The Roots of Biodynamic Agriculture

Biodynamics (or bio-dynamically grown) agriculture was the first ecological farming system to arise in response to commercial fertilizers and specialized agriculture after the turn of the 20th century. It is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement, predating the organic agriculture movement by some twenty years. This agricultural approach takes into account everything from the soil, plants, animals, people, and the cycles of the moon and stars with the ultimate goal of making each garden or farm a healthy self-sustaining ecosystem.

The development of biodynamic agriculture began in 1924 with a series of eight lectures on agriculture given by Rudolf Steiner.  Steiner is best known as the inspiration behind Waldorf schools, but his contributions to society span such vast realms as architecture, medicine, and the arts. The lectures were held in response to a request by farmers who noticed degraded soil conditions and a deterioration in the health and quality of crops and livestock resulting from the use of chemical fertilizers.  This was in sharp contrast to the concurrent “Green Revolution” which advocated the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.

Following Steiner’s lectures, an organization called Demeter was founded in Europe in 1928 to certify Biodynamic products.  Today, branches are found around the world that certify farms as Biodynamic®.  The Demeter Association of America is the certifying agency for biodynamic farming operations in the U.S.A.  Founded in 1984, Demeter USA has established a series of guidelines for biodynamic as well as organic-in-transition-to-biodynamic agricultural practices. Demeter Association is a member of Demeter International.  Demeter is the only ecological association consisting of a network of individual certification organizations in 45 countries around the world.

Biodynamic farms strive to be a self-sustaining organism within the surrounding ecosystem. Biodynamics is a science of life-forces, a recognition of the basic principles at work in nature, and an approach to agriculture which takes these principles into account to bring about balance and healing.

Biodynamic farming involves managing a farm within the context of the principles of a living organism.  In such a system there is a high degree of self-sufficiency resulting in one of the lightest carbon footprints of any agricultural method. Biodynamic farming is free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in the same manner as certified organic farming.  Demeter standards are generally stricter than organic standards and emphasize farm animals, soil and plant sprays and compost preparations which enhance and regulate plant growth and fertility.

The ideal is that of a self-contained farm - that there should be just the right number of animals to provide manure for fertility, and these animals should, in turn, be fed from the farm. Vegetable waste, manure, leaves, food scraps, all contain precious vitality which can be held and put to use for building up the soil if they are handled wisely. Thus, composting is a key activity in Biodynamic work. Biodynamics recognizes that soil itself can be alive, and this vitality supports and affects the quality and health of the plants that grow in it. Therefore, one of Biodynamics fundamental efforts is to build up stable humus in our soil through composting.

Naturally occurring plant and animal materials are combined in specific recipes in certain seasons of the year and then placed in compost piles. There are nine special "preparations" which are at the heart of the Biodynamic practice: one is a specifically prepared manure; another a silica-rich rock powder; the rest -- herbs and other plant materials. Added to compost, and sprayed directly on the soil and plants at different periods in the growing year, each preparation stimulates and enhances biological activity in a specific way. The practice of agriculture generally takes nature to a state that is one step removed from wilderness.  Farmers that actively steer agriculture’s course in unison with nature’s systems can essentially incorporate principles of sustainability that work towards healthy and vibrant agriculture, ecology, and communities.