The Association was incorporated in 1945 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.

The Association existed before 1945 but activity was limited because the nation was at war. The original society was announced in 1940, having been established that year or in 1939.

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.

Biodynamic adviser Peter Proctor recently discussed biodynamics with Kim Hill on Radio NZ National.

Farm Advice

A network of experienced consultants registered with the Biodynamic Consultancy Societyoffer advisory service and education on biodynamic and organic practises in soil, livestock, orchard, vineyard and arable crop management. To find out more contact Biodynamic Consultancy Society Secretary Marion Koppenol by email or phone 0-6-874 9064 or go to the Society's website

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.

Coming events

Cook's Tour
February - March. Lecture/workshop tour by Wendy Cook, well-known UK writer, speaker, teacher and cook (and first wife of satirist Peter Cook). Author of Foodwise and Biodynamic Food and Cookbook, Wendy has extensive knowledge of food and nutrition, from over 30 years of experience cooking and teaching in clinics, communities and schools. She is especially interested in the effect of food on consciousness and the subtle energies in food. Check her itinerary here. Further details from Debbie ter Borg ph 0-4-565 1780 or Fiona Walker.

North of Auckland
28th February Kaipara Biodynamic Group meets at Puhoi Farmer’s Markets and Tahekeroa Road, Kaukapakapa. Topic: Worm farms.
21st March. Kaipara Biodynamic Group meets at Makarau Rd, Kaukapaka. Topic: “drenches” and other herbal animal supplements.
18th April. Kaipara Biodynamic Group meets at Bush Rd, Wellsford. Acticvity: Stirring preparation 500.

Contacts: Bernadette Blair 0-9-415 9044 or Sandie Wendt 0-9-420 5624 or email the Association office.

Queen's Birthday Weekend 2010 in Hawke's Bay
Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association 70th anniversary conference and celebration

Recent events

Wednesday 25th November. Arable and livestock farm fieldday, North Canterbury
Thursday 12th November. Market Gardening Fieldday, Waiuku
Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October. Spring in the Home Garden. Wellington
Saturday 31st October – Sunday 1st November. Principles and practices of biodynamics, Lower Moutere
Sunday 18th October. Kaipara Biodynamic Group meeting. Kaukapakapa.
Sunday 18th & Monday 19th October. Homegardening workshop, Ellerslie.
Tuesday 6th October. Pastoral Farmers' Discussion Group, Matamata
Sunday 4th October. Local Biodynamic Group workshop, Nelson
Monday 5th October. Biodynamic Pasture Farming Field day, Eketahuna
Wednesday 23rd September. Biodynamic preparations workshop, Tolaga Bay
Thursday 3rd September, Biodynamic Dairy Farm Fieldday, Te Awamutu.
Friday 11th September, Biodynamic Orchard Workshop, Katikati
Friday 10 July. Certification workshop, Blenheim. (Demeter and other certifier representatives present)
Friday 10 July Biodynamic Workshop, Blenheim
Saturday - Sunday 11 -12 July, Nelson. Public talk and workshop
Saturday 16th May, 2009. Annual General Meeting and mini conference of Bio Dynamic Association. Programme information

Other activities

Advisory service: The Association has a partner organisation, the Biodynamic Consultancy Society. It has advisers available for farm visits to members, covering most fields of agriculture and horticulture and most of New Zealand. All farmer or growers working toward Demeter certification require an annual advisory or inspection visit, according to the stage they have reached, and advisory visits are carried out by members of the Consultancy Society. To arrange a visit please contact the Association office, or contact Biodynamic Consultancy Society Secretary Marion Koppenol by email or phone 0-6-874 9064

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.

Organic Sector Strategy Report: The brief was to develop a strategic plan for the Organic Sector, looking out 20 years, that could be implemented immediately, and that was ‘owned’ by the majority of stakeholders. Click here to see a .pdf copy of the report.

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.

Other farming organisations we correspond with include: The New Zealand Highland Cattle Society www.highlandcattle.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 26 November 2009