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Ecospirituality: Biodynamics grows from historic roots

by Rita Feeney, FSPA

What is biodynamic farming? Why is it important? How does it contribute to more sustainable and responsible care of the Earth? Isn't it more expensive?

The concept of biodynamics was introduced 80 years ago by Austrian philosopher Rudolph Steiner. Since then, biodynamics has spread around the world. Germany alone has 1,331 biodynamic farms and the number is growing in the U.S.

Beans and squash at the La Crosse Community Garden

The main belief behind biodynamics is that the Earth and the universe are one organism. Thus biodynamic farmers take into consideration the moon's orbit and the constellations of the stars. This practice is based on thousands of years of observation by such ancient cultures as the Sumerians, Mayans, Chinese,
Romans and Ancient Greeks.

Every time soil is tilled or crops removed, land is being exploited through breakdown of organic substances and removal of minerals. This depletion of the life forces needs to be replenished in the soil and in the air. Biodynamic farmers feed the soil and plants through animal manure, green manure, mulching and biological controls rather than using toxic chemicals such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Biodynamic farming offers a way to heal the environment and the host of health problems we experience today because of synthetic chemicals used by conventional farms and agri-business.

In 1993 Professor John Reganold of Washington State University, carried out research which showed that biodynamic compost was indeed of better quality than compost from conventional farms. A 2002 Swiss paper on organic farming concluded that biodynamically tended soil showed higher biodiversity and higher levels of microbial activity than either conventionally or organically farmed soil. Lots of microbes are a good thing: the busier the soil the better. Earthworms and microbial activity beneath the surface are the most vital aspects of the farm, because from healthy soil comes healthy food, and from healthy food come healthy minds and bodies.

Biodynamic farms are exceptionally pleasant places to be, with trees and flowers, and dogs and piglets wandering about, and an absolutely different smell than a conventional farm. Bio-dynamic manure has a mild and sweet aroma that is extremely pleasant, unlike the sour-smelling stuff that comes out of intensively farmed herds.

So while it is true that produce from conventional or agri-farms is less expensive, they do not factor in long-term cost to the environment and health. Biodynamic produce is more expensive but in long-term cost to the earth and health it is really less expensive.

Information taken from: The Guardian, Biosphere 2000, The Stinging Nettle.
Web sites for further information:
www.biodynamics.com
www.biodynamics.net
www.biodynamics.org

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