Regina Sharmila Dass is an Associate Professor of Microbiology at Pondicherry University, a government institution in India. With 15 years of experience, she is actively involved as a trainer (having trained over 10,000 farmers and agriculturists) and consultant in BD agriculture, both in India and abroad. She has presented research papers on BD agriculture in Switzerland, New York, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi, and the Philippines. Currently, she is studying microbiological parameters in BD and non-BD soils from various agroecological zones in India.

David Martin grew up in the USA, France, and England. He is a pediatrician, pediatric endocrinologist, oncologist, diabetologist, and hematologist. He has received several awards for his research in growth, skeletal development, diabetology, and endocrinology. After serving as Professor of Child and Youth Medicine at Tübingen University, he is now a Professor and the holder of the Gerhard-Kienle Chair of Medical Theory, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine, and Director of the Institute of Integrative Medicine at the University of Witten/Herdecke, Germany. He founded the Medical-Agricultural Study Year (MeLaS) and is actively exploring how medicine and farming can work more synergistically for the health of all.

Cyrille Rigolot is a researcher at the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment (INRAE) in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Trained as a livestock farming system scientist, he has developed a passion for transdisciplinary knowledge co-production with farmers and sustainability transformations. Biodynamic farming became a case study, a research partner, and ultimately a major source of inspiration. Future research topics include the concept of the farm organism, respectful management practices with animals, and the key role of intuition in decision-making.

Eduardo Rincón is a biodynamic farmer, biologist, teacher, and artist. He graduated as a tropical plant biologist and later obtained a Master of Fine Arts degree based on his work with Goethean phenomenology, merging science and art. Early in his career, Eduardo began studying anthroposophy and biodynamic agriculture, which led him to work with Waldorf schools on the agriculture curriculum. He also initiated La Huerta de Vinci, a project dedicated to the production of medicinal plants and education in biodynamic agriculture, and co-founded the Biodynamic Association of Mexico. For many years, he has fused his personal research in biodynamic agriculture and plant biology with art projects, including contemporary art installations, painting, and sculpture. He lived and worked in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where he founded an anthroposophy and biodynamic learning center and productive ranch. Since August 2024, he has resided in Switzerland, where he became the co-leader of the Agriculture Section at the Goetheanum.

Ms. Binita Shah is an Organic/Biodynamic Farmer, Social Entrepreneur, and Agriculture Development Professional. She founded SARG India, a non-profit organization, and SUPA Biotech P Ltd to promote organic and biodynamic agriculture. She played a key role in shaping Uttarakhand's Organic Agriculture Policy in 2002 and led the Organic Commodity Board from 2003 to 2015. Her work has impacted over 100,000 farmers across India, particularly in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, where biodynamic farming provided hope to struggling farmers. SARG India has facilitated 1.5 million composts, while SUPA Biotech P Ltd produces biodynamic preparations and markets organic products under the HOI (Himalayan Organic India) brand. Ms. Binita is recognized internationally for her expertise in biodynamic preparations, agriculture extension, agroecology, and sustainable livelihoods. She holds key positions as a board member of PDKV Jaivik Kheti Mission in Maharashtra, an independent director at The Nainital Bank, a member and secretary of the Sustainable Development Forum Uttarakhand, and a member and treasurer of the Integrated Mountain Initiative.

Julia Wright is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, UK. She has a professional background in international participatory development, with a focus on organic and ecological farming and food systems across a range of countries, cultures, institutions, and agroecosystems. Over the last decade, she has co-developed a new academic discipline called Subtle Agroecologies, which explores the supersensible dimensions of farming and nature relationships from a trans- and multidisciplinary perspective. This field draws on vibrational-energetic aspects of quantum sciences, consciousness, neo-indigenous studies, and embodied practices and methodologies. Julia has previously served as Chair of the Council of the UK Biodynamic Association and currently supervises doctoral studies, largely focusing on the social aspects of biodynamic farming.

Ruskin Mill College is the founding college of Ruskin Mill Trust. Located in the Cotswolds, the 140 acre site includes wooded valley, a trout farm, market gardens, sustainably managed woodlands, and biodynamic farm. Nestled in amongst the landscape are craft workshops including pottery, forge, textiles, and woodwork.

Ruskin Mill College

Cost per person: £70.

Departure: 4 September at 10:30 from RAU Campus

Duration: 4 hours.

Meals: Lunch.

Maximum number of participants: 40.

His Majesty King Charles III came to Highgrove in 1980, and the house and gardens have since undergone many thoughtful innovations. When His Majesty first arrived, Highgrove possessed little more than a neglected kitchen garden, an overgrown copse, some pastureland and a few hollow oaks.

Today, after the hard work of many people, an interlinked series of gardens now unfolds in a succession of personal and inspiring tableaux, each reflecting HM The King's interests and enthusiasms. Highgrove now welcomes up to 40,000 visitors a year.

Above all, Highgrove is the family home of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Highgrove Gardens

Cost per person: £125. An organic lunch is included.

Departure: 4 September at 10:30 from RAU Campus.

Duration: 4 hours.

Meals: Lunch.

Maximum number of participants: 30.

Home to the world’s oldest agricultural research station, the Rothamsted site boasts both historic features and world-leading facilities driving sustainable farming research. Starting at the world’s longest running field experiments, which first identified the principles of modern plant nutrition, the tour will include new long-term experiments seeking to establish the basic trade-offs of more regenerative approaches, GM and GE field trials, in-field plant phenotyping and the trap network for the national insect survey. 

Also included will be a look at new hi-tech approaches to agricultural field experimentation and lab analysis, and a visit to the historic sample archive, home to a third of a million soil and plant acquisitions. 

Cost per person: £110.

Departure: 4 September at 10:30 from RAU Campus.

Duration: 4 hours, return to RAU around 18:00.

Meals: Lunch.

Maximum number of participants: 30.

The Tablehurst and Plaw Hatch Community Farm Limited (The Coop) was born out of a group of dedicated individuals with a clear vision, a keen interest in biodynamic farming and boundless love for their local community. Since 1995, the Coop has become the owner of two thriving, award-winning biodynamic farm businesses farming land owned by St Anthony’s Trust in and arounfd the charming village of Forest Row, East Sussex. All trips to include a delicious lunch at Tablehurst Farm. 

You can opt for: 

1. A day visit returning to RAU including lunch at Tablehurst Farm. Cost per person: £120.

2. A day visit with onward travel to London Airports – tranfers to be arranged. Cost per person: £70. Duration: 4 hours. Meals: Lunch.

3. Overnight at Emerson College after the farm visit, accomodation, dinner bed and breakfast at Emerson College. Cost per person: £210. Duration: 2 days.

For those not wishing to return to RAU, transfers can be arranged at cost to London via East Grinstead Railway Station and to all the main London airports.

Tablehurst and Plaw Hatch

Emerson College

A pilgrimage to some of the ancient sites of the Avebury complex, visiting the henge, standing stones, West Kennet Avenue and Long Barrow. Learning some of the archaeology, folklore and more. Gaining an understanding of Neolithic Britain, the first farmers and the way they monumentally changed the landscape around them, aligned to the stations of the sun, the mansions of the moon and the ever-changing seasons. 

Chris Park lives on an organic farm in the Vale of the White Horse, Oxfordshire. His work is wide and varied, from arts and craft, ancient technologies and educational projects to eco-building, professional storytelling, folk music and raising the awareness of the heritage of beekeeping. He is a beekeeper, skep-maker, apitherapist and a practicing Druid and celebrant, immersed and versed in the lore and mythology of these sacred isles.

Cost per person: £130.

Departure: 4 September at 10:30 from RAU Campus.

Return to RAU by: 16:00.

Maximum number of participants: 30.

A two day excursion to the Druid Circle at Penmaenmawr in Eryri (Snowdonia). Arriving  on the Thursday afternoon, the group will walk to the Druid Circle. This is the place where Rudolf Steiner is reputed to have envisioned the role of agriculture as being central to the spiritual accommodation will be at the Trigonos in Nantlle, a Ruskin Mill Centre. On the morning of day 2 the group will return to the Druid Circle, assenting by a different route for a second experience of the site. The group will then visit the museum at Penmaenmawr.

More information

Cost per person: £200.

Departure: 4 September at 10:30 from RAU Campus.