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The Josephine Porter Institute: Applied BiodynamicsThe Courtney farm in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia,home of the Josephine Porter Institute for the last twenty-threeyears, was approved in November for a conservation easementthrough the Virginia Outdoor Foundation. A conservation easementprovides for the land to remain in agricultural use ratherthan being subject to commercial or residential development,and results in a decrease of the market value of the land. Such adecrease will allow JPI to eventually purchase the land from theCourtney family, insuring a home for thepreparations-making into the future.Autumn is a busy time at JPI. At thelast annual Fall Prep-Making Workshopand Conference more than thirtypeople gathered to learn how to makebiodynamic preparations and to hearrenowned biodynamic soil and vineyardconsultant, Philippe Armenier.The fall issue of JPI’s newsletter AppliedBiodynamics featured an in-deptharticle by Hunter Francis on ManfredKlett’s 2008 visit to Rudolf Steiner College.Former head of the agriculturalsection in Dornach, Klett is author ofmany important books and lectures onbiodynamics.The winter issue of Applied Biodynamicspresented a revised and updated versionof Ehrenfried Pfeiffer’s original farm survey questionnaire.This document was to furnish in-depth biographical informationabout the farm individuality in anticipation of a future visitby Pfeiffer to guide the farm into biodynamic agriculture. The“The key is one’s attitude in workingthe land. Transform what you thinkand feel in your daily work!Even a conventional farmer withgreat care and devotion becomes agreat fertilizer. We fertilize the earththrough our work being penetratedand carried by our thinkingand feeling.”–Manfred Klett quoted in “Working inthe Midst of Polarity: Manfred Klett’sFurther Reflections on Biodynamics,”by Hunter Francis, in the Springissue of Applied Biodynamics.farm questionnaire will now be used by JPI’s Farmer-to-FarmerAdvisory Service.Learn to Make the Biodynamic PreparationsThe institute’s 2009 educational events range from one-dayworkshops to the five-day fall preparation-making event. Topicsinclude learning to make and use horn manure, horn silica, valerian,yarrow, stinging nettle; composting, harvesting of sheathsand working with planting calendars.Maria Mihok attended the fall workshopand described its meaning for her. “Havingnow been a part of the process of thepreparations from creation to application towitnessing the results, I have a whole newappreciation and reverence for them. I alsohave a much deeper level of gratitude for theplants, animals, trees, minerals, and humanefforts involved. I have no plans to make thepreparations on my own; however, I thinkI would be able to if necessary. And I knowabsolutely that every part of the experienceof this workshop will live on in me wheneverI buy, work with, apply, and speak about thepreparations... I highly recommend this workshopto anyone of any level of experiencewith an interest in biodynamics. It will changeyour life.”To get either single issues or subscriptions to AppliedBiodynamics, email info@jpibiodynamics.org or call 276-930-2463.Upcoming events including preparation-making are listed atjpibiodynamics.org.12 Evolving News for Members & Friends