Introducing Biodynamics on organic farms and gardens
Describe grant briefly. Talk about the concept of a food shed and benefits to consumers.A foodshed is analogous to a watershed in that foodsheds outline the flow of food feeding a particular population, whereas watersheds outline the flow of water draining to a particular location. An educational series for farmers, gardeners, consumers Implementing Demeter LOCAL in Western Colorado a grant made possible by Colorado Farm Development Initiative Spring/Summer 2015 Serving Western Colorado Contributing Organizations: Valley Organic Growers Association Demeter USA Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Inc. thanks to all the farmers, gardeners, and eaters! What is Biodynamics? Biodynamics is a spiritual- ethical-ecological approach toagriculture, gardens, foodproduction and nutrition. Biodynamics was first developed inthe early 1920s based on thespiritual insights and practicalsuggestions of the Austrian writer,educator and social activistDr.Rudolf Steiner( ), whosephilosophy is calledanthroposophy. Biodynamic farmers strive tocreate a diversified, balancedfarm ecosystem that generateshealth and fertility as much aspossible from within the farmitself. query the participants about their prior knowledge of BD.Anthroposophy definition:I t c e r t a i n l yi safactt h a tmo s tp e o p l ek n o wi n w a r d l y , e v e n though they could never prove it to anybody else, that there is a Spiritual World, a world of objective realities in the realm of thought,feeling and will. Theysensethe interweaving between this creative world and the world of outer, tangible phenomena. They may well have wondered why it should not be possible to study this inner world just as carefully, without inner bias and prejudgment, as the true and dedicated natural scientist studies the sense world around him. Three Basic Principles
The farm as an organism The influence of the widerCosmos upon all life Preparations made fromfermented manure, minerals andherbs Compare and contrast from Organic Agriculture Quote: lecture 2 ag course:Now a farm come closest to its own essence when it can be conceived of as a kind of independent individuality, a self- contained entity.In reality, every farm ought to aspire to this state of being a self-contained individuality. The Farm Organism Steiner suggests: We have to commit ourselves to a much broader way of looking at the life of plants and animals, and also at the life of the earth itself. We must widen our outlook to include the cosmos. The Wider Cosmos Preparations made from fermented manure and herbs
Emphasize the use of herbs that have a medicinal value, know outside of BD, the life force inherent in manure, the information contained in silica. Preparations made from fermentedmanure and herbs Introduce terms of regenerative vs sustainable, inquire into the appetite for connection to purpose, spirituality and integration of food as more than a substance, a life force. Why Biodynamics? Regenerative vs sustainable
Biodynamic agriculture REQUIRESintegrated, holistic management ofa farms eco-system The loops of generation, utilization,and regeneration of elements offertility are self contained Biodynamic or organic? Imported fertilizers and feedsare kept to a minimum, andthis contributes both to theecological health of the farmand the development of a truefarm individuality that is acoherent whole. Systems production or ecosystem creation?
Biodynamics is based on a view of nature as a living, self -sustaining organism that unites biological and spiritual elements Philosophic Foundations
Steiner and anthroposophy Biodynamics was developed in central Europe in the early 1920s by the Austrian philosopherand social reformer Rudolf Steiner; it is now practiced on more than 350,000 acres offarmland in 47 countries. Steiner was one of the pioneers of the organic farming movement,and biodynamics is considered by many to be the most advanced and holistic form of farmingand gardening on the planet. Steiners insights have also led to innovative movements in anumber of other fields such as education (Waldorf Schools), medicine, finance and socialtherapy. Geocentric View Another unique aspect of biodynamic agriculture is the attention paid to the influences andrhythms of the sun, moon and planets. Just as the moon creates the tides in our oceans, each of these celestial bodies has subtleinfluences on the growth and development of plants and animals. Based on Steiners insightsand subsequent research, a number of biodynamic calendars have been developed that offerindications for optimal times for sowing, cultivating and harvesting, based on the cyclicalchanges in the positions of the celestial bodies in relation to the earth. Human Community The aim to create associative economic relationships between farms and consumers sparkedthe CSA movement, which originated with biodynamic farms and has now been taken up bymore than 6,000 farms in the United States. Many biodynamic practitioners also work increative partnerships with other farms and with schools, medical and wellness facilities,restaurants, hotels, homes for social therapy and other community-based organizations. Thuns research basis for calendar, CSA as benefit for community connection to agriculture, our food source and each other. Getting Started as an eater
Take a class Use a planting calendar Use the preparations Visit a biodynamic farm Read about it Source and eat biodynamically grownfood Getting started as a farmer
Locate anotherBiodynamic farmer inyour area Attend a class Consider a consultfrom a peer certifier Learn about DemeterLOCAL FarmStandards Biodynamic considerations
Cost per acre of fertility management Quality of food Soil health Water consumption Cost per acre depends upon on farm fertility management.the more on farm, cheaper per acre. Preparations per acre at minimum twice per year application= approximately $25/acre for pfeiffer, $20 per acre for compost preparations, spray preparations. labor not included. Decrease costs in petrochemical fertilizers and frequency of application. Costs to soil erosion and depletion for conventional not calculated. Costs for transition from organic to BD are reduced after transition. Food quality in demand. Large corporations who are interested; Amys Kitchen, Whole Foods,Lundberg Rice, Smuckers, Traditional Medicinal tea. Food quality research increased flavinoids, antioxidants, phenols, improved health indices: Bp and T cell activity Soil Health: Example of Horsetail and beneficial fungal and bacterial orgs increasing with usage. Research compost, horn manure nitrate and slower composting rates, increased fatty acids and dehydrogenase enzymatic activity Demeter LOCAL A peer to peer biodynamic education and certification program
The goals of Demeter LOCAL are to encourage biodynamic farmingand certification, and to promote the growth of regional biodynamicfood sheds Farms biodynamic production sold withina 200 mile radius Uses the US Demeter farm standard which outlines 7 core principles Three components to certification - Farmer - Reviews, understands and supports the Demeter Farm Standard Demeter Local Chapter - Defines geographic boundary, oversees and chooses farmevaluators, facilitates farm visits, provides education Demeter office - Approves geographic boundaries, provides educational materials,approves farm evaluators, makes final certification decisions Demeter LOCAL Policies and Procedures
A local Group is formedconsisting of farmers,apprentices consumers, andeducators Farm evaluators are identifiedand make farm visits toassess educational needs andprovide guidance to makefarm improvements based onDemeter Farm Standard Checklists are provided andcompleted using twoevaluators.Data is submittedto Demeter for certification Looking ahead Contacts
Pat Frazier -Peace and Plenty Farm Lloyd Nelson - Biosprays Brook LeVan -