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| Honeybee hives at the Spikenard Farm and Honeybee Sanctuary. Notice how Gunther names the queens of each hive, and puts a nameplate on the hive. There's as much science to this practice as there is affection for the bees. |
Beekeepers have gotten in the habit of treating the bees in the hive with antibiotics, putting pesticides in the hive to kill mites, and a number of other pracitces that seem more toxic than helpful. For almost every need a beekeeper has, the chemical companies offer their version of a solution.
The more I learned about the conventional ways of beekeeping, the more that I had very mixed feelings - excitement but also concern - about becoming a beekeeper. Then I heard about Gunther Hauk, and had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with him at Foxhollow Farm Center. Gunther is a lifelong student of Rudolf Steiner and the biodynamic approach to agriculture. He has been integral in biodynamics in the United States, and is a master beekeeper.
What I heard him talking about was another way of interpreting the causes of colony collapse disorder and the plight of the honey bee (and our own plight!). He offered methods of beekeeping, which include a better understanding of the honey bees, which made more sense to me - and were healthier for the bees, for us, and for the environment.
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| Gunther Hauk teaching a biodynamic beekeeping workshop at Foxhollow Farm Center, Spring 2008. |
I left the workshop elated to know that was another way to approach beekeeping. Gunther and his amazing wife have been developing a learning lab for their work and a sacred space for their honey bees at the Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary. Fortunately, it's within driving distance of Louisville - located in the Blue Ridge Mountatins in Floyd, Virginia. I travelled there last year to study with Gunther - and am really looking forward to my next trip there in May to learn from him more about honey bees, swarming, and expanding the hive naturally.
Because of my gratitude to Gunther and Vivian for the work that they are doing - and my belief that their work is critical to developing solutions for beekeeping and honey bees, I wanted to do something to help support the Spikenard Farm Honeybee Sanctuary.
So, after several months, I am excited to share with you that Gunther and Vivian are returning to Louisville for three very special events. Foxhollow is generously providing a space free of charge for these events, and the proceeds will go towards the Hauk's efforts to purchase the land for the Spikenard Honey Bee Sanctuary.
The Waldorf School of Louisivlle is hosting one of the events and has been very supportive of Gunther's visit. (To note: Rudolf Stiener who developed the biodynamic approach to agriculture is the same person who created the Waldorf method of education).
The goal for their visit is to raise $5,000 toward support of the Honey Bee Sanctuary. Please consider attending one of both of these very special, very exciting opportunities.....
Foxhollow Farm and the Waldorf School of Louisville are pleased to host Gunther Hauk, biodynamic beekeeper and author of Toward Saving the Honeybee for two days of learning and inspiration.
Please join us for these exciting events:
Friday, April 1st 9:00-11:00 am: “Out of the crisis the Future is born.”
Colony Collapse Disorder: symptomatic for our economic, environmental and cultural crises." Gunther will dialogue about understanding root causes and creating solutions to address the crisis that the honey bees have shown to us.
Location: Waldorf School of Louisville. Donation of $25 per person requested. This is a special event for the parents of WSL students.
Friday, April 1st 7:00 pm: Exclusive film screening of Queen of the Sun.
This event will be an opportunity to screen the internationally acclaimed film Queen of the Sun along with Gunther Hauk, a biodynamic beekeeper for 35 years, who is featured in the film.
A discussion with Gunther Hauk will follow the film screening.
The filmmakers have generously permitted us to hold this screening as a fundraiser for Gunther’s work with the Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary.
Each participant is requested to donate a minimum of $50 to directly benefit the Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary, and support the next generation of solutions to save our honey bees.
More about the film: “QUEEN OF THE SUN: What Are the Bees Telling Us?” is a profound, alternative look at the global bee crisis from Taggart Siegel, director of THE REAL DIRT ON
FARMER JOHN. Taking us on a journey through the catastrophic disappearance of
bees and the mysterious world of the beehive, this engaging and ultimately uplifting
film weaves an unusual and dramatic story of the heartfelt struggles of beekeepers,
scientists and philosophers from around the world including Michael Pollan, Gunther
Hauk and Vandana Shiva. Together they reveal both the problems. Learn more about the film here: http://www.queenofthesun.com/
Location of the film screening: Foxhollow Farm, 8905 Highway 329, Prospect, KY 40059
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| Gunther and apprentice, David Hosey (a KY native!), utilize the Spikenard Honey Bee hives as part of the hands on teaching for students during a workshop in August 2010. |
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| Gunther Hauk teaching about biodynamic beekeeping methods during a hands on learning experience at the Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary in Floyd, Virginia. Students travelled from Kentukcy, Tennessee, and several other states to attend. |
Saturday, April 2nd 9:00 - 12:00 noon: Gunther Hauk presents "Toward Saving the Honeybee": An Introduction to Sustainable & Biodynamic Beekeeping principles and practices.”
This workshop is for those who are currently beekeepers and those who are interested in learning more about beekeeping with natural approaches, including biodynamic beekeeping. Don’t miss this exciting and rare opportunity to learn from the master himself! Gunther’s beekeeping workshops are full of information, lively discussion, Q&A, and inspiration.
A requested donation of $50 will benefit both the Spikenard Honeybee Sanctuary and the children’s education programming at Foxhollow Farms.
Location: Foxhollow Farm, 8905 Highway 329, Prospect, KY 40059
