A new year at the college
In September, 19 new students started the horticulture course. Another year begins and the college springs back to life. It is the best time to sit down and begin learning: nature has gone into hibernation and the time is to learn and prepare for next year. Already the students have studied: introduction to Biodynamics, plant phenomenology and principles of plant and soil science. The good weather and the diverse group have contributed to the good atmosphere at the college. Generally everyone feel settled and happy. Being such a diverse group (11 different countries) means that new friendships and bonds are being forged between people who will (normally) not meet. From experience we know that some of them will last a life time. It is a special time of the year; time of change and new beginning. It can be testing and challenging and very rewarding.
To everyone we wish a fruitful and enjoyable time here at the college!
The college team.
New website and distance learning
The college staff has been working all summer on the distance learning programme. We have written units and recorded short video clips of lectures. The programme is almost ready and would be launched in January. With the new programme we have a new website! It is more proffesionally made than our old one with a new look and a fresh theme. The new website is linked to the distance learning website. On the distance learning website you can find the units which are available on line in that period. At the moment there is a pilot unit. So feel free to have a look. You can log in as a guest. You will see that there are forums and lessons, video clips, chat rooms and other features. All of these create a diverse and interactive on line classroom. You will be able to meet and get to know other participants from all over the world, chat and discuss with them about relevant topics, build webpages with more information. Together there will be an even richer experience!
Building appeal
Last year we engaged with the students in a design project for the building and the land around it. As a college for biodynamics, we wanted to ‘walk our talk’ and demonstrate different ways of growing food in different environments. We set forth to fulfill this ambition. Every Thursday afternoon the students work on fencing and planting, making new growing spaces and creating the haven which we envisaged. There is a small community allotment plot, a no-dig garden with raised beds, a compost area, a forest garden and bees.
All week the students work in the afternoons in their placement gardens and on Thursday we work together for us. It is a space where students can learn and try new things and experiment. It is a space where the college really shines as a college for human growth and development.
Now, we want to take this project forward. We would like to see the building become a learning tool for sustainability. Today the idea of the self-sustaining farm organism needs to take in to consideration the energy usage, water and waste facilities of the farm. We can demonstrate it through: insulating the building, installing solar panels, building water harvesting system and digging ponds for wildlife and more. However all of these solutions require some capital investments.
Soon, we are launching a building appeal to raise funds for making the Biodynamic Agricultural college a truly sustainable college.
If you are interested in supporting this cause, please contact Nir Halfon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
