Veit Zschiesche, Martin Kühnert  •‎‎  DE, EN

“The body of the Earth will be the body of Christ. And human beings must work this body” (Rudolf Steiner, GA 104). For farmers, this implies collaboration not only with the kingdoms of nature but also with other people and with spiritual beings. The task of community building was already a topic during the founding of biodynamic agriculture in Koberwitz at Whitsun 1924. On Whitsunday, Rudolf Steiner emphasized in a table conversation the significance of farms as “soil” for cultural oases, where higher spiritual beings, “choirs of angels,” can work. How can collaboration with various spiritual beings—angels and the angels of the deceased—be conceived in the sense of Christian agriculture? And what significance might this have for farming and the shaping of the land?

Albrecht Römer, Johannes Wirz  •‎‎  DE, EN

“… Michael can compel humans to nothing, for compulsion has ceased precisely because intelligence has fully entered the sphere of human individuality …” In this workshop, the essay by Rudolf Steiner published on October 26, 2024 for members, will be explored, also considering the overall “Guiding Principles” (GA 26). An introduction will present both the content of the respective morning session at the conference and thoughts on its context. In a second part, participants will work in small groups in English or German, building on knowledge of the letter’s content. In the concluding session, the results from the small groups will be gathered and a forward-looking perspective will be provided. Participants are kindly asked to read the Michael Letter and Guiding Principles 109–111 in advance and to bring them as a basis for our work. The Michael Letter is titled “The Experiences of Michael in the Course of His Cosmic Mission”, from: Rudolf Steiner, Anthroposophical Leading Thoughts (GA 26).

Armin Bauer‎  •‎‎  DE

Rudolf Steiner hatte in seinem Buch „Philosophie der Freiheit“ gesagt: Die Natur macht aus dem Menschen bloß ein Naturwesen; die Gesellschaft ein gesetzmäßig handelndes; ein freies Wesen kann er nur selbst aus sich machen. Wie kann eine biodynamische Ernährung eine Vorlage dafür sein? Kann aus der Freiheit des einzelnen Menschen erst eine echte, wahre Hofgemeinschaft entstehen? In welcher Wechselwirkung stehen sie zueinander? Mit diesen Fragen wollen wir uns in dieser Arbeitsgruppe beschäftigen.

Marcel Waldhausen, Allan Kuhn  •‎‎  DE, EN

The social question within biodynamic agriculture is becoming increasingly urgent, as without addressing it, managing farms in the future will be nearly impossible. A key approach to solutions lies in a clear understanding of agricultural individuality and its relationship with the people working in agriculture. For example, Rudolf Steiner outlined three “approaches” during the Whitsun conference in Breslau/Koberwitz through which people in agriculture can cultivate communication with agricultural individuality. In this workshop, we aim to explore the social driving force of the agricultural course and develop ideas together, as viewed in the light of its social impulse, the course can provide valuable answers to pressing questions of the present and future.

Stefan Doeblin, Micha Groenewegen‎  •‎‎  EN

You never seed alone: seeds grow in community. This workshop explores how seed sovereignty, community-supported entrepreneurship, and biodynamic principles form the foundation for a more resilient, regenerative agriculture. Seed production is an aesthetic practice that takes concrete opportunities seriously, does not rely on grand plans or immediate success, and draws its life from within itself. Seeds are more than biological material—they connect the sensual and the spiritual and create social, cultural, aesthetic, and economic bridges. Farming is never a solo act; it depends on collaborative ecosystems of breeders, farmers, consumers, researchers, and businesses. Seed communities help secure a healthy and equitable food system. Over three days, participants will engage in seed meditation, explore the importance of seeds and communities, examine examples such as Living Seeds Sementes Vivas in Portugal, and develop new seed projects. Breakout sessions will focus on building seed communities, combining project and community visions, and creating strategies with proposed actions and financing ideas, culminating in presentations and group discussions.

Thomas Dehghan, Andrés Milan  •‎‎  EN, ES

Demeter faces international challenges, especially in Latin America, where certification options are limited, products are scarce, and the brand is often unknown. Local initiatives are usually small grassroots projects that require support in market development. Under the guiding principle “You Never Farm Alone – Living Communities for the Future,” our project demonstrates how farmers, traders, and consumers can build resilient local markets through associative collaboration, creating a vibrant network based on trust, partnership, and shared experience. In this workshop, we will explore various aspects of the project: the practical implementation of community-based economic practices, challenges in developing biodynamic markets, the modular training program, participant experiences, and the transferability of approaches to other regions. By the end, we aim to understand how cooperation, joint learning, and network-building can sustain the biodynamic idea. The workshop is structured around dialogue on challenges, introduction to a practical framework with market analysis, sharing best practices, and transferring insights to regional contexts.

Fortaleciendo juntos los mercados locales Demeter: un proyecto formativo asociativo

Demeter se enfrenta a desafíos internacionales, especialmente en América Latina, donde faltan opciones de certificación, los productos están limitadamente disponibles y la marca a menudo es poco conocida. Las iniciativas locales son en su mayoría pequeños proyectos de base comunitaria que necesitan apoyo para expandir el mercado. Bajo el lema “You Never Farm Alone – Comunidades vivas para el futuro”, nuestro proyecto muestra cómo agricultores, comerciantes y consumidores pueden construir mercados locales sostenibles a través de la colaboración asociativa, creando una red viva de confianza, asociación e intercambio de experiencias. En este grupo de trabajo queremos considerar juntos los diferentes aspectos de este proyecto: la aplicación práctica de la economía comunitaria, los desafíos en la creación de mercados biodinámicos, el programa de formación modular, las experiencias de los participantes y la transferibilidad de los enfoques a otras regiones. Al final, queremos comprender cómo la cooperación, la formación conjunta y la creación de redes pueden sostener la idea biodinámica. El grupo de trabajo se estructura en un diálogo sobre los desafíos, una introducción a un marco práctico con análisis de mercado y buenas prácticas, así como la transferencia a contextos regionales.

Sara Gonzalez, Marisa Fogante‎  •‎‎  EN, ES

The workshop will be a collaborative space where we explore the potential of the biodynamic impulse to drive human and social transformation, fostering living communities rooted in human connections and dedicated to the common good. Throughout the workshop, we will examine the meaning and purpose of collaboration, mutual commitment, and fraternity, tracing their deepest anthroposophical roots within the biodynamic movement. We will also consider the role of biodynamic organisms within their broader communities and share examples of social and human development from the biodynamic movement in Latin America and other regions. Finally, we will identify the main challenges facing the movement for social transformation and explore potential pathways for the future.

Colaboración, Compromiso, Fraternidad: Fuerzas Transformadoras para las Comunidades del Futuro

El taller será un espacio colaborativo en el que exploraremos el potencial del impulso biodinámico para impulsar la transformación humana y social, fomentando comunidades vivas basadas en las relaciones humanas y orientadas al bien común. A lo largo del taller, examinaremos el significado y propósito de la colaboración, el compromiso mutuo y la fraternidad, profundizando en sus raíces antroposóficas dentro del movimiento biodinámico. También analizaremos el papel de los organismos biodinámicos en sus comunidades circundantes y compartiremos ejemplos de desarrollo social y humano del movimiento biodinámico en América Latina y otras regiones. Finalmente, identificaremos los principales desafíos que enfrenta el movimiento por la transformación social y exploraremos posibles caminos para el futuro.

Stéphane Cozon, Marion Haas‎  •‎‎  EN, FR

We are never alone on our farms. We can collaborate with humans: those with whom we work, those who come to learn on our farms, those who consume our products, and those who come to rejuvenate in our living and working spaces. But if we do not collaborate with the elements and the forces that sustain them—the elemental beings—can we truly transform our environment? How can we create this connection? How can we also collaborate with the Spirit of the herd and the various domestic and wild animals on the farm? Through this work and biodynamic practices, we have transformed the small, dry mid-mountain farm in the southern foothills of the Vercors, where we settled in late 1987, into a green and biodiverse oasis. During the workshop, we will share our experiences from all these years spent with the genius loci, the spirits of water, fire, earth, air, and light, as well as the animals, in order to exchange experiences with participants and explore how to be guided and supported, learning to work fully aware of their presence and influence.

Communauté et coopération avec les Êtres de la Nature

Nous ne sommes jamais seuls sur nos fermes. Nous pouvons collaborer avec les humains : ceux avec qui nous travaillons, ceux qui viennent apprendre sur nos fermes, ceux qui consomment nos produits, ceux qui viennent se ressourcer sur nos lieux de vie et de travail. Mais si nous ne collaborons pas avec les éléments et les forces qui les soutiennent, les êtres élémentaires, parviendrons-nous à faire évoluer notre environnement ? Comment créer ce lien ? Comment collaborer également avec l’Esprit du troupeau et des divers animaux de la ferme, domestiques comme sauvages ? Grâce à ce travail et aux pratiques biodynamiques, nous avons transformé la petite ferme de moyenne montagne sèche des contreforts sud du Vercors, où nous nous sommes installés fin 1987, en une oasis de verdure et de biodiversité. Au cours de cet atelier, nous partagerons notre vécu de toutes ces années passées avec le génie du lieu, les esprits de l’eau, du feu, de la terre, de l’air et de la lumière, ainsi que celui des animaux, pour échanger des expériences avec les participants et découvrir comment se laisser guider et accompagner, apprendre à travailler en pleine conscience de leur présence et de leur action.

Lea Knöpfler, Rebecca Maccioni  •‎‎  DE, EN

Community means entering into relationships – with the environment, with others, and with oneself. All three aspects are important and require care for a community to exist and grow. This is particularly relevant in residential communities with people needing support, where the challenge is how to live together self-determinedly. Meals provide valuable opportunities for interaction, and eating and lifestyle habits can be reflected upon and sustainably improved. Beyond shared meals, our dietary habits form the foundation for relationships, as what we eat is directly connected to the health of the Earth. Shared physical activities also enliven the community. The workshop includes presentations, discussions, and practical exercises.

Anthoniselvi Savarimuthu, Gerd Bridts, Ponalagendra Raja  •‎‎  EN

This three-day workshop explores how Biodynamic agriculture can cultivate holistic well-being—physical, mental, social, and spiritual—while building healthy, future-oriented communities. Inspired by Rudolf Steiner’s vision of the farm as a living organism, participants will engage in practical and spiritual Biodynamic practices, learning methods such as BD500, BD501, and CPP to regenerate soil, nurture plants and animals, and strengthen human and ecological connections. The workshop emphasizes the moral and spiritual dimensions of farming, framing agriculture as a path to healing the Earth and fostering community. Activities include meditation, group discussions, interactive sessions, and the creation of a final action plan to translate personal practices into community models.

Engelhard Troll  •‎‎  DE, EN

Based on the anthroposophical understanding of antisocial and asocial drives, which correspond to the biological and spiritual existence of the human being, Dieter Brüll’s four pillars of the anthroposophical social impulse are developed: the sociological fundamental law, the social archetype, the main social law, and social threefolding, each examined in terms of its role in community building. This framework is related to similar concepts in the work of Martin Buber and Martin Heidegger. Various historical forms of community are explored, including the Pharaonic state, medieval monastic orders (regula benedicti), and musical ensembles, each reflecting the tension between the individual and the collective. The aim is to envision a social future aligned with the conference theme of “living and sustainable communities,” incorporating aspects of a persona moralis composita, communities with a spiritual center—such as a new group soul, a Michaelic community, or the model of a beehive. Special emphasis is placed on social engagement and active participation in communities as a foundation for the Michaelic and Christian cultivation of both Earth and humanity.

Aline Amrein, Rene Becker  •‎‎  DE, FR

À notre époque, une communauté doit tenir compte du fait que l’être humain est devenu individuel et libre. C’est maintenant l’individu qui peut devenir actif et s’engager pour le bien commun, et qui porte ainsi un potentiel réel de changements dans le monde. Qu’est-ce que cela implique pour la collaboration avec des autres ? Comment créer un cadre approprié au moi, aussi concernant les terres et le financement ? Et de l’autre côté, comment peut-on soutenir ceux et celles qui ont la volonté et les facultés de s’engager pour le vivant ? Des interactions se créent entre humains, mais également entre l’individualité humaine et l’individualité agricole. Ce sont ces liens qui permettent de faire des pas vers l’avenir ! Ces questions seront abordés avec les exemples de L’Aubier, entreprise qui allie depuis 45 ans agriculture biodynamique, tourisme durable et engagement économique, et des organisations européennes qui pensent autrement l’accès aux terres agricoles ; suivi d’une discussion des défis et des perspectives.

Magdalena Ries, Urs Sperling, Johannes Peter Roggenbuck, Ann-Christin Momsen  •‎‎  DE, EN

What conditions do social spaces need so that every person can be present as a whole human being — including in their vulnerability? For the past three years, we have been exploring at Breitwiesenhof in the southern Black Forest how it can be achieved that the human being and their development stand at the center of the agricultural organism. The human being as both a spiritual and material being — with perception, vision, feelings, and social entanglements. It is precisely in the social realm that the greatest potential lies: for co-creation and new shared paths, but also for conflict, tension, and division. Both are present and influence every farm community. What matters is that the social and deeply human aspects are given space, become visible, and can be ordered — so that these dynamics do not play out in the shadow of the unconscious. But how can this be realized within a full and demanding agricultural workday? This is what we are researching together, and we would like to share our experiences with you — presenting approaches and exercises that have helped us. The format is open to further co-development, as it is new ground and a necessity for everyone.

María Esther Nieto Sánchez   •‎‎  EN, ES

Kgaltuchoco is an indigenous Tutunakú community in the rainforest of Puebla, Mexico, whose families joined the Tosepan Titataniske cooperative in 2005. Founded in 1977, Tosepan Titataniske seeks to improve members’ quality of life through organized work aimed at the Good Living (Yeknemilis/Xa Tlan Latmat). Today, the cooperative spans 52 municipalities in Puebla and Veracruz, encompassing 495 local cooperatives with 48,250 members, 78% indigenous and 64% women. The cooperative operates as a living organism, including organic production, nurseries, savings and credit, sustainable housing, communication, honey and bamboo production, ecotourism, health services, and a social enterprise for marketing coffee, honey, and natural medicine, alongside a nonprofit focused on health, education, housing, and biocultural heritage. In 2022, the Biodynamic Impulse of Mexico shared biodynamic agricultural practices with cooperative representatives, and a pilot project called “Chiki Tiji Farm” was launched in Kgaltuchoco. This interdisciplinary project integrates social economy, family health, and human connection with the spirit of Michael, the community patron. In this workshop we will explore together how farmers in Kgaltuchoco “never farm alone” and how the cooperative's experiences can inspire similar initiatives in other regions of the world.

Miguel como Guía Espiritual de una Cooperativa Indígena en México

Kgaltuchoco es una comunidad indígena Tutunakú en la selva de Puebla, México, cuyas familias se unieron a la cooperativa Tosepan Titataniske en 2005. Fundada en 1977, Tosepan Titataniske busca mejorar la calidad de vida de sus miembros mediante trabajo organizado enfocado en el Buen Vivir (Yeknemilis/Xa Tlan Latmat). Hoy, la cooperativa abarca 52 municipios en Puebla y Veracruz, con 495 cooperativas locales y 48,250 miembros, de los cuales el 78% son indígenas y el 64% mujeres. La cooperativa funciona como un organismo vivo, incluyendo producción orgánica, viveros, ahorro y crédito, construcción sostenible, comunicación, producción de miel y bambú, ecoturismo, servicios de salud y una empresa social para la comercialización de café, miel y medicina natural, junto con una organización sin fines de lucro enfocada en salud, educación, vivienda y patrimonio biocultural. En 2022, el Impulso Biodinámico de México compartió prácticas de agricultura biodinámica con representantes de la cooperativa, y se lanzó un proyecto piloto llamado “Granja Chiki Tiji” en Kgaltuchoco. Este proyecto interdisciplinario integra economía social, salud familiar y la conexión humana con el espíritu de Miguel, patrón de la comunidad. En este taller exploraremos juntos cómo los agricultores de Kgaltuchoco “nunca trabajan solos” y cómo las experiencias de la cooperativa pueden inspirar iniciativas similares en otras regiones del mundo.

Anthony Mecca, Jan Troller  •‎‎  EN, IT

Challenges in agriculture and community life center around our severed relationship with the spirit. What does it mean to be in community, in a new way, with human beings and the earth today? Rudolf Steiner’s initiation of the new mysteries lies at the heart of creating spirit-led communities for the future. Through engaging in the new mysteries new moral forces may be created for healing social life and agriculture. What Steiner referred to as the reverse ritual is an active participation of human beings with the divine spiritual world, from the higher hierarchies through the kingdoms of nature to the elemental beings. From this, healing may flow from the divine spirit in and through human beings to the realm of the earth. The question then arises: how can we enact, in sacrificial love, these healing revelations? To support this we will explore Steiner’s Fundamental Social Law and Social Motto through the reverse ritual. In this workshop we will engage in exercises, conversations, and artistic activities; we will endeavor to create a vessel for new insights and imaginations to emerge, and explore how to bridge them to practically heal our relationships and the earth.

Nuovi Misteri come un Percorso di Guarigione della Terra e della Vita Sociale

Le sfide dell’agricoltura e della vita comunitaria si centrano attorno alla nostra relazione spezzata con lo spirito. Cosa significa essere in comunità con gli esseri umani e con la terra in un modo nuovo al giorno d’oggi? L’iniziazione ai nuovi misteri da parte di Rudolf Steiner sta al cuore della creazione di comunità guidate dallo spirito per il futuro. Attraverso la pratica dei nuovi misteri possono nascere nuove forze morali per la guarigione della vita sociale e dell’agricoltura. Ciò che Steiner ha chiamato “rito inverso” è la partecipazione attiva degli esseri umani con il mondo divino-spirituale, dalle gerarchie superiori attraverso i regni della natura fino agli esseri elementari. Attraverso questa partecipazione attiva da parte dell'essere umano, la guarigione proveniente dallo spirito divino può entrare nella sfera della Terra. Sorge quindi la domanda: come possiamo attuare, in amore sacrificale, queste rivelazioni di guarigione? Per sostenere questo percorso esploreremo la Legge Sociale Fondamentale e il Motto Sociale di Steiner attraverso il rito inverso. In questo laboratorio ci dedicheremo a esercizi, conversazioni e attività artistiche; cercheremo di creare un contenitore in cui possano emergere nuove intuizioni e nuove immagini, ed esploreremo come collegarle praticamente alla guarigione delle nostre relazioni e della terra.

Maria Margaretha Widiyanto, Gusti Ayu Komang Sri Mahayuni  •‎‎  EN

The Balinese Traditional Calendar, known as Wariga, is an ancient system that still shapes almost every aspect of Balinese daily life, from farming and trade to rituals and festivals. It reflects the deep cultural principle that human activity must align with the forces and qualities of each day, as expressed in the natural elements. However, while faithfully practiced for generations, its meaning is at risk of being lost when rituals are followed without deeper understanding. By integrating the Wariga with biodynamic agriculture, Balinese communities are rediscovering the wisdom of their ancestors, giving new significance to ceremonies, festivals, and natural rhythms. This creates a living bridge between tradition and modern life, inspiring reflection, shared experience, and renewed connection to the spirit in practical life. In this workshop, we invite participants to explore the calendar, how interest in biodynamic practices grows when people find similarities and reflections of their own ancestral wisdom, and how this can inspire other initiatives to reconnect with local communities through biodynamics, drawing on lessons learned from Bali.

Stefan Illi, Markus Hurter  •‎‎  DE, EN

In this workshop, we will explore how community-supported farms can be made sustainable for the future. Experiences from farm communities, owner collectives, and cooperative initiatives will serve as a starting point for a joint discussion: What legal and financial structures can provide a foundation? What new ways of relating to land, ownership, and money are emerging? Using the example of the Kulturland Cooperative, we will show how farms can experience community support, how people can connect with regional organic farms, and how young aspiring farmers can find opportunities to enter agriculture without inheriting a farm. Drawing on further examples and diverse practical approaches, we will develop new perspectives. The goal is to gain an overview of the paths communities can take today.

Thomas van Elsen, Wilfried Buettner  •‎‎  DE, EN

Social farming combines food production with social goals – such as care and support, meaningful manual labor, action-based education, and even the cultivation of nature through active involvement in the development of the cultural landscape. Social farming can thus open the door to social, but also ecological inclusion, as a development perspective for the future that is imminent in human history: transforming the human-nature relationship from one of one-sided taking to one of giving, based on freedom. Biodynamic living and working communities, such as farms of the Camphill movement, but also smaller biodynamic farms, are pioneers of social farming. How can this already established be further developed – and thus create examples of social and ecological inclusion that demonstrate societal perspectives for multifunctional agriculture of the future? Reference is made to a recently completed study on the changing relationship between humans and nature, the evolutionary connection between humans and nature, and the resulting developmental tasks for the present and future in the work of Rudolf Steiner. Current practical examples from Europe (including the inclusive community garden in Tempelhof, Berlin, and eco-social agriculture in prisons) are also included.

Geert Iserbyt, Ineke Docx  •‎‎  EN, FR

This hands-on workshop is for those working together on a cooperative farm or aspiring to do so. In addition to covering essential basics, we focus on practical social techniques that enhance collaboration. How can you define the shared mission and direction of your farm? How can responsibilities and tasks be divided clearly and flexibly? How can consultations be conducted efficiently? Participants will leave with concrete, applicable tools tailored to the needs of their own farm.

Techniques sociales pratiques pour la coopération interne sur votre ferme

Cet atelier pratique s’adresse à ceux qui travaillent ensemble sur une ferme coopérative ou souhaitent le faire. En plus de couvrir les notions de base essentielles, nous nous concentrons sur des techniques sociales pratiques qui renforcent la collaboration. Comment définir la mission et l’orientation communes de votre ferme ? Comment répartir les responsabilités et les tâches de manière claire et flexible ? Comment organiser des consultations de manière efficace ? Les participants repartiront avec des outils concrets et applicables, adaptés aux besoins spécifiques de leur propre ferme.

Thierry Bordage, Jean-Michel Florin, Amélie Joveneau  •‎‎  DE, EN, FR

Bees, in their organization, are an enigma to humans; they invite us to reflect on our own future. How do they achieve such harmony in life and work? Could their way of communicating and making decisions serve as a model for creating communities of life and work?

Les abeilles sont-elles un modèle d'avenir pour créer des communautés?

Les abeilles, dans leur organisation, sont une énigme pour l’humain ; elles nous invitent à méditer sur notre devenir. Comment réalisent-elles cette harmonie de vie et de travail ? Leur façon de communiquer et de prendre des décisions est-elle un modèle pour créer des communautés de vie et de travail ?

Hans Supenkämper, Benno Otter  •‎‎  DE, EN

It is an open secret that we are all “constantly” active on the stage of our mystery drama: “You never farm alone!” You cannot stop it, it is our life! But I can increasingly grasp, perceive, and experience what my themes are, what it means and challenges for me and for others! That is our life’s task! And every farm, in this sense, is a wonderful mystery stage on which the most diverse dramas unfold. The secret here is that one always plays the leading role in one’s own drama, yet it is ingeniously integrated into the dramas of others. All are, so to speak, playing out simultaneously! Not only the farm, but also the organization, the company, the community, and even the family! We ask ourselves what themes are present on the farm. What are people struggling with? What obstacles are in the way? What challenges arise? What potentials are alive? What is blocked? What is helpful? What is hindering? And then it is very exciting to examine how the roles are distributed! Who takes on which part? What is shared? What is dividing? What is the common vision? What are the common stumbling blocks on the path? In the working group we will try, for a moment, to take a seat in the “audience,” to be able to view and question our own mystery drama as if from the outside! And if I succeed in approaching this theme, then every single action, as well as feelings, thoughts, and intentions, becomes part of a social total work of art. In this way, I recognize and learn, from a “cognitive distance,” to add and live my “new role” creatively and freely within the process.

Ueli Hurter, Tom Saat  •‎‎  DE, EN

Many farms today face significant economic challenges. In this workshop, we will explore different approaches to making biodynamic farms economically viable.

Gaëtane Blondeel  •‎‎  DE, FR

Exercer, dans le sentiment, la conscience et le mouvement, la transition entre ‘être seul’ et ‘ne pas être seul’. Ce groupe de travail explore le thème de la conférence à travers l’eurythmie. L’accent est mis sur la transition entre le fait d’être seul et le fait d’être ensemble, que nous souhaitons explorer eurythmiquement sur les plans du sentiment, de la conscience et du mouvement. Pour cela, nous nous déplaçons eurythmiquement sur une étoile à cinq branches : d’abord seul, puis simultanément à cinq, accompagné d’un poème qui approfondit le thème. Ensuite, nous échangeons sur nos expériences et sur la perception consciente, en abordant par exemple des questions telles que : Que dois-je cultiver en moi pour pouvoir percevoir véritablement les autres êtres ?

Marius Rommel, Tobias Hartkemeyer, Manfred Schulze, Peter Guttenhöfer  •‎‎  DE, EN

The Biodynamic, the Pedagogical-Dynamic, the Therapeutic-Dynamic, and the Social-Dynamic aspects are meant to interpenetrate and inspire us to create community-supported cultural farms (CSA) as places of practice, where the education of the Earth and the education of humans can practically become one.

Chik Ying Chai, Ngọc Sơn Nguyễn, Sudarshan Chaudary  •‎‎  EN, CN

There is an urgent need to raise awareness of food quality, guided by the principles of Biodynamic nutrition and its connection to holistic self- and community-development, especially among the youth. In this workshop, participants will engage with The Calendar of the Soul, food biography, food testing, fragrance and aroma painting, and social arts. Through these experiential approaches, they are invited to deepen their inner connection to themselves, the Earth, and the wider cosmic community. The workshop will also explore the principles of the Biodynamic food organism, natural rhythms, and the development of human consciousness.

食物质量对意识与社区发展的重要性

当前的时代迫切需要提高人们对食物质量的意识，这一意识的提升可以以生物动力营养学的原则为指导，及其与整体自我及社区发展的联系，尤其是在青年群体中。在本次工作坊中，参与者将体验《心灵周历》（The Calendar of the Soul）、食物传记、食物测试、香气与芳香绘画以及社会艺术等活动。通过这些体验式的方法，参与者将深化与自我、地球及更广阔的宇宙社区的内在联系。工作坊也将探讨生物动力食物有机体的原则、自然节律以及人类意识的发展。

Berni Courts, Edward Berger  •‎‎  ‎EN

In this workshop we will explore the development of the sense of Ego through working with farm animals. The sessions draw on personal and professional experience working with children and young people and will include observational and artistic exercises.

Uli Johannes König  •‎‎  DE, EN

The biodynamic preparations were given by Rudolf Steiner without further explanation. His hope was that they would be applied without first undergoing doubt-driven trials. He repeatedly emphasized: “You will see for yourselves…” When one enters an intimate relationship with the preparations—for example, by accompanying their application with a meditative attitude—a developmental path becomes apparent that goes far beyond their function as mere “decomposers.” A transformation of the compost substance reveals itself, ranging from individualization and healing to an opening toward a future-acting spiritual element that reorganizes the composition of the material. We aim to explore this path together through practical observation of the compost.

Sophia Montefiore, Raphael Kleimann  •‎‎  DE, EN

In this series of two workshops, Sophia Montefiore will lead artistic explorations in projective geometry, focusing on the spirals in buds and vortex forms found in biodynamic plants and mistletoe. Participants will engage with the plant as a whole—root, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed—through profound geometric relationships. Raphael Kleimann will share insights from his research on mistletoe flower essences, exploring their healing forces and etheric presence, both for the individual and for the broader community of humans, animals, and plants, extending all the way to the sensitive biome of the root tips.

Christopher Brock  •‎‎  DE, EN

Veganism is “in” and expresses a way of life that sees a fundamental ecological and/or ethical problem in the keeping and use of animals. Many people who are part of the biodynamic movement or who feel close to biodynamic farming share this modern outlook. It is time to turn to the question of whether we can imagine a vegan biodynamic agriculture and what this might look like. We would like to explore this together in the workshop. Our starting point will be the anthroposophical foundations of the biodynamic approach, which we will connect with today’s realities and extend into the future. The outcome is open – the aim is not to take a stance, but to develop images of what biodynamic agriculture is and could become.

Emanuele Tellini, Carlo Dell'Aiuto, Nadia El Hage  •‎‎  IT, EN

This workshop explores the profound connection between human evolution and the evolution of the Earth through biodynamic agriculture. Practicing biodynamic farming today not only produces healthy and vital food but also cultivates the ability to perceive and engage with all living beings—from microbes to ecosystems and human communities—through the Genius Loci of a place. Being a biodynamic farmer involves strengthening the links between the visible and invisible, integrating work, research, and meditation, and awakening awareness of one’s role in humanity’s evolution. This awakening can unite small groups to form spiritual and moral bridges between Earth and Heaven, supporting local agriculture and radiating strength and love to all beings of Earth and Heaven.

Dalle profondità alle ampiezze: il Genius Loci di una comunità naturale e umana

I workshop esplorano il legame profondo tra l’evoluzione dell’uomo e quella della Terra attraverso l’agricoltura biodinamica. Coltivare biodinamicamente oggi significa non solo produrre cibi sani e vitali, ma anche imparare a percepire e dialogare con tutti gli esseri viventi, dal microbo agli ecosistemi fino alla comunità umana, attraverso il Genius Loci di un luogo. Essere contadini biodinamici implica rafforzare i legami tra visibile e invisibile, unire lavoro, ricerca e preghiera, e risvegliare la coscienza del proprio ruolo nell’evoluzione dell’umanità. Questo risveglio può generare piccoli gruppi capaci di creare ponti spirituali e morali tra Terra e Cielo, sostenendo l’agricoltura locale e irradiando forza e amore a tutti gli esseri della Terra e del Cielo.

Mathias Forster, Ulrich Hampl  •‎‎  DE, EN

In this workshop, we focus on the Pilot Project of the Soil Fertility Fund (Bodenfruchtbarkeitsfonds) and the results of nearly nine years of collaboration among around 30 farms from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein. The final report is now available, and we will explore and discuss the experiences and insights gained during the project. Part of the workshop includes the 30-minute film “The Conductors of the Soil”, which follows three farms in their soil fertility activities.

Jörg Hütter, Theo Boon  •‎‎  DE, NL

De Europese Commissie is van plan het gebruik van nieuwe genetische technieken in de plantenveredeling te liberaliseren, wat binnenkort in Europa vergelijkbaar mogelijk zal zijn als op andere continenten. Dit bedreigt vrije veredelingsinitiatieven, verhoogt het risico op contaminatie en bemoeilijkt de etikettering en de biodynamische teelt. Traditionele rassen zouden van de markt kunnen verdwijnen, waardoor de toegang tot geschikt zaad voor boeren, tuinders en veredelaars beperkt wordt. In deze werkgroep willen we bespreken hoe de biodynamische gemeenschap op deze ontwikkelingen kan reageren: hoe kunnen we internationaal zaaigoedsoevereiniteit, behoud en ontwikkeling van zaadvaste rassen en vermeerdering versterken? Hoe organiseren we langdurige financieringsstructuren voor biologisch dynamische  veredeling? Welke rol spelen klassieke genetisch-vrije rassen, en hoe kunnen consumenten hierbij betrokken worden? Momenteel werken Demeter Duitsland, Demeter Zwitserland en de BFDI aan strategieën voor de zaadvoorziening en het beschermen van de biologische sector tegen nieuwe genetische technieken. In Nederland en België is in 2025 een initiatief voor zaadvaste rassen gestart, dat moet uitgroeien tot een Europese samenwerking. In de werkgroep zullen we over deze initiatieven rapporteren, ervaringen uitwisselen en behoeften voor verdere werkzaamheden inventariseren.

Jürgen Fritz, Alexander Grabenstein  •‎‎  DE, EN

In the first part of the workshop, results from trials with biodynamic spray preparations will be presented, including soil parameters, secondary plant compounds, and microbiome analyses. In the second part, we will conduct perception exercises using copper chloride crystallization patterns.

Anet Spengler Neff, Lin Bautze  •‎‎  DE, EN

With the project “Farm Individuality – Your Research Journal” by the Cooperative for Biodynamic Education Switzerland and the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), we embarked on an artistic, biographical, and practical journey with 50 participants from Switzerland. Across more than 200 pages, we individually and collectively explored and expressed the many facets of farm individuality and its relevance today. In this workshop, we will present and discuss our findings—sometimes quietly, sometimes collaboratively—and expand them through conversation with participants about their own farm individuality. The project combines several areas: agriculture, research, art, music, therapeutic exploration, and new approaches for the future.

Teo Nasar  •‎‎  EN

In this workshop, we will explore how the presence of the Higher Hierarchies is revealed in the natural phenomena encountered by farmers, gardeners, and stewards of living systems. Through a snapshot-style presentation, participants will uncover subtle pathways—or “backdoors”—that enable them to engage as co-creators, becoming the arms and hands of the Hierarchies, much like the nature spirits themselves. By the end of the workshop, participants will carry with them a “practical thought-form”, as described by Rudolf Steiner in The Philosophy of Freedom.

Stephanie Ott, Ulrich Quendt  •‎‎  DE, EN

Empathic food testing refers to observing the mental and physical effects of food. These effects differ from short-term flavor impressions or personal preferences. Empathic food testing allows us to connect with food and engage with our bodies to perceive its effects, enabling us to become food sovereigns and make self-determined nutritional choices. Everyone is familiar with the deeper and longer-lasting effects of food: one product may leave us feeling pleasantly relaxed, another may cause slight nervousness. These often overlooked effects can be explored and scientifically analyzed. We assume that the empathic properties of food significantly influence our well-being and performance. Additionally, a quality concept can be developed to distinguish biodynamically produced foods and biodynamically cultivated plants from others. In this workshop, we will carry out empathic food tastings and also examine scientific studies, the verifiability of these effects, and how they can be used in communication with the public.

Petra Derkzen, Marcos Persia  •‎‎  EN, ES

Modern agriculture is undergoing mechanization in regions where geography allows for machinery. With the emergence of robotic technology even in areas traditionally dependent on manual labor, we may witness a further reduction of human involvement in farming in the coming years. In places where human labor is still needed, farmers worldwide struggle to find motivated workers. From Germany to Colombia, from Sri Lanka to Spain, farm labor is often regarded as low-status work. Challenges such as peak seasons, irregular hours, low wages, and extreme weather conditions only add to the difficulty. Yet paradoxically, there are many people—often young—seeking meaningful work that involves less technology and more engagement with nature. If society is nurturing this inner motivation, how can we ensure it finds the right conditions and spaces to flourish? Should we rethink farm labor to overcome this paradox? In this workshop, we will challenge existing assumptions through artistic expression in small groups and role play. The central theme is how to appreciate human farm labor in the broadest sense and how to concretely use the spectrum of values we will create together.

El Arte de valorisar el trabajo humano en una finca

La agricultura moderna se está mecanizando en las regiones donde la geografía permite el uso de maquinaria. Con la aparición de la tecnología robótica, incluso en áreas tradicionalmente dependientes del trabajo manual, podríamos presenciar en los próximos años una reducción adicional de la participación humana en la agricultura. En los lugares donde todavía se necesita mano de obra humana, los agricultores de todo el mundo tienen dificultades para encontrar trabajadores motivados. Desde Alemania hasta Colombia, desde Sri Lanka hasta España, el trabajo agrícola se considera a menudo de bajo estatus. Desafíos como las temporadas altas, los horarios irregulares, los bajos salarios y las condiciones climáticas extremas solo aumentan la dificultad. Sin embargo, paradójicamente, hay muchas personas—especialmente jóvenes—que buscan un trabajo significativo que implique menos tecnología y un mayor contacto con la naturaleza. Si la sociedad fomenta esta motivación interna, ¿cómo podemos asegurar que encuentre las condiciones y los espacios adecuados para florecer? ¿Deberíamos replantear el trabajo agrícola para superar esta paradoja? En este taller, desafiaremos las suposiciones existentes mediante expresiones artísticas en pequeños grupos y juegos de rol. El tema central es cómo valorar el trabajo humano en la agricultura en el sentido más amplio y cómo utilizar de manera concreta el conjunto de valores que crearemos juntos.

Thangapandian Dhanikodi, Anthoniselvi Savarimuthu, Gerd Bridts  •‎‎  EN

Agriculture in India is more than a profession; it sustains over 70% of the rural population, yet small and marginal farmers—126 million people with an average landholding of just 1.08 hectares—face a persistent agrarian crisis marked by poverty and farmer suicides. Historically, urbanization and industrialization have been promoted as the only future, forcing rural workers into harsh city labor. This workshop presents an innovative grassroots alternative by the Thalir Cultural Group in Tamil Nadu, which empowers rural youth through Biodynamic and Organic Agriculture, builds community farms, and fosters sustainable livelihoods. By blending Biodynamic Farming with cultural roots and community resilience, the initiative demonstrates how agriculture can ensure permanence and prosperity while rebuilding soil health. The workshop will explore human evolution and agriculture, the Green Revolution, urbanization impacts, alternative farming models integrating youth, art, and community, and strategies for strengthening North–South collaborative initiatives through presentations, meditation, the arts, and small group discussions.

Luise Blank, Sara Kehmer, Benno Otter, Markus Wespel  •‎‎  DE, EN

The greatest biodiversity in Central Europe is found in cultural landscapes shaped by humans before industrialization, yet industrialization and mechanization have led to species loss and a growing disconnection from nature. Today, the biodiversity crisis continues, and conscious work with living systems is necessary to create species-rich habitats where rare plants and animals can thrive. The 10-Biotope Project, inspired by the research of Dr. Hans-Christoph Vahle, investigates, restores, and integrates such habitats on farms—for example, species-rich herb meadows that are ecologically valuable, resilient, and usable as medicinal fodder. In this workshop, Sara Kehmer, Luise Blank, Benno Otter, and Markus Wespel provide insights into their work, examine existing biotopes in the Goetheanum Park, and explore potential for new habitats. Participants are encouraged, with the support of perception exercises, to recognize and promote biodiversity in their own landscapes, strengthening a healthy and resilient farm ecosystem. The workshop demonstrates how natural interconnections can guide agricultural practice, benefiting both individual farms and the vitality of life on Earth as a whole.

Ivana Trkulja  •‎‎  EN

Following their commitment to sustainable farming and food production, both organic and biodynamic sectors have developed successful international certification, legal, and labeling schemes, engaging communities of farmers, advisory services, certification bodies, retailers, and consumers. Yet their combined market share remains niche, highlighting opportunities for upscaling to broaden involvement across farmers, consumers, retailers, researchers, and public and private actors while promoting excellence in farming and food processing. This workshop explores approaches such as associative economics, true cost accounting, and price and trade transparency, fostering collaboration between the two sectors and discussion of shared opportunities and challenges. We will also examine ongoing initiatives within Biofach, research and innovation in the European context, and the co-existence of these sectors with other sustainable farming methods, such as agroecology.

Liia Ivanova, Thomas Kraus  •‎‎  EN, RU

Farmers work with and in nature, shaping the earth and cultivating the landscape, interacting with the visible world, and grounding their work in matter. They do this together with other people and beings, forming a living community, guided by the repeating rhythm of the seasons. In contrast, our personal rhythms are longer and non-repetitive, unfolding as phases of life, with the overarching perspective known as biography. In working with individuals who require support, our material cannot be grasped by the senses but is continuously experienced; this activity is called soul care. The tools and preparations used are of a different nature, and attending to one’s own soul or that of another also fosters community. Within this soul landscape, a living seed for the future is nurtured. Using concrete examples from Russia, Germany, and other regions, we will illustrate what we do and how we practice this approach, linking it to the concept of healing agriculture.

От биодинамического земледелия к биографически-динамическому уходу за душой

Фермеры работают с природой и в природе, обрабатывают землю и культивируют ландшафт, взаимодействуя с видимым миром, опираясь на материальное. Они делают это вместе с другими людьми и существами, формируя живое сообщество, ориентируясь на повторяющиеся ритмы сезонов. В то же время наши личные ритмы длиннее и неповторимы, развиваются как жизненные этапы, а общая перспектива называется биографией. Работая с людьми, нуждающимися в поддержке, мы имеем дело с материалом, который не воспринимается органами чувств, но постоянно ощущается; эта деятельность называется заботой о душе. Инструменты и препараты здесь иного рода, и работа с собственной душой или душой другого также способствует формированию сообщества. Внутри этого душевного ландшафта взращивается живое зерно будущего. С помощью конкретных примеров из России, Германии и других стран мы покажем, чем мы занимаемся и как практикуем этот подход, связывая его с концепцией исцеляющего сельского хозяйства.

Tanja Baumgartner, Knut Ellenberg  •‎‎  DE, EN

Through movement exercises in the group, we learn to observe social processes: what works well, where we need help, and where things get really stuck. The movements of the evolutionary series provide tools that help us become aware of our own behavioral patterns and work—both individually and collectively—on the areas where we would otherwise get stuck. Working in community reflects not only in the herd and broader farm life but can also be applied in dealing with the animals, plants, and landscape. Practical examples from work in farm communities illustrate these approaches.

Bonnie Baker, Jasmin Peschke  •‎‎  DE, EN

Monocultures impoverish and weaken biodiversity, soils, landscapes, and nutrition, with just three crops—rice, maize, and wheat—providing over 50% of dietary calories. This uniformity harms climate, human health, and the resilience of food systems, while rising meat consumption reflects a growing disconnection from sustainable nutrition and planetary responsibility. This workshop explores both global developments and personal individuality through biographical exercises, highlighting how living and developing one’s own individuality can increase diversity and strengthen community, making the whole system more resilient. Participants will engage in input, reflection, biographical work, and practical experiments—such as working with essential oils—to experience how the authentic composition of a fragrance relies on the harmonious contribution of each individual component, regardless of its proportion.

Ursula Steinke, Silvia von Buttlar  •‎‎  DE, EN

In this eurythmy workshop, we will study and compare the movement dynamics of the 12 zodiac gestures, the formative speech forces of the consonants, and the nature of the 12 virtues as they are expressed through the eurythmic soul gestures over the course of the year. What does this study have to do with the daily life of a farm community? Once one has personally explored the differences in movement in relation to the moods of the year and one’s own responses to them, one can surely respond with greater understanding to the mood and atmosphere radiated by others. For example: On a cold, muddy, rainy day in May, when I see a coworker patiently leading the cows on their walk, I also perceive his faithfulness and love for his animals and for his work. The somber mood of the rainy day brightens, and the relationship between human and animal is transformed. Please bring light shoes, a notepad, and a pen for this workshop.

Sabrina Menestrina, Mailin Wölki  •‎‎  DE, EN, IT

How can we support bees in their essence in an etheric way? Eurythmy influences bees and their environment—sometimes calming, sometimes harmonizing, sometimes stimulating. Together, we move through the archetypal developmental process of the worker bees to explore questions such as: How can we enhance the well-being of bees in their living sphere? How can we support them eurhythmicly in coping with illnesses? We will also practice eurythmy directly with the bees at the Goetheanum and perceive the effects.

Euritmia per e con le Api

Come possiamo sostenere le api nel loro essere in modo eterico? La euritmia influenza le api e il loro ambiente: a volte calmante, a volte armonizzante, a volte stimolante. Insieme, muoviamo il processo evolutivo archetipico delle operaie per avvicinarci a domande come: Come possiamo aumentare il benessere delle api nel loro habitat? Come possiamo sostenerle anche euritmicamente nell’affrontare le malattie? Praticheremo inoltre la euritmia direttamente con le api al Goetheanum e ne percepiremo gli effetti.

Barbara Bäumler  •‎‎  EN

In this eurythmy workshop, we will explore how to move together as a whole organism, appreciating the different character and color of each participant. Using the example of the Mercury Seal, we will experience how differences can be enriching for a community.

Sibylle Burg  •‎‎  DE, EN

Introduction to the foundations of Eurythmy. Through eurythmy, the effects of etheric forces can be experienced directly in the body. The basic exercises strengthen the immune system and help us maintain inner calm even in turbulent times. Simple movements will be taught that can be repeated at home, and we will also move together as a group. Please bring light shoes for eurythmy and a notepad.

Esther Gerster  •‎‎  DE, EN

In this artistic workshop, we paint together. The focus is on engaging with colours and experiencing the living community of colours through the artistic process.

Aurora Mächler, Markus Mächler  •‎‎  DE

Wir betrachten das erste Spriessen und Sprossen in der Natur, lernen die Pastellkreiden kennen und malen das Kräftewirken einer Präparatepflanze, wobei wir entdecken, wo sich irdisches, wässeriges, luftiges, warmes sowie das Wirken der Elementarwesen zeigt. Anschliessend betrachten wir die sichtbare Erde und fragen, wie sich die Luft zeigt, verfeinern unser Bild mit zusätzlichen Arbeitstechniken und erkunden die Beschaffenheit der Erde sowie das Leben im Umraum der Pflanze. Weitergehend betrachten wir, wie beispielsweise Löwenzahn, Kamille oder Brennnessel aus der Erde kommen, heben Besonderheiten der gemalten Heilpflanzen hervor und malen ein zweites Bild, das eine Vertiefung in das ureigene Wesen dieser Kräfte ermöglicht, basierend auf den erarbeiteten Erkenntnissen. Es braucht keine Vorkenntnisse, alles entsteht aus dem unmittelbaren Erlebnis beim Beobachten.

Kathrin Bürklin, Rob Bürklin  •‎‎  DE, EN

Together, we harvest bark and indigo-containing plants in the Goetheanum garden and dye in yellow and blue. Using the example of the Center–Periphery Meditation cushion, we experience a product created through inclusive collaboration via the Anfora association, connecting various biodynamic initiatives. It is inspired by the Center–Periphery Meditation from the curative education course, fostering greater mindfulness.

Ursula Hofmann  •‎‎  DE

Du sprichst nie allein: Viele helfen mit - unser Körper ist das Instrument; aus dem Boden hole ich die Kraft für das Sprechen, die Wärme und das Licht befeuern den Laut, die Luft trägt das Wort zum Anderen hin. Die Seele kann sich für den Text begeistern und öffnet sich damit der Welt. Der Geist wird ernährt und geweckt.

Maria Rechsteiner   •‎‎  Multilingual   •‎‎   Main Auditorium

In this workshop, we will sing a variety of choral pieces together. Everyone is warmly invited to join – no prior experience is necessary.

Guided Tour  •‎‎  EN

A guided tour of the Goetheanum building in English language. Please sign up on the registration list at the information desk if you would like to take part in this guided tour. Meeting point: Main entrance.

Visite guidée  •‎‎  FR

Une visite guidée du bâtiment du Goetheanum en français. Si vous souhaitez participer à cette visite guidée, veuillez vous inscrire sur la liste d'inscription à la table d'information. Réunion : entrée principale.

Visita guiada  •‎‎  ES

Visita guiada al edificio del Goetheanum en español. Si desea participar en esta visita guiada, inscríbase en la lista de inscripción del mostrador de información. Encuentro: entrada principal.

Visita guidata  •‎‎  IT

Visita guidata in spagnolo dell'edificio del Goetheanum. Se desiderate partecipare a questa visita guidata, siete pregati di iscrivervi alla lista di registrazione presso il banco informazioni. Incontro: ingresso principale.