Touch Wood
Posted by Nir Halfon on Sun, Nov 08, 2009 @ 01:21 PM
It's been three weeks or perhaps even more since any of us (ie BD team) have seen the second years. They have gone feral in the woods. One could see them at break time sitting around the college brandishing carving knives and making a spoon or a baby rattle.
This as a result of the green woodwork module. During the last weeks each of the students in the second year have learned skills in coppicing, wood turning and carving and made a few different products from wood. They also explored the subject of Biodynamic sustainable woodland management. Mark Haughton taught green woodwork and Nick Reaside taught woodland management.
Sparkey has (almost) found a new calling and was making spoons, bowls and more things everyday. Others found it a bit more challenging but in the end all had a good experience and felt they have learnt some new skills. The module was very successful.
Woodlands have an important place on the farm in many ways and especially on a Biodynamic farm. They provide raw material for products, a source of energy, recreation, a place of relaxation and contemplation and a wildlife habitat. In the picture of the farm as a whole, woodland is very important, it brings in an element which cannot be found in a field. Steiner talks about the importance of woodland in its relation to the world of insects and birds and as a balancing and complementing force to the one of agriculture.
In addition from a sustainability point of view it is essential. Woodlands are multi-functional as I said before. Farms have got the luxury that they have the land to grow their own energy. I am not talking about biofuels. They are grown in a monoculture system which I don't see as healthy to our planet in the long run (or short term coming to think of it). Wood can provide energy in a much more wholesome and healthy way. Logs, Chips and Pellets are being used as fuels to heat homes. The different systems are suitable to different locations and applications. On a farm, for example, logs or wood chips work very well. In addition, over the weekend I came a cross the Jean Pain method which uses the composting process of wood brush (small clippings) to generate heat and methane.
Also in woodlands, farmers can grow their own building materials and fence posts, create places where people can connect with theselves and their environment and wildlife can live.
It is amazing how useful woodland can be as part of a farm. I was jealous of the students - green woodwork has been a hobby I've wanted to embrace for many years. It was the first time we had such a module in the course. I hope next year I will get a chance to join the students for at least a couple of sessions and make a spoon or a stool.