Bio-Dynamic Agriculture - a concept with a future                              

Biodynamic agriculture is a system of organic agriculture that has proved to be very effective throughout the world.  Biodynamic techniques enhance, rejuvenate, add to and maintain soil quality. Cow horns and cow dung, after being buried together in the earth, make the most wonderful humus to spread on the land. This improves the structure of the soil dramatically and quickly. Good soil structure means better water-holding capacity, which means better control, with consequently less loss of topsoil, which means better and deeper rots and less need for irrigation, which means deeper soil and more natural fertility.  Bio-dynamic technology, with its informed use of the various preparations, will maintain soil fertility for years to come in a wholly natural way. It will support the growing of a plentiful supply of nourishing food.

Peter Proctor in Grasp the Nettle - Why Biodynamic Agriculture?

The name "Biodynamic" refers to a 'working with the energies which create and maintain life.' This is what was meant in the name given to it by the first group of farmers inspired by Rudolf Steiner to put the new method to field use as well as practical tests. They decided to call it "Biodynamic.".....The use of the word 'method' indicates that one is not dealing merely with the production of another fertilizer, organic though it is, but rather that certain principles are involved, which in their practical application secure a healthy soil and healthy plants - which in turn produce healthful food for man and healthy feed for animals.

E.E. Pfeiffer in BIODYNAMICS: A Short Practical Introduction

The organic method is ecologically oriented. It tries to understand how Nature does things and formulates methods that are most natural. Insects and diseases are combated by the use of nature's own remedies, with parasites, and herbal sprays. Its main aim is to create healthy soil for healthy plants and maintain productivity.

Biodynamic farming is also ecologically oriented, but has a wider scope that includes cosmic influences, planetary positions against the fixed stars - the Zodiac, personal aspects of the farmer and his mental factor. It is more concerned with consciousness expansion in regard to plants, animals and soil. The subtler aspects of the elements that influence the farm and the spirit of nature is taken into consideration. This deeper awareness is based on observation of nature.

BD supports nature to intensify certain natural processes, creating optimal animal populations, making special compost preparations, and planting selected companion plants at certain cosmic constellations. Rather than allowing nature to run its course BD aids nature where it is weak due to constant use. Biodynamics is man's service to the earth and its creatures, not just a method for increasing production or for providing healthy food. Healthful food is not enough to save humanity. The question is, what are the energies provided by the good food going to be used for? Fighting bugs and disease prevention are not the major concerns for BD....The food that man grows with the united balancing effort of plant, animal and mineral has the portential to vitalize man to elevate himself. This is the ultimate aim of food production.

Swami Jai Chaitanya Das, Manager of the ISKCON Farm, Mysore

Articles & Research on Biodynamics

 
Filling Cow Horns

  Taking Out BD501

 
Burying Cow Horns

 
Taking out BD500

 
Sprinkling BD500

 
Spraying BD501

  
Making a Compost Heap in Darjeeling

   
A Compost Heap in Gujarat

 
Placing BD Preps in the Cow Pat Pit

 
Stirring Liquid Manure

 
Packing Dandelion-BD506 for burying

 
Peppering weeds

 
Verbaflow large quantity stirring

 
Stirring BD500