Biodynamic Barrel Compound Workshop — August 23, 2026
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On August 23, 2026, participants gathered at Warring Family Farm in Woodbine, Maryland, for a hands-on biodynamic Barrel Compound (also called Barrel Compost) workshop. This announcement is preserved as a record of the event.
Event details
- Date: Sunday, August 23, 2026
- Time: 1:00–4:00 p.m.
- Location: Warring Family Farm, 1401 Woodbine Road, Woodbine, MD 21797
- Cost: Donations warmly appreciated
What the workshop covered
Barrel compound is a biodynamic soil preparation made from cow manure, six specific herbal preparations, basalt, and eggshell. The mixture is cured in a pit for three to six months, allowing local fungi and soil life to participate in the process.
Once finished, barrel compound can be used as a spray or soil amendment, including in seed-starting and transplanting work. During this practical workshop, participants learned about the ingredients, the curing process, and ways the preparation may be used in gardens and fields.
About Warring Family Farm
John and Diana Warring established Warring Family Farm in 2020 as self-taught homesteaders working to restore natural systems while producing nutrient-dense food for their family and community. Their 20-acre farm brings together regenerative farming, biodynamic soil management, rotational grazing, permaculture, agroforestry, and agroecological principles.
Workshop leader
Patrick Dodson has been exploring regenerative and biodynamic agriculture since 2015 and making preparations since 2017. He began teaching basic preparation making in 2020 and now offers introductory biodynamics classes for gardeners and farmers. Patrick lives and works at biodynamic Perennial Roots Farm in Accomac, Virginia.
Questions
For more information, contact Michael Judge, JPI board member, at mjudge2000@gmail.com.
This workshop has concluded. Read the workshop recap for photos and a report on the day.
