Latest News from Rachael Carson Centre

Check out the latest from Rachael Carson Centre and their efforts towards continued trainings and short courses in biodynamic agriculture.

 

First of all, we would like to thank everybody who got back to us, with letters of support, with offers of financial donations and offers to donate time for teaching classes or helping to make phone calls and assist with the marketing! It's been so encouraging to know that there are so many people behind our efforts to save the Rachel Carson Centre and continue the trainings and short courses in biodynamics. Thank you so much everybody!

We would like to thank the Anthroposophical Society in Great Britain in particular for their generous support which makes it possible for the current students to finish their training this year. These students were left in a very vulnerable position, not knowing if they would be able to graduate this year, and the support from the ASGB has relieved the uncertainty and stress that many students were suffering from during these unsettling times. So, a great big thank you to the Anthroposophical Society!

The Biodynamic Agricultural Association (BDAA) has given us their full support and they are actively engaged in working to achieve taking on the business of the Rachel Carson Centre, and turning it into a department of their organisation. We are thrilled about that idea, we think there are many mutual benefits to be gained - and it would bring all training and courses in biodynamic agriculture under one umbrella. It would strengthen the BDAA with a local centre in the South-East, not far from London, which can be used for outreach, meetings and of course the various courses and trainings which are happening here anyway.

 

We have been in close conversation with another hugely supportive organisation: St Anthony's Trust. This local land trust owns the land and buildings of Tablehurst Farm and Plaw Hatch Farm, and have 'education in biodynamic agriculture' as one of their main aims in their constitution. They are very keen to support the training work at the Rachel Carson Centre, and they are keen to help by buying the Rachel Carson building and the land surrounding it - and make it available for biodynamic farming and training. Unfortunately they don't have the funds to buy the land and building right away, so we are appealing to everybody who supports our initiative to make donations small and big to St Anthony's Trust for the purchase of the building and the land. According to our calculations we need around £100,000 - and some money is already being pledged from various parts of the world. Thank you so much everybody! Please contact Jo Reeves, who is one of the Trustees of St Anthony's Trust if you would like to help: joreevesravenscroft.couk

So, while the future looks promising, nothing has been decided yet and there is still a lot more work to be done, people to be convinced and funds to be raised. We are putting all our effort in securing a future in which many more young adults can learn about biodynamics and feel empowered to make their impact in the world. The world at large, and agriculture in particular, is desperate for an alternative to the mainstream materialistic dogmas - and biodynamics offers a rich and empowering alternative to genetic engineering and corporate factory-style farming: biodynamic farming is the only approach which integrates care for the Spirit with care for the Earth as the true task of the free human being.

With warm wishes and lots of thanks,
 
Arjen and Nir
 

Arjen Huese: ahueserachelcarson.orguk
Nir Halfon: nhalfonrachelcarson.orguk

 

 

 

Invitation to our Graduation
We would like to invite all graduates, friends and supporters for the graduation ceremony on the 26th March at 3pm in Ruskin Hall at Emerson College.

This cohort of students started their training in September 2008: they spent first six months at the college learning the basics of biodynamic farming and gardening, and then went on to do a placement last summer. Some stayed in the UK, some went to Norway, Canada or France - and most came back for the second year at the college.

During the second year they learnt all about business management, marketing, biodynamic seed growing and breeding, intuitive work in the landscape and animal phenomenology. They are now ready to start working as biodynamic farmers or gardeners, and most have already found jobs on farms.

The afternoon will be opened by the course leaders, Arjen Huese and Nir Halfon, and there will be an address by Sebastian Parsons, CEO of Dr.Hauschka in the UK and chair of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association. After the official ceremony there will be tea and all guests are invited to join the biodynamic barbeque in the evening.

Please RSVP with Roswitha Shanahan: roswitha.shanahanemerson.orguk

See you all on the 26th March!

Arjen

 

You may also wish to check out the following videos: http://vimeo.com/thinkabout/videos/sort:date