THE BDANC WINTER GATHERING 2025

ASSOCIATIVE ECONOMICS:

Soil, Soul and Community

hosted by The Golden Rule Community at Ridgewood Ranch 

16200 US 101, Willits, CA  - Between Ukiah and Willits on Highway 101

Ridgewood Ranch is home to numerous diverse projects in the agricultural arts.  On this gorgeous 5,000 acre ranch there are rotationally grazed cows, sheep and goats, three different vegetable farms, a seed saving program, a therapeutic horse riding program, food processing and storage and cooking and eating of all the agricultural bounty as well.

This meeting will be a great opportunity to tour these different projects and see this budding agricultural community first hand!  Come and drop in on this amazing and knowledgeable community of agriculturalists at Ridgewood Ranch while also creating space for your seasonal biodynamic study.

Saturday, January 11th

7:00 - 8:45am Catered Breakfast ($ rsvp)

8:15  - Eurythmy 

9:00: Welcome - Introductions/Announcements

9:30 - Keynote Speech:

The Active Biodynamic Farm 

within the Context of the Greater Community: 

with Hugh Williams and Hanna Bail from Threshold Farms, in New York state -

sharing 40 years of wisdom and experience 

10:30 - Conversations and Q and A 

12:00 - Potluck Lunch - bring an offering to share

1:00 - 3pm - Choice of break-out groups:

* Tours of Farm Projects on Ridgewood Ranch: such as Golden Rule Gardens with Keith and Jes Michalek, The Mendocino Grain Project, School of Adaptive Agriculture with Michael Foley, Sheep ranching with Dylan and Ruthie King  

* Garden Teaching with Willow Summer

3:30 pm - Choice of break-out discussions, activities and conversations:

* ACTIVE ASSOCIATIVE ECONOMICS 

Threefolding, economics, sharing and recipricol relationship

led by Tim Kennedy, Virginia Fish, and Shauna Heiselt 

* APPRENTICE TRAINING PROGRAMS 

Conversation with Christina Sbarra of The Farm Studio, Harald Hoven,  

and Michael Foley of the School of Adaptive Agriculture

5:00 - Singing 

6:00  Catered Dinner ($rsvp)

7:00  Entertainment to be arranged

Sunday, January 12th

7:30  - Eurythmy 

8:30 - Catered Brunch ($rsvp)

9:30 -  Opening Circle

9:45 - Community listening, sharing and visioning

11:00 - BDANCís Future - who will host gatherings?  and what can our work be?

12:30: Lunch leftovers and clean-up 

CHILDCARE: RSVP by January 7th if you are interested

Support BDANC:  $20 - $30 suggested. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. No requested donation for BDANC members and apprentices.

RSVP FOR CATERED MEALS:

Lunch on Saturday is potluck so bring something to share and your own plate/utensils.  Saturday breakfast and dinner, Sunday brunch will be catered.  Breakfast $12, Dinner $20, Sunday Brunch $15, (apprentices get a $4 discount per meal.)  Meals are paid for at the door, but you must RESERVE MEALS BY JAN 7th at 5 pm.  Contact: lukemfrey@gmail.com - or 1(707) 489-0263

ACCOMMODATIONS:  Two large dorm rooms, camping and RV space are available.  Contact lukemfrey@gmail.com  or 1(707) 489-0263 by January 7th.   Local area has numerous motels and airbnbs.