Apprentice Training Course Details

Apprentice Learning Course Details
The apprenticeship learning programme is becoming an accredited course but will continue to be a practical farmer-led operation. Apprentices are expected to work on the farm in return for board lodging and training. It is an arrangement of mutual benefit and the only cost to apprentices is an initial registration fee.
Practical Training: Apprentices learn while working alongside experienced farmers or gardeners and the course is essentially practical in nature. All aspects of the daily and seasonal work carried out on the chosen farm or garden are introduced in a direct hands-on-way. The keeping of a daily work diary is a required learning tool as well as being an invaluable resource for later reference.

Tutorials: Each week there is a tutorial session in which questions and issues relating to practical work are discussed.
Study sessions: There are weekly study sessions to work through Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course as well as another one of his basic books such as Theosophy, Occult Science or The Philosophy of Freedom.  Such study is best undertaken in a group and for this reason participation by interested persons beyond the apprenticeship course is often encouraged.
Block Courses & Seminars: There are two week-long block courses each year. Over two years these four block courses cover Soils; Plant and plant husbandry; Animals and their care and Astronomy respectively. These courses are attended by apprentices from all over the country and take place at different venues. Field trips and farm visits are often included.
In parts of the country where several farms are in the vicinity of one another, regional three day seminars are also held. There are usually six such seminars per year and these provide further opportunities for gaining deeper insights into the background and practice of biodynamics. In more isolated situations other creative ways are found to provide these opportunities by drawing on local experts and invited guests.
Independent study: Students are encouraged to undertake their own studies and at times present information to fellow students and tutors. A reading list is available with a list of suggested titles. These books are available from the BDAA library or can be purchased from its book stall. Some may also be available in the farm library.
Projects: Apprentices are required to prepare a farm profile of the holding during their first year and complete a project of their choice by the end of the second year. This is then presented to fellow students and tutors when they graduate.

Diploma in Biodynamic Agriculture: To graduate an apprentice must have completed the required number of units and participated in all the seminars and block courses.  The portfolio of evidence also includes an up-to-date work diary, appropriate records of their seminar work, the farm profile and final project documentation. The internationally recognised diploma, accredited by Edexcel is awarded by Crossfields Institute.

Note: The accredited course is still being finalised but will be up and running by the end of 2010.

Block Courses
During the course of two years four week-long block courses are given – two in the first year and two in the second (timetable). The first year courses are 'Soils' and 'Plants', the second year ones are 'Animals' and 'Astronomy'. Each course includes practical and artistic activities and often field trips. Apprentices are given some aspect of the subject to prepare and share during the course. There is also time for discussion and for getting to know one another.
The courses cover the following subject areas:
Year 1:                                                                                                                                      Soils
knowledge of the physical and living properties of soil; principles of soil development and fertility; soil management, cultivation and cropping sequences; importance of animals for fertility; skills in observing, testing and interpreting soil constituents, texture & structure (silica, clay, limestone)

Plants
Plant observation using Goethean techniques; crop rotations, companion planting and garden planning; health maintenance and pest prevention; seed saving and plant breeding principles;

Year 2:
Animals                                                                                                                           Understanding animal nature; observational skills to care for livestock; housing, breeding, rearing and feeding; health and illness

Astronomy
Heliocentric and geocentric viewpoints; constellations and planets; Planetary influences and the planting calendar; world evolution — from a spiritual scientific perspective

Seminars
There are two regional groups offering seminars  – 'Severn Valley Group' and the 'South Group'.

Severn Valley Group
Centres are: Grange village, Oaklands Park, Watchoak Farm, Stroud Community Agriculture, Ruskin Mill, Coleg Elydir, Fern Verrow, Valehead Farm, Botton Village  PDF Click here for the Severn Valley Seminars timetable! ( pdf)

Ten three day seminars are arranged at approximately six week intervals over two years.
Year 1:
World Task of Agriculture
An introduction to the many different issues facing agriculture and to the possibilities offered by the biodynamic approach 
Farm Organism
This seminar focusses on the key biodynamic principle of a self-contained farm organsm using practical examples 
Spirit of Place
Developing an understanding for the unique qualities of each place and its potential.
Nutrition
Understanding how nutrition really works and its broad context
Nitrogen cycle
All about nitrogen and its role on the land

Year 2:
Biodynamic Preparations
An exploration towards understanding the preparations and how to use them. 
Seeds and Plant Breeding
Learning about seed saving and the biodynamic principles of plant breeding
Economics
Farm economics, the social context of a farm and the need for good record keeping
Light, Warmth and Moisture
A look at weather and how to understand the way of the elements on the farm
Cycle of the Year
Understanding rhythm, the annual cycles and the importance of marking key moments.

South Group
Centres are:
Sturts Farm, Tablehurst Farm, Michael Hall Garden, Plaw Hatch Farm

Twelve two day seminars are arranged over two years
Beef and Sheep
Biodynamic Preparations
Planning, Economics and Record Keeping
Nutrition & Food Quality
Biology & Zoology
Horticulture & Composting
Soils & Rotations
Pigs & Poultry
Astronomy & the Planting Calendar
Social agriculture and fruit growing
Dairy farming & Food Processing
Arable, machinery & Cultivation

Additional BDAA Courses (optional)
Forestry
A regular workshop with forestry practitioners exploring different aspects of tree craft and including a practical introduction to the biodynamic approach.

Bee Keeping
A regular workshop for people interested in learning more about bees and managing them according to Demeter guidelines.


PDF Reading list ( Please click here to download a current reading list  - pdf)