Workshops
Workshops for the Weekend Conference
Soil Regeneration through Intensive Ruminant Management
With: Greg Brann, Eric Smith, Greg Halich, Kelsey Keener
Day: Friday
Time: 2:00
Place: Solar Barn
In this pasture walk Greg Brann’s extensive experience and knowledge of grass species and insights into ruminant grazing will be augmented by a few other experienced grazers. Eric Smith from Bugtussle Farm, Kelsey Keener from Sequatchie Cove Farm, and Greg Halich from the University of Kentucky plan to share their practices.
An Introduction to Horn Manure
With: Daniela Maria and Ben Nommay
Day: Friday
Time: 3:00
Place: Barn
Making and using Horn Manure, or Preparation 500, is one of the most foundational practices in biodynamic agriculture. In this workshop, we will dive into the history, purpose, and process of this preparation, exploring why cow horns, fresh manure, and the winter season all play a vital role. Together, we will roll up our sleeves and learn the hands-on steps of carefully filling and burying the horns so they can undergo their year-long transformation underground. We’ll also discuss how Horn Manure is later stirred and applied, and the powerful effects it has on soil structure, microbial life, and plant growth. Participants will gain practical skills as well as an understanding of the spiritual and ecological wisdom behind this preparation. This is a unique opportunity to connect with the seasonal rhythms of the earth and experience how simple, natural materials become potent forces of regeneration. Join us to deepen your relationship with biodynamic practices and help co-create nourishment for the land.
Garden Tour
With: Jeff Poppen and Todd Elliot
Day: Friday
Time: 4:00
Place: Solar Barn
The garden tour is a free wheeling trip around the farm. We will stop at various spots around the farm to look at what is going on. This will include the gardens, compost piles, biodynamic preparations, orchards, ponds, woods, pastures, animals, animal handling facilities and other farm infrastructure. It’s a great time for questions and answers in a smaller group with Jeff and Todd.
Beyond Moon Signs: Traditional Astrology, Magic, and the Art of Agriculture
With: Todd Elliott
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00
Place: House
In this workshop seasoned organic farmer, astrologer, and magical practitioner, Todd Elliott, will show us some of the ways he incorporates the esoteric into the operation of a working farm. We will begin by exploring the cosmology of traditional astrology and continue from there to an explanation of the basic concepts of the magical art and how it can relate to farming. We will concentrate on astrological magic, which is an ancient system for harnessing the energies of the stars and planets for spiritual growth and practical success, as well as discussing theurgical and shamanic approaches to working with earthly and heavenly powers from ancient Paganism, Western esotericism and beyond. We will touch upon weather magic, pest control, increasing fertility and more. We will also discuss the various traditions of using astrology to time work on the farm.
Creating Cooperation between Farmers and Supply Chain:
A Roundtable Discussion Based on the Principles of Rudolf Steiner’s Economic Lectures
With: Brian Wickert
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00
Place: Woodshed
In this presentation and discussion session, Brian will introduce a picture of an economic model based on Rudolf Steiner’s vision of economics and its distinctions from our current economic supply chain model. Brian will present some existing examples of a transparent and healthy supply chain beginning with the relationship of farmer, to the processor, to the distributor, to the retailer and to the consumer. Brian will facilitate a discussion with attendees about how we can create a both economically and socially healthy economy for small farmers in the present day.
Biodynamic Preparation Making
With: Ben Nommay and Daniela Maria
Day: Saturday
Time: 9:00
Place: Barn
Have you ever wondered how biodynamic preparations are made, or wanted to deepen your relationship with them through hands-on practice? Join us for a fall preparation-making workshop where we will explore the art and wisdom of biodynamics together. Participants will gain direct experience preparing Chamomile , Dandelion, and Horn Manure preparations, as well as burying preparations crafted in the spring. This workshop is an opportunity to connect with the seasonal rhythms of the earth, learn through doing, and co-create healing medicines for the land.
Using Chickens to improve your farms productivity and profitability!
With: Kelsey Keener
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:30
Place: House
In this presentation Kelsey will cover some of the basics of raising laying hens on pasture including coops, fencing, and nutritional requirements. He will give examples of how his own operation is able to supply eggs year-round and keep a consistent supply throughout the changing seasons. He will explain how chickens can be used as an incredible tool to boost fertility on your property by using rotational grazing in a pasture/cover crop/crop rotation system. Selling pasture-raised eggs has brought financial stability to Kelsey’s family’s farm, and no matter the scale, it could be a profitable enterprise to add to your own operation as well! Learn some simple ways to keep records and track profitability to make sure that your laying hen flock is staying on track!
Gathering Wool – The Beautiful World of Local Fiber
With: Debbie Brann and Cher Smith
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:30
Place: Woodshed
Dive into the exciting world of local fiber production at our upcoming session! Discover how local farmers are turning homegrown resources into vibrant textiles. Hear inspiring stories, get hands-on tips, and see how producing local fiber can boost farm profits, foster sustainability, and strengthen communities. Debbie and Cher, both passionate advocates for sustainable agriculture and local textiles, have inspired countless farmers, weavers, spinners, dyers, and knitters to explore the fiber arts and create value-added products.
Biodynamic Health and Nutrition for Farm, Nature, and Human Beings – Nourishing, Harmonizing, Giving
With: Anthony Mecca
Day: Saturday
Time: 10:30
Place: Barn
From foundations laid by Rudolf Steiner in biodynamic agriculture, we will enter into the mysteries of health and nutrition from earthly and spiritual perspectives. The health of human beings and a farm or garden, indeed, the whole earth, are deeply related – knowledge of each illuminates the other.
The center point of this work is supporting the development of the individuality, the divine potential, of each human being, plant, animal, mineral, and place on earth. From composting and fertility, celestial rhythms, growing practices and cooking, medicinal plants, and anthroposophic pharmacy, we will explore what it means to co-create with elemental beings, the kingdoms of nature, humans, and divine spiritual beings towards greater health for all.
Know Till: Farming Without Plastic, Growing Without Harm
With: Anthony Villa
Day: Saturday
Time: 2:00
Place: House
Join farmer and artist Anthony Villa of Villa Acres for a fresh perspective on how food can be grown without harming the land. In this session, Anthony will share his “Know Till” approach an alternative to plastic ground covers, synthetic inputs, and the hidden costs of convenience. Instead, he offers regenerative methods that honor soil health, biodiversity, and future generations. Come learn how farming with knowledge, care, and creativity can feed communities while healing the earth.
Finding Remedies Through the Lens of the Seven Life Processes
With: Mark Hancock
Day: Saturday
Time: 2:00
Place: Woodshed
In this workshop we will take a look at the seven life processes in anthroposophical medicine. There will be an overview of the concept of the seven life processes—what are the essential aspects of breathing, warming, nourishing, sorting out, maintaining, growing, and creating anew? We will discuss their relation to human and earth evolution, the organs, and the planets. We will learn which remedies relate to which processes. There will also be a hands-on experience of different metallic salves and fundamental medications, which relate to the processes.
All levels of interest and experience are welcome.
Introduction to Biodynamics
With: M Mueller
Day: Saturday
Time: 2:00
Place: Barn
M Mueller’s first farm job at age 17 and his last at age 70 have been as farm worker–not as head or heart of the farm organism, but as hand. This has allowed him to view the workings of agriculture from the perspective of willing, feeling and thinking – in that order.
His “Introduction to Biodynamics” session arises from this opportunity to view biodynamic farmwork from a perhaps less usual perspective: from the ground up.
Ad-Hoc Discussion
With: Anthony Mecca, Brain Wickert, Todd Elliott
Day: Saturday
Time: 2:00
Place: Front Porch
In this workshop there isn’t a set agenda, but there is an opportunity to speak with a few of our presenters on subjects that may be of interest to people. This could be one big group, or we could split up into smaller groups to cover more subjects. This will be determined based on attendee and presenter interests.
Some of the opportunities are:
Anthony Mecca has recently attended the 3rd International Biodynamic Research Conference and has offered to speak about the conference and biodynamic research initiatives.
Brian Wickart has offered to speak more about the ideas of associative economics and what that means for farmers and consumers.
Todd Elliott and Adrian Gibson have offered to host an in-depth discussion on astrology and its impact on life on the farm.
Holistic Farming: Permaculture, Biodynamics, and Milpa
With: Susana Lein
Day: Saturday
Time: 3:00
Place: House
Susana will illustrate the practices at Salamander Springs Farm that interface permaculture & biodynamic principles, as well as the traditional milpa agriculture she learned in the 1990’s during 8 years working with Mayan farmers in Latin America. By integrating holistic farming and lifestyle practices with a locally-adapted diet centered upon the native staple crops of this continent we can provide for the needs of local community over the demands of outside markets. The workshop will include key practices to regenerate biological fertility in our depleted soils, such as no tillage and continuous polycultures of food and cover crops, as well as selecting & saving our own landrace seed for resilient, locally adapted nutrient dense food.
Sustaining the Farm & Farmer: Cultivating Expansive Growth Through the Potential Difference Between Heaven & Earth
With: Chris Winters
Day: Saturday
Time: 3:00
Place: Barn
In this workshop we will explore the relationship of soil and soul through the lens of Electroculture and Medical Qigong. The dynamic development of the farmer is an integral and cardinal component within sustainable agriculture, and it is important to both the farm and the farmer. We will examine spiritual, agricultural, and scientific insights to find the points of coalescence and a unified concept of life energy.
We will install an Electroculture antenna and grounding system and discuss the many points of interest in the way they function in agriculture as well as how that relates to our bodies and the macrocosm. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers during this time.
Silvaculture and Farm Based Forestry
With: Greg Halich
Day: Saturday
Time: 4:00
Place: House
Farm woodlots and forests are often a part of the farm that don’t get much attention. In this session we will take a “forest-walk” to discuss options for forest management (intentional or non-intentional) and understand the long-run consequences of various management options. For those that choose a more hands-on management option we will discuss options to harvest timber, firewood, and other forest products, as well as farm-sized equipment to safely get this done.
Electroculture Installation
With: Chris Winters
Day: Saturday
Time: 4:00
Place: Barn
This is a continuation of Chris’s workshop that began at 3:00, where he will lead the installation of an electroculture device that he has made.
Reading the Agriculture Course
With: Jeff Poppen
Day: Sunday
Time: 10:00
Place: Solar Shed
In this event we will read from Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course. Someone will read aloud, and the rest of us will follow along. There will be time for questions during the reading so that we can elucidate the ideas presented in the text. It’s usually an insightful and lively discussion.