Recent Screenings: Bioneers and the Biodynamic Assocation Conference

“Bioneers is inspiring a shift to live on Earth in ways that honor the web of life, each other and future generations.”

This is the core mission of Bioneers, a non-profit organization promoting “revolution from the heart of nature.” Taggart Siegel, the director of “Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?” attended their annual three-day conference held in San Rafael, CA last month where our film was one of several featured screenings. The title of this year’s conference was “From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Transforming Civilization in the Age of Nature,” a theme that speaks directly to our relationship with honey bees and the need to rebuild a world that nurtures the pollinators so vital to a sustainable future.

People came from all over the world to discuss and explore new ways to foster ecological innovation and harmony with nature.

Gunther Hauk
Gunther Hauk at Spikenard Farm

The weekend was chock-full of inspiring programs and activities focused on topics from “Grassroots Healthcare Models”  to “Developing an Ecology of Love,”  and in between events, delicious sustainably farmed food was enjoyed by all. In addition, Gunther Hauk, a biodynamic beekeeper featured in the film, hosted a powerful workshop about Colony Collapse Disorder and what we must  do to reverse the tragic cycle of honey bee decline. To learn more about Gunther, visit the website for Spikenard Farm and Honeybee Sanctuary.

The energy surrounding this dialogue was truly inspiring, and with many biodynamic beekeepers in attendance, the future of bees was a fundamental piece of the conversation. Bees provide an ideal illustration for the type of mutual cooperation and connectivity that the Bioneers goals pursue. Pollination is the thread that unites flora and fauna, and the bees remind us of the importance of preserving the delicate balance of nature and of using it as a model for our own society. Taggart and and Gunther were honored to be a part of this event, and the film was well-received by an ethusiastic full house.

This month, the film also screened at another conference hosted by the Biodynamic Association in the UK. This event focuses directly on “The Future of Agriculture” and features interactive workshops that emphasize a biodynamic approach to farming. One workshop specifically explores solutions to bee decline, recognizing bees as “the heart of the biodynamic farm.” This workshop is taught by Heidi Herrmann, one of the founding members of the Natural Beekeeping Trust, an organization we were lucky enough to work with on Taggart’s recent trip to Europe.

Here at “Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us?” we have been incredibly moved by the overwhelming fervor of so many people coming together to support this cause. If you missed these conferences, don’t forget that you can host your own Community Screening or pre-order your copy of the DVD soon to be released. There is still a long way to go to ensure future stability for the bees and for the planet, but if the Bioneers and Biodynamic Association Conferences were an indication of positive change, we know that together we can save the bees!