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About Us

The South West Biodynamic Group is a group of farmers, growers, gardeners and folks who are interested in BD (biodynamics).   It aims to support and promote Biodynamic growing in the South West of England.

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We make and distribute the preparations, as well as hold regular events, and we issue a quarterly newsletter to our members. We have two preparation making days in the year – in the Spring and the Autumn.

 

Events and news from the group, and other growers and organisations in the region, are regularly posted on this website, including produce for sale.​

Small Grants

The South West Biodynamic Group recently received a bequest from a member, Helen Dolby who died in 2024. She was a trained Steiner teacher and worked for a while at the South Devon Steiner School.   She also supported biodynamics.

It was decided the best use of this bequest was to help people who are working with biodynamics either in a practical way or needing to further their learning and understanding.

 

The criteria for grant applications to make it a ‘level playing field’ are as follows:

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  1. The applications must be connected to biodynamics.

  2. Requests for grants can only be made by members of the South West Biodynamic Group and living in the South West.

  3. A condition of receiving a grant to help towards attending a course or a  Conference is that the recipient must share in some way what they have learnt either by writing an article for the newsletter, giving a presentation or a workshop at a seasonal gathering.

  4. Grants will normally be between £50 and £100. However we are willing to consider larger requests in exceptional circumstances and applications are welcome.

  5. To apply for a grant we need a letter or email of application with: a) your name and address, b) what the grant is for and its connection with biodynamics, and c) how you would share the benefits of the grant with the wider group.

  6. A minimum quorum of three from the South West Biodynamic Steering Group will discuss and decide on grant applications.

 

We welcome applications at any time.  

Please email southwestbiodynamicgroup@gmail.com

Membership

If you’re interested in becoming a member, please contact our Secretary using the form below in the website footer.

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What is Biodynamics

Biodynamics is a holistic and ecological approach to farming and gardening that emphasises the interconnectivity of soil, plants, animals, humans and the cosmos.  It was developed by Rudolf Steiner in the 1920’s who emphasised the importance of integrating scientific understanding with a recognition of spirit in nature and was the first of the organic farming methods.

          

Biodynamics  focuses on sustainability by building fertility in the soil and working with the health of the entire farm ecosystem. No synthetic preparations are used. The principles and practices can be applied anywhere regardless of scale, landscape, climate and culture.

 

Around the world biodynamics is alive in thousands of thriving gardens, farms, vineyards, ranches and orchards.

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For those interested in finding out more, please see our Resources page.

Our Steering Group

Roles in steering group

Chairperson

Our Chairperson is responsible for overseeing the Steering Group’s delivery of the South West Biodynamic Group’s aims and objectives ensuring that:

  • quarterly meetings are planned effectively and there is full participation during meetings; and

  • all relevant matters are discussed and effective decisions are made and carried out, working with the Secretary, Treasurer and others on the Steering Group.

As an ambassador for Biodynamics in the South West, the 

Chairperson ideally is experienced in Biodynamics, farming and the countryside with diverse knowledge across farming,  to help inspire others to work with their charges of land and livestock using a holistic BD (biodynamics) approach.

   

Working as an ambassador for the South West Biodynamic Group, the Chairperson undertakes farm visits, and networks and liaises with other groups in the South West.

Treasurer

The Treasurer's key duties are to:

  • manage members' subscriptions, including sending annual reminders; 

  • keep accurate and up-to-date records of members who pay subscriptions; 

  • produce accurate and up-to-date financial records of income and expenditure for the group, including presentation of an annual financial report for the Group's AGM (Annual General Meeting);

  • be part of the sub-group that decides on making grants from the Helen Dolby Legacy and keep records of all grants made; and

  • liaise with the Chairperson and send out information via the Secretary.

Secretary

The Secretary has an interest in biodynamics and a background in administration and communication.

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Duties include:

  • liaising and coordinating, with the chair, the administration of the South West Biodynamic Group;

  • taking minutes at all meetings; 

  • working with the Treasurer to communicate financial information to members;

  • encouraging uptake of new members and responding to their queries;

  • helping to keep membership group mailing and emailing lists up-to-date; 

  • liaising with the Website Administrator, e.g. to ensure minutes of meetings, news and annoucements reach group members; 

  • managing the email group and timely notices of meetings and activities; and

  • assisting with enquiries about Biodynamics.

Other Roles

Preparations Coordinator (non-elected)

The Preparations Coordinator is an experienced biodynamic practitioner who liaises with the Steering Group throughout the year, whilst ensuring the Spring and Autumn preparation days are diarised and communicated to members, as well as  the necessary materials for both days are obtained and in stock.

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The Coordinator provides timely content and information to the Website Administrator of the optimum days for picking the various preparation ingredients and reminds members of the days in a timely fashion, ensuring enough materials are picked and made ready.

 

Also responsible for checking the integrity of the stored prep ingredients, they advise the Steering Group of stock levels,  and on prep days, instruct and facilitate the making of the preparations with members present.

Newsletter Editor (non-elected)

The Editor gathers and curates the content for the group's quarterly newsletter ensuring:

  • relevance of biodynamics content in all articles; 

  • news and articles support and promote biodynamics growing in the South West of England; 

  • liaison with Chair, Secretary and Treasurer regarding content; 

  • liaison with Secretary regarding updates, announcements and biannual prep days; 

  • liaison with Preparations Coordinator regarding best picking days, etc.; and

  • when possible, attendance at Steering Group meetings.

Website Administrator (non-elected)

With an interest in biodynamics and an IT and digital design background the duties of the Website Administrator include:

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  • Website maintenance, ensuring the site is fully functional and accessible;

  • Management of access control (passwords & permissions);

  • Content management, liaising with Secretary, Preparations Coordinator, Newsletter Editor and Steering Group to update content on the site;

  • Diagnose and troubleshoot any issues with the site and provide technical support;

  • Monitor performance and user analytics to improve website experience search engine optimisation;

  • Design layout changes, upload and manage image files, and manage databases, and testing;

  • Ensuring compliance with data privacy (e.g., GDPR) and accessibility standards; and

  • When possible, attend steering group meetings.

Join the group enquiry form

I would like to join

As a member you will receive a quarterly newsletter and access to the preparations.  Annual membership is £15 per person, £20 for a couple. We offer a concession of £10 a year if needed. When you use the form below, the group's Secretary will contact you to answer any questions you might have and organise your registration as a member of the group.

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