Chesapeake BioDynamic Network
(CBDN)
The Chesapeake BioDynamic Network of Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, West Virginia, & Delaware
announces:
BIODYNAMIC HANDS-ON WORKSHOP
MAKING BARREL COMPOST
Saturday May 21, 1-4pm
White Rose Farm, 5009 Teeter Road, Taneytown, MD
Fee: $25 includes one unit of Barrel Compost for your home use
Co-Sponsored by White Rose Farm and Chesapeake Biodynamic Network (CBDN)
Workshop led by Abigail Porter
Barrel Compost (BC) is made with cow manure, paramagnetic basalt, and finely crushed organic eggshells that are mixed together for one hour to potentize. It is then put into a barrel or brick-lined pit and biodynamic compost preparations (502-507) are inserted. The mixture composts for 3-6 months. This is a highly concentrated compost material that increases fertility and stimulates plant growth.
Barrel Compost preparation was developed in Germany by biodynamic pioneer and researcher, Maria Thun, in collaboration with bio-chemist Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, to mitigate the effects of radioactive fallout from the above ground atomic bomb testing in the 1940s and 50s. It is useful when access to BD compost is limited and when plants are under stress. It should not be regarded as a long-term substitute for properly made BD compost but is a good way to get all the preps out early before regular compost is ready.
One-third cup of transformed barrel compost is stirred for 20 minutes with 2.5 or more gallons of water for one acre or less, and sprayed out on the garden or farm. We will be vortex stirring pre-made BC and applying it to the garden following making BC and getting it into the pit.
Participants will go home with Barrel Compost from Josephine Porter Institute to apply to their own land.
Register by May 7 to ensure there is enough BC for you.
Register here: https://www.whiterosefarm.com/