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At Kimberton Hills we believe that the health of land and people are deeply interdependent. In that spirit, we practice biodynamic agriculture, which begins with the best organic practices and incorporates a view of the land as a living organism.
 Preparations similar to homeopathic remedies are applied to the soil or plants at appropriate times throughout the year to renew its vitality. A diversity of cultivated land, pastures for animals, woodlands and gardens further enriches the land and creates a farm organism with dynamic, living energy. Working with the land with respect for its health and integrity, we produce milk, vegetables, fruit and herbs that are free of toxins and bursting with vitality. We are bringing health to our environment, our customers and ourselves through this work.
If you want to learn more about biodynamics, you may be interested in reading STELLA NATURA, the Kimberton Hills Biodynamic Agricultural Planting Guide and Calendar. In print since 1978, the calendar is edited by Sherry Wildfeuer and published by Camphill Village Kimberton Hills. It can be ordered online at www.stellanatura.com or place a phone order at 610-469-9686. Locally it is available at Kimberton Whole Foods.
 
Our biodynamic Demeter certified 15-acre garden operates as a 200 member CSA. In the garden we grow a diverse seasonal mix of vegetables, flowers, herbs, fruit and also tend a small livestock herd.
Our head gardener, Sebastian, and his wife, Lael, oversee this enterprise with a crew of over 10 gardeners (including individuals with special needs, apprentices, service volunteers, and interns). We are deeply committed to the use of biodynamic methods, which allows us to strengthen our fragile ecosystem as well as provide food of the highest quality to our local community. Activities in the CSA include plant propagation, greenhouse management, pruning, crop cultivation, harvesting, tractor and equipment operation and maintenance, irrigation, livestock management, composting, making and using the biodynamic preparations.
Click here to learn more about our CSA Garden...
 
Our biodynamic dairy farm is comprised of 250 acres of mixed pasture, hay and arable land. Our crew of up to 10 farmers includes villagers, coworkers, and service volunteers.
We have a herd of 45 milk cows, the majority of which are Brown Swiss and Milking Short Horn. We also have 40 head of young stock ranging from calves to yearlings. Our farmers are committed to rotational grazing as a management tool and as a holistic and sustainable approach to land and livestock care. The cows and young stock are out on pasture from April until November. They are housed during the winter and fed silage with supplemental grain and soybeans in the barn. We bottle and direct market our milk to a local whole foods store, a local organic yogurt company, as well as to two nearby Camphill communities.
Click here to learn more about our Dairy Farm...
 
In the herb garden we grow a variety of culinary and medicinal herbs, using the biodynamic preparations.
Our small crew spends the season planting, weeding, harvesting and drying herbs for the village and for marketing. While working, we experience the interaction of Nature’s realms—learning to observe and share our findings.
 
The orchard provides the village with apples, pears, peaches, grapes and small fruits. Villagers and coworkers share in the varied tasks that maintain the health of the orchard.
In the spring we weed around the grapes and apply biodynamic compost and tree paste. In the summer we begin harvesting black currants and berries, we thin apples and monitor the insects. We spray non-toxic, biodynamic preparations on the plants. We remove bad fruit from the peach trees and grapevines. In the autumn we harvest and process most of the fruit. In the winter we prune all of the fruit trees and vines to allow light and air to penetrate the trees.
 
Our 432-acre community includes woodlands, gardens, and meadows that are managed by an estate crew who use sound ecological principles and innovative design to maintain the pastoral beauty of the village.
Our team of villagers and coworkers engage in a wide range of landscaping and maintenance activities in our estate workshop.
 
The Apiary provides pollination for the gardens and orchard while producing honey for our village and for some outside sales.
We maintain several hives here in the village and on farms in the neighboring countryside.
AGRICULTURAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT
CAMPHILL VILLAGE KIMBERTON HILLS
Currently we offer a few different agricultural positions: a two-year garden apprenticeship, one-year dairy internship, one-year service volunteer position in agriculture, and 1-3 month summer internships.
TWO-YEAR APPRENTICESHIPS:
Apprentices receive a strong “hands on” training by working alongside experienced mentor farmers. In addition they receive a solid theoretical foundation in biodynamic and organic agriculture through weekly tutorials and planning meetings from November to March, weekly farm tours and seminars offered from May through October, and ongoing agrarian and anthroposophical study groups throughout the year. In their second year, apprentices attend the monthly Biodynamic Training Course offered through the Pfeiffer Center in NY.
ONE-YEAR DAIRY INTERNSHIPS:
Dairy interns work along experienced mentor farmers and gain “on the job” training in all aspects of running a biodynamic grass fed dairy operation. Interns partake in some of the weekly study groups and mentoring sessions as well as some of the summer farm tours and seminars.
ONE-YEAR AGRICULTURAL SERVICE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:
This one-year position involves working a half-day in one of our land workshops (orchard, dairy, CSA garden, herb garden, or estate) and a half-day in one of our life-sharing households. Service volunteers partake in some of the training sessions and study groups.
1-3 MONTH INTERNS:
Individuals wishing to come for 1-3 months in the summer can work as interns in any of the various land operations. Short stay Interns may be able to partake in some of the training activities.
More Information About Volunteering | Requirements & Applications
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