Gunther Hauk
Sustaining Life on Earth: Responding to the Agricultural
and Honeybee Crisis in a Deeper Way
7:30 p.m. on Wednesday,
March 21
Reynolds Hall, 52 Concord Street in Peterborough.
Peterborough– Gunther Hauk, one of the
foremost authorities on biodynamic gardening and honeybee sustainability
will speak on “Sustaining Life on Earth: Responding to the
Agricultural and Honeybee Crisis in a Deeper Way” at 7:30
p.m. on Wednesday, March 21 in Reynolds Hall at 52 Concord Street
in Peterborough.
A report in the Nov. 27, 2006, New York Times described the beginning
of what bee researchers are calling "colony collapse disorder," in
which honeybees are disappearing, flying off in search of pollen
and nectar and not returning to their colonies. Beekeepers in 24
states have been shocked to discover their bees are gone, threatening
the pollination of $14 billion worth of seeds and crops, the Times
said. Honeybees are a critical link in the long chain that gets
fruit and vegetables to supermarkets and dinner tables across the
country. “Every third bite we consume in our diet is dependent
on a honeybee to pollinate that food,” said Zac Browning,
vice president of the American Beekeeping Federation.
According to the Times, the bee losses are ranging from 30 to
60 percent on the West Coast, with some beekeepers on the East
Coast reporting losses of more than 70 percent.
Gunther Hauk is a college instructor and director of the Pfeiffer
Center for Biodynamics and Environmental Studies in Chestnut Ridge,
New York. He was born in Yugoslavia and raised in Germany, emigrating
to the United States in 1956 to complete his education. After receiving
an MACT degree from the University of Tennessee, he taught at Allegheny
College for three years, before completing his Waldorf teacher
training in Germany. After 22 years of teaching gardening at two
German Waldorf schools, he returned to the US to help found the
Pfeiffer Center, dedicated to education, research and outreach
in farming, gardening and beekeeping. He is the author of Toward
Saving the Honeybee, published by the Biodynamic Farming and
Gardening Association. Biodynamics is a method of organic farming
that has been practiced for generations.
This talk is sponsored by Nubanusit Neighborhood and Farm, the
state’s first “green” housing development and
cohousing community, currently under construction on 70 acres in
Peterborough. In addition to the 29 environmentally-designed homes,
the neighborhood will include a common house, professional office
space in a historic farmhouse, an organic farm, acres of open space,
a dairy, apiary, and riding facilities.
Gunther Hauk’s presentation is free and open to the public.
Reynolds Hall is located across from All Saints Church on Concord
Street next to the River Center. Parking is available at the River
Center, behind Reynolds Hall, and on the street.
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