have to do that, and anyone who actually cares about it has to pay attention and do something. What is that something? Write. Write to your mayor, write to your representative, write to your president. Most of all, write and talk to your friends and family about it. Get *them* pissed off and angry about the status quo. Then after you're done writing, organize. Organize or join a community media awareness group; get other people talking and writing about it. Mass media is a huge hurdle, but that's not the only way people communicate. People still have voices and brains and hands that can do quite a bit to convince and motivate. Don't be so quick to give up just because the playing field is tilted. I don't agree with your near-the-end-times view of things, but if that's the way you see it, do you want to go down swinging, or sitting on the couch? Die on your feet or live on your knees? -- David A. Kurtz http://home.earthlink.net/~d0/radio/
Re: What is Magic?
I hadn't even considered that I was depleting the soil doing this. I guess that I struggle with that concept. Isn't this really how nature's system works and nutrients get recycled? Michelle - In nature's system the animal's carcass and all the nutrients stockpiled therein also eventually gets deposited in the field, but, here in real-life, I bet you ship yours off to Kansas City by the ton. Although this is the major argument why grassfed is not truly sustainable, aren't a lot of nutrients also coming from the atmosphere so that it is possible recycle manure while harvesting meat and still be break-even on the nutrient scale(s)? -Allan
Re: Overseas Visitors was Re: Search function
What they usually have in their suitcases are a bunch of little koala beers that have spring loaded arms that will let them grip pencils, much to the delight of North American children. -Allan Thanks Allan - nice save LCharles Charles, I swear I meant to say 'bears' BEARS. It was not my intention to add fuel to the stereotyping that the Foster's ads have created!! -Allan
Re: OT:FW: Watching democracy die (and be reborn?)
This essay was written as though the polls themselves were not already contaminated. As though intelligent and charismatic liberal politicians in this country have not been culled through assasination or media-fueled scandals in this country since the Kennedy assasination. (I mean, folks, do we really think that Kennedy's death served no purpose?) The controlling technique of the New World Order IS democracy, or the illusion of the same. Generally, it's enough to just have the larger funds for media control. We've seen in this country that it can go further, even when the left offers mediocre candidates. Benign dictators normally meet death through junta, eh? I agree. For the most part the tools for true populist control of this country are still, for the most part, in place. If you chose to run, don't fly a plane, of course, or call yourself the leader of the World Peace Movement. Now IS the time to start working on real democracy as though there will be no tomorrow otherwise. In the current form of democracy, they take the power and we, the people, take the blame for everything. Votes never count for much as long as the ruling powers pick your choices. -Allan
Re: Macari Vineyard (?)
Am I coming down to talk about compost teas etc for this??? Are you coming to Lancaster the 28-29 January for the viticulture workshop??? Steve - We do no have definite plans here yet, but I'm working on it. People want tangible proof of the pudding before they commit land, time to bd in this area. Even compost teas, for that matter. They feel they cannot alter their established chemical routines to 'experiment.' If they have a clear successful example, well, that's another thing. What about the Lancaster event? I've seen the schedule for it but it is my current understanding what I saw was a wish list and that the speakers were NOT confirmed. Has A.L. reallly signed up? W.B.? and, is the 'mystery keynote' going to be N.J.? I sure hope so.
Willard Water was Re: Anionic water
Which reminds me: What is Willard Water? I've never given it much thought but learned the other day that Salatin puts it in his chicken waterers. If you know, Joel, it must really be something if HE is paying the price for it. I saw some in the local Health Store. I think it was $9 for 3oz or something like that. What does it do? -Allan
Re: Droughts and rainmaking
At any rate this fall I could see the symptoms of disturbed orgone energy. This manifests in these puffy small dirty grey clouds floating in a blue sky. As I stared into the blue you could see large patches devoid of the orgone. I pondered this and tried an experiment. I stood [by the cows] and imagined the orgone all nice and organized, solid no holes. It came to pass. That night it clouded up and we had nice rain. This was mid september and we have had weekly rain since. I don't know if that was coinkidink or what but we are caught up on water. I had to put some silica back in som e trees to try and dry it of a wee bit. I would appreciate it if someone down under would give that a wack. Put a snag on the bobbie and think about it, good on ya,...sstorch DeMeo's SAHARASIA is a profound discussion of the effects of militarism on the human psche and its ulitmate effect on the atmosphere and weather patterns. It's well worth a read and a great insight into the Orgonomic viewpoint. -Allan
Fwd: ANYONE CAN DO IT
Forwarded from Will Winter Having once beaten Thich Nhat Hanh in a fair fight, I later realized that the loss was entirely my own. Once calling Thich Nhat Hanh 'a coyote' in a public place, raising much outspoken ire in others, I came to find out from one of his teachers years later that Thich Nhat Hanh himself had very much enjoyed the image my rage had momentarily raised and was never disturbed by my inappropriate accusation. Enjoy. -AB Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 21:43:07 -0600 Subject: ANYONE CAN DO IT From: Will Winter [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: undisclosed-recipients:; Looking at Your Empty Plate: My plate, empty now, will soon be filled with precious food. Looking at Your Full Plate: In this food, I see clearly the presence of the entire universe supporting my existence. Contemplating Your Food: This plate of food, so fragrant and appetizing, also contains much suffering. Beginning to Eat: With the first taste, I promise to offer joy. With the second, I promise to help relieve the suffering of others. With the third, I promise to see other's joy as my own. With the fourth, I promise to learn the way of non-attachment and equanimity. Finishing Your Meal: The plate is empty. My hunger is satisfied. I vow to live for the benefit of all beings. Washing the Dishes: Washing the dishes is like bathing a baby Buddha. The profane is the sacred. Everyday mind is Buddha's mind. Thich Nhat Hanh
Re: Macari Vineyard (?)
Looks like you've done a lot of good, hard work, Steve. I'm not sure what you were saying about not having enough help for spraying. Do you mean, aside from CT applications, spraying chemicals for pests? I'm very curious about the measureable results of your efforts. For example, what do your soil tests look like? Where's your organic matter at? How is it that you're getting away from herbicide useage? Have you experimented with peppers there for pest control? To what success? Thanks. I'm asking these questions for others who are interested in dedicating some start up vineyard acreage to bd practice. -Allan
Fwd: [compost_tea] CT in The Washington Post
Thanks to Jeff on the CT list, here's the article that resulted from the long interview with Elaine Ingham during the lunch at Blue Ridge Center on Saturday at the BIODYNAMIC CONFERENCE this past October. Note how the conference, the garden, etc, have been written out of the story! Maybe Rodale owns the Post!! A Cuppa Made of Compost By Adrian Higgins In a Virginia field, 50 organic gardeners gather around Elaine Ingham for what is likely to be the weirdest cooking demonstration they have ever seen. Ingham's dark, bubbling brew is not from the garden but rather for the garden. Into a 35-gallon kettle of water she has thrown measured amounts of dried seaweed and an inky liquid called humic acid. We have got loads of good stuff going into the mix, she says, filling a nylon sock with screened compost and earthworm castings. Soon, this tea bag is submerged in the water and bombarded by bubbles produced by an air pump. This is neither high cuisine nor dark sorcery, but the latest innovation in the world of organic gardening and farming. Liquid fertilizers made from manures and compost have been around for centuries. What's new are the bubbling technique and specific ingredients, which cause the growth of beneficial microbes that displace and even go after all the bad spores and germs that prey on and kill plants. Spray the tonic on the leaves, and the bad bugs have nowhere to land, say advocates. Pour it on the soil, and you form a protective barrier for the root zones. Enthusiasts say that when used repeatedly, the tonic revitalizes soil and allows the cultivation of plants without the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Among the testimonials: roses that never get black spot; thick, green turfgrass; ornamentals of amazing vigor and health -- all without the use of environmentally harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Organic farmers are using the tea to repair strawberry fields rendered lifeless by toxic fumigants. Growers of crops such as potatoes have seen greater yields using no chemicals. Some are even spraying it from crop dusters, said Ingham, a soil scientist and consultant to organic farmers. She heads a laboratory named Soil Foodweb Inc., based in Corvallis, Ore. An early pioneer of the technology, she is regarded as a leading light in organic gardening and farming circles. Not everybody is convinced. I have a lot of colleagues rather concerned about the hype, said Linda Chalker-Scott, an associate professor at the Center for Urban Horticulture at the University of Washington. We are all waiting for the science behind the claims. Ingham and other scientists who advocate the product say lab tests reveal three basic beneficial aspects of compost tea: plant nutrients; biostimulants such as enzymes and amino acids; and beneficial bacteria, fungi and nematodes (wormlike animals) that suppress disease and may also fight plant pests. Chalker-Scott said Ingham is an extremely good soil scientist, but her data have not yet been subjected to sufficient review by other scientists. One of the problems, said Chalker-Scott, is that every batch of compost tea seems to produce different results, making it difficult to conduct more definitive studies that might isolate the merits of one microbe over another. Another concern is that the brewer might inadvertently create a brew containing E. coli bacteria. Ingham says this is a valid concern but only if correct steps are not observed. Any compost containing animal manures should be thoroughly composted at 130 degrees for 10 days. Even then, the gardener should make sure that the brew remains aerobic and, in summer months, reduce the level of molasses to a teaspoon, she said. Alternatively, use compost not made with animal manures or use the earthworm castings, she said. They are sold in bags at garden centers. If the scientists are squabbling, gardeners, farmers and manufacturers of equipment and supplies are forging ahead. When it comes to to things in organic farming, in general the farmers tend to be quite a few years ahead of the scientists, said Steve Diver, an agricultural specialist with Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, a nonprofit funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides technical advice to small farmers. He said the compost teas have yielded remarkable results. When it was used on a field of bell peppers succumbing to viral disease, usually a death knell in the vegetable garden, it not only stopped the virus in its tracks but also allowed infected plants to recover. This is absolutely mind-boggling that an organic approach was able to arrest a virus and get the crop to grow out, he said. Diver said if you were to look at a leaf through a microscopic hand lens you would see hairs so thick that they resemble a jungle. By coating all those surfaces with compost tea, the good microbes provide a barrier to any bad ones that want to feed on the plant.
Macari Vineyard (?)
Steve - Can you explain how bd is used at MACARI? The impression that I get from the webpage is that is is used in conjunction with conventional practices. I'm wondering if this is an inaccurate impression. (?) I'd like to hear more about what you are involved in there and how they are involved in biodynamics. Thanks -Allan
Re: What is Magic?
I would have thought you'd get a group in Santa Fe easy - maybe the title scared them off? Lloyd, Hugh, et al - My impression is that the event was not publicized very well. I'm a Bioneer associate and I receieved no direct mail or email on this event. I imagine that the Bioneer people assumed that rain making is a local event and Santa Fe could fill the seats. In reality, real world issues such as agriculture or, I guess, rain making, are of no interest to the New Age crowd, at least in the US. (Same goes for ecology groups..they are also not really interested in agriculture or in understanding that lots of ecological problems, like the loss of hemlocks, are due to 'problems in the sky.') The crowd for subtle energy work is a national crowd. You have to reach out to the entire united states to find a few dozen people who have interested (and feel a calling to them) in these topics that will motivate them to find the time and money to attend the events. My conference was attended by people from all over North America (none from Mexico this time, unfortunately) I find it telling that organic growers in my own county said they couldn't attend EVEN WITH A FREE PASS because they would miss markets by attending. In the meantime, people came from all over, missing their markets, allowing work to pile up in their patches, buying plane tickets, paying for lodging, and supporting the confernece by paying registrations. Such a group of people is a joy to spend time with. It leaves a soul glow that lasts for weeks. Only through networking with like minds such as we do through BD Now! can the teachers reach the audience to a degree that will allow us to eventually build local networks of people who realize the power and the necessity of knowing how to work with subtle energies. The interest is growing. I've been asked to teach a SECRETS OF THE SOILS class in a local horticulural series in the later winter. Bravo! Evolution gave us the tools to co-evolve. Let's use them as often as we can!! -Allan
Re: What is Magic?
Why don't you try reaching out to the pagan community, a more earth based 'religion' than the so called new age. When I said 'New Age,' I was, carelessly or not, including Pagans. I think it is important to remember that biodynamics is an evolved discipline. For the most part, the current pagan movement appears to be valuing devolution. I'm not criticizing, of course, but I think that biodynamics would have to be misrepresented and probably demeaned in order to appeal to a large pagan audience. My post was not intended to be about marketing per se, but simply an aknowledgement of what a small percentage of the population is interested in farming with subtle energies and, of those, how few really care enough about expanding the knowledge base around these insights to leave the comfort of their living rooms to support teachers and events. I guess, if like the modern pagan events (as a 2-time May Day host, I'm qualified to speak on this topic) we BD people became known for orgies at our gatherings, we may gather more attendees and more energy, but one always has to wonder what the long term value of gonad-based interest is. Not, of course, am I critical of people who join organizations to meet people, either.
