Join us for a lively presentation on the core principles of Biodynamic Agriculture with Lloyd Nelson. Learn how to create sustainable fertility and healthy soil with your farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard and garden
Biodynamic Composting and Stirring of Horn Manure
Composting is at the heart of biodynamics. When using biodynamic compost healing forces infuse and restore the soil. We will build a compost pile together and learn how to inoculate it with the compost preparations.
We will round out the series by stirring and applying the horn manure preparation, a portion of which you may take home to apply on your garden. This preparation stimulates root growth and enlivens the soil.
Orchard Management and Care at the Elm Tree Farm
In this class we will learn how to make and apply the biodynamic tree paste. This tonic protects woody plants from pests and disease, and provides nourishment. Biodynamic methods for orchard care will also be covered.
Cosmic Rhythms and Planting Calendars
We will look at cosmic influences, especially moon rhythms and how they affect plants. We'll also learn how to use a biodynamic planting calendar. This inspiring class utilizes movement and lecture to form a foundation for an important piece of biodynamic theory.
Please bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch
Biodynamic Garden Planning
After a brief review of Biodynamic principles, we will look at the cycle of the year, plant families, crop rotation and companion planting.
Please bring a dish to share for a potluck lunch
The University of Hawai‘i West Oʻahu Sustainable Community Food Systems Program, the Sustainable Agriculture Education Association, the University of Hawai‘i System Office of Sustainability and key community partners will host the 2018 National Sustainable Agriculture Education Association Conference and the Hoʻōla ʻĀina O Māʻilikūkahi Youth Food Sovereignty Congress on the island of Oʻahu from July 27-29, 2018.
Themes: Indigenous knowledge, decolonization and socio-ecological resiliency in agroecology and sustainable food systems education.
This half-day orientation for beginning beekeepers will cover: Basic biology of the honeybee colony; rhythms of the year and the beekeeper’s role in the life of the hive; a comparison of Langstroth, top bar and Warré hives; siting your hives; and the basics of working with bees.
Weather permitting, we will visit the Pfeiffer Center’s apiary, where we'll open a hive and illuminate topics discussed in the classroom.
Beginning beekeepers who plan to attend the Conscious Beekeeping workshop on Saturday, April 28 are strongly encouraged to register for this session.
The height of summer can be a challenging time of year for the bees. Many locales experience a dearth of forage, the varroa mite is flourishing, and many hives are rebuilding after swarming or natural queen succession. Meantime, winter is approaching — faster than you think.
