Nikolai Fuchs (born 1963) has been leading the Agricultural Section at the Goetheanum, Switzerland, since 2001. He has been active in coordinating the world wide biodynamic movement (consisting of 3797 certified Demeter farms, about 10.000 biodynamic small holdings, 412 processors and 146 distributers). In addition, he is vice president of the International Biodynamic Association (IBDA) and is active in several foundations, such as Zukunftsstiftung Landwirtschaft (Foundation for Future of Farming), FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture) and MAHLE Foundation. He is also the head of the Demeter International Office in Brussels, Belgium, which he established the in 2002. It is active  in specific political issues.

After apprenticeship and studies (Bonn, Germany, Dipl.Ing.agr.) he was the leader of Naturschutzzentrum Eifel (Environment Protection Centre Eifel) before he became general manager of Demeter Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany (1994). From 1997 to 2001 he was general manager of the Forschungsring für biologisch-dynamische Wirtschaftsweise (Research Circle for Biodynamic Business) and of the certification program of the Demeter Association.

Having been the last in the row of economical and social development over years, agriculture since 2007 has advanced to one of the top priorities in politics and even business life. Challenges ahead are to nourish the world population (food security), face and match the climate change and struggle with peak oil and energy plants in concurrence to food production. In all this fields agriculture plays a crucial role. At the same time organic agriculture is becoming mainstream. The challenge occurs in the conventionalization of organic agriculture – specialization and industrialization. Besides of that genetic engineering is knocking even louder at Europe’s doors.

So, where is and what role does biodynamic agriculture play in this perspective? What strategies, which synergies are to be taken to not only react but being active in shaping the future? In Järna some interesting developments took place in recent years. We are going to trace them down. We ask the stakeholders and entrepreneurs how successful they were and what they would do differently if they could start anew, today.

Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goldman, Bantam Books, 1995
Frames of Mind, Howard Gardner, HarperCollins Publishers, 1983
Multiple Intelligences, Howard Gardner, HarperCollins Publishers, 1993
Seven Kinds of Smart, Thomas Armstrong, Penguin Books New York, 1993

Leadership and Organizations

The Fifth Discipline, Peter Senge, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing, 1990
Principle-Centered Leadership, Stephen Covey, Simon & Schuster, 1990

Relaxation and Learning

Whole-Brain Thinking, Jacquelyn Wonder and Pricilla Donovan, William Morrow, 1984

Self Image and Success

The Road Less Travelled, M Scott Peck, Arrow Books, 1990
Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill, Ballantine Books, 1960

Environment

Being on Earth by Maier, Brady and Edelglass or The Marriage of Sense and Thought by Edelglass, Maier et al.

Service and Euntreprenure

The Art of the Start, Guy Kawaski
Small Giants, Bo Burlingham
Built to Last, Jim Collins
Good to Great, Jim Collins
How to Change the World, David Bornstein
Enterprising Non-Profits, Greg Dees
Sources of Innovation, Peter Drucker
Capitalism at the Crossroads, Stu Hart
Marketing to Leading-Edge Baby Boomers, Brent Green