Like a cosmically contented, biodynamic cow - I am still feeling nourished from last Saturday's Zinniker Farm2Table Brunch. What a joy to break bread with Mark & Petra Zinniker, & Aidan & Alisyn Benkowski, who are learning the art of biodynamic farming, so that they can eventually take up the Zinniker legacy & stewardship of the farm. The community came together with enthusiasm to support the farmers who made the journey into the Windy City –
We were treated to a gourmet 4-course meal lovingly crafted, & artistically hand-plated by Zen, Sheila & Amy.
The 1st course was a sublime rosemary bone-broth made from Zinniker chickens, perfectly accompanied by a slice of homemade Pfeiffer wheat bread. The 2nd course was a frittata filled with cheese, spices & beet greens from Petra’s garden, which also graced us with many varieties of lettuces to round out that course, as well as flowers for the tables.
The 3rd course was Zinniker flank steak cut paper thin, on a bed of purple cabbage & snap peas – words cannot describe the tenderness & popping flavors brought out by the citrus glaze.
The 4th course was slow cooked Zinniker brisket with an array of spices that melted in your mouth, served with a thin slice of La Bafana Corn Cake, made with maize breed from Mandaamin Institute, the perfect complement of sweet.
For dessert there was a rich egg custard made from Zinniker eggs of course, & cold brew biodynamic coffee from Zen, with thick fresh cream! The perfect ending to a sumptuous meal.
The conversation at the beautifully appointed tables set up at our local Christian Community Church was more precious than gold. My beloved Solar King CG spoke as president of Zinniker Farm Stewardship Association (ZFSA is a non-profit working to carry the legacy of Zinniker Farm into the future). And Aidan Benkowski filled out the picture of the transition taking place at the Farm.
Aidan is leading the effort to grow the stewardship thru spearheading a ‘Founding Members Group’, along with a campaign to fund the growth of the farm, allowing Aidan to quit his corporate day job, so that he can devote his full time to farming. The goal is to cultivate a community of members around the farm who value the biodynamic practices which have been regenerating the Heartland since 1943. This type of beyond organic agricultural practice, is a dedicated labor of love.
Just like Zinniker Farm, humanity is in transition – And Biodynamics is the ultimate counterforce to all that is artificial in this fake-news-world. Today, we are blessed with the opportunity to co-create a new way to help Zinniker Farm thrive into the future - during this critical transition, while helping expand access to nutrient-dense, regenerative & biodynamically grown food. For example, Aidan is going to start raising meat chickens in 2026. And last year Zinniker Farm purchased five calves to help grow the herd.
CG loves to bake bread, so when we realized Pfeiffer Wheat has been grown on Zinniker Farm since the mid 1990’s – We thought others might want to bake with this biodynamicly breed wheat with ancient virtues, which is in great demand & very difficult to find. So last fall Mark agreed to plant 5 acres so we can begin to make Pfeiffer Wheat available to the wider community.
On Saturday, 12 July (my b-day) from 10am-12:30pm, Aidan will be hosting a tour of the Zinniker farm, & answer all your questions about becoming a Founding Member. And CG will speak about an initiative to make Pfeiffer Wheat available on a first come, first served basis. Please RSVP – or write to ask any questions about the Pfeiffer Wheat Initiative. Together we will spiritualize the Earth ~hag
Living Lands Trust has a 50 acre farm in East Troy, Wisconsin, not far from Zinniker Farm - to lease long term for an organic and/or biodynamic farmer. Here is a link to Living Lands: The farm covers 50 acres, 30 tillable, three sheds, two greenhouses, and a residence. There is a footprint on the land for another residence or building. The lease will be long term and fair. There are resources to help the incoming farmers to establish their farm business. Here is a link to more information on the farm and the Request for Proposals. ~hag
a recording of a St. John’s-Tide Tale toldGet into the Seasonal Swing with these other recorded offerings as well:
St. John the Baptist & Uriel the Archangel of SummerAn Experiential Festival with Mysteria Mystica Americana (MA) Leading Thoughts & Images by ~hag as a member initiative for MA
“The Forerunner & the Archangel Uriel”Musical Performances w/ Lucien Dante Lazar; Speech w/ Geoffrey Norris; Eurythmy w/ Elizabeth Carlson; Practicum w/ Lisa Dalton; Leading Thoughts by ~hag
Front Range Anthroposophical Café presents: Summer Solstice ‘RING of FIRE’ with Hazel Archer
If you want to support the Biodynamic Farming done on Zinniker Farm, you are invited to become a paid subscriber, with all donations going directly to the farm
Greetings Friend, you currently a free subscriber to Cognitive Ritual. Thank you for receiving my workings freely offered. For the full experience, upgrade your subscription. ALL donations go to support Zinniker Farm - The oldest Biodynamic Farm in America! Together we can spiritualize the Universe. XOX ~hag
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Thursday, 3 July 2025
Stewardship
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