Biodynamic Conference 2012.
Programme and registration information is available here

The Association was formed in 1939 to promote biodynamic methods.

The objects of the Association are to foster, guide and safeguard in New Zealand the biodynamic approach to agriculture, horticulture, forestry and animal husbandry as initiated by Rudolf Steiner in 1924 and as practised progressively since that time. The association is affiliated with the General Anthroposophical Society.

Membership is open to anyone interested in biodynamic farming and gardening methods. There are currently about 800 members who include farmers, processors, orchardists, commercial and home gardeners as well as others who wish to support this work. New members receive a copy of the current Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Calendar, copies of Harvests, and information booklets on a range of management practices such as how to use biodynamic preparations and how to make compost and liquid manures.

Biodynamics - holistic sustainable organic agriculture
Biodynamic methods work toward the development of the farm or garden as a balanced and sustainable unit. They include organic practices such as crop rotation, recycling through composts and liquid manures, and increasing plant and animal bio diversity. Special plant, animal and mineral preparations are used. The rhythmic influences of the sun, moon, planets and stars are recognised and worked with where possible. These methods lead to a natural reduction of pests and diseases in plants and animals, and an increase in the nutritive and health giving value of food produced.

Click here for more information on how to develop and maintain healthy soil, plants and animals.

You can also listen to biodynamic adviser Peter Proctor discussing biodynamics with Kim Hill on Radio NZ National.

Demeter
Demeter is a world wide certification system (in over 50 countries), used to verify to the consumer that food or product has been produced by biodynamic methods. The Bio Dynamic Association is the certifier in New Zealand. Click here for information on how to gain a Demeter certification. Click here for more information about Demeter food.
 

Forthcoming Biodynamic Events

Auckland
Avondale Soil Stewards Course
Saturday 12 May 2012 : Heirloom Fruit Orchards
Saturday 9 June : Cultural Gardening Practices - Matariki - Lionel Hotene
Saturday 14 July : Integrated Pest Management - Ingrid Ennis
Further information on these here or email Avondale Community Gardeners or ph 0-9-828 5854

Hawke's Bay
Concluding. Haumoana (Hawke's Bay) Community Gardens Biodynamic Programme. Further information here
30 March. Start of winter course at Taruna College for Certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics.

Otago
Sunday 27 May 9am - 3pm. Making hot compost, Wanaka. Further information here
Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 June. Biodynamic National Conference, Central Otago

Tauranga
Saturday 12 May, 11.30 am to 8pm. Calendar workshop and star gazing. Further information here

Recent Biodynamic Events

Sunday 22 April. Making preparation 500, Wanaka

Saturday 14 April 2012 : Avondale Soil Stewards Course, Auckland
Sunday 25th March. Making fermentation compost, Wanaka.
Saturday 10 March 2012 : Plants & the Night Sky, Auckland
Sunday 26th February. Compost teas, potting mix & pest control, Wanaka.
Wednesday, 22 February. Biodynamic Field Day, Te Puna.
Friday 17th February. Dairy farmers discussion day, Tumahu, Taranaki
Wednesday 15th February. Dairy farmers discussion day, Tangimoana.
Thursday 9th February, Waipahi.
Wednesday 1 February. Introductory talk, Riverton
Thursday, 2 February. Workshop, Limehills.
Saturday 24th January. Weeds and what they tell, Chaos Springs, Waihi
Sunday 29th January, 9am - 12pm. Raising & applying preparation 500, Wanaka.
Sunday 11th December, 10.30. Kaipara Group fieldday.
Friday 2nd -Sunday 4th December. Astronomy Workshop, Hawke's Bay

Other activities

Magazine: The Association's magazine, Harvests is published three times a year and sent to all members as part of their annual subscription entitlement. Subscription is via membership. It covers a variety of aspects of biodynamic farming and gardening. Click here for a recent contents page. A short newsletter is sent in between issues of Harvests.

Calendar: A comprehensive calendar providing information on moon and planet cycles and explanations on how to use the information to enable farming and gardening activities to be carried out at optimal times. Click here to see a recent calendar page.

Education: Taruna College runs a certificate course in applied organics and biodynamics. This increasingly popular course is distance education with a difference. During the year there will be a variety of regional meetings and workshops including:

Biodynamic Advisory workshops are being developed to assist those interested in deepening their understanding and improving their farming and gardening practices. Further information about the programmes will be posted as it becomes available.

Other activities for members: These include provision of the biodynamic preparations, book loans and sales. Click here for details and a members' order form.

Regional Groups: There are groups running activities in many regions. Click here for regional group contact names.

Notable past events

Biodynamic Conference 2008
Our 2008 conference was held at Tauherenikau Racecourse (Southern Wairarapa) at Queen's Birthday weekend. We were fortunate to have had Hamish Mackay, CEO of Biodynamic Agriculture Australia, as keynote speaker. Hamish has a great deal of experience in biodynamics, in speaking to farming and other groups and in working with government and organic sector bodies. For further information about the conference, click here. For programme click here. 

Tour of International biodynamic speaker Nikolai Fuchs 2007
Nikolai Fuchs has deep involvement in biodynamics in Europe. In early July 2007 he toured New Zealand, giving talks and conducting workshops. Read more......  

Other Organisations/Links

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ): Umbrella organisation for the organic sector in New Zealand, launched in November 2005. OANZ has launched an organic advisory service and is assessing associated research and development needs. click here to transfer to the OANZ website. The Bio Dynamic Association is a member of this organisation.
Information on alternatives to Copper Chrome Arsenate treated posts - booklet (Pdf, 442 Kb) can be downloaded here

Organic sector organisations: The Bio Dynamic Association also has close working relationships with BioGro NZ: www.bio-gro.co.nz, Soil and Health Association:www.soil-health.org.nz, and OPENZ (Organic Products Exporters of NZ): www.organicsnewzealand.org.nz.

Our contact details:
Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association
Postal: PO Box 39045, Wellington
Telephone: 0-4-589 5366 (within NZ); +64-4-589 5366 (international)
Fax: 0-4-589 5365 (within NZ); +64-4-589 5365 (international)
E-mail: info@biodynamic.org.nz

© 2004 Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association in NZ Inc. Last updated 20 April 2012