Biodynamic Agriculture
When it comes to biodynamic agriculture, one should really talk about a "way of cultivating". where the whole farm is a true "living organism" that operates in a complex way.
Plants, soil and animals are part of a unique system whose relationships balance each other without the need for contributions. external, in a cycle where everything is reborn and dies.
It is a method that some believe is even more in tune with the nature of the biological, even if it still marries some principles, such as the prohibition of the use of fertilizers and pesticides of chemical origin, although it is differentiated by the use of particular preparations based on in Herbs and minerals, sprayed on plants, and because it follows lunar cycles for both planting and field work.
Rudolf Steiner
The principles of biodynamic agriculture have been established by Rudolf Steiner. , philosopher and creator of the Waldorf educational method.
Austrian, who lived at the end of '800 and 900. Always interested in esotericism, also addressed the agronomy at the request of farmers of the time with the intention of increasing the production of their land. This is how he laid the foundations on which the best known practices among biodynamic farmers will be developed.
In 1924, in fact, the famous German anthroposophist held a series of meetings with farmers to find a different solution that did not employ 'chemistry' additives for breeding and farming farms. Steiner formulated his idea of biodynamics in public here.
Basic principles and tools.
Biodynamic science is based on the supposed knowledge of the forces that govern living beings, with special attention to the planets and moons, trying to put in the correct interconnection earth and sky.
The basic principle of the discipline derives from the concept that the farm is a separate organism in which all its inhabitants are autonomous elements but interconnected by relationships that allow their mutual survival.
On this basis, the plants, the animals and the farmer himself, but also their waste from the animal droppings to the parts of the plant that remain in the soil after the harvest, contribute to fertilize, nourish and maintain all the echo in good health -system.
The tools used are:
- Lunar with lunar phases
*prepared
*The Biodiversity
While we adopt old methods, which have always been used in our fields, they are often inspired by permaculture and traditional agriculture, such as crop rotation, cover crops, natural fertilization methods, lunar cycles, biodynamic, yes But far of the agricultural tradition.
Therefore, it considers fundamental the influence of a cosmic dimension in the whole organism of the farm and, therefore, is identified in the preparations, in the varieties of plants and in the lunar phases that should intensify their effects.
The balance that involves the organism-farm leads to respect the bio-system and its organisms, which are considered useful, for which, for example, there are no weeds to eliminate because they are all useful.
Steiner has developed a method that also has an impact on the social system, so the community in which the farm is located also becomes a new cultural model of aggregation where the same principles of biodynamics are applied.
Source
The natural preparations to fertilize the earth.
The basis for everything is the use of biodynamic preparations. They are the fundamental tools to fertilize the soil, because they are capable of transferring the cosmic and supernatural forces to the earth.
Among the elements used to create these preparations are herbs and minerals that are already used in phytotherapy, such as yarrow, dandelion, horsetail and valerian.
And the method is similar to homeopathic preparations, in which each preparation is used for a specific process of soil decomposition and the dose is minimal compared to the mass of the organism to be treated.
Steiner identifies 9 types, which also give specific indications on how they should be obtained.
The most famous is the "Preparato 500, cornoletame". It foresees the use of cow manure, which preferably has given birth at least once. The manure is placed inside a horn, always cow, buried and left to ferment underground all winter long. Unearthed, mix it with lukewarm or rain water and invigorate it, that is, mix it for an hour creating vortices. Finally, it is distributed to the floor with the shoulder pump.
Another biodynamic preparation is the "Preparation 502", based on yarrow flowers, which are placed in venison bladders, after drying them in the sun throughout the summer. Then everything is buried.
Another example is the "Preparato 505", which involves the use of oak bark tied to the skull of a pet, to submerge it in a pool of running water.
In addition, some studies have shown that microorganisms and the same structure of the soil seem to have positive effects, such as greater fertility and biodiversity, even accelerating the composting phase and a greater stimulus for the growth of plants.
Biodynamic agriculture and organic farming.
Who has understood the difference between organic and biodynamic, raise your hand! He often talks about it, but it is still unclear. The biodynamic fact uses the same production method of organic agriculture, with only a hint of ... more magic
Following the principle of this form of agriculture, fertilization, cultivation and breeding are carried out respecting and promoting the fertility and vitality of the soil and protecting the typical qualities of plant and animal species.
The use of synthetic mineral fertilizers and chemical pesticides is eliminated, and the land is managed following the cosmic and lunar cycles. Plant materials such as fertilizers, crop rotations, mechanical control of pests and pesticides based on mineral and vegetable substances are also used.
Each ideal biodynamic farm company also has a livestock farm where the animal product manure is to provide fertilizers, to be used after composting to improve the vitality of the soil.
These theories have made passionate and discuss the experts, since there is a scientific basis, and the principle that underlies these preparations is very similar to that of homeopathic medicine.
Biodynamics is a very vast and varied subject, so much so that the discipline is constantly evolving and it is easy to desecrate this 'unconventional' method of agriculture. Instead of representing the totality of "practices", it is a true philosophy, if not a "religion".
Biodynamics is a very vast and varied subject and you have explained it to the best of our knowledge..... thanks for this amazing publication we have indeed learnt from this post
Resteem
I've been vegan for over a year, and I've always been interested in organic, bio, certified food and not only. Biodynamic agriculture is something I discovered recently, and it took my knowledge about healthy products, to another level. It's crazy that we have something like this but so few people know about it, and about how complex this area is. I've also learned about Demeter, which is the largest certification organization for biodynamic agriculture. Now I try to introduce as many certified products as I can, in my diet. For some people, this might be not important, but for somebody like me, this is a new discovery.