SEKEM Insight 04.12 EN

Nr. 115 - April 2012

Insight

SEKEM‘s Journal for Culture, Economy, Society and Ecology in Egypt

Editorial Dear Readers, that bio-dynamic farming, like no other farming practice, can help to turn dry, nutrient-poor soils into fertile arable grounds while protecting the climate, is a point that has often been made here.

SEKEM’s knowledge in this field is mostly „know-how“, knowledge that is based on its own practical experience, that is.

Demeter

Music Education

SEKEM Day

Climate Protection Through Agriculture

Flutes for SEKEM’s School Children

Invitation to Stuttgart‘s SEKEM Day

Do Biodynamically Cultivated Soils Help Protect Our Climate?

The soils of the earth sequester three times as much carbon as our world’s entire vegetation. Can biodynamic agriculture thus make an effective contribution to climate protection?

In this issue, the scientist Meike Oltmanns familiarizes us with results of her own research in the field and that of the German biodynamic research organisation “Forschungsring”. The Forschungsring has been carrying out extensive research in biodynamic farming over many years to make the beneficial effects of demeter agriculture - specifically its impact on soil and plants - visible and measurable.

Only a few weeks before the climate summit in Rio de Janeiro named “Rio +20” for short, it is more important than ever to highlight the importance of a change in attitude towards global agriculture. Do you have experience in biodynamic agriculture that you would like to share with SEKEM? Then we are looking forward to receiving your letters.

Your Team of Editors Find SEKEM also on the Internet at:

SEKEM‘s work for a rejuvenation of the desert soil quickly permits the durable greening of the soils

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t is well known that greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide easily escape into the atmosphere from the ground through its agricultural use.

But carbon can also be integrated into, or bound to the dead organic matter in every soil, the humus, which itself consists of 58% carbon. Thus, the carbon dioxide content of the air can be reduced and climate change slowed.

The incorporation of carbon into the soil is called carbon sequestration.

Especially in biodynamic and organic farming practice, humus is considered an essential component of fertile soils.

Humus in agricultural soils is created by the microbial decomposition of crop and crop residues, organic fertilizers and soil organisms. The exact amount and composition of humus content is strongly dependent on the location and the way the soil is managed. The most important factors influencing humus quality include soil type, climate, the type of fertilization SEKEM Insight | April 2012 | Page 1

Economy

Veränderung der Corg-Gehalte im DOK-Versuch % Abweichung vom Corg-Gehalt zu Versuchsbeginn

-30.0

-20.0

-10.0

0.0

10.0 D

a

O

b ab

K + Mist

bc

K + Min

c

N

Fig 1: Change (%) of the soil-C-content (Corg) in various cultivation systems in 1978-98 relative to the levels at trial inception; D = Biodyn, O = Organic; K + Manure = conv. + manure; K + MIN = conv. + mineral fertilizer; N = unfertilized; Values with different letters differ significantly. (p 0,05)

and tillage, and the method of crop rotation.

Positive Effects on the Climate In a scientific comparison of conventional farming employing mineral fertilizers with organic and biodynamic agriculture, it could be shown that biodynamic agriculture has the most positive impact on the development of the humus content (see illustration above). While its employment saves only an additional 1% more carbon, the other variants of agricultural management actually released the carbon into the atmosphere.

% Corg

The same result was shown by our own research team in a long-term trial carried out at the Forschungsring (“Circle of Research”) in Darmstadt, Germany. Since 1980, the institution has been examining the benefits of 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0

1980

Ausgangssituation

1998

RMBD

1998

RM

1998

MIN

Fig 2: soil-C-contents (Corg) (% TM) in topsoils after 18 years of manure treatment without (RM) and with preparations (RMBD) as well as minerally fertilized (MIN)

different kinds of manure with and without the application of biodynamic preparations and mineral fertilizers.

It was found that the humus content in the topsoil is the highest when manure and biodynamic preparations are used in combination (see figure below left, CMBD variant). When manure without preparations (variation RM) is used or even a conventional method employing mineral fertilizers („Min“), the organic matter content decreases. Eventually none of the types of fertilizers achieves an increase in the amount of humus, but the variant using manure and preparations does succeed in keeping it at the same level thus preventing the longterm degradation of the topsoil.

Integrated Agricultural Operations on Biodynamic Farms Save on CO2 If we were to replace the mineral fertilizer in the respective variant in our experiment with manure and bio-dynamic preparations, we could sequester about 0.35 tonnes of carbon per hectare per year in the ground over the course of 20 years. However, the increase of the storage capacity of the humus is limited because the soil will eventually reach saturation and will not be able to store any more carbon. According to another study, if we were to improve the humus content in the agricultural soils of the European Union through more efficient management, we could only improve its annual sequestration capacity of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by about 2%.

Thus, although biodynamic agriculture is helpful, climate change can best be countered through an avoidance of total gas emissions.

However, a farm operating in accordance with biodynamic regulations boasts a structure that is by itself highly conducive to improving the climate. Due to its largely closed operational cycles with plant cultivation and animal husbandry in balance, a locally adapted crop rotation scheme, and a tillage system improved by composted manure, nutrients are ensured to remain inside a closed resource

cycle. By using legumes in biodynamic farming, as is also practiced in organic agriculture, nitrogen in the air is bound and subsequently used as a potent fertilizer. This saves such farms 50-300 kilograms of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer per acre, a product that would normally have to be produced using a highly energy-intensive production process. By not relying on this kind of fertilizer the greenhouse gases emitted by agriculture could be reduced by a full 20%.

Less Soil Erosion Through Innovative Field Design Soil erosion is one of the major CO2 polluters. A recent study estimates that the average quantity of agricultural land eroding worldwide every year amounts to 6 t/ha. Even if we presuppose highly optimistic recharge rates of 0.5-2 t/ha a year, this is not at all sustainable practice. Thus, is beginning to turn into a finite resource just like oil.

However, soils that are biodynamically farmed generally have a better aggregate stability and show better aeration, root penetration, and water conductivity. This is due to them being less compact, less clogged, and also less eroded. By undersowing green manure crops that keep the soil covered after harvesting, erosion and nutrient output are further reduced.

In addition, many farmers create field margins using hedgerows or other means whereby the surface runoff and wind erosion are once again minimized.

Biodynamic agriculture thus maybe seen as the foundation of an agricultural economy of the future: sustainable and in harmony with nature. But even in this field there is still potential for further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Meike Oltmanns Meike Oltmanns is a researcher on demeter agriculture working with the Forschungsring Darmstadt, Germany.

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More information: http://www.forschungsring.de

SEKEM Insight | April 2012 | Page 2

Culture

Hole by Hole The supply of bamboo flutes in use by school children at the SEKEM School has been made possible with the grateful support of the Dutch SEKEM support association. Evelyne Schindler, who supports SEKEM through her personal engagement, tells about the history of the collaboration.

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t was once again my curiosity that drove me to find out why and how such a large number of beautiful bamboo flutes are currently being played by school children of the SEKEM School. I invited Karin Posthumus, who has been caring for the musical instruments at the SEKEM School for years in her private time, for an interview that tells of the stunning achievement personal dedication to helping the poor can bring about.

In 2001, Ms. Posthumus participated in a trip to Egypt, together with friends of the Dutch SEKEM association. Of course a visit of SEKEM and its school had also been provided for by the organisers. It became immediately clear to Ms. Posthumus: „The children at the school must have flutes to make their own music on“. Her companion, Mieke van Asbek, the chairman of the Dutch circle of friends, thought the same. It was clear to them that Mieke and she would do everything to make it possible that the SEKEM School would receive enough flutes to allow the children to study and play music.

Ms. Posthumus spoke with Angela Hofmann, long-term member of SEKEM who had also introduced flute lessons at the SEKEM school, and everyone was enthusiastic about the idea.

The vivid support by the Dutch association has brought Karin Posthumus back to SEKEM many times for the past 9 years. She began to even build the bamboo flutes for the school children with the teachers of the SEKEM School. Many of them are so poor that they could never afford purchasing a flute without this support. The new flutes are not only built in SEKEM but also maintained by the children and their instructors. Sometimes one is dropped and cracks or the corks, which

hold together its parts become moist and have to be replaced. As is sawn, cut, filed, drilled, and glued each flute is restored to its original beautiful sound and through this training the teachers of the SEKEM School become true masters in building and repairing their own musical instruments.

The flutes have originally been developed by Margaret James, a British teacher in the early 20th century, who worked in the slums of London as a social worker. In 1910 by chance she spent a holiday on a Mediterranean island and heard the sound of a very simply designed flute that immediately captured her interest. She took one of them home and began reconstructing it herself in order to understand how it was built and if it could be constructed in a way easy enough to be mastered by children.

Since that time, artisan guilds have been created in many European countries educating apprentices, journeymen, and masters in the art of flute construction. Often, only a few of them are entitled to actually build the instruments following strict rules.

At SEKEM’s school, children only play the soprano version of the instrument. 7 holes and one window form the basis for its selection of fine tones. The bamboo flute is neither shrill nor loud. The trick is to elicit its sounds with only a very soft blow. This requires practice, a skill many children at first find difficult to master, which is the reason why they are initially offered the flute without holes to only practice blowing. After a while, a first hole is drilled. When the children You can visit SEKEM yourself: www.SEKEM-reisen.de www.aventerra.de

A young SEKEM pupil is playing her flute.

have mastered playing it, the second is placed. Their skills improve, hole by hole. When at the beginning of a year many young teachers have to be given basic training, that often requires patience and energy. Alas, they also have to master the process, learn to distinguish rhythm, beat and pitch.

An instrument like the flute is played „with the soul, not physical exertion“, Ms. Posthumus then reminds them. An important step is to first sing what is then later to be played on instrument.

It is of great benefit to SEKEM and its children to receive the gift of the flutes every year again and again.

SEKEM and its teachers are grateful to the Dutch friends for their support.

They hope that Karin Posthumus will continue to return many times to help bring her gift of music to SEKEM. Evelyne Schindler Evelyne Schindler supports the educational work at SEKEM through her personal commitment.

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More information: http://bambusfloetengil.de/ueber.html

SEKEM Insight | April 2012 | Page 3

Impressions

Impressions from SEKEM

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uring the last strategy meeting of the World Future Council (WFC) in SEKEM to the advisory board of which Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish serves as councillor, the “Rudolf Steiner-Dove of Peace” was handed over to Jakob von Uexküll, founder of the Right Livelihood Award Foundation and of the World Future Council. On occasion of the 150th year of birth of Rudolf Steiner Uexküll received the sculpture from the hands of Dr. Abouleish. The artist Richard Hillinger had dedicated one of his bronze doves to Rudolf Steiner on occasion of the jubilee year. Since 10 December 2008, the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 30 of his doves “fly” through the world as messengers of peace.

Jakob von Uexküll now serves as another ambassador of the dove of peace that has also rewarded the commitment to peace, human rights and democracy of other renowned figures of public life such as Vaclav Havel, Ai Weiwei, or Lech Walesa.

SEKEM Insight | April 2012 | Page 4

News in Brief

Ulrich Walter Named Chairman of the GLS Bank

New Demeter Site on the Internet

Invitation to this Year‘s SEKEM Day in Stuttgart

The supervisory board of the German GLS Bank has appointed Ulrich Walter as the new chairman. Walter succeeds Paul Mackay as long-standing chairman of the board. „I‘m looking forward to help shape the future of the GLS Bank“, said Walter at the official handover event.

The new Internet site of demeter that has recently been launched presents itself as an interactive community website. Demeter has taken on the task of transferring the modern look of the highly regarded magazine “Demeter Journal” to the web and transform it into a platform for the communication of Demeter Association with consumers, experts and members. „When demeter farms, processors, manufacturers and dealers begin to present themselves on the website, we can create a comprehensive market overview that will greatly improve transparency for consumers.

This way we can improve an understanding and appreciation of the biodynamic economy among people in German-speaking countries”, says CEO Klemens Fischer.

The German SEKEM support association “SEKEM Freunde” invites all supporters, friends, and partners of SEKEM as well as other interested parties to its annual “SEKEM Day”. This year’s event will again be held in the Liederhalle Stuttgart, a central location in downtown Stuttgart.

Walter is the founder and managing director of Lebensbaum GmbH, a German producer of organic food products, and has experience from serving on various committees and boards including as a director of a bank. He has been serving on the board of the GLS Bank as a member since 2011.

Board and supervisory board of the GLS Bank thanked Mackay for his many years of commitment underlining in particular his intellectual openness and interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and entrepreneurial thinking. Paul Mackay has played a major part in the GLS Bank’s development phases: during its foundation stage he has even been general manager of the bank. Since 2004, he has been part of the supervisory board and took over the presidency in 2007.

Mackay resigns from his post to stand for election to the board of Weleda AG, a leading producer of organic cosmetics and anthroposophical medicines in German.

Axel Janitzki will continue to serve as deputy chairman. Constance Frische, Rolf Kerler, Irene Reifenhäuser, Dr. Beatrix Tappeser and Prof. Götz W. Werner will also remain on the board.

All demeter partners may now start presenting their businesses on the site. Thanks to a simple but comprehensive search function interested consumers can find points of sale of demeter products. For consumers particularly interested in background information the site also features extensive product information, an event calendar, and a job centre listing employment in biodynamic work contexts. The demeter journal can also be read fully online and visitors will soon have access to all demeter directives and guidelines.

Demeter is also represented through its platforms on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

Source: GLS Bank

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More information: http://www.gls.de

Source: Demeter

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On the aim of the event the organisers state: “We will only overcome the global environmental and social crisis through an expansion of our consciousness. A new thinking, a new kind of action, creativity, and an ability to cooperate are key to reversing our course. In many places in the world many individuals are already going new ways, creating educational centres as seminal cells to shape a new future. The SEKEM Community is a successful, sustainable development model that encourages our collaboration for developing a new future: it created a lush paradise from lifeless desert grounds.

The event is combined with the annual members convention of the SEKEM Freunde and the event will be in German.

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More information: http://www.sekem-freunde.de

Masthead: The editors of SEKEM Insight wish to thank all contributors to this issue.

Editor: Bijan Kafi Contact: SEKEM-Insight c/o SEKEM Holding P.O.Box 2834, El Horreya, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt insight@SEKEM.com Pictures: Seite 1: Maximilian Boes; 4: Evelyne Schindler; 5: SEKEM. No republication without written consent by the publisher.

More information: http://www.demeter.de

SEKEM Insight | April 2012 | Page 5