Plants. Animals. Soil. At first glance, one of these things may not appear to be like the others. However, the C-Dar Biodynamic Society (CDBS) knows the deeper you dig, the clearer it becomes that soil is as much a living organism as the plants and animals that occupy it.
"The soil is the foundation of a sound plant, a healthy animal and a balanced human being," states society founder and current executive director Ferdinand Vondruska in an email to The Chief.
"Students will start to understand what concrete connections exist between plants and the cosmos, and how plants are a reflection of cosmic activities."
The CDBS offers a biodynamic agriculture course to those interested in gaining a broader knowledge of what healthy soil has to offer from April 12 to 16 and 19 to 23. The program takes place at C-Dar Lodge Farm, a 20-acre biodynamic demonstration complex in Paradise Valley.
Vondruska has been studying, teaching and applying biodynamics on the farm since its establishment in 1985.
CDBS is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable soil management in order to restore and nurture the ecosystem. The society's focus is to study, produce and apply biodynamic preparations in order to grow the highest quality foods and products for public consumption.
Biodynamic agriculture operates on the holistic belief that an individual's awareness of ecology, the inner-workings of their specific environment and one's personal developments as a practitioner within nature are detrimental to farming, gardening and forest care.
Currently, there are very few biodynamic courses offered in Canada and the U.S. The society is confident that practitioners will be hard-pressed to find one as comprehensive as their own.
"Biodynamics is something Ferdinand grew up with," stated society secretary Lesia Gimse. "The idea for having the courses came from the interest of farmers and gardeners, with a 'demand' for healthy living and great quality food. The course was asked for by university professors, soil scientists and Mexican farmers who teach biodynamics at universities throughout their country."
While the society is aware that their approach is not yet common among the general public, they hope to enlighten individuals on what modern scientists have understood for decades.
"It is assumed by the public that food is a product of a simple growing process supported by some farmers and the chemical fertilizer industry," states Vondruska. "Few are aware of the fact that moon and sun cycles, planetary movements and fix stars have a detrimental effect on plant growth and food production."
Through a series of discussions, lectures and hands-on activities, students will learn proper practices and the philosophies behind biodynamics.
"Human beings play the role of balancing cosmic and earthly input into the plants. At present, far too much earth input has been stored in plants, such as chemical fertilizers and chemical sprays," states Vondruska.
"Plants need to develop to cosmic and earthly vibrations, which will enshrine vital messages into the food. Without such information, food becomes meaningless to the physical body. After all, we do not eat to have a full stomach only.
"You can compare this idea with someone putting a damaged, shoddy or corrupted CD into a CD-player as compared to someone putting a CD into the player that is loaded with highly informative and educational material."
For more information, visit the C-Dar Biodynamic Society online at www.cdarbiodynamic.org.
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