Pope Francis today blew out 79 candles on a giant �biodynamic� lemon cake made especially for his birthday and delivered to his St. Marta residence. ... No doubt made with the Pope�s environment encyclical Laudato Si in mind, the cake was the product of biodynamic agriculture, very similar to organic farming. (Thursday December 17th, 2015 — National Catholic Register (blog) )

The fairy penguins, as I'm going to call them, faced being wiped out on Middle Island - until a chicken farmer, by the made-for-cinema name of Swampy Marsh, came up with a plan. He suggested sending one of his Maremma dogs to protect the birds. "In Australia those dogs are generally used for chicken protection or goats or sheep," says Abbott. ... Amazingly, since Oddball and his four-legged successors were introduced 10 years ago, there has not been a single penguin killed by a fox on Middle Island. (Monday December 14th, 2015 — BBC online)

About Sonja Stark Illuminating the darkness in Swedish song By Sonja Stark, PilotGirl on December 13, 2015 at 9:46 PM 0 St Lucia Day concert December 13th is one of the most important days in the Swedish holiday season. It�s called Saint Lucia Day (Sankta Lucia) and celebrations take place across the country that rejoice in the mid-winter darkness. The old saint�s calendar marks the winter solstice as the darkest day of the year. I spent the evening illuminated by young maidens dressed in simple white gowns and red sashes singing traditional Swedish song. One-by-one, a procession of angelic voices carried forward into a dark greenhouse aided only by small candles. They circled up and down rows of gatherers sitting on wooden benches huddled under wool blankets listening intently. A radiant blonde wearing a crown or wreath of candles on her head walked forward taking center stage. As folklores go, she represented the Sicilian Christian martyr Saint Lucy who died in AD 304. For an hour, I closed my eyes and let the beautiful chorus melt away my cold chills. Soft, mellifluous and other-worldly, their voices sounded just as acoustically perfect in the greenhouse as they would in church. Rosendal's Garden (the "Rose Valley" in Swedish) is an open garden in Stockholm that provides biodynamic (organic) cultivation to the general public. It's open through December to host traditional holiday events and cultural activities. Rosendal�s Garden (the �Rose Valley� in Swedish) is an open garden in Stockholm that provides biodynamic (organic) cultivation to the general public. It�s open through December to host traditional holiday events and cultural activities. (Sunday December 13th, 2015 — Albany Times Union (blog) - Albany, New York USA)

I have been visiting this Western Australia town and region for the past 25 years ... On a recent trip, I ate at both Cullen Wines (the most biodynamic of all the vineyards) and Leeuwin Estate, and I recommend both for their fresh seafood and locally sourced vegetables. (Sunday December 13th, 2015 — Newsweek )

According to a December 1 press release from the French agriculture minister�s office: This initiative intends to show that a small increase of 4/1000 per year of the soil carbon stock (agricultural soils, notably grasslands and pastures, and forest soils) is a major leverage in order to improve soil fertility, resilience of farmers and contribute to the long-term objective of keeping the global average temperature increase below 2 degrees. (Saturday December 12th, 2015 — Alternet.org)

Discussion: Tony Trobe and Gary J. Wilson, a Canberra writer. ... GW: Griffin learnt his trade in the office, not the lecture hall. He was the third generation of a "school" of American architects with international influence. Both the Griffins had worked for Frank Lloyd Wright who developed the crucial architectural concept, organic architecture. Wright learnt in Louis Sullivan's practice. Sullivan is called the "father of modernism", even the "prophet of modem architecture". His dictum, "Form follows function", became axiomatic. Rudolf Steiner practiced organic architecture in Europe, although he's now known for his international network of primary and secondary "Steiner" schools. He wrote in German on the esoteric and developed anthroposophy, merging science with spirituality. That explains the Griffins' esoterica. TT: How are Wright's and Sullivan's ideas connected to Canberra's town planning heritage? GW: Organic architecture aims to integrate the structure with the environment. It is not limited to external shapes and textures but carries the design elements, forms, materials and motifs inside, even to the furniture. Essentially it seems an aesthetic consideration but follows the idea of man living with the environment rather than conquering it. It enhances the psychological well-being of the community with a sympathetic environment. It is critical to the idea of a garden city dominated by its landscape. (Saturday December 5th, 2015 — Sydney Morning Herald - Australia)

Waldorf dolls, as they�re known, have a real fan base worldwide and an artisan in Windsor creates her own versions of the old-timey, all-natural toys for customers as far away as the southern United States and even Hong Kong and China. (Friday December 4th, 2015 — Windsor Star - Windsor, Ontario Canada)

In an announcement made at the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris, Monsanto will be investigated by a citizen�s tribunal �for crimes against nature and humanity, and ecocide.� The trial � led by environmental activist groups � will take place next year at the International People�s Court in The Hague, Netherlands on October 16, 2016 (incidentally and aptly, on World Food Day). (Friday December 4th, 2015 — Care2.com)

In the heart of Silicon Valley is a nine-classroom school where employees of tech giants Google, Apple and Yahoo send their children. But despite its location in America�s digital centre, there is not an iPad, smartphone or screen in sight. Instead teachers at the Waldorf School of the Peninsula prefer a more hands-on, experiential approach to learning that contrasts sharply with the rush to fill classrooms with the latest electronic devices. The pedagogy emphasises the role of imagination in learning and takes a holistic approach that integrates the intellectual, practical and creative development of pupils. (Thursday December 3rd, 2015 — The Guardian - UK)

Ajay Sandretto of Glenwood Springs shows off his "little ones" dolls that were made in Mr. Baruch's kindergarten class at Waldorf School on the Roaring Fork. (Wednesday December 2nd, 2015 — Glenwood Springs Post Independent - )

Mankin said he hopes the device could work in tandem with pesticides, targeting infestations to reduce the amount of chemicals used and to help postpone the psyllids� development of resistance to insecticides. (Saturday November 28th, 2015 — Alternet.org)

Scheckter puts same drive into biodynamic farming as he did racing (Thursday November 26th, 2015 — Autoweek )

�Everything is re-inforced by biodynamic preparation,� Potin says. He argues that biodynamic philosophies, and the associated lack of chemical sprays, help vines to build natural resistance to diseases and fungi, such as oidium and mildew. But, the concept cannot work without close attention to detail. (Thursday November 26th, 2015 — decanter.com )

Quick takes on my California trip: Biodynamics equals beautiful. Not only does going biodynamic make for healthier vineyards and better grapes, it creates a lovely landscape around the vines. (Monday November 23rd, 2015 — Houston Chronicle - Houston, Texas USA)

Another organic producer came on the Nova Scotia scene this year with groundbreaking Burgundy-style wines. Lightfoot & Wolfville has been growing organic grapes since 2012, and this year released its first vintages of 2013 Ancienne Chardonnay and Pinot Noir ($40 each). The winery is not organic, but Lightfoot & Wolfville is in transition to biodynamic certification, which represents a set of practices that includes organic and incorporates homeopathic and astrological �spiritual science� practices that also treat the vineyard and winery as a complete, interrelated ecosystem. (Friday November 20th, 2015 — TheChronicleHerald.ca - Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada)

Seven myths about GM crops, and the truth behind them ... MYTH 7: Genetic engineering is the most promising pathway of innovation for food systems REALITY: Non-GM advanced methods of plant breeding are already delivering the sorts of traits promised by GM crops, including resistance to diseases, flood and drought tolerance. GM crops are not only an ineffective type of innovation but they also restrict innovation due to intellectual property rights owned by a handful of multinational corporations. (Wednesday November 18th, 2015 — Organic Consumers Association)

Last week, a Public Benefit Organisation in the Western Cape, Camphill Village, officially inaugurated phase II of its 60kW solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, making this South Africa�s first grid-independent dairy. ... The solar generated power will be used to process over 28,000 litres of organic milk into the various products. (Wednesday November 4th, 2015 — ESI Africa - Rondebosch, South Africa)

Singer John Legend is set to launch his own wine. Legend is the latest celebrity to enter the winemaking business, partnering with biodynamic Napa Valley winery Raymond Vineyards, which will produce the Legend Vineyard Exclusive, or LVE wines. (Monday November 2nd, 2015 — Malay Mail Online )

Each year a teacher or teaching team is selected for their outstanding work with a Harris Center teacher/naturalist. During the 2014-15 school year, Carr, Marchi and Morris led their students in a project called �Birds in our Neighborhoods� with Pattison. (Sunday November 1st, 2015 — The Keene Sentinel - Keene, New Hampshire USA)

Piles of rusty old tools donated to the Camphill Community will help build better lives for poverty-stricken people in Sri Lanka. The tools have all been cleaned, repaired and made good as new by members of the Pennyland community, who have a range of learning difficulties (Friday October 30th, 2015 — Milton Keynes Citizen - Milton Keynes UK)