1. The School of Biodynamic Farming An Indian Initiative
Presented by
Jakes Jayakaran
February, 2013
Adapted in 2018

2. Inba Seva Sangam (ISS) - An Introduction
The ISS is a non profit, voluntary organization founded by Mother Lea Provo in 1968 in South India.

3. ISS Geographical Location
The ISS is based in Sevapur Village in Karur District in the State of Tamilnadu.

4. Children’s Home ISS Activities
ISS Looks after, Educates & Fosters 400 poor rural children.

5. Annai Lea & KGBV Schools ISS Activities
ISS runs 2 schools to provide education to these children.

6. Women SHGs ISS Activities
ISS Organizes 350 Self Help Groups involving 4000 women in 80 villages to empower them to take part in community development

7. HIV / AIDS Awareness ISS Activities
ISS Organizes HIV / AIDS Awareness Campaigns & Environment Awareness through Eco Clubs in local schools.

8. HEALING THE EARTH Campaigns ISS Activities
ISS Organizes Healing the Earth Campaign involving 200 small farmers in Kadavur Taluk to change to Biodynamic Farming Methods & Agro Forestry.

9. Biodynamic Farm ISS Activities
ISS also has a 10 Hectare Biodynamic farm growing vegetables & fruits for the resident children.

10. Organic Farming Groups ISS Activities
ISS trains small farmers in Biodynamic Farming Methods & organizes them in Farmer’s Groups / Federation for Marketing and Certification.

11. Rationale for The BD Farming School
A need was felt to have trained youngsters to be actively involved in Healing the Earth work.
Most of the ISS Children migrate to the cities after school / employment education.

12. The Core Committee
An ISS Committee was formed to look into the question of starting a school for Biodynamic Farming as a way of reversing the trend.

13. BD Farming School in Vinobajipuram
It was decided to start a school for Biodynamic Farming in the ISS Commune of Vinobajipuram since land was available and some old buildings could be renovated and used.

14. The Impulse…….
The encouragement given by many well-wishers gave the impetus to transform the Farming School idea into a reality.

15. School Inauguration
On July 11th The School of Biodynamic Farming was inaugurated with seven students.
In the meantime, in september 2018, our 3th batsh of biodynamic students is following courses in Vinobajipuram.

16. Course Curriculum
The following is the course curriculum of this 2 year Diploma program.
It is planned to get Affiliation from Tamil Nadu Open University to offer a Government recognized Diploma.

17. “Learning by Doing”
The course aims to give practical skills needed for modern day farming in India, with an emphasis on “learning by doing”.

18. Course Syllabus
The course has 6 academic terms of 12 weeks duration each, and has three components.
Technical Skills,
Soft Skills
Practice School.

19. Fully Residential Training Course Boys & Girls Hostels in Vinobajipuram Village

20. Technical Skills Taught
Biodynamic Farming Preparation making & usage
Landscape watershed management
Soil fertility improvement
Irrigation management
Farm Equipments maintenance
Farm based renewable energy application
Agro forestry
Animal husbandry

21. Soft Skills Imparted Art Movie Show
Spoken English & Communication Skills
Computer Application
Life coping Skills
Arts & Culture
Art Movie Show

22. Practice School After Every Term
There will be 8 weeks of practical work experience in an Organic / Biodynamic Farm every year.

23. Biodynamic Preparation Technical Skills
The students are taught the making & using of all the Biodynamic Preparations, and the knowledge of using the Planting Calendar

24. Biodynamic Preparation Technical Skills
BD compost preparation making
BD 500 Stirring

25. Watershed Management Technical Skills
In the Tropics water is life.
An overview of how water behaves in the Tropical Watershed is given to the students.

26. Watershed Management Technical Skills
Students are making a relief map of the local watershed.
Stone walls in the
ravine

27. Soil Fertility Technical Skills
The making of good compost is given a lot of importance

28. Irrigation Management Technical Skills
Water use planning with Drip Irrigation
Learning the basics of developing an Irrigation water source

29. Agro Forestry Technical Skills
Learning Waste Land reforestation in Auroville
Tree Nursery Training in Odukkam.

30. Computer Application & Spoken English Soft Skills
Life Coping Skill by ISS President Dr.M.P.Gurusamy
Computer Application class

31. Our Students at The BDAI Organized Biodynamic Training in Kodaikanal

32. Visitors to our School

33. Future Plans We have plans to have 25 students per batch.
We need to create infrastructure to accommodate 50 students – Class room, Workshop, Hostel, Dining & other amenities.
We need to have experienced full time teaching faculty.
We have plans to develop 20 Hectares of land for the Farming School.
We have plans for BD seed production.

34. Contact Us K. Perumal, director of The School of Biodynamic Farming,
Vinobajipuram, Karur – ,
Tamilnadu, INDIA.
Tel:
Mobile:
Perumal Karuppan
URL:

35. Thank You