The Agriculture

Course An Intensive Study of the

Origins and Future of Biodynamicswith Steffen Schneider • Mac Mead

Malcolm Gardner • Rachel Schneider

In spiritual science, human beings are our standard and our starting point. All our practical suggestions serve the purpose of sustaining the whole human being in the best way possible.

—Rudolf Steiner, Agriculture

In his Agriculture lectures of 1924, Rudolf Steiner offered a revolutionary approach to agriculture that treats the farm as an organism, a self-contained individuality that is also worked upon from outside by multitudes of unseen and often unacknowledged forces.

A farm individuality does not arise by itself – conscious and thoughtful human deeds are required to bring it into existence. In this sense it can be compared to the developing person, who requires conscious nurturing and guidance to become truly human. The horn preparations, #500 and #501, are integral to helping unfold this individuality.

In January 2012, the Pfeiffer Center’s fourth annual midwinter intensive study of biodynamics will investigate how the substances and practices described in the Agriculture lectures and practiced by biodynamic farmers relate to the developing human being and the developing farm organism. The horn preparations will serve as the central point around which the weekend’s study will revolve.

Artistic activities offer a choice of working with the principles of light/color/darkness out of the work of Liane Collot D’Herbois, through charcoal drawing and watercolor painting with Deborah Lothrop; or exploring formative forces in movement, through eurythmy with Natasha Moss.

Hands-on experiences of working with preps, roundtable discussions, a Saturday-night eurythmy performance, and meals together will afford participants a unique educational and social opportunity to broaden and deepen their understanding of the role of biodynamics in the development of humanity and agriculture.

Please note: This is not an introductory course. Participants are expected to be familiar with Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture lectures and to have some working knowledge of biodynamics.

For further details and a registration form, see the back of this sheet. Register online atwww.pfeiffercenter.org/workshops

Contact Lory Widmer845-352-5020 x18

lory@pfeiffercenter.orgwww.pfeiffercenter.org

2012 FOCUS: The Developing Farm Individuality and the Role of the Horn Preparations

January 13 – 16$325

Includes Sat/Sun lunch and dinnerand Monday lunch

$195 for farm apprenticesOther scholarships available

Location: The Pfeiffer CenterChestnut Ridge, New York

The Pfeiffer Center

REGISTRATION: THE AGRICULTURE COURSE JANUARY 2012

Name___________________________________Address__________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone ______________________ Email ____________________________________________

How did you hear about this event? __________________________________________________

If applying Farm Apprentice discount, please indicate name of farm and dates of apprenticeship:

________________________________________________________________________________

Credit Card No. ______________________________ Name on card _________________________ Amount $ _______________ Expiration ___________ CSC (3 or 4 digit code on back) _________

REGISTRATION INFORMATIONOnline registration is available at www.pfeiffercenter.org/workshops. To register by mail, please fill out the form below and send with check or credit card payment of $325 ($195 for farm apprentices) to: The Pfeiffer Center, 260 Hungry Hollow Rd., Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977

Housing is available on campus and nearby. For information about housing options, visit www.threefold.org/housing, or contact 845-352-9660 / holderhouse@threefold.org. Meals: Five meals at Threefold Café are included in your fee: lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday, and lunch on Monday. Other meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis during the weekend.

CANCELLATION POLICY: No refunds for cancellations after December 31. Earlier cancellations will receive a refund, less a $25 administrative fee.

Friday, 1/13 Saturday, 1/14 Sunday, 1/15 Monday, 1/167:30–8:30 Breakfast

(pay as you go)Breakfast (pay as you go)

Breakfast (pay as you go)

8:30–9:45 The Philosopher’s Stone and the Horn Preparations Part IMalcolm Gardner

The Philosopher’s Stone and the Horn Preparations Part IIMalcolm Gardner

The Philosopher’s Stone and the Horn Preparations Part IIIMalcolm Gardner

9:45–10:15 Break Break Break

10:15–11:15 Artistic Activities(choose one)• Charcoal drawing/painting• Eurythmy

Continue artistic activity Continue artistic activity

11:30–12:45 The Unfolding Human Being and the Developing FarmRachel Schneider

Agriculture 3.0Steffen Schneider

Elemental Beings and the Horn PreparationsMac Mead

12:45–2:15 Lunch/Open Space Meetings Lunch/Open Space Meetings 12:45–1:15Closing Plenum

2:15–3:00 Guided Small Group Discussions

Guided Small Group Discussions

1:15–2:30Lunch2:00–4:00Space will be available for interest groups to meet

3:00–3:45 Gathering and Sharing from small groups

Gathering and Sharing from small groups

3:45–4:15 Break Break

4:15–5:30 The Path from Farm Organism to Farm Individuality: The Role of the Horn PreparationsSteffen Schneider

What’s Stirring(Lecture/Demonstration)Mac Mead

6:00-7:00 Registration/Dinner (pay as you go)

Dinner Dinner

Evening 7:30The Horn PreparationsMac Mead

8:00Eurythmy Performance

TBADance

SUGGESTED READINGAgriculture by Rudolf Steiner, Lectures 1–4Harmony of the Creative Word/Man as Symphony of the Creative Word by Rudolf Steiner, Lectures 7–9Practical Guide to the Use of the Biodynamic Preparations by Ehrenfried PfeifferPrinciples of Biodynamic Spray and Compost Preparations by Manfred Klett