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Biodynamic Farming

Biodynamic Farming. Clare Lane. In the beginning …. Rudolf Steiner (1861- 1925) Philosopher Anthroposophy Architecture Goetheanum Education Waldorf Schools Medicine Anthroposohical Medicine Performing Arts Eurythmy Agriculture Biodynamic Farming. Why Biodynamic?.

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Biodynamic Farming

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  1. Biodynamic Farming Clare Lane

  2. In the beginning … • Rudolf Steiner (1861- 1925) • Philosopher • Anthroposophy • Architecture • Goetheanum • Education • Waldorf Schools • Medicine • Anthroposohical Medicine • Performing Arts • Eurythmy • Agriculture • Biodynamic Farming

  3. Why Biodynamic? • Response to farmer’s requests for ideas on how to improve yields and soil health. • Integrates Steiner’s philosophy with agriculture. • Lectures given in 1924 are foundation of Biodynamic Farming.

  4. Principles … • Farm as “organism” • Soil health • Belief that food raised using biodynamic techniques is “healthier” and tastes “better”.

  5. Practices • Preparations • Compost • Pest and Weed Management • Planetary Influence

  6. Science • 1994 Washington State University “Effects of Biodynamic Preparations on Compost Development” http://www.ars.usda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/36450000/Products-Reprints/2000/865.pdf • 1994 New Zealand “Soil quality and financial performance of biodynamic and conventional farms in New Zealand.” http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/NEWSLTR/v6n2/sa-13.htm

  7. Science Con’t • 2001 WSU “Soil and Winegrape Quality in Biodynamically and Organically Managed Vineyards.” http://www.ajevonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/56/4/367 • 21 year study in Switzerland “Soil Fertility and Bio-Diversity in Organic Farming” http://www.fibl.org/english/news/2002/2002-05-science/release.php http://www.jdb.se/sbfi/publ/boston/boston7.html

  8. Current Research • Biodynamic Research Institute (Sweden) • Different forms of farmyard manure, farmyard manure treatment, and specific biodynamic cultivation methods and their impact on soil fertility, plant nutrient conservation, productivity and product quality. • The connection between growing methods, nutrient values and health. • Institute for Biodynamic Research (Germany) • Optimization of biodynamic preparations. • Long term trials.

  9. Difficult to study … • Impossible to “scientifically” study the philosophical aspects of biodynamic farming. • Difficult to study the physical aspect of biodynamics due to variables involved. • Most research has been done by groups that already support and practice biodynamics so the results might be biased. • The research that has been done often doesn’t differentiate between “organic” and biodynamic methods so it is difficult to assess the usefulness of the results to the study of biodynamics.

  10. Skepticism Holger Kirchmann from the Department of Soil Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences “His instructions were based on insights and inner visions from spiritualistic exercises and not on agricultural experiments. His purpose was to show mankind a form of agriculture that enables not only the production of healthy foods but also the achievement of harmonious interactions in agriculture and a spiritual development of mankind through ‘cosmic forces’ captured in the foods. However, many of his statements are not provable simply because scientifically clear hypotheses cannot be made as his descriptions were unclear and not stringent. Those predictions that can be tested scientifically have been found to be incorrect. It was concluded that Steiner's instructions are occult and dogmatic and cannot contribute to the development of alternative or sustainable agriculture.” Biological dynamic farming — An occult form of alternative agriculture? Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Ethics, Volume 7, Number 2 / September, 1994

  11. Conclusion • Despite the lack of scientific proof as to the validity of Steiner’s claims, biodynamic farming is practiced throughout the world. Research is continuing to be done on the methods of biodynamic farming however, many practitioners of biodynamics feel that biodynamic farming is better for the environment and produces healthier food that feeds their body and soul despite the lack of scientific evidence to support this idea.

  12. References • Pictures taken from: • http://anthroposophie.blogsport.de/images/rudolfsteiner.jpg • http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/First_Goetheanum.jpg • http://www.jdb.se/sbfi/default.asp?page=57 • http://www.grgich.com/html/biodynamic_faq.html • http://oregonbd.org/Class/Mod4.htm • http://oregonbd.org/Class/Mod3.htm • http://www.patsbdfarm.com/links.htm • http://www.ofb.net/~epstein/sl/20030511-the-end.jpg

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