Biodynamics & Social Media

Here are the results from an informal survey I ran this week, to prepare for the podcast episode on biodynamics and social media with Lin Bautze for ‘Living Farms’

Question 1: I think my favourite place to chat about my work is on Instagram stories, probably because they vanish after 24 hours, so it’s a low risk space that feels very casual. If you watch my Instagram stories (even just a few of them every now and then), what do you find useful or interesting?

• All of it
• Instagram stories are very interesting to see what you work on the day and I can learn something from there timely, which encourage/remind me to work in the garden. But I can not always on it so miss some days of stories
• Practical and simple tips on gardening and composting.
• I like seeing the different places you teach and garden. I know very little about bio dynamics so seeing it put into practice is interesting.
• Your stories about what you are doing, practical tips and real life footage
• The range of things you cover keeps it interesting.
• I am most interested in what to do at particular times. Ie when a stir is happening or how a particular pule of compost is being constructed
• You give great tips, you show how, you discuss openly, good links to other stuff.
• Your story, your progress, compost stories of course and also the result in the garden and how it gets used. Your outlook and ideas for the future
• All of the small pockets of wisdom that you share
• I love the morning talks where you ponder about random things. I love listening to your opinions on things and I also find interesting just the work you do in general from day to day.
• The beautiful pics of nature.new ideas presentrd and words printrd to reinforce memory retention.
• The realness of the content, you’re out there doing actual things to make a difference and educate people.
• I must admit I’m not currently following you, but you have now (inadvertently) reminded me to do so! I think Instagram stories are great because you can give a quick tip/snapshot of something that your followers can apply to their gardens — it’s a “with immediate effect” kind of feel. Very relevant and very ‘now’.
• I like the casual, personal and really informative content.
• I love seeing what you do in the community and also the stories where you share your knowledge.
• I get lots of ideas watching what you do and you also often give me interesting things to think about.

Question 2: Would you like to see other biodynamic gardeners, farmers and growers using social media more? Why or why not?

• Yes it’s great for sharing knowledge but it’s also takes a lot of time for content given away for free. So it kinda depends on the person.
• Yes because it would be awesome to see how they put the principles into action. Also very inspiring to see.
• Yes would be great, easy way to get to people.
• Yes always fascinating to see behind the scenes and learn what goes into growing. Sometimes I pick up some tips.
• Yes
• I find it helpful
• Yes, because with social media you will always ‘find your people’ so to speak. Also, some people are visual learners and social media can really help with that. Plus it can be quite interactive.
• Yes helps bring it mainstream
• Yes because I find it inspiring and educational.
• It makes it more relatable. It can feel overwhelming and if you don’t do it all, where can I even start.
• Yes and no? Yes for learning and sharing, but no because I follow a good amount of social media now and don’t want a bigger list to follow.
• Yes as easy to access but not if it takes over their ability to be present and being.
• yes because I think it would help others to get inspired to do it and understand better what biodynamics is and how to do it.
• Yes! I learn so many small snippets of info — short and sweet
• Yes, I think the more ideas and ways we can tap into, the more options to add this to the gardening routines
• Indifferent. It is inspiring to find new accounts and perspectives though
• Absolutely, this is currently our main communication forum
• Yes, I want to see more of this on socials because this is the info we need to share to get people growing for them selves
• Yes there is lots to be learnt from seeing what orhers are doing.
• Yes I think so as long as the information was engaging for me.
• Yes from a interest point of view
• Yes. sharing creates more knowledge and opportunities to learn.
• Sure. I think you’re on a good path that we could all learn from the information and knowledge that you share.
• Nah, I’m on my phone enough
• I follow already some of them, but I might be interested in who you would like and recommend.
• Yes!
• Yes, biodynamics has a bit of a woo woo aura about it but seeing more people use it/show others brings it to the fore and may get more people interested in giving it a go
• Love too … because I’m interested and it’s an accessible way for me to find information that is relatable and understandable.

Question 3: One of the main purposes for starting Blue Borage was to help make biodynamic gardening a logical choice for the mainstream (organic) gardener. But the term ‘biodynamic’ is off-putting for some people. So I leave it out a lot of the time. What are your thoughts on this? Is it important to name the philosophy frequently, so people see it’s mostly just common-sense gardening, or hide it, so people start using these methods without realising they are mastering something they thought was tricky?

• Yes I think biodynamic could be off putting because it seems like something a pro gardener would do. But I think it is also important to use it because it shows the reality and that most people could easily implement it into their garden
• Keep doing it. At some point people get to try and see is not hard
• Yes I think biodynamic can be intimidating as it seems very complex and you might not be doing it right! Common sense feels better for me and more inclusive.
• Use it absolutely
• You do you! Use it if you think it’s important, which you clearly do. :) I still think theres a lot to it and don’t have headspace for all of it, but i absorb what sticks by itself.
• The name itself is pretty cool. I don’t think you need to ‘dumb down’ what the name means, but maybe explain it in a different way. You could still use the name in conjunction with another, that is perhaps more relatable to Kiwis? Don’t hide the name, your people will always find you but maybe just use an alternative name as well….at least for beginners etc. Just so people like myself ‘get it’ haha, but otherwise you’re doing great.
• Leave it out
• I think speak it all the time and maybe have like an auto explanation somewhere for people who are new to the page.
• Good questions! don’t have an answer sorry. I can just say for myself, I’m definitely drawn to you because of biodynamics!
• Hahaha 🤣 I guess I see it as common-sense due to your teaching!! Have you tricked me?? Well done!
• Naming is great maybe short explanation , one sentence to support understanding could enhance audience learning
• hmm not sure. I think it’s good to name it because I think people are put off the name as they don’t fully understand what it means or how to do it. But then I guess it depends on the person and how they learn or like to learn.
• I would keep it in! They will soon realise the magic they are mastering
• I think the result is what counts. Method is easy to get to when someone is sold on the result.
• Indifferent. Dropping it in every so often casually makes it seem undaunting
• Not sure. I think some people do react negatively
• This word feels scientific to me, like I have to get something right in a particular way. I think gardening needs to be easy especially for new learners, don’t overwhelm them with technicalities but make sure basics are there, so that knowledge can grow.
• I usually say the words biodynamic gardening in conversation if it crops up. Those who are interested will ask questions if they don’t know. Those who are not interested don’t enquire.
• I’m a fan of not making a complex term the main act, but certainly keeping it as part of the narrative once the customer relationship is developed.
• From meeting you at the food show I have started composting, worm farming and have reduced my waste by 80% and I completed a horticultural certificate with Otago University
• this question is so nuanced ; ) biodynamics isn’t my cup of tea, but YOU are intriguing, a natural communicator/teacher, and an absolute pleasure to follow. and so I’m more attracted to following you for the value YOU bring, not because of biodynamics. and if you became preachy about biodynamics, it’s likely that would be a turnoff. (to be clear, I don’t think you’re preachy at all)
• When I hear biodynamics it makes me think that everything is connected and having the knowledge or awareness of why every little thing can contribute to a bigger picture.
• No major need to use it in my opinion.
• I was not sure the differences of Biodynamic, Organic, Natural, No digging… many ways to call spray-free farming style, but Biodynamic way is using CPP, weeds, anything from the land back to the soil, as I understand so far but may be wrong. When I can’t correct cow manure to my compost, I can not call mine the biodynamic gardening? Still confusing..
• I reckon as long as people are learning it and it’s happening, it doesn’t matter what you call it! So not including the name is beneficial.
• Yes mainstreaming it! Normalizing and taking away the fear through sharing real life information in plain language that is relatable

Thanks for your interest in this topic. To learn more about Blue Borage follow along on Instagram here, or sign up for regular emails here.

Happy composting!

Katrina

www.blueborage.co.nz
email: katrina@blueborage.co.nz