BDANC Summer Gathering 2023
hosted by Carin Fortin and Delmar McComb
at Blossom's Farm
2033 San Juan Road, Aromas, CA
Friday, June 23rd
4 pm: Arrival and camping set up.
6:30 pm: Potluck dinner at Camp Lizard.
Saturday, June 24th
7:30 am: Catered Breakfast
8.00 am: Eurythmy with Lilith and Sebastien
9:00 am Opening circle
9:30 am: Plant observation and harvest of Yarrow and Valerian
with Harald Hoven, Delmar McComb and Carin Fortin
10:30 am Farm tour
12:30 Potluck lunch
2:00 pm: Making Valerian and Yarrow Preparations with Harald Hoven
Garden Teacher's Breakout: with Willow Summer
4:00 pm: Speaker: Douglas Wylie: " X-Wheat - A New Form of Currency Based Upon Steiner's Idea of What Money Really Is"
Douglas Wiley was trained as a Holistic Health practitioner, and this led to his interest in Biodynamic Agriculture. He served on the Board of the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Society in Ontario, Canada in the late 1990s. After that he served as the treasurer of the Anthroposophical Society in Canada. He currently serves on the Social Sciences Section Collegium and is active in the Santa Cruz Branch of the Anthroposophical Society in California. He is completing a 40-year professional engineering and management career in the industrial economy, having worked for various multinational corporations.
Delmar and Carin will also present on their farm initiatives, which include working with Douglas to launch XWheat.
6:30 pm: Catered dinner
7:30 pm: Music and socializing
Sunday, June 25th
8.00 am: Eurythmy with Lilith and Sebastien
9:00 am: Catered Brunch
10:00 am: Salon + Group discussion 100 years of Biodynamics:
The Future of Biodynamics
12:00 pm: Closing circle
Directions: We are about 4 miles from Hwy 101 (San Juan Road Exit). We are on the right if you are coming from 101. GPS can be wrong so use it with that in mind...We will have ample signs posted and it isn’t hard to find.
Parking on site is fine; both the upper and lower part of property have parking options.
Most of the 45 acre property is sloped and some of the events such as dining and eurythmy will be on the upper, quieter part of the property. Prep making and other farm related events will be on the lower part. The upper part is driveable but we want to limit too many cars up and down the hill so please consider hiking if/when possible.
Cost for the event: BDANC Members free - Non-members: $15-30 donation
Camping on site is fine; there are two main upper “meadow” areas that can be used, or also perhaps in the woods. Outhouse and water available at “Camp Lizard” but otherwise it is “rustic” camping.
Please no dogs
Food: there will be the usual catered meals (Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast). Breakfast $10, Dinner $20, Sunday brunch $12, (apprentices get a $4 discount per meal). Pay at the door and please reserve meals by June 20th, contact sydneymongiello@gmail.com
Contact Delmar to reserve meals or for any other questions. delmarmcc@gmail.com ph: 831.234.2965
You are invited to join our
BDANC Summer Gathering
Saturday/Sunday June 18-19th, 2022
Hosted by Filigreen Farm - with Chris and Stephanie Tebbutt
11800 Anderson Valley Way, Boonville, CA
http://www.filigreenfarm.com/
Filigreen Farm is situated on 97 acres in Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California. It is a Demeter-certified Biodynamic and CCOF-certified organic diversified farm whose primary products are tree fruits, blueberries, olives, wine and table grapes, and houses a production garden (flowers and vegetables), livestock, apiary, and an ongoing inquiry into water revitalization. Filigreen is located on land once inhabited and managed by the Tabahtea (Tah-bah-tay) Pomo First Peoples named after Taa-Bo-Tah, or Long Valley.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Saturday, June 18th
7:30 Catered Breakfast
8:30 Meet and Greet Welcome
9:00 Compost Preparation Plants: Yarrow, Valerian, Chamomile
Plant observation and harvest with Harald Hoven
Harald Hoven is a German-trained farmer who developed a small, highly diversified biodynamic farm in California, where he raised crops, tended livestock, trained nearly 100 farm apprentices, and offered many workshops and courses to the students of Rudolf Steiner College and the general public for thirty years. He retired from active farming a year ago, and is now able to travel, consult, mentor, and spread his understanding of biodynamics wherever it is needed in the world.
10:30 Farm Tour - Fruit Production - with Chris Tebbutt
Chris Tebbutt is a farmer, gardener, and landscape designer. He was raised in East Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, but came to the U.S in the late '70s to study biodynamics with Alan Chadwick at the Round Valley Garden Project, where he met his partner, Stephanie Kotin. They went on to study botanical horticulture in the U.K., both in private gardens and at the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. Returning to California to live in the Redwood ecosystem, he became a forestry activist in the '80s and '90s, working to improve silvicultural standards and played an integral part in Redwood Coast Watersheds Alliance vs. the State of California and the campaign for sustainable forestry practices. A life-long love of trees led to further work with the International Dendrological Research Institute, studying rare conifer habitat around the world. Co-founder of Land & Place, a design/build landscape company, Chris returned to farming when his children were born, with the creation of Filigreen Farm in Mendocino County, California, home to diverse orchards, vineyards, and gardens. He is dedicated to the study of water as a means to enliven and understand biodynamics.
12:30 Potluck Lunch, please bring plates, bowls and mugs.
Swimming
3:00 Making Valerian and Yarrow Preparations
with Harald Hoven
Invaluable hands-on experience making biodynamic preparations
4:30 Biography Work with Lorna Kohler
What is functional threefoldness? How may it illuminate our experience of the life processes in our bodies and specific biographical events? We will explore these questions with gentle, respectfu, playful exercises involving sensory awareness, writing, drawing and small and large group sharing. Please bring something comfortable to sit on and a journal or notebook. Paper and art materials will be provided. No required reading or previous experience is necessary. This workshop was inspired by my three year training in Biography and Socia Art and our BDANC book study of Functional Threefoldness in the Human Organism and Human Society by Johannes Rohen.
6:30 Catered Dinner
7:30 Music and socializing - bring your instruments and songbooks.
Sunday, June 19th
8:00 Anthroposophical Salon - with Delmar McComb
Butterflies, Rainbows and Seeds;
How to develop and work with Imaginative
Thinking to gain insights into the natural world and ourselves
The Anthroposophical Salon was started some years ago to allow for insightful and lively conversations centered around Anthroposophy, the human oriented spiritual philosophy developed by Rudolf Steiner. This "spiritual science" has given rise to many practical applications in the world including Biodynamic Farming. The morning begins with an overview of the theme along with several "leading thoughts". After the overview, the group conversation begins by all who care to contribute inspired by the themes presented. Appropriate for all, whether a person completely new to these ideas or an in depth student of Anthroposophy, the goal of this stimulating and fun Sunday morning conversation is for us to deepen our understanding of Anthroposophy, Biodynamics and ourselves.
9:30 Catered Brunch
10:30 - continue Anthroposophical Salon
11:30 end
MEAL PRICES:
Lunch on Saturday is potluck so bring something to share and your own plate/utensils. Saturday breakfast and dinner, Sunday brunch will be catered. Meals are paid for at the door, but you must contact lorna.kohler@gmail.com on or before Tuesday, June 14
$12 Saturday breakfast, vegetarian and partially gluten free $18 Saturday dinner, vegetarian and gluten free
$15 Sunday brunch, vegetarian and partially gluten free
Thank you to all of you who reserved meals without knowing the cost. If you want to change your reservation, please contact me before I give the caterer the final tally tomorrow. Thank you!
CAMPING:
It is expected to be unseasonably cool and breezy this weekend. Good to bring layers and warm sleeping bags.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO BRING:
Foldable chairs, swimming gear, plates, cups, utensils, potluck to share Saturday noon.
PLEASE BRING ENOUGH CASH TO COVER MEALS AND/OR PREPARATIONS YOU HAVE RESERVED
COST: Members and apprentices are invited to attend at no cost. Non-members are encouraged to pay $15 - $25 at the door. Meals are additional. You can join or renew online at www.bdanc.org, for $40/year.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Limited complementary camping is available at Filigreen Farm- please reserve early by contacting lorna.kohler@gmail.com on or before Tuesday, June 14th. Other options include Henry Woods State Park, local hotels and online BNB sites.
Summer Meeting 2020
June 20th
BDANC Summer Meeting - Saturday, June 20th
BDANC will be ZOOMing!
Two Sessions
Please download the free Zoom app on your computer or phone ahead of time
A code will be given when you complete your registration.
We will be making the Valerian and Yarrow compost preps and are working on a filmed farm tour of New Tree Ranch in Healdsburg.
There will also be time for plant study with Harold Hoven and one of the preparation plants…
COST: Members attend free - Non-members pay $20/meeting or sign up for the yearly membership
($40 covers four quarterly meetings, plus hardcopy newsletters) Apprentice scholarships available.
To Register: Go to the Membership page on the BDANC website
and use the Paypal link for the 2020 Summer Meeting
Please email Steve Reynolds with questions about Membership slrey1943@gmail.com
Summer Meeting 2019
June 22-23
Blossom’s Biodynamic Farm
358 Merk Road, Corralitos CA 95076
Phone: 831-234-2965
info@blossomsfarm.com
Our Hosts are: Carin Fortin and Delmar McComb
Schedule of Events
Special Workshop —June 19th-21st — before meeting with Enzo Nastati — See Below.
Five Mile House, 2904 Freedom Blvd., 2 ½ minutes from the farm by car – Please reserve dinner by June 17th by email: info@blossomsfarm.com
COST
Members and apprentices are invited to attend at no cost. Non-members pay $10-$40 at the door suggested donation. Meals are additional. You can Join or renew at the meeting or online.
MEALS
Saturday lunch is a potluck, bring a dish, Sunday breakfast only coffee, tea and muffins available, get before the meeting. Dinner $18 with Children free to age 12. Apprentice discount available at $3/meal. Meals are paid for at the meeting to the hosts. Reserve meals by emailing info@blossomsfarm.com. You must reserve meals by June 17th.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Camping is not available on the farm. There are campgrounds at nearby beaches (Manresa Uplands campground and Santa Cruz/Monterey KOA) and Mt. Madonna County Park. There is also plenty of lodging and Air B&B opportunities in Corralitos, Watsonville, Soquel, and Aptos.
No Dogs! – No smoking – No wandering into surrounding private properties — Please
June 19-21, 2019
Enzo Nastati: The heart as a door to a new relationship with agriculture and the being of the earth
A collaboration of Camphill California, Blossom’s Farm and BDANC
By knowing the heart in the physical, etheric, soul and spiritual planes, we can develop a new relationship with the spiritual worlds, love and life in nature. This “knowing” can help to birth a new agriculture based on the strength of the heart according to an understanding of Spiritual Science and the underlying processes.
Enzo Nastati is the principle director of The Eureka Institute in Italy. He has been a biodynamic farmer for over 40 years, and understands, from a deep and dedicated study of Rudolf Steiner’s work, that the biodynamic agricultural method was always intended to be developed and fortified to meet changing demands over time. Mr. Nastati’s work has been recognized around the world where he lectures, consults, and conducts continuing research. 32 years ago, spurred by his observations of extreme decrease in plant vitality immediately following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in April 1986, he began researching and developing preparations and application techniques to further meet the demands of our time. His work addresses the difficulties presented by electromagnetic fields, radioactive pollution, industrial pollution, water quality deterioration, GMOs, and other harmful effects of modern technology. (see www.instituteformindfulagriculture.org)
Costs: $330
June 19-21, 2019
Wednesday- Friday, 10 am – 5pm daily
Organic lunches included
Location:
Paloma Hall, Camphill California
4096 Fairway Dr.
Soquel, CA 95073
Email us for more information (info@blossomsfarm.com) or SIGN UP HERE
Summer Meeting 2018
June 23-25
Filigreen Farm
11600 Anderson Valley Way
Boonville, CA 95415
Our Hosts are: Chris & Stephanie Tebbutt
Schedule TBD
Saturday 23rd
9-9:30am Welcome and Announcements
9:30-10:30am Farm Tour with Chris Tebbutt
10:30am-12:30pm Yarrow Observation and Prep Making with Joseph Brinkley
12:30-1:30pm Potluck Lunch (bring something to share and your own plates and utensils)
2-3:30pm Swim
3:45-5:15pm Water Talk and Vortex Spinner Demo by Chris Tebbutt
6:00-7:30pm Catered Dinner, $20 - Please reserve by June 20
7:30-9pm Jam Session and Dancing - Bring an instrument!
Sunday 24th
8:45-9:45am Catered Breakfast, $10 - Please reserve by June 20
9:45-11:00am Anthroposophical Salon by Delmar McComb
11:00am-12pm Member Check-in
Cost
Members and apprentices are invited to attend at no cost. Non-members pay $15 at the door. Meals are additional. You can join or renew at the meeting for $35. Alternatively, register and pay online for membership.
Meals:
Lunch on Saturday is a potluck so bring something to share and your own plates and utensils.
Catered: Saturday dinner is $20 and Sunday breakfast is $10 for adults. Apprentices receive a $5 discount off of dinner and a $2 discount off of breakfast courtesy of Filigreen Farm. Reserve meals with bdancinfo@gmail.com
Deadline to reserve meals is June 20th!
Accommodation:
Please note that the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is taking place this same weekend in Boonville and will impact lodging and may impact traffic.
Limited complimentary camping is available at Filigreen Farm and The Apple Farm. There is also limited camping available at Emerald Earth for $10/night. Please reserve early by contacting bdancinfo@gmail.com to reserve camping at any of these locations.
Other options include Hendy Woods State Park (https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=438), local hotels, and check air bnb.
Please note Filigreen Farm has a large pond. We will swim together on Saturday afternoon. Children should not enter the water unattended.
Summer Meeting 2017
June 24-25
Frey Vineyards
14000 Tomki Rd
Redwood Valley, CA 95470
Our Hosts are Luke and Emily Frey
Preliminary Meeting Agenda
St. John's Day Fire a Midummer Tradition
Saturday
8:30 -9:30 Eurythmy - Cynthia Hoven
9:45-10:15 Opening circle
10:30-11:15 Yarrow study - Harald Hoven and Luke Frey
11:30-12:30 Making Yarrow Prep - Harald Hoven
12:30-2:00 Lunch - Potluck please bring a dish to share (plates, utensils and cups as well)
2:15-3:30 Farm tour - Luke Frey
3:45-5:15 Biodynamic Cannabis Growing Panel
5:30-7:00 Dinner - catered, order meals by June 20th
7:15 Talent show
Sunday
8:00 Breakfast - catered
9:30 -10:30 Steering Committee retreat report
10:45 -12:00 Anthroposophic Salon - Cynthia Hoven
Closing circle and departure
Cost
Members and apprentices are invited to attend at no cost. Non-members pay $15 at the door. Meals are additional. You can join or renew at the meeting for $35. Alternatively, register and pay online for membership.
Meals
Lunch on Saturday is a potluck so bring something to share and your own plates and utensils.
Catered: Saturday dinner $15 and Sunday breakfast $8. Apprentice discount available at $3 per meal. Meals are
paid for at the door. Meals are all made on the farm from the farm and local ingredients.
Reserve meals with lukemfrey@gmail.com
Deadline to reserve meals is June 20th!
Accommodations
Contact lukemfrey@gmail.com for accommodations. There is camping on the farm or hotel accomodation in Ukiah. Please NO DOGS. Camping in camping area only.
Summer Meeting
Saturday and Sunday June 25 and 26, 2016.
Open Field farm | Petaluma
http://www.openfieldfarm.com/
2245 Spring Hill Road Petaluma, CA 94952
707-775-4644
Our Hosts were Seth and Sarah James
“At Summer Solstice, it is as though the Earth has completed a full out breath, and in essence is reaching highest upward as possible into its celestial environment. The soul of the human being is as though borne up and out with this Earth exhalation, carrying within itself the fruits of Earth experience that have been gathered since the time of deepest inhalation, at Winter Solstice.”
