The Newton-Wordsworths were mentored by Alex Podolinski from 1988 until his passing in 2019, as documented in the ABC Four Corners program entitled "A Winter's Tale." Charles Walters, the editor of the prominent organic magazine Acres USA, praised Podolinski’s writings, stating they were “worth more than their weight in gold.” An internationally recognized expert on soil health, Alex was called to aid the Russian government following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 to assist with soil restoration efforts. Although Alex is renown throughout the world for his knowledge of bio-dynamic agriculture and methods to bring health of the soil, he did not create bio-dynamics. It was Rudolf Steiner’s pioneering concepts in the 1920s that catalyzed this movement, empowering European farmers to enhance soil fertility and combat the increasing reliance on artificial fertilizers originating from Germany.
Impressed by Kelly and William's dedication to bio-dynamic agriculture, Alex awarded them Demeter 'A' grading status within just five years from the date the time they started. This achievement had only been previously granted to a five-acre strawberry farm in the eastern states. Alex permitted them to produce the '500' preparation, acknowledging their exceptional level of 'spiritual' understanding of bio-dynamics and the intuition necessary for its successful creation. In 2024, a Demeter biodynamic inspector commended their '500' preparation as the finest they had ever encountered.
Kelly and William are excited to share their extensive knowledge and experience cultivated through years on bio-dynamic land since 1988. Their passion for the future of bio-dynamic farming drives their commitment to spreading this sustainable practice globally. Both have been dedicated environmental and humanitarian activists since 1988, receiving the Western Australian Award for Sustainable Agriculture in 2012, alongside the Williams Landcare Award for their efforts in planting tens of thousands of native trees and nurturing their land.
Since 1988, Kelly has been writing and performing songs centered on environmental themes, protecting forests, and advocating for humanity's future. She has showcased her award-winning music internationally since 1997, when she opened a concert at the World Healing Summit in Monterey, California.
Her 1999 DVD release of the song "What Is Happening to Our Forests" played a crucial role in preserving approximately 1.5 million acres of the ancient Karri and Jarrah forests in Western Australia. Time Magazine labeled this old growth are an "environmental hot spot for the planet". Moreover, her song "One World One Planet" earned the title of "Environmental Song of the Year" in Australia in 2001.
Since 1988, Kelly and William, through their music company, Newtone Productions Pty Ltd, have produced songs carrying powerful messages urging everyone to awaken and take right action for the planet's future. They believe that bio-dynamic farming and this way of living are essential to ensuring a poison-free life for all of God's creatures and His creation, including people, animals, and the vital components of clean soil, air, water, and food for future generations.
You are invited to contact Kelly and William to apply for their workshop scheduled from Saturday, July 5th, to Sunday, July 6th. Attendance will be limited to ensure that each participant gains the most from the experience available.
Participants should arrive around 4 PM on Saturday. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with afternoon tea, receive information on accommodation, and complete payment processing. At 6:30 PM, Kelly and William will present a talk on how bio-dynamics has transformed their lives, with Kelly performing several of her environmental songs.
A small fire pit will be set up outside their Bio-dynamic and Organic Café, where dinner will be served. This will be a "bring and share" meal, with Kelly and William providing a variety of bio-dynamic meat and vegetarian dishes to sample. Please bring your favourite dishes to contribute not only to the evening meal but for the following day. Kelly and William love to have "bring and share" gatherings, as it enables them to keep the costs lower for the attendees, but also leads to far more of a community atmosphere.
On Sunday, breakfast will start at 7:30 AM, followed by the workshop's learning session at 9:00 AM. Participants will go out to collect cow manure and learn how it is placed in the horns, a process that will take about two hours.
Morning tea happens at around 10:45 AM. Afterward, everyone will head to the '500' pit, where they will place cow horns into the ground, allowing everyone to see where the environment where the manure transforms into '500.' Participants will have the opportunity to assist with this process. Returning from the '500' pit, Kelly and William will share insights about their gardening journey during a tour of their home garden before returning to the café for lunch.
After lunch, attendees can explore the community garden and learn how to hand-stir and spread the '500' preparation. Kelly and William will then guide visitors to the storage area for '500' and demonstrate the equipment used in its preparation before it is mixed and applied to the land.
Finally, every participant will receive a small quantity of '500' to take home and use in their own garden, launching their own bio-dynamic journey!
