Newsletters > Newsletter - December 2010
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Newsletter - December 2010The Human Element.
Coralie and I have a nephew and niece attending the Steiner School at Welcome Bay on the outskirts of Tauranga.
We have made a number of visits to the school and have been impressed by its warm welcome and friendly industriousness. The school incorporates a farm run on biodynamic principles and as much of our ESI work has a basis in Steiner’s work we watch with great interest the developments taking place. The subdivision I grew up in on the outskirts of Hamilton in the 50s and 60s bordered small dairy farms, horse breeding and training properties as well as plenty of vacant sections with attendant sheep and goats for vegetation control. Farms were part and parcel of our growing up experience. We all rely on agricultural exports for our current living standards yet many children no longer have contact with farms. The Welcome Bay Steiner School not only is an outstanding educational facility, it also facilitates the essential link between urban and rural New Zealand. Twelve months ago the school signed its first Friends of the Farm member. Members pay a small amount each year that helps cover expenses and in return produce such as milk, meat, and eggs are available. From their November 18 Newsletter:-
“The other aspect of the Friends of the Farm is to help create a warmth body around the farm so that members support the work on the farm which includes not only food production but education for the children, parents and extended community. In biodynamic farming the farm is seen as a self-regulating organism, something that has individuality. Unlike many other farming practices, the human being is seen as an integral part of this individuality hence the saying that the most important food for the soil is the farmers footsteps. As a member of Friends of the Farm your thoughts and actions of support also have an impact on the land and the returns have been acknowledged and felt by many of the visitors that come to the farm.
Education It is a fine balancing act on the farm between growing produce for supply and offering an outdoor curriculum…. The children are not taught biodynamic teaching as such, it is more the principles of biodynamic farming that rub off on to them. These principles place the human beings Enthusiasm – for what they are doing, Respect- for the animals, plants and the soil and Goodwill before knowledge. In fact knowledge comes alive with these three elements permeating it . .” At ESI we work closely with a small number of farms and have regular contact with a larger number and one factor always present on properties where there is outstanding performance is observant enthusiastic operators enjoying the daily farming routines. We endorse, “the most important food for the soil is the farmers footsteps.” Observing and making decisions based on what feels right at the time is the foundation of all successful farming and growing. Thank you
We are always delighted to hear from customers, particularly with news of positive developments on their properties.
This spring we have received numerous calls sharing experience with outstanding animal health, high submission and conception rates, excellent levels of per cow production, and rapid animal weight gain.
All feed-back and information is valuable. It helps ensure that what we observe with our on-going monitoring work is being replicated on a wider scale. Vegetable GardeningMuch of what we dug into gardens as ‘compost’ was just rotting vegetation. It didn’t look or smell pleasant and was slimy to touch. The resultant vegetables were often bitter and woody. It may have been these experiences that lead to the belief that stuff that was “good for you” tasted terrible. The CalciZest/DoloZest mix delivered for pasture is an excellent base for the home vegetable garden and overcomes many of the quality and taste issues of the past. Just as stock relish high-energy pasture, eating vegetables grown under the same nutrient regime can be quite addictive. Calcium rich, high brix fresh veg direct from garden to plate is a treat in its own right. The same rules apply for the garden as for pasture. Excellent physical structures and strong biological activity is required for best results, and digging a garden sufficiently large to keep a family with a steady supply doesn’t need to be arduous as a relatively small area can be highly productive. Pest and disease pressure under a DoloZest/CalciZest programme is minimal although there are times when white butterflies become a nuisance and derris dust is brought down off the shelf and just sufficient to control is applied. Insects take out weakened plants but leave the healthy. A graphic example of this occurred with two tomato plants growing alongside a wall. As they got to about a metre in height the stem of one plant bent but didn’t break, and was straightened and staked. Within a few days aphid and other pests were feeding in large numbers on the damaged plant with the one next to it untouched. Plenty of CalciZest and DoloZest along with some extra phosphorus markedly reduces weed pressure. Where there is bare ground unwanted plants will grow, however they are easily dealt to when small. Intensive planting with as little bare ground as possible also reduces weeding time. An excellent source of extra phosphorus, which is necessary for vegetables, can be supplied by animal dung. |