On May 11, the Biodynamic Agriculture Society of BC welcomed farmers, gardeners, families and curious newcomers to Forstbauer Natural Food Farm in Chilliwack for the annual Spring Dig Day.
People travelled from White Rock, North Vancouver, Squamish, Pemberton and Vancouver Island to take part. The gathering opened with eurythmy before the group unearthed barrel compost, horn manure, dandelion and chamomile preparations that had been buried the previous fall.
The wet season offered an important lesson. Some preparations were ready, while others had not fully transformed because excess moisture remained in the ground. The group collected the finished barrel compost, turned the remainder to bring in more air, and returned several preparations to the earth for another six to twelve months.
Children explored the worms, compost and preparation materials while adults shared observations and questions. Experienced members explained the purpose of the preparations and offered practical instructions for stirring and applying them. Participants who wanted to begin using the preparations in their own gardens were able to take some home.
A generous potluck lunch, Forstbauer blueberry juice and time to tour the farm made the day as much about community as technique. Some participants visited the chickens, saw the willow growth and harvested nettles for spring tea.
Thank you to the Forstbauer family, the volunteers and every participant who travelled to learn, work and share the day. The experience reinforced something at the heart of biodynamics: knowledge deepens when people meet the land together.
