Biodynamic Lifestyle

Bio-Dynamic Farming: 

Bio-Dynamic Farming Andrea Grace

Introduction:: 

Introduction: Bio-Dynamics was introduced by Australian philosopher, literary scholar, architect, playwright, educator, social thinker and anthroposophist Ruldolf Steiner.

Slide3: 

First formulated the organic approach to agriculture in the western world by linking unhealthy agriculture and an unhealthy social and spiritual life 1924 the Bio-Dynamic movement went under way from 8 lectures that Ruldolf Steiner gave in Koberwitz, Poland

Bio-Dynamics:: 

Bio-Dynamics: Greek: bio “life”, dynamics “energy” “Working with the energies which create and maintain life” The farming practices are sensed through experience and learning from other farmers Recognizes the basic principles at work in nature by bringing balance and healing Ongoing path of knowledge Putting one’s energies into supporting the good, rather than fighting the bad

Bio-Dynamics- ecologically oriented on a wider scope, includes:: 

Bio-Dynamics- ecologically oriented on a wider scope, includes: Sun Moon Planets Subterranean features Mental factor

Bio-Dynamics:: 

Bio-Dynamics: Concerned with consciousness-expansion in regards t the planets, animals and soil Low input Self contained farm Emphasize soil fertility and tailored to particular property Looks at deeper spirit of nature based on observation Aiding nature where she is weak using human intelligence, kindness and good will to foster positive development Creating optimal animal population, making special compost preparations, planting selected companion plants at certain cosmic constellations, planting hedges for birds, planting bee pastures, etc

The Four Elements:: 

The Four Elements: FIRE EARTH WATER AIR

The Four Elements:: 

The Four Elements: All natural things of the world are formed by these by transformation and intimate combinations Each element has two specific characteristics, one principle and one that serves a connecting medium to the other elements

The Four Elements:: 

The Four Elements: FIRE- warm, dry EARTH- dry, cold WATER- cold, wet (moist) AIR- moist, warm

The Four Elements:: 

The Four Elements: Bio-dynamics thinks of these elements because they are available to our senses. Compare these to the 100+ elements of chemists and those are not there for us to experience everyday Conceptual system that can be applied to everyday work with nature

Summary of the Agricultural Lectures of Steiner: 

Summary of the Agricultural Lectures of Steiner

First Lecture:: 

First Lecture: We must proceed from a holistic point of view that takes all factors into account The Earth and the planets belong to the same system There are two aspects of agricultural production Quality- nutrition, aroma, clear metamorphic stages of fruiting and flowering. These are influenced by the distant planets Mars, Juniper, and Saturn working together through quartz of the Earth’s crust. Involved in perennials. Quantity- production of mass, bulk, and reproduction. Influenced from the lower planets Mercury, Venus, and the Moon through calcium, potassium, and sodium and their relatives in the Earth. Involved in the annuals.

Second Lecture:: 

Second Lecture: Integrated farm organism (ecosystem/biome)- plants, animals, soil and man operate like a integrated organism Soil absorbs cosmic forces by use of silica, reflects them back into plant growth Calcium pulls atmospheric forces into the ground affecting the quality of production Soil is the diaphragm of the Earth’s organism Clay is the medium for the forces streaming in both directions Specific animals belong to specific regions of the Earth and they are in symbiosis with other life forms there A healthy farm must have the right number of various animals

Third Lecture:: 

Third Lecture: Discusses the life elements Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen, and Sulfur. Carbon- “black chap”, form giving element Oxygen- universal carrier of life in connection with Carbon Nitrogen- element of universal sensitivity, bridge between life forces Sulfur- has the function of carrying the spiritual forces into the physical medium Hydrogen- the lightest of all elements, dissolves forms, dissipates and carries substances back into spiritual, nonmanifest form

Fourth and Fifth Lecture:: 

Fourth and Fifth Lecture: Fertilizer is not feeding the plant, but making the soil more alive Raised bed are easier penetrated with etheric forces Compost should be made of plant and animal residues, should not stink because a sign of the loss of life quality, slight bit of lime soaks up excess etheric Cow manure is rich in etheric and astral forces

Sixth Lecture:: 

Sixth Lecture: Weeds, pests, and so-called plant disease “Pepper” of ashes discourages pests- spread over land Vigor can be restored by strengthing plants etheric use of “medicines” Illness is due to an imbalance Compost strengthens

Seventh Lecture:: 

Seventh Lecture: Ecological interconnections within the household of nature Plant, animal, mineral, insect, and bird world belong together Observe reactions and activate senses Loss of one species is unfortunate consequence of imbalance Importance of forests, hedges, and mushroom-harboring meadows to the farm organism Can’t study in a lab

Eighth, and final, Lecture:: 

Eighth, and final, Lecture: Feeding Livestock need food for senses as smells, air, sunlight, and warmth in equal amounts Manure has a better quality when using these practices Animals are more healthy and more fertile

Atmospheric Factors:: 

Atmospheric Factors: Moisture- humidity, rain, hail, sleet, snow blankets, dew and fog Wind- strength, direction, seasonal variation and local breezes Air pressure- barometric changes Light climate- cloud covers, angle of sunlight, length of days, and shadow casts by buildings, trees, and hills Temperature- temperature average, extremes of days and nights, extremes of seasons, frosts and chills

Atmospheric Factors:: 

Atmospheric Factors: Intimately involved with how the garden grows Determines when to plant and harvest, when to water or cultivate, where danger of aphid or mildew infection, and what quantity and quality will be like Use the calendar and it takes years to predict Natural observations Hints by “old timers”

Composts:: 

Composts: “the deliberate putting together of any number of organic substances for the sake of rotting them in such a way that a high-quality natural fertilizer agent, a medium or microorganism life, can develop”

Composts:: 

Composts: Any organic matter Mix as well as possible Chop material very finely Good C:N ratio Make a centrally located compost site Place on bare ground Loosely piled Shaded or roofed in warmer, drier places Windrows- 4 ft high, 6 ft wide and as long as necessary Four elements in a balanced relationship

Companion PlantingIntercroppingCrop Rotation: 

Companion Planting Intercropping Crop Rotation

Companion Planting:: 

Companion Planting: Cabbage and bush beans with a border planting of dill and chamomile Fall cabbage does well when proceeded by early potato Beans grow well with everything Celery and carrots, parsnips, hamburg, parsley, and celeriac Corn combines with beans, squash, and cucumbers Onions with beets, lettuce, beans, and any other carrot family Spinach and strawberries Tomato and spinach, parsley and basil also with a row of asparagus

Teas, Preparations and Biotic Substances:: 

Teas, Preparations and Biotic Substances: Preparation 500- horn-dung preparation, fresh cow manure is backed into cow horn and buried two feet deep in the fall and left till spring, after taken out should be well rotted and have a pleasant smell, use a pinch of this and put in a normal size bucket of water, stirred by hand in a particular way, then sprayed by knapsack sprayer onto the ground to be planted. Aids rooting process and terrestrial forces.

Cont.: 

Cont. Preparation 501- horn-quartz preparation, aids light and warmth transmitting cosmic forces Preparation 502- yarrow blossoms, aid compost to regulate potassium and sulphur processes Preparation 503- chamomile blossoms, helps regulate calcium processes in compost And goes on until Preparation 508

Certification:: 

Certification: Demeter- worldwide Bio-Dynamic certification Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association First, you join this association Complete a questionnaire Have a stand-down year- when a farmer is converted to Bio-Dynamics method Stop using water soluble fertilizers Apply Bio-Dynamic preparation 500 twice annually Use of Bio-Dynamic compost preparations A plan for converting the whole farm within 7 years Costs are high

Bio-Dynamics in KS:: 

Bio-Dynamics in KS: Steven’s Family Farm- northwest KS in Jenning, KS, 980 acres, half in grass pasture and half in crop land (wheat and milo) Certified organic, not Bio-Dynamic because of the costs Follows the calendar, patterns, cycles, planting times Interested in Bio-Dynamics because Bryce Stevens was a anthropology major and liked Steiners way of thought

Cont.: 

Cont. Asked to sum up Bio-Dynamics and said it was impossible Need to read and observe Comes from common sense and practices used 10,000 years ago when agriculture was invented Watching and learning from your farm is most important and you learn from your past experiences

Cont.: 

Cont. The strengths of Bio-Dynamic farming is the low inputs All you need for nutritious food, animals and compost comes from looking around in your own farm, since all inputs comes from your farm Low insects and low weeds Want a balanced system with out intervening

Cont.: 

Cont. No weaknesses More practical and profitable Good to have your own library of books for advice Only weakness is that it is not mainstream, people call it which craft or voodoo, socially not acceptable

THE ENDinformation from Culture and Agriculture by Wolf D. Storl: 

THE END information from Culture and Agriculture by Wolf D. Storl