We receive numerous inquiries as to where to find biodynamic research papers, information about Rudolf Steiner, anthroposophy and other materials.  The following is a list of resources for the inquiring mind.

Official website for all that is Rudolf Steiner
https://www.rsarchive.org/

Biodynamic Beekeeping
https://www.bachbiodynamics.com/
https://spikenardfarm.org/

Biodynamic Planting Calendar & Research
https://www.bachbiodynamics.com/
https://earthhavenlearning.ca/

In his 35 page booklet, "Biodynamics--a promising road to tomorrow's sustainable agriculture", Ulrich Schreier describes biodynamic practices as follows:

"This basic principle which has guided biodynamics right from the start, is making headway and is being confirmed by more and more scientific studies.

With the slogan “healthy soils for a healthy life” in its “2015 International Year of Soils” campaign, the FAO is sending a strong message across the planet. Soil, agriculture and food are not just a matter of proteins, carbohydrates and calories for nourishing our physical bodies. They also have a direct bearing on the environment as well as our health, feelings and psychological well-being.

This in turn affects our thoughts, our choices and priorities, our behavior and the way we organize our lives. Is it far fetched then, to imagine, that the same may be true at other levels namely a family, a region or even a whole country?"

Download the booklet here: Biodynamics, a promising road to tomorrow's sustainable agriculture.

Click Here to Download the Booklet 

There are eight key biodynamic preparations that are used by biodynamic practitioners.  The overall intention of all of these preparations is to enhance and enliven the soil, the compost and the plants to bring forth an increase in vitality, health and nutritional value to the end consumer, be it human, animal or insect.

Biodynamic Spray Preparations

In addition to the compost preparations, several biodynamic preparations are applied as potentized liquid sprays to bring healing, vitality, and sensitivity to the farm and garden. Horn manure (#500) enhances the life of the soil and the relationship between soil and plants, and is made from cow manure buried inside a cow horn during the winter months. Horn silica (#501) increases plant immunity, strengthens photosynthesis, enhances ripening, and is prepared from ground quartz crystals buried in a cow horn over the summer months. Horsetail tea (#508) helps prevent fungal diseases and balances the watery element in plants and soil. Together, the biodynamic spray and compost preparations bring plants into a dynamic relationship with soil, water, air, warmth, and cosmos to help them develop in a healthy and balanced way, access the full spectrum of nutrients they need, and become more resilient to pests, diseases, and extreme climate conditions. 

Biodynamic Compost Preparations

Biodynamic compost is enhanced and enlivened through the use of six preparations made from yarrow, chamomile, stinging nettle, oak bark, dandelion, and valerian (#502, 503, 504, 505, 506, and 507, respectively). Each of these medicinal herbs is transformed through a unique process that brings it into relationship with the animal kingdom, the earth, and the cycle of the year. Bringing these elements together magnifies their healing qualities, fosters the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungi, and creates powerfully concentrated substances to guide the development of the compost. A small quantity of each preparation is added to the compost pile just after it is built, and again after it is turned. Biodynamic preparations strengthen the quality of the compost by stabilizing nitrogen and other nutrients, multiplying microbial diversity, and bringing more sensitivity to the composting process. Biodynamic compost helps attune the soil to the whole farm organism and wider influences while increasing soil life and stable organic matter. Biodynamic compost also brings more carbon into the living realm, helping to restore balance to the climate.

Download the full report here: Biodynamic Preparation Manual.

Click Here to Download the Manual

Biodynamics is a worldwide movement for the renewal of agriculture based on an understanding of the spiritual or cosmic forces at work in nature and in human social life.  By understanding and learning to work consciously with these spiritual or cosmic principles, farmers and gardeners are able to enhance the vitality of food, bring healing to the land, and stimulate renewal in their communities.

Biodynamic agriculture is the practical application of the spiritual thinking introduced by Rudolf Steiner in the early 1900’s. The central focus throughout Steiner’s life was his curiosity around the nature of human beings and their reason for being alive on Earth. He called this way of thinking Anthroposophy (literally Anthropo-Sophia: wisdom of humans). Steiner himself defined it as "a path of knowledge to lead the spiritual in the human being to the spiritual in the universe.” This spiritual science is widely applied all over the world by teachers, doctors, artists, farmers and many other professionals. Our focus here is to consider how Steiner’s teachings apply to agriculture.  

Biodynamic agriculture is based on three underlying principles: 

1. Cosmic/spiritual forces in the universe influence life on Earth;
2. Each farm attempts to function with a sense of wholeness, that is, it is self-contained;
3. The role of the farmer is central in achieving the equilibrium that is needed on the farm.

"bio" meaning "life" and "dynamic" meaning "energetic forces" = working with the natural rhythms and life forces within our farm or garden to bring forth life, food, sustenance, that is imbued with those forces which hold a nutritional vitality.

Watch this wonderful video produced by the Biodynamic Association in the United Kingdom.