FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rebecca Briggs
rebecca@biodynamics.com
(262) 649-9212 ext 3
Biodynamic Association Hosts
2018 North American Biodynamic Conference
Transforming the Heart of Agriculture: Soil. Justice. Regeneration.
November 14-18, Portland, Oregon (July 10, 2018) - Hundreds of farmers, gardeners, vintners, educators, researchers, activists, and enthusiasts—from the Pacific Northwest, across North America, and around the world—will gather November 14-18 in Portland for the Biodynamic Association’s 2018 North American Biodynamic Conference. This year’s theme, Transforming the Heart of Agriculture: Soil. Justice. Regeneration., illustrates how agricultural transformation means considering how we think and work with the soil, the nature of our human relationships, and the diversity of tools that can help us regenerate our earth, our communities, and our spirits. The conference is grounded both in the local culture of the Pacific Northwest and the global culture of biodynamics, which has been practiced around the world for nearly a century.
Biodynamics is a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming, gardening, food, and nutrition. Biodynamics is rooted in the work of philosopher and scientist Dr. Rudolf Steiner, whose 1924 lectures to farmers opened a new way to integrate scientific understanding with a recognition of spirit in nature. Biodynamics has continued to develop and evolve since the 1920s through the collaboration of many farmers and researchers. Around the world, biodynamics is alive in thousands of thriving gardens, farms, vineyards, ranches, and orchards. The principles and practices of biodynamics can be applied anywhere food is grown, with thoughtful adaptation to scale, landscape, climate, and culture.
Each Biodynamic Conference is held in a different region of North America and offers an unparalleled opportunity to delve into biodynamic and regenerative agriculture. This year, eleven inspiring keynote speakers from within and beyond the biodynamic community will share their groundbreaking work from all over the globe. More than 60 workshops will explore diverse topics like Biodynamic Beekeeping, The Evolution of Natural Wine, Farming Water: Whole Farm Keyline Water Systems, Permaculture and Biodynamics, and Reclaiming the Urban Forest for Food Medicine, and Healing. The conference program also features five field days at local farms and vineyards; hands-on learning opportunities; an eightieth anniversary celebration for the Biodynamic Association with food, wine, and cider tastings; a seed exchange; story sharing; music and dancing; and local, Biodynamic®, and organic foods.
Newcomers to biodynamics will find plenty of sessions to learn the fundamentals of biodynamic farming and gardening through a full track of Biodynamics Basics workshops throughout the the conference, and there will be many opportunities to learn about other regenerative approaches, including permaculture, traditional Indigenous food and farming, the science of the microbiome, and more. Families and children are welcome: there will be a full schedule of workshops for children ages five to fifteen, including nature awareness, music, and art.
The Biodynamic Conference features four thought-provoking keynote sessions that explore different aspects of the theme. On Thursday, Ueli Hurter of the international biodynamic Agriculture Section in Switzerland and Narendra Varma of Our Table Cooperative in Portland will bring both international and local highlights of their experiences in Transforming the Heart of Agriculture. On Friday, Biodynamics in Practice: Stories of Regeneration will feature stories and visuals from Nadine Basile of Soter Vineyards and MSR Ranch, Anna Jones-Crabtree of Vilicus Farms, and Wali Via of Winter Green Farm as they demonstrate how they are incorporating regenerative principles and practices to create biodiverse and self-sustaining farm individualities.
On Saturday, Orland Bishop of ShadeTree Multicultural Foundation, Jim Embry of Sustainable Communities Network, and Rowen White of Sierra Seeds will explore how biodynamic, traditional, and Indigenous farmers and land stewards can connect and learn from one another and build equity, inclusion, and true community in North American agriculture during Biodynamics, Indigeneity, and Social Justice. And to close the conference on Sunday, M. Karlos Baca of Taste of Native Cuisine, Bruno Follador of The Nature Institute, and Alisa Gravitz of Green America will discuss what regeneration looks like on the levels of soil, food, culture, and economy and the challenges and opportunities we face in the coming decades in Regenerating Soil, Food, and the Economy.
The Biodynamic Association (BDA) awakens and enlivens co-creative relationships between humans and the earth, transforming the practice and culture of agriculture to renew the vitality of the earth, the integrity of our food, and the health and wholeness of our communities. Founded in 1938, the BDA today serves thousands of farms, gardens, vineyards, and agricultural operations striving to create diverse, balanced farm and garden ecosystems to generate health and fertility.
Join us at the Biodynamic Conference this November at the Red Lion Jantzen Beach, located at 909 North Hayden Island Drive in Portland. Registration is now open, and early bird discounts are available. For more information and conference updates, visit www.biodynamics.com/conference or call (262) 649-9212 ext 2.