EoL in May 2025
EoL Achievements
Justus Harm contributed to the Presencing Series
Justus Harm contributed to the Presencing Series and presented the work of the Egyptian Biodynamic Association and the Economy of Love initiative, showcasing how regenerative agriculture and conscious economic models can address pressing environmental and social challenges. His presentation emphasized the power of community-based transformation, biodynamic farming practices, and the role of inner development in creating sustainable systems. Through this global platform hosted by the Presencing Institute, Justus shared the inspiring story of how farmers in Egypt are pioneering a holistic approach to climate action and social equity.
Biodynamic Preparations Excavation Day
The day started in the morning at the BD Preps House, SEKEM Sharqiya Farm, Together the team worked on excavating
Compost Preparations
The yarrow preparations BD502,the chamomile preparation BD503, the nettle preparation BD504, the preparations were successfully matured and they have been packaged and stored at the storage room inside the BD Preps House.
The Field Spray Preparations
All horns specified for the horn silica preparations were cleaned and ready to be filled. The horn silica preparation BD501 was filled and buried successfully. All horns specified for the horn silica preparations were cleaned and ready to be filled. The horn silica preparation BD501 was filled and buried successfully.
Cleaning the flowers from the stems
The team worked on cleaning the dried Achillea flowers from the stems as part of the workshop activities.
Putting the labels of the preparations
The team worked on creating labels for each preparation as a sign of each prep buried at the BD Preps House. A talented student (Mohamed Mahmoud) from SEKEM Mid School drew the labels beautifully. Additionally, the labels were sent to the carpenter at SEKEM farm to be ready for its application on the field.
The Biodynamic Plant Breeding Workshop
Heliopolis University and the Egyptian Biodynamic Association hosted a specialized Biodynamic Plant Breeding Workshop led by Swiss wheat breeder Peter Kunz from the Fund for Crop Plant Development, alongside Italian breeders Federica and Samuele from Seminare il Futuro.
The workshop brought together a diverse group of participants — including three professors from the Faculty of Organic Agriculture (FOA) at Heliopolis University, seven agricultural engineers from EBDA and HU actively engaged in plant breeding, and three FOA students — all committed to deepening Egypt’s capacity in biodynamic and organic agriculture.
Crop Plant Development,” alongside two Italian breeders, Federica and Samuele, from the initiative Seminare il Futuro.
Participants included three professors from the Faculty of Organic Agriculture (FOA) at Heliopolis University (HU), seven agricultural engineers from the Egyptian Biodynamic Association (EBDA) and HU who are actively engaged in plant breeding, and three students from HU FOA.
Exploring Biodynamic Principles in Plant Breeding
The sessions focused on integrating biodynamic principles into modern breeding practices, emphasizing harmony between agricultural development and cosmic rhythms.
Participants explored how the farm organism, vegetative growth, and ripening process are interconnected and influenced by cosmic forces.
In biodynamic understanding, the plant breeder’s role is to balance the dual forces of reproduction — linked to the Moon, Venus, and Mercury — and ripening or nutritive value — influenced by Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
1. Establishing a Plant Breeding Center: A proposal was made to create a dedicated Plant Breeding Center in collaboration with Mizan Company. The center will combine scientific innovation with a market-oriented approach to develop resilient, high-quality crops for Egypt’s future.
2. Capacity Building and Knowledge Dissemination: Participants emphasized the importance of continuous training programs and specialized workshops to build local expertise and expand knowledge in biodynamic plant breeding.
3. Tailored Breeding Programs for Biodynamic Farms: New initiatives will focus on breeding crop varieties suited to biodynamic farming systems, enhancing both sustainability and food security in Egypt.
4. Training Future Breeders: A new generation of Egyptian plant breeders will be trained under the guidance of national and international experts, ensuring long-term development and innovation in the field.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
Seed Storage Facility: Establishing a well-equipped seed store with optimal conditions for ventilation, temperature, and light regulation.
Crop and Trait Prioritization: Defining key crops and desired traits to guide focused breeding programs.
- Internship Opportunities: Creating international internship pathways with partners in Ibiza (Italy) and Wageningen University (Netherlands).
- Hands-On Training: Conducting two seasonal field-based training sessions annually.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Building partnerships with both official institutions and independent experts to strengthen outreach and impact.
Breeding Area Preparation: Setting up a designated breeding area within El Mizan’s greenhouse, ensuring high soil quality and reliable water access.
EoL Communication Team
As part of the ongoing outreach and registration efforts, a total of 11 farms have been successfully registered between March and the 31 th of May, encompassing a combined area of 155 feddans.
- 4 farms were acquired through Facebook outreach efforts.
- 7 farms were contacted and registered via WhatsApp communication or direct phone calls.
EoL Media Team Achievements
1. Social Media Content Creation
a. Climate Heroes Reels
- Produced and published 9 short reels featuring Climate Heroes—local individuals taking positive climate action.
- Each reel was scripted, filmed, and edited to highlight the human impact and inspire engagement.
- The content was shared on Instagram and Facebook, generating increased interaction and positive feedback.
b. Educational Reels
Created 2 learning-focused reels tailored specifically for social media platforms.
These short, visually engaging reels simplified key educational messages and farming techniques, making them digestible for mobile users.
2. Educational Video Production and Publishing
- We successfully edited 10 learning videos this month as part of our ongoing effort to create accessible and informative content for our target audiences.
- The videos focused on all videos were uploaded to our official YouTube channel, ensuring easy access for farmers, partners, and the wider public.
- Each video was edited for clarity, visual engagement, and learning effectiveness, using subtitles, transitions, and voice-over where needed.
3. Organic Egypt Training in Sekem El Sharkia
- On-site photography capturing the training sessions, group activities, and key moments.
- Editing and selection of the best images for internal documentation and social media sharing.
- Filming and editing a recap reel summarizing the day, featuring highlights, testimonials, and shots of the farm environment.
Farmers’ Training Supported by: ComON Foundation project
EBDA extension engineers successfully registered 544 new farms in May that included 2,020 farmers with a total area of 9,700 acres.
Total farms: 5,988 farms registered
Total area in acres: 114,519 Feddan
Total farmers: 26,204 farmers registered
