Learn and practice biodynamic agriculture on the oldest biodynamically stewarded and cultivated land in North America. Richly embedded within the Threefold Community in Spring Valley, NY, The Pfeiffer Center’s one-year, part-time practical training enables farmers and gardeners of any variety and experience level to put Rudolf Steiner’s agriculture lectures into practice.

Mac Mead introduces biodynamics in the context of the spiritual-scientific understanding of the human being and earth evolution. In the garden we will do hands-on work with making and applying the biodynamic horn manure preparation, transplanting, forming raised beds, and cover cropping

The biodynamic preparations harness life-regulating processes and are subtle catalysts to help create conditions for healthy growth. Mac Mead and Megan Durney lead us in making several of the biodynamic compost preparations and discuss their healing effects on soil and plants

We will gather to plant next year’s garlic crop and sing our way through the work. All songs will be easy to follow. Every voice is welcome!

On a biodynamic farm, we strive to meet the farm’s needs from within. This workshop includes hands-on composting, seed saving, and soil-building, with Mac Mead linking soil and spiritual science, and Megan Durney teaching essential seed-saving skills

The ideal biodynamic farm is a self contained individuality in which the animals play a major role. Mac Mead and Megan Durney share about the essential nature of the animal and Kim Vaughan covers the basics of biodynamic dairy herd management, including the life rhythms of a dairy cow and the role healthy soil plays in animal and pasture health. The day includes a visit to our herd, cow barn, and dairy, the only one in Rockland County

The opening lecture of this year’s Midwinter Agriculture Intensive will explore the seven types of wood used in the seven pairs of columns of the first Goetheanum, their relationship to the seven planets, and their influences on the kingdoms of nature.

In the heart of the winter each year we pick a poignant theme from Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on agriculture and celebrate it with artistic activities, presentations, small and large group discussions, and festive meals! More details about this year’s event are forthcoming.