National Biodynamic Conference 2013
Main venue: St Arnaud, Nelson Lakes
Programme (subject to change and revision)
Thursday 23rd May: Pre-conference visits or wine and vine sessions
Friday 24th May and Saturday 25th May: Main conference
Sunday 26th May (half day) Additional workshop
See full information here

Information for sponsors here

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.

There are biodynamic organisations around the world that have great resource materials available. Here are a few

• What is biodynamics?
• Getting started with biodynamic gardening
• A biodynamic farm in north Canterbury
• A biodynamic vineyard in Gisborne
• A biodynamic berry garden in the Manawatu Newspaper article
• A biodynamic orchard in Motueka
• Articles and resources from North America
• A public biodynamic garden in the UK

 Listen to biodynamic adviser Peter Proctor discussing biodynamics with Kim Hill on Radio NZ National.

Biodynamic Education
Taruna College Certificate in Applied Organics and Biodynamics
 

The Biodynamic Farming and Gardening 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.

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.

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.

Previous Biodynamic Events - view details

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 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.

Genetic Engineering
Release of genetically engineered organisms would compromise NZ farming. More information here  

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.

Links to Miscellaneous Documents
Rules (Constitution of the Association)
Submissions to Government

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 8 March 2013