Spring 2019 Southwest Biodynamic Group Newsletter
- Mar 20, 2019
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 14
Beneath these fruit-tree boughs that shed
Their snow-white blossoms on my head,
With brightest sunshine round me spread
Of spring's unclouded weather,
In this sequestered nook how sweet
To sit upon my orchard-seat!
And birds and flowers once more to greet,
My last year's friends together.
- from The Green Linnet by William Wordsworth
Dear Members,
It is time again to ask you for your annual subscription to the group.
If you wish to continue receiving the newsletter, please make your payment (see below) for it by the following means as soon as possible:
1) Direct bank transfer to Barclay’s Bank, Account
No 13509680, sort code 20 60 88
2) Send a cheque payable to S.W. Biodynamic Group to Diana White at
Flat 12 Apple Wharf, The Plains, Totnes, TQ9 5XW
3) Cash to either Diana or Derek Lapworth when you see them, preferably in a sealed envelope so we can record the details
For an individual or organisation is £15, A couple £20
Students & non-waged £10
For this you receive newsletters and preparations without cost from Jeremy Weiss at Velwell Orchard.
We occasionally have speakers to give talks and/or workshops and assist members to attend relevant conferences or workshops if they cannot afford to go otherwise. We ask them to share what they learn with the group, through the newsletter.
If you do not wish to continue receiving the newsletter at the present time, please get in touch. If you feel you cannot afford the subscription but would like to continue to remain connected with the Group’s work please also get in touch.
With best wishes,
Diana White, Treasurer for the Group
NEWSLETTER
This edition of the newsletter is the first with no involvement from our retired editor, Val Collett. It has been produced by a group who have taken on different tasks and has no overall editor!
If you feel it is not up to our usual standard we would be happy to have your comments and your help! Please email dianawhite35@hotmail.com or dereklapworth@gmail.com.
BOOK EXTRACT
Sacred Agriculture by Dennis Klocek
The Alchemy of Biodynamics
An extract from this book at Page 62.
"What are we doing when we are stirring – here is a beginning of understanding. Imagine that you have your bucket and you start stirring. You are creating energetic interchange places in the water where the different velocities of the water are creating interstitial tension systems. We would call them energetic membranes, although there is nothing there but the gradient between the velocities.
However if you know your physics, a gradient and velocity create temperature changes. Your bucket from the outside to the inside is filled with innumerable inner surfaces.
It has become like an organ"
I highly recommend this book to those who want to go deeper into the biodynamic processes.
- Wendy Cook
Biodynamic Agriculture and the Biodynamic Movement have a Crucial Role in Preserving the Health of the Earth and all its Inhabitants.
Accelerating technology with little or no testing or safeguarding is soon likely to overwhelm us and go beyond a point of no return.
Surely it is better to be well informed of these changes so I am writing this article, which on the face of it may seem to have little to do with actual biodynamics. But I quote, page 5 of ‘Humanity’s Last Stand’ by Nicanor Perlas.
"The Medusa-like touch of death of AI (Artificial Intelligence and related technology) is thwarted in agriculture which will become a strategic area of refuge for real humans, not fake digital humans including their robotic versions."
He may well have added ‘particularly biodynamic agriculture’. And Rudolf Steiner was warning us a hundred years ago that unless new social forms were brought into being, humanity would continue to go towards self-destruction.
This is why, in the Autumn of 2013, we held our first event towards our three major conferences on Social Renewal at Dartington Hall. The title was ‘Biodynamic Agriculture within the wider community’ held at the South Devon Steiner School and it was an attempt to put biodynamics in its rightful place as potentially playing a major role in creating these new social forms required.
Ultimately the only way to protect ourselves against all the problems seemingly mounting up on all sides threatening to destroy us is to form new communities arising out of the common effort and good will of all of us. If we are able to achieve this, then we will be able to harness all the technological developments to the benefit of humanity and not its detriment. And we can be assured of beneficial spiritual powers if we seek their help, they are waiting to work alongside us.
The Installation of 5G, Fifth Generation Wireless Technology
Slowly now the main news media are reporting the rapid emergence of 5G (fifth generation wireless network) and robotic and Artificial Intelligence, yet mainly avoiding concern over health dangers.
At the end of last year, an International Appeal (Stop 5G in Earth and Space) signed by 123 scientists, doctors and others stated that radio frequency radiation has already been proven harmful to humans and the environment. However the 5G radiation about to be rolled out over the whole of the UK, starting this summer, will entail the use of considerably higher frequencies than 3G and 4G and correspondingly shorter wavelengths. This type of radiation will be more strongly absorbed by the skin and eyes which means that most insects and small birds will most likely be killed off fairly quickly, never mind the effects upon humans and animals.
New form of agriculture coming our way
Actually it is already here under our noses to a great extent.
Some farms already employ remote controlled tractors, robo-bees and drones to assess and apply the use of various sprays and even then remote controlled machines to plant, hoe and pick the produce. Then soon we may have to accept new sanitary standards (i.e. very low) adopted by America where already, growth hormones can be given to cattle and chlorine used in the washing of chickens (and soon to follow - vegetables).
A view of our future as described in the book ‘Humanity’s Last Stand’, written by Nicanor Perlas.
This book will help us understand why all this rapid change is happening now; it looks at different scenarios of the future and gives us ideas of how to respond.
Ultimately it is a case of whether we can find a way of aligning the development of Artificial Intelligence with values worth of the dignity of being truly human – if so then we could indeed benefit from this evolutionary stage. It does though require the bold task of creating new social arrangements so that we – that is all people of good will – can be instrumental in all stages of its development.
Suggestions of what we may do
Nicanor Perlas’ book is published by Temple Lodge and can be purchased through usual channels or it can be borrowed from me. For general information there are numerous videos and articles on the internet, including:
‘5G Buckfastleigh Awareness’ – a live stream of the meeting held in Buckfastleigh on February 22nd.
There are now awareness and support groups in Totnes and soon in Buckfastleigh. The first meeting of the latter will be held in the Jellyfish Community Arts Hub on Friday March 22nd from 7.30 till 9.00. Booking is necessary due to limited space so please phone me. This is only for people living within 2-3 miles of Buckfastleigh, if you wish to join groups in different areas, please contact me and I will do my best to put you in touch with relevant people.
Artificial Intelligence will not make much headway if there is no appreciation or demand for its products. It does require biodynamic produce being more available so that people can make the choice – ultimately it could be choosing a small but appetising diet of biodynamically grown meat and vegetables or starving on full plates of full plates of genetically modified food.
I am aware that his article is veering away from our usual content and also it may not be too easy to take on board. However, keeping quiet would be a worse option. Do please contact me if you wold like further information of if you would like to discuss anything or offer other ideas.
Thank you. Derek Lapworth. Tel: 01364 644010. dereklapworth@gmail.com
Next issue: How we can best support all our Biodynamic practitioners – starting by asking them what help they need.
A date for your diary
SUNDAY 28TH April at Huxhams Cross, Dartington
Spring gathering of the SW Biodynamic Group
Everyone most welcome. Please bring food to share for lunch. The day will take place at the Training Centre. The Apricot Centre will provide tea/coffee/elderflower cordial
Schedule for the day
10:00 Lifting and extracting the Biodynamic Preparations we made last autumn, These will then be stored at Lower Velwell Orchard.
1.00 Bring and share lunch
2.00 - 3.00 Questions and Answers with Frankie
3-4 pm: Making Horn Silica Preparations and Yarrow Preparations if we have enough flowers.
Please can people start collecting and drying Dandelion flowers - whilst the centres are still closed. Over the summer we will also be collecting Camomile, Yarrow and Dandelionflowers. At the gathering in June we will make Nettle, Valerian and Dandelion Preparations.
For further information about the Gathering,
contact: Rachel Phillips rachelphillips@apricotcentre.co.uk or 07540445851
News from Huxhams Cross Farm
The weekend of 22nd of February the Apricot Centre hosted the Experimental Circle, with some of the finest BD farmers and growers in the UK here for the weekend. There were 7 people from all of the UK who spent 1.5 days in discussion about the conference at Dornach, about the possibility of Vegan BD system, about Peppers and we had a wonderful farm tour in the beautiful Devon sunshine.
Training Course
Marina O’Connell has been holding a course: Introduction to Biodynamic Farming and Growing for 4 days over two weekends.
"Biodynamic Farming was the first form of ecological farming system, arising in 1924. It has also proven to be one of the most sustainable forms of farming with the highest levels of soil biodiversity found on farms."
The course is designed for the gardener, grower or farmer who wants to find out more about the principles and practices of biodynamic systems in a simple and practical way. It covers the context of biodynamic systems and the Demeter regulations; how to carry out the practices of biodynamic systems, the use of the preparations and the calendar on both a practical and theoretical way. It looks in-depth at how preparations are made by working with local biodynamic practitioners who will give an insight in to the preparations and their uses.
This course has already started but hopefully Marina will offer more courses in the future.
Velwell Orchard
Congratulations to Jeremy and Kate for the safe arrival of their son, Jay-Jay, born on Christmas Eve.
To keep up with what is happening at Velwell Orchard see their website: velwellorchard.com. Jeremy writes a very good newsletter.
They have started volunteer days again soon on Wednesdays, weather permitting.
You can contact Jeremy via his website.
Produce For Sale
Concentrated fruit juices
from Derek Lapworth, 01364 644010. These are made with Demeter apple juice concentrate, no water or sugar added, Varieties currently are: Rosehip, Blackcurrant, Sour Cherry, Sloe,Elderberry and Elderflower.
Rare Breed Sausages
The rare-breed pigs (originally from Laura Wallwork’s farm, Tregillis) are kept on land which has not had chemicals on it and is farmed by Alan Houston. The sausages are 75p in packs of 6 or 12 i.e. £4.50 or £9.00 and can be collected from Derek’s house by arrangement. Tel: 01364 644010.
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Weekly Biodynamic Vegetable bags from Huxhams Cross Farm
Various sizes and prices. See Website : apricotcentre.co.uk or phone 01803 726 253 or 07507 841 158
Also for sale at stall in Totnes Market on Fridays.
Appeal for Bottles
50p per bottle - just the 800ml standard type.
I had to import bottles as none available in this country.
Please phone me to arrange collection if you are able to put them aside for me.
Derek 01364 644010
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