Over nearly ten years I have been slowly developing Lauriston Farm and it has become a place devoted to the practical application of Anthroposophy. This came initially through the Biodynamic method of farming and, from this under-pinning, other aspects of Anthroposophy have emerged.
Now, the farm organism of two hundred and fifteen acres is fully certified to Demeter standards. It also has a high conservation aspect due to its location on the shore of the Blackwater Estuary in Essex. The organism consists of people, cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, bees, vegetables, fruits, woodland and salt marsh.
We have a strong social aspect with over three hundred people coming through the farm last year on guided walks, attending our beginner’s biodynamic course, volunteering and work experience. For eighteen months we hosted a Nature Nursery and next year we are starting our own Steiner Parent and Child Group. For this, six of us are forming a Social Enterprise with the additional aim of bringing a Steiner Kindergarten to this part of Essex, initially on the farm.
We have also been developing a Celestial Garden which provides wheelchair users and others with gardening and recreational opportunities. This will provide the core to the future therapeutic farming aspect which is aiming to bring Camphill philosophy into a day care setting.
A French Eurythmist, Mia Boutemy, is bringing this social art here through a series of workshops starting in January and we are actively involved in the Colchester Steiner Study Group.
All this is being carried by my full time commitment and over a dozen local volunteers which includes my parents who legally own and live on the farm. It has been clear to me for some time that there now exists the opportunity for a fellow student of Anthroposophy to help out with all this activity on at least a part time basis.
The farm currently doesn’t create enough income to pay a wage for this however I am developing accommodation to offer and there are income generating opportunities here. In addition, there may be training opportunities as we are starting the application process for the Biodynamic Apprenticeship scheme. Practical farming experience is not essential but an interest in gardening would be useful. Most important is that we can work well together and that you feel connected to this setting and Anthroposophy. In truth, I don’t know the exact 'person profile' or 'required skillset' but I do have hope that the right person will find us.
Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Spencer Christy
Now, the farm organism of two hundred and fifteen acres is fully certified to Demeter standards. It also has a high conservation aspect due to its location on the shore of the Blackwater Estuary in Essex. The organism consists of people, cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, bees, vegetables, fruits, woodland and salt marsh.
We have a strong social aspect with over three hundred people coming through the farm last year on guided walks, attending our beginner’s biodynamic course, volunteering and work experience. For eighteen months we hosted a Nature Nursery and next year we are starting our own Steiner Parent and Child Group. For this, six of us are forming a Social Enterprise with the additional aim of bringing a Steiner Kindergarten to this part of Essex, initially on the farm.
We have also been developing a Celestial Garden which provides wheelchair users and others with gardening and recreational opportunities. This will provide the core to the future therapeutic farming aspect which is aiming to bring Camphill philosophy into a day care setting.
A French Eurythmist, Mia Boutemy, is bringing this social art here through a series of workshops starting in January and we are actively involved in the Colchester Steiner Study Group.
All this is being carried by my full time commitment and over a dozen local volunteers which includes my parents who legally own and live on the farm. It has been clear to me for some time that there now exists the opportunity for a fellow student of Anthroposophy to help out with all this activity on at least a part time basis.
The farm currently doesn’t create enough income to pay a wage for this however I am developing accommodation to offer and there are income generating opportunities here. In addition, there may be training opportunities as we are starting the application process for the Biodynamic Apprenticeship scheme. Practical farming experience is not essential but an interest in gardening would be useful. Most important is that we can work well together and that you feel connected to this setting and Anthroposophy. In truth, I don’t know the exact 'person profile' or 'required skillset' but I do have hope that the right person will find us.
Please feel free to contact me for further information.
Spencer Christy