Wellington treasure

Tucked away in the farm lands of Wellington you will find Bloublommetjieskloof Biodynamic Farm, a miracle of creation begun 35 years ago by the pioneering Jeanne Malherbe. Against ridicule and harsh criticism, not helped by the fact she was a woman on her own, Jean implemented her vision to create the first biodynamic farm in this country. It is now owner – managed by Wendy Lilje and her dedication to continuing this vision is inspirational and left a lasting impression on me.

Wendy has been taking the land to new levels for the past seven years and has since had the farm certified biodynamic with Demeter (the world biodynamic certification body – see footnote)

I was curious to understand more about biodynamic farming and surprised to learn of its origins. Rudolph Steiner (1861-1925), a respected and well-published scientific, literary and philosophical scholar founded The Anthroposophical Movement at the turn of the century. Anthroposophy recognises the divine in all material phenomena and tries to consciously work with and understand these formative forces.

Over eighty years later there are representatives all over the world leading the way in innovative and holistic thinking. Dr Steiner’s world view informed holistic approaches to medicine and we see the results in Weleda, Wala and Dr Hauschka products. Waldorf schools developed out of his insight but the impact didn’t stop there: It has reached out into science, philosophy, religion, architecture, drama, dance (Eurythmy) and also in agriculture (Biodynamic farming).

Biodynamic agriculture adopts this divine principle in all aspects of its farming activities. Because synthetic chemicals form a barrier against the elemental, spiritual world, so farming completely naturally is a pre-requisite. The farm is seen as a living organism of which all its parts (the soil, the plants, animals, the workers etc ) unite to form a sustainable ‘whole’.

Central to biodynamic farming is the use of the special biodynamic preparations, made from various herbs and cow manure. These preparations are inserted into compost heaps or diluted and sprayed over crops and pastures. The preparations serve to enliven the soil. This in turn imparts a quality to the produce which will once again enable us (who have through materialism, been cut off from the spiritual world) to re-connect with the divine, in a fully conscious way.

I revel in being in the country; the air is softer, the sounds more nuanced and walking around the horse pastures, I spotted one of the three pigs, all called Matthew! How many of us actually get to see a huge pig and observe their comical nature? He was busily foraging close to the sage and lavender plants and wasn’t in the mood for visitors but he still managed to brighten the wet day. After a tour of the dairy I startled a clutch of truly ‘free-range’ chickens, who spend their days wandering around looking for mischief. They were in the old garage, making tetchy work of an old bicycle seat before they were caught – it seemed – red handed and they guiltily stopped their cackling to eye me out.

Bread was being baked and there was lots that Wendy needed to do but the time spent with her and the sincere dedication of her vision left an indelible impression on me. Her focus in this pretty and peaceful place is on the whole of everything it comprises, of managing in the kindest and most conscious way a piece of ground that responds to this nurture. The farm is a microcosm of the wider world in which we live. We are all parts of that whole and I was left pondering the impact each one of us has and what could I do to improve my side of the deal?

Contacts wlilje@telkomsa.net or earthsource.organic@gmail.com

* Demeter Certification thus accepts only 100% organic inputs (Organic Certification still allows up to 10% synthetic chemical or conventional input).

Produce from the farm consists of fresh dairy where a range of cheeses, butter, yoghurt etc is manufactured. Biodynamic fruit and fruit products, eggs, fresh herbs, and the Bloublommetjies range of cleaning and body products complete the list.

Cottages on the farm are rented out permanently. School camps involve classes in the farm activities like milking and compost making.