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Biodynamic Agriculture
The concept of the “agricultural individuality,” or farm
organism was introduced in 1924 in the teachings of an Austrian
by the name of Rudolf Steiner. Steiner’s lectures to a group of
farmers are known as the “Agriculture Course” and form the foundation of Biodynamic
teachings. The Biodynamic method relies on some practices that
are familiar to practitioners of organic agriculture, such as
composting and the use of cover crops for soil fertility.
However, the method is distinguished from other wholistic
approaches to farming by:
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A Paradigm Shift in Thinking:
The Biodynamic farmer thinks in terms of forces and processes
whereas organic and sustainable agriculture farmers think in
terms of substances.
•
The Biodynamic Farmer Uses All Nine of the Biodynamic
Preparations:
The preparations are made following very specific methods.
They are numbered, and are used in very small quantities to
homeopathically treat compost, soil and plants.
•
Understanding and Use of Earthly and Cosmic Rhythms/Cycles:
The Biodynamic farmer is attuned to the daily, monthly and
seasonal rhythms of nature, for example, the affects of the new
and full moons on planting seeds and plant growth.
•
Creation of a Whole Farm Organism:
The Biodynamic farmer strives for this ideal. The farm depends
on a minimum of input nutrients from outside the farm and,
ideally, generates its own fertility through cover-cropping and
the use of manure from animals that live on the farm. With very
limited inputs from outside the farm, the farm has a very low
carbon footprint.
Demeter Certification
Worldwide, Demeter is known for having the most rigorous
standards for certification of any of the organic certification
organizations. Demeter standards exceed those of the U.S.
Department of
Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP). The
non-profit organization, Demeter-USA, is the only certification
agent for Biodynamic farms, processors and products in the
United States. Demeter inspectors personally visit farms and
processors each year. As of 2008, there are 123 Demeter
Certified Biodynamic farms and processors in the U.S.,
representing over 10,000 acres under Biodynamic cultivation.
There are, additionally, quite a few in transition to Demeter
certification.
Important Definitions:
Biodynamic®:
The Demeter label was one of the founding food certification
agencies that started in Europe in 1928. It predated certified
organic agriculture and follows many of the same guiding
principles as organics under the National Organic Program.
Demeter Certified Biodynamic agriculture has major philosophical
differences from organic agriculture. Viewing the farm as a
whole organism, increasing farm biodiversity, and limiting off
farm inputs are just a few examples.
Organically
Grown:
This farming method avoids the use of synthetic chemicals in
favor of natural methods, such as crop rotation, tillage and
natural composts, which help to maintain soil health and control
weeds, insects and other pests. Independent agencies certify
farms using organic methods.
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