Biodynamic Farming Resources:

What is Biodynamic Farming:

Biodynamic farming began from a series of eight lectures on Agriculture given by Rudolf Steiner in 1924.  These lectures were held in response to farmers concerns of the negative impacts chemical fertilisers were having on soil and livestock health at the time. 

Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach to agriculture which encompasses spiritual, ethical and ecological approaches and strives to co-operate with influences from the wider cosmos. 

Biodynamic farmers cultivate, plant and harvest on a schedule that reflects the natural rhythms of the earth’s rotation as well as the regular patterns of the sun and moon.

Biodynamic farming builds healthy, well-structured soils rich in humus and high in biological activity. 

Biodynamic farming recognises that a healthy soil is the basis for healthy plants, animals and humans. 

Biodynamic farmers create diverse and balanced farm ecosystems that generate health and fertility as much as possible from the farm itself.  A Biodynamic farm imitates the self-sufficiency of nature

Biodynamic practices are of an organic nature and the focus is on enhancing soil structure and mineral cycles to maximise the growth of healthy plants.  This is done by using biodynamic preparations made from farm sourced materials of fermented manure, minerals and herbs in combination with composting, manuring, crop and pasture rotations, tree planting and livestock integrated into the farming system. 

Biodynamic farmers see pests and weeds as imbalances in the farm ecosystem. 

Biodynamic farmers view the farm as a total organism.  They seek to understand and work with life processes to restore and harmonise life force energy on the farm.  This leads to enhancements in the nutrition, quality and flavour of food produced on biodynamic farms. 

How to get started in Biodynamics? 

Join Biodynamic Agriculture Australia.  They have garden and farm memberships available.  We simply could not practice biodynamics without them.  Because of our membership we get access to regular newsletters and we purchase our preparations from them.  They conduct training courses, field days and conferences where you can learn more about biodynamics and enjoy the company of wonderful people.  http://biodynamics.net.au/

Want more background information on biodynamics?  Try these websites:

https://www.biodynamics.com/biodynamics.html

https://www.biodynamics.com/content/12-ways-learn-more-about-biodynamics

https://www.biodynamics.com/why-biodynamics-is-important

http://biodynamics.net.au/about-biodynamics/what-is-biodynamics/

http://www.farmaid.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=qlI5IhNVJsE&b=2723877&ct=3852181

http://www.organicconsumers.org/biodynamics.cfm

Training in Biodynamics:
Taruna College, New Zealand  offer courses in organics and biodynamics in New Zealand

http://studybiodynamics.com/
http://taruna.ac.nz/programmes/certificate-in-applied-organics-and-biodynamics/



Biodynamic Education Centre, Australia:

The Biodynamic Education Centre is an international college offering a range of educational programs for biodynamic farming and gardening.   The courses offered by the Biodynamic Education Centre have been written and developed over many years of practical experience in the biodynamic method for both large scale agricultural systems and smaller scale gardening systems. Students gain the knowledge and skills required to use biodynamic farming and gardening practices in their individual situations. 

http://www.biodynamiceducation.com/ 

Biodynamic Agricultural College, UK

The college provides a distance learning course called Biodynamic Principles and Practice, which makes education in biodynamic agriculture available to students worldwide and at the same time offers support to an international culture of learning and researching biodynamic agriculture.

http://www.bdacollege.org.uk/

Biodynamic Associations:

India: www.biodynamics.in
United Kingdom: www.biodynamic.org.uk
USA: www.biodynamics.com
New Zealand: www.biodynamic.org.nz
Australia: www.biodynamics.net.au

Suggested reading:

Biodynamic Agriculture Australia.  Biodynamic Resource Manual.  http://biodynamics.net.au/products/resource-manual/

Agriculture.  Spiritual Foundations for the renewal of Agriculture.  A course of lectures held at Koberwitz, Silesia 1924.  Rudolf Steiner  http://wn.rsarchive.org/Lectures/GA327/English/BDA1958/Ag1958_index.html

Grasp the nettle.  Making biodynamic farming and gardening work.  Peter Proctor.  http://biodynamics.net.au/products/books-biodynamics/

Gardening for Life – The Biodynamic Way, by Maria Thun.  http://biodynamics.net.au/products/books-biodynamics/

 

Online Libraries:

http://www.biodynamiceducation.com/library/

http://www.soilandhealth.org/

Highly recommended Video:

One Man One Cow One Planet:  The inspiring story of New Zealander, Peter Proctor and using biodynamic food production systems in India to save the world. 

Watch online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vErQWRIV4Fw

Buy the DVD: http://onemanonecow.com/

Biodynamic Land Trust:

http://www.biodynamiclandtrust.org.uk/

Blogs & Websites of Interest:

Biodynamic Wine in Australia: http://www.redwhiteandgreen.com.au/

http://biodynamicsbda.wordpress.com/

http://www.freywine.com/farm-and-garden-blog.html

http://healingtreefarm.org/category/biodynamic-farming/

We value your input and love collaboration so if you know of any other useful biodynamic farming resources that our community would be interested in please contact us and let us know so we can add them to our list.