Biodynamic Farming - Popular Kheti

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Popular Kheti

Special on Volume -1, Issue-4 (October-December), 2013 Organic Available online at www.popularkheti.info Farming © 2013 popularkheti.info

ISSN:2321-0001

1(4) 2013

Biodynamic FarmingFarming- An Occult Form of Organic Farming Priyanka Gautam1*, B. Lal1 and Rachana Rana2 1Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, Odisha-753 006 2CSK, Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur-176 062, H.P. *Email of corresponding corresponding author: author: [email protected]

Biodynamic agriculture was the first ecological farming system to arise in response to commercial fertilizers and specialized agriculture after the turn of the century, yet it remains largely unknown to the modern farmer and land-grant university system. The contribution of biodynamics to organic agriculture is significant, however, and warrants more attention. The following provides an overview of biodynamic farming and includes additional details and resources on the specialized practice of biodynamic composting. Introduction Biodynamic farming was spawned by the late anthroposophist, Rudolf Steiner, and has grown and developed in popularity since 1922. The term biodynamic is taken from the Greek words bios meaning life and dynamis meaning energy. Hence, biodynamic farming refers to "working with the energies which create and maintain life." By sidestepping the typical preconception that light makes chlorophyll plants grow, biodynamic farmers realize that other energies, contribute to a plant's growth. Because of the differences in these contributing energies, planting your crop one day will be totally different than planting it another day. In fact, planting during certain days of the moon cycle is important. Biodynamic agriculture is an advanced organic farming system that is gaining increased attention for its emphasis on food quality and soil health. Biodynamic Farming parallels organic farming in many ways "especially with regard to cultural and biological farming practices". Biodynamics shares much in common with organic methods of farming, including soil building, crop rotations, and composting. However, it is set apart from other organic agriculture systems by its association with the spiritual science of anthroposophy (founded by Steiner), its emphasis on farming practices intended to achieve balance between the physical and higher, non-physical realms to acknowledge the influence of cosmic and terrestrial forces and to enrich the farm, its products, and its inhabitants with life energy.

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Gautam et al (2013), Pop. Kheti, 1(4):38-44

In a nutshell, biodynamics can be understood as a combination of “biological dynamic” of agriculture practices. “Biological” practices include a series of well-known organic farming techniques that improve soil health. “Dynamic” practices are intended to influence biological as well as metaphysical aspects of the farm (such as increasing vital life force), or to adapt the farm to natural rhythms (such as planting seeds during certain lunar phases). Biodynamic (BD) agriculture was first presented as an alternative form of agriculture in 1924 by the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner (Steiner, 1993). Since then it has gained considerable following, especially in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and India. A key aspect of the BD method is the use of special preparations that are applied to the soil, crops and composts. The compost preparations consist of six fermented herbal substances, which are added to compost piles at the rate of 5 g each to 1–13 mg of raw feedstock in order to promote the formation of a quality product (Steiner, 1993). “Demeter”, a certification program for biodynamically grown foods, was established in 1928. As such, Demeter was the first ecological label for organically produced foods. Biodynamic® is a registered certification mark of Demeter USA Association. Biodynamic Preparations A distinguishing feature of biodynamic farming is the use of nine biodynamic preparations described by Steiner for the purpose of enhancing soil quality and stimulating plant life. They consist of mineral, plant, or animal manure extracts, usually fermented and applied in small proportions to compost, manures, soil, or directly to plants after dilution and stirring procedures called dynamizations. The original biodynamic (BD) preparations are numbered 500−508 (Table 1). The BD 500 preparation (horn-manure) is made from cow manure (fermented in a cow horn that is buried in the soil for six months through autumn and winter) and is used as a soil spray to stimulate root growth and humus formation. Table 1. The BD 500 500-508 preparation BD prep. prep. BDBD-500 Horn Manure

Source

How it works

How to make it

How to apply it

Cow manure Cow horns (no bull horns)

Stimulates humus development and root growth, during burial the highly active cow manure is turned into humus colloids rich in

Fill medium sized cow horn with fresh dung (best from local lactating cows). Bury horns (tips pointing up) in

Stir mixture into alternating clockwise and then anti-clockwise vortices for 1 hour. Change direction as soon as vortex reaches bottom of pail.

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growth forces well-drained, expressed as frost-free fertile enzymes, natural top soil in autumn. hormones, bacteria, Leave in ground fungi & digestive for six month. Lift juices. in spring.

BDBD-501 Horn Silica

Clear quartz crystal (silicon dioxide)

Grind clear quartz crystal into very fine powder. Mix with spring or rainwater to a consistency of dough. Pack this mixture into cow horns. Bury in the ground during spring and summer. One horn produces 300-500 g of BD-501, enough for 150 to 250 acres. BD502 assists plants in attracting trace elements in extremely dilute quantities for their best nutrition. 502 is made from the Yarrow blossoms (Achillea millifolium) collected in June. The flowers are picked prior to pollination or at least while they are fully vibrant, prior to making seeds. They are used fresh or dried and reconstituted later. An empty stag or elk bladder is filled with these flowers. Hang in a place exposed to the sun during summer. Take down in autumn and bury for the duration of the winter. Preparation has very strong radiating power, refreshes and quickens the soil so that the more distant cosmic substances -silicic acid, lead etc, which come to the Earth in homeopathic quantities, are caught up and received.

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'Everything active in silica-like substances contains forces that do not originate with the Earth, but rather with the distant planets-Mars, Jupiter and Saturn These planets are working through the siliceous to bring in the qualitative elements such as flavour, aroma and Form in Agriculture.

Sprinkle droplets with brush around garden. Best time: late afternoon, early evening on moist (no heavy rain) days At least 2 times a year over growing season especially Spring & Autumn. Lift in Autumn, dry in sunlight. Store in glass jar. Keep in light, sunny position. Spraying method same as for 500. Best time is just before sunrise. Spray at seedling stage and before harvest. Do not spray in strong wind. Misting spray into the air is preferable

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BDBD-503 stabilizes nitrogen within the compost and increases soil life so as to stimulate plant growth. 503 is made from reconstituted Matricaria chamomilla (German chamomile) flowers which are stuffed inside the intestine of a cow, bull, steer or heifer with a funnel & a wooden stick. Don't compress the flowers. Create little sausages. Bury in autumn. Lift in spring. To avoid damage, place sausages into a terra cotta flowerpot (filled with soil). BDBD-504 or Urtica spp. (Stinging nettles) stimulate soil health, providing plants with the individual nutritional components needed. It enlivens the soil. BD-504 is made from the leaves of Himalayan Stinging Nettle (Urtica parviflora). The whole top of the plant is collected in June, harvested just before they flower. The whole plant is dried und stored until autumn in an unglazed earthenware pot. Bury the pot in healthy soil and leave it for a whole year, until the following autumn. Burying in peatmoss is also possible. After lifting the remains can be sieved and stored. Nettles are also used as a fermented tea. This is sprayed on sick or stressed plants as a liquid manure. BDBD-505 provides healing qualities to combat harmful plant diseases. 505 is made from the bark of the Himalayan Oak in India (Quercus glauca). The bark is gathered from a living tree. It can't be mossy or flaky. The bark is ground, moistened and inserted into the brain cavity of a skull from a large domestic animal. Cows are usually used. All the holes are sealed with bones, wooden pegs or dowels. The skull is placed on the side of a small stream, or in a damp, marshy place where water will trickle through. The prep is removed in the spring. BDBD-506 stimulates the relation between silica and potassium so silica can attract cosmic forces to the soil. 506 is made from unpollinated reconstituted Dandelion (Taraxicum officinalis). Pick flowers early in the morning when the flowers are no more than half open. Dry the flowers and store them in a brown paper bag in airy, dark place. Get hold of a mesentery (remove all fat first) and fold the dried flowers into it. Tie the package with string. Bury in autumn during descending moon phase. Lift in spring (same time as BD-500). Let the remains dry naturally and store in glass jar.

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BDBD-507 is used in the evening before a frost is expected. 507 stimulates compost so the phosphorus content of the compost can be properly used by the plant. 507 is made from Valerian flowers (Valeriana officinalis) which are ground up immediately after harvesting. Dilute with water at 1:4 ratio. Place in loose lidded glass jar and leave in Sun light for a week before straining. Store in glass bottle. Let settle for a few days and strain. Fill into bottle with minimal air and store in dark place. Stir 10ml into 13 liters of rainwater. Sprinkle over compost heap. BDBD-508 is used to prevent fungal growth. It is helpful on seedlings to prevent damping off. 508 is made with Equisetum arvense (Horsetail). The sterile shoots are harvested in spring prior to the silica losing its organic bond and becoming crystallized. Dry the plant. Add 100g to 2 litres of water and bring to boil. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Let tea settle for a few days. Sprinkle or spray soil around plants as often as you like, especially at Full and New Moon.

Biodynamic Compost Compost Biodynamic compost is a fundamental component of the biodynamic method, it serves as a way to recycle animal manures and organic wastes, stabilize nitrogen, and build soil humus

and

enhance

soil

health.

Biodynamic compost is unique because it is made with BD preparations 502−507. Together, the BD preparations and BD compost

may

be

considered

the

cornerstone of biodynamics. Here again “biological” and “dynamic” qualities are complementary. Biodynamic compost serves as a source of humus in managing soil health and biodynamic compost emanates energetic frequencies to vitalize the farm. The traditional manner in which the biodynamic compost is made is rather exacting. After the compost windrow is constructed, BD preparations 502−506 are strategically placed 5−7 feet apart inside the pile, in holes poked about 20 inches deep. BD-507, or liquid valerian, is applied to the outside layer of the compost windrow by spraying or hand watering.

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The static pile method is the traditional biodynamic choice. In static piles, materials are formed into a windrow inoculated with BD preparations, covered with straw and left undisturbed for 6 months to one year prior to use. A small amount of soil is commonly sprinkled onto the outside of the pile prior to covering with straw. Soil can also be added during the windrow construction process, when brown (carbon) and green (nitrogen) feedstock materials are laid in alternating layers. Timing is Everything Biodynamic preps will enliven and enhance the cosmic rhythms, which are already at play on any given day. This can be beneficial or detrimental. For this reason, it is necessary to use them in conjunction with a guide of cosmic forces such as the Stella Natura (This is a publication created by Kimberton Hills). It is a biodynamic agricultural calendar. Sowing seeds, transplanting, harvesting, thinning, pruning, weeding and other activities are all planned according to weather conditions, the plants needs and planetary forces or cosmic forces. These calendars give us the play-by-play movements of the cosmos of each day and break it down as to how it affects farming. It is well known by farmers that trees pruned in the full moon have more chance of losing large amounts of sap. It is also known that the full moon is the best time for germination of seeds. These are some commonly known facts of farming due to the celestial influences of the moon and its effect upon earth's organisms. There are many other relationships between the celestial planets and their physical movements affect farming on our planet.

Figure 2. 2. Samples of biodynamic Planting Calendar Moon Planting Methods We in our modern and advanced civilization are rediscovering the benefits of planting by the Lunar cycle and various sources are being used to generate Moon Planting systems for us to use. Some of these systems would appear to contradict each other in places, but it is important to

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remember they are guides to use and modify, they are not an exact science. There are three methods for planting by the moon: The Synodic, or waxing and waning cycle, the Sidereal, and the Biodynamic cycle. Synodic (waxing and waning) cycle This is a simple form of Moon planting which divides the Luna cycle into four phases or quarters. This cycle takes 29.6 days to complete. It then groups plants into categories, Root Crops, Foliage, Crops with seeds on the outside, and crops with seeds on the inside. Then it assigns plants to the phases of the moon, which best suits their growing characteristics. Biodynamic cycle Secondly, there is the more detailed method using the 12 Zodiac signs as a method of position the moon, for more accurate planting. This method was developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1924, and the Zodiac signs used where the actual positioning of the signs in the sky, when the moon passed through them. In addition to the position of the moon, Venus and Saturn also played a large part in the Biodynamic farming calendar. Sidereal cycle Lastly, the Sidereal cycle is very similar to the Biodynamic cycle except only the moons orbit around the earth is used to define the best times to sow and harvest. The orbit is divided into 12 equal 30-degree sections to represent the position of the moon in the sky, but it may not be the same as the current moon position. The sidereal cycle takes 27.3 days to complete. Conclusion Biodynamic farming is not easily learned from a textbook, but rather it is better "sensed" through "experiencing" it. Biodynamic farming is more than a body of information; it is a spiritual attitude towards all life. In biodynamic farming, the farmer is considered a spiritual caretaker of the land. All the beings on the farm depend on each other for their continued existence. The farmer has direct experience of the rhythms of the seasons and intimate communication with the smallest of organisms unseen in the soil to the largest of organisms, such as the farm itself. There is recognition of the interdependence of all the organisms, which make up the farm. References Steiner, R., 1993. Agriculture: Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture. Anthroposophic Press, Hudson, New York. http://www.biodynamics.in/BD502.htm, http://www.herbaltransitions.com

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