Biodynamics

The Intentional Eaters Community is crucial to sustaining agriculture on Riverglen Farm. This beautiful Heritage Farm, nestled on the banks of Shirley’s Bay, boasts 112 acres of land of Ottawa Greenbelt. Through our biodynamic persperctive, the farm is treated as a living organism. We strive to enhance relationships between living creatures on the farm while paying close attention to the subtle rhythms of nature. Hedgerows, swamps, gardens, pastures, woods, mammals, birds, soil, life, death and renewal all have their place on the farm.

As stewards of such complex ecosystems, we are very interested in the subtle rhythms of our environment. Solar, lunar and planetary cycles are particularly interesting, as well as the remarkable abilities of the creatures on the farm. The most precious living creature on the farm is soil. Several tasks are carried out to nurture its healthy growth.

Of course, no synthetic chemicals are used for production. Actually, all off-farm inputs are kept to a minimum. We believe there is much to say for strong, obvious, sustainable links in a food chain. Our commitment to the biodynamic method is certified by Demeter Canada.

One principle we must grasp,

Otherwise no development will be possible in our crucial time.

Seek the truly practical life

but seek it in a way

that does not numb you towards the Spirit that is working in it.

Seek the Spirit,

but do no seek it out of greed for the supersensible,

from supersensible egoism;

but seek it, because you want to apply it

unselfishly in practical life, in the material world.

Make use of the ancient principle:

“Spirit is never without matter, matter never without Spirit.”

So that you say:

We intend to handle all material matters in the light of the Spirit,

And we shall seek the light of the Spirit in such a way

That it will kindle in us a warmth for our practical deeds.

Spirit that is led into matter by us;

Matter that is shaped by us until it reveals the Spirit it contains;

Matter that receives through us the Spirit revealed;

The Spirit that is brought by us to and into matter;

All this will build that active and vivid substance

Which can take humanity into real development;

Into that kind of progress that the people of today

In the deepest and most worthy longings of their souls

Can only but yearn for.

Rudolf Steiner

You can find out more about biodynamics at:

The Society for Biodynamic Farming and Gardening in Ontario

http://biodynamics.on.ca

The North American Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association

http://www.biodynamics.com