CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
FALL 2010/11 COURSE OFFERING
PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF THE BIODYNAMIC FARM AND GARDEN
This series of thirteen Saturday workshops will be held at Frog Belly Farm, a working biodynamic farm near Boulder, Colorado. Each workshop includes hands-on practical experience, as well as presentations and discussions. The entire series is designed as a course, offering 70 hours of instruction. Workshops can be attended as a full course of study, or on a drop-in basis. The course emphasizes a biodynamic approach to plant and land care, as well as instruction in time-honored, traditional gardening skills and practices for both beginning and avid farmers and gardeners. A certificate of completion will be given to those who attend the full course. When supplemented with additional practical training, further study, and a research project, the series can lead to a certificate of completion of study in biodynamic agriculture through the Biodynamic Training Apprenticeship Program. The workshop series is taught by master gardener and farmer Jim Barausky and gardener Cheryl Mulholland.
Introduction to Biodynamic Agriculture
Friday, September 18, 7:30
The opening talk will present an overview of the principles and practices of Biodynamic Agriculture as a healing force for the whole earth and humanity.
Biodynamic Methods- Soil Building and Compost Making
Saturday, September 19, 2010 9:30-4:00
Topics include: basics of soil building, an introduction to the biodynamic compost preparations, hands-on work building a compost pile, deepening our understanding the six biodynamic compost preparations,
Biodynamic Methods-Preparing the Ground for Winter
Saturday, October 9, 2010 9:30-4:00
Topics include: tillage and timely cultivations for fall, closing the garden and protecting the soil, planting cover crops, how to stir biodynamic preparations- the art of the vortex, using biodynamic preparation 500
The Farm Organism- A Reflection of The Living Earth
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Topics include: a spiritual View into nature and the Farm- nature’s capacity to heal and rejuvenate, making the harmonizing preparation, making and spraying barrel compost, the works of early biodynamic pioneers Hugo Erbe and Maria Thun, how to overwinter crops with preparation 501
Life Rhythms of Nature
December 4, 2011
Topics include: deepening our understanding the etheric life of nature, how to observe, the “archetypal plant’ and the four elements, working with elemental spirit beings,
practical artistic activities and exercises in plant observation
Plant Growth and the Influences of the Stars
January 29, 2011
Topics include: basic astronomy, how cosmic forces affect nutritional qualities of plants, making the horn-silica preparation, practical artistic work,
Honoring Our Trees- Biodynamic Tree Care
Saturday, February 26, 2011 9:30-4:00
Topics include: the life cycle of the orchard, choosing and buying trees, making and applying biodynamic tree paste, principles of pruning, planetary aspects of the trees
Preparing the Ground for Spring
Saturday, March 12, 9:30-4:00
Topics include: know your soil, soil preparation and cover cropping, crop rotations, amending the soil, garden design and layout, buying seeds and plants, practical irrigation choices, tools, making potting mix and first sowings
The Whole Farm Concept- Animals and Bees
Saturday March 26, 9:30-4:00
Topics include: focus on the role of the animals on the farm, early work with the bees and hives
Biodynamic Methods- Caring for Plants
Saturday, April 16, 9:30-4:00
Topics include: sowing tips, what to plant when and where, thinning seedlings, transplanting, succession planting, mulching, amendments, basic transplanting, staking and pruning for better fruit and stronger plants, thinning, making and applying compost and herbal teas, watering tips
Garden Basics- Weeds, Pests and Disease
Saturday, May 21, 9:30-4:00
Topics include: common garden pests and organic controls, beneficial insects, Integrated Pest Management, learn to identify weeds (and maybe eat them), and learn to hoe to keep your gardens looking good throughout the season, and other tips such as timing is everything, companion planting, crop rotations
Biodynamic Methods- Preparation 501- The Silica Preparation
Saturday, June 18- NOTE TIME- 4:30 AM-11:00 AM
This class will meet at 4:30 AM to stir and spray the 501 preparation. Afterwards, over coffee and breakfast we will study preparation 501, Other topics will include: midsummer foliar feeding, top dressing
Midsummer Bounty
Saturday, July 23, 2011 9:30-4:00
Topics include: when to harvest, tillage and cultivations for summer, replanting, saving seeds, short season catch crops to prepare for fall plantings, herbs, herb drying, summer garden tasks
Harvesting and Seed Saving
Saturday, August 13, 2011 9:30-4:00
Topics include: seed saving, fall cover crops, fall season extensions, growing great garlic,
making the nettle and yarrow preparations
FEE: Entire course is $1200. Individual classes are $100
TO REGISTER, OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: goodfarmers@gmail.com
You can also see: www.frogbellyfarm.com
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