Biodynamic farming is an approach to agriculture that views farming as a living, interconnected system. Instead of treating elements like soil, crops, animals, and the surrounding elements as separate things, it looks at how they work together to support the health and productivity of the land overall.
Developed from the ideas of Rudolf Steiner, biodynamic agriculture combines practical farming methods with a wider spiritual philosophy called anthroposophy. Understanding the background is imperative for explaining what makes biodynamics different and why it has attracted interest from farmers and gardeners across the globe.
Where Did Biodynamic Farming Come From?
Biodynamic agriculture began when Rudolf Steiner gave a series of lectures back in 1924, known as the Agriculture Course. Steiner was asked to address concerns surrounding declining soil fertility and changes in agricultural practices.
His response was a different way of thinking about farming, where he encouraged farmers to see the holding as an integrated organism, where soil health, plant growth, animal life and natural rhythms were all connected.
From there, biodynamics turned into a distinct agricultural movement, with its own preparations, farming practices, and certification systems.
What Makes Biodynamic Farming Different?
Biodynamic farming shares some of its principles with organic agriculture, including an emphasis on soil health, biodiversity and reducing dependence on synthetic inputs. However, it does also incorporate ideas drawn from Steiner’s anthroposophy.
Some of the practices include the following:
- Biodynamic preparations: Specially designed natural substances are applied to soil, crops, and compost with the intention of supporting agricultural processes.
- Composting: Compost is treated as an important part of maintaining soil fertility and returning organic matter to the land
- Farm as an organism: Animals, crops, soil, and other elements are considered parts of one interconnected system
- Natural rhythms: Some biodynamic farmers use astronomical calendars to guide activities such as sowing, cultivation, and harvesting
Biodynamics is also scientifically researched and while studies are expensive and still undergoing, it shows good results.
The Connection Between Biodynamics And Anthroposophy
To understand why biodynamic farming exists, it helps to understand anthroposophy which is Steiner’s spiritual philosophy.
Anthroposophy looks at the relationships between human beings, nature, and the spiritual world. It considers nature as more than just a collection of physical processes, including spiritual dimensions into the understanding of life and development.
This perspective is what influenced Steiner’s agricultural lectures and the principles that then became biodynamic farming a little later.
But, it’s important to know that anthroposophy is more than just agriculture. The ideas presented here went on to influence education, medicine, art, and so much more.
Where Can You Learn More?
It’s true to say that finding a clear and easy to follow explanation of anthroposophy can be really hard. Steiner’s writings cover a variety of interconnected subjects, and unfamiliar terminology can make it hard to understand how individual concepts fit together.
For those who are interested in the philosophy behind biodynamics, ‘Spiritual Science: Is Free, Non-Dogmatic Spirituality Possible In The Age Of Marketing?’ offers probably the most accessible introduction as it was written for beginners, looking at the ideas of this spiritual science in the most basic way.
You can get it below or at any major online bookseller worldwide.
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