Earth Artist
barbara@soulmedicinejourney.com
www.soulmedicinejourney.com
Birthplace: Victoria, B.C. May 24, l952
Education: -University of British Columbia
BSc Zoology 1976: MSc Wildlife Biology 1979
-University of Victoria
Partial Ph.D. program 1981-83, taught undergraduate Biology and
Ecology [National Science and Engineering Research Council Scholarship]
-Victoria College of Art [painting, drawing and design]
- Schooled in Vedanta and the science of Ayurveda by Swami
Nisreyasananda and Robert Svoboda of the Ayurvedic Institute
- Reiki Training in the Usui tradition
Work Experience:
[Ongoing] Land Stewardship Consultation, composting workshops, Reiki practice and teaching, Heirloom Seeds and Flower Essences.
-2005-2006 - Garden Project Director, Mentor and Teacher, The Mountain School, Bellevue, ID; a Waldorf-inspired school where my husband and I co-created a Biodynamic mini-farm; we taught Biodynamic methods and skills to the head of the school; made and applied Biodynamic compost and the Steiner preparations; set up small scale animal husbandry; soil preparation and irrigation with high altitude and dry country challenges; established a small greenhouse; engaged in intensive seed saving; initiated a Steiner reading group with people from the community
-1989-2005 - Founder and Steward of Aurora Biodynamic Farm, Initiated the first Biodynamic seed company in North America, growing and marketing seeds only from Aurora; ran an intensive apprenticeship program where students learned the daily and seasonal rhythms of working into the plant, animal and mineral kingdoms; grew herbs, flowers and vegetables, fruit and nut trees, heirloom seeds, herbal teas, tinctures and oils, and flower essences; raised cows, goats, sheep, pigs and poultry. Aurora Farm was Demeter Certified
- 1983-2001 - Esalen Institute, Worked in all departments of this human potential center
- 1972 - University of Rhodesia in the former Salisbury, Research Assistant Biochemistry Department
- 1977-1980 - B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch, Nanaimo, B.C. Fieldwork for Master’s Thesis on Social Organization and Food Habits of Vancouver Island Wolves. This involved live capture and subsequent tracking, via telemetry and intuition, several wolves from two packs in the Adam and Eve River Valleys. Wilderness skills and animal tracking; extensive knowledge of fauna and flora .
As a teenager I taught arts and crafts to young people in Victoria City Parks and have had a lifelong passion for hand work and
Life Experience: - Lifelong gardener focusing on right livelihood—a healthy legacy for the future—the children. Mother to two sons: William and Nathan Liles were brought up on the farm and are launching their own apprenticeships to the planet at present; travels to England, Scotland and South Africa, where I taught composting.
Publications: “The Vancouver Island Wolf” Scott, BMV, 1979, MSc Thesis University of British Columbia.
“Food Habits of Two Vancouver Island Wolf Packs, A Preliminary Study” Scott, BMV and D. M. Shackleton, 1980, Canadian Journal of Zoology.
“Bessie’s Teachings at Aurora Farm,” Biodynamics, Spring 2002
wodraska@mac.com
www.soulmedicinejourney.com
Objective Right livelihood, involving any combination of my skills in agriculture, land stewardship and communications.
Experience
Currently writing Deep Gardening: Soul Lessons from 17 Gardens
2005-06 – Gardener, Biodynamics mentor, The Mountain School
1998-2005 -- Seedsman, Aurora Farm, Creston, BC
1997-98 --Head gardener, Seeking Common Ground CSA, Honeoye Falls, NY; built and operated food-growing greenhouse
1996-97-- Head gardener, Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center, Patagonia, AZ; built and operated food-growing greenhouse
1994-96 -- Head gardener, B Bar Guest Ranch, Emigrant, MT; built and operated food-growing greenhouse
1986-90 -- Founder/farmer, Community Supported Agriculture Project,
Quincy, IL; built and operated food-growing greenhouse
1985-86 -- Gardener/herdsman, Camphilll Minnesota, Sauk Centre, MN; built and operated food-growing greenhouse
1981-85 – Biodynamics Trainee/gardener, Camphill Village, Kimberton, PA; operated food-growing greenhouse
1979-80 -- Training in spiritual community, Claymont, Charles Town, WV
Education
1959-63 -- University of Dayton; BA, Psychology;
1963-67 -- University of Kentucky; MS, Clinical Psychology.
Writing Credits
ACRES USA, January, 1998, "Biodynamic CSA Gets off the Ground"
ACRES USA, January, 2002, “A Manifesto For Seeds”
The Permaculture Activist, February, 1998, "Adopt A Hive"
The Permaculture Activist, June, 2002, “A Manifesto For Seeds”
Numerous articles over the years for BIODYNAMICS journal