The biodynamic
method of agriculture is a coherent procedure. It is a procedure that
is founded not only on modern knowledge but also on a modern attitude
to knowledge.
Biodynamic farms
need to be diversified in relation to the conditions of each habitat.
Cropping includes a balance between soil improving and soil exhausting
crops. Extensive use is made of green manures through legumes for the
build-up of soils. Companion planting makes use of the delicate
interrelationship between plants
Manuring
materials are chiefly farm produced. The recycling of all manures and
other organic wastes form the basis of the manuring program.
Biodynamic farms are organised as balanced biological units. Farms run
along these lines improve the quality of the ecological system of
which they are part. Biodynamic farmers are motivated by living
processes and less so on balancing numbers. Since the method is
ecologically orientated strict rules are out of place as to what must
be or not be done. There are although strong guidelines determining
the way forward. Every farm has its own individual character with
regards to its’ natural, economic and human situation. The aim of
achieving a balanced organism determines individual measures and
organisational forms. This allows for plenty of mobility, which is
essential to a modern agriculture.
Biodynamic (BD)
agriculture wants to steer the natural processes involved in
agriculture in the right direction. To attain this the biodynamic
farmer makes use of the BD preparations. There are two field
preparations know as the horn–manure9500) and the horn-silica
(501) preparations. These are applied to the field through-out the year and
will aid in the decomposition, humification and mineralisation taking
place on soils rich in organic matter as well as the ripening
processes, product quality and the keeping (shelf life) quality of
produce. There are also the compost preparations that are used within
the heaps to direct the fermenting processes within.
Biodynamic
agriculture was the first ecological farming system to arise in
response to commercial fertilisers and specialised agriculture after
the turn of the 20th century, yet it remains largely
unknown to the modern farmer and the university system. The
contribution of biodynamics to organic agriculture is significant,
however, and warrants more attention.
Biodynamic agriculture is an advanced organic farming system that is
gaining increased attention for its emphasis on food quality and soil
health and soil fertility.
Biodynamic agriculture developed out of eight lectures on agriculture
given in 1924 by Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925), an Austrian scientist and
philosopher, to a group of farmers near Breslau (which was then in the
eastern part of Germany and is now in Poland). These lectures, as well
as four supplemental lessons, are published in a book titled Spiritual
Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture, originally published in
English as 'An Agricultural Course'.
Steiner gave the
Agriculture Course lectures in response to observations from farmers
that soils were becoming depleted following the introduction of
chemical fertilisers at the turn of the 20th century. In
addition to degraded soil conditions, farmers noticed deterioration in
the health and quality of crops and livestock. Thus, biodynamic
agriculture was the first ecological farming system to develop as a
grassroots alternative to chemical agriculture.
A basic ecological principle of biodynamics is to conceive of the farm
as an organism, a self-contained entity. A farm is said to have its
own individuality. Emphasis is placed on the integration of crops and
livestock, recycling of nutrients, maintenance of soil, and the health
and well-being of crops and animals; the farmer too is part of the
whole. Thinking about the interactions within the farm ecosystem
naturally leads to a series of holistic management practices that
address the environmental, social, and financial aspects of the farm.
A fundamental tenet of biodynamic agriculture is that food raised
biodynamically is nutritionally superior and tastes better than foods
produced by conventional methods
Demeter, a certification program for biodynamically grown foods, was
established in 1928. As such, Demeter was the first ecological label
for organically produced foods.
Today biodynamic agriculture is practised on farms around the world,
on various scales, and in a variety of climates and cultures. However,
most biodynamic farms are located in Europe, the United States,
Australia, and New Zealand.
While biodynamics parallels organic farming in many ways - especially
with regards to cultural, sustainable and biological farming practices
- it is set apart from other organic agriculture systems by its
association with the spiritual science of Anthroposophy founded by
Steiner, and in its emphasis on farming practices intended to achieve
balance between the physical and higher, non-physical realms; to
acknowledge the influence of cosmic and terrestrial forces; and to
enrich the farm, its products, and its inhabitants with life energy.
In a nutshell, biodynamics can be understood as a combination of
"biological dynamic" agriculture practices.
"Biological" practices include a series of well-known
organic farming techniques that improve soil health.
"Dynamic" practices are intended to influence biological as
well as metaphysical aspects of the farm (such as increasing vital
life force), or to adapt the farm to natural rhythms (such as planting
seeds during certain lunar phases).