In class we have read many essays which offer organic and local farming as alternatives to the destructive food corporations which dominate our food system here in the U.S. But I have noticed that neither these texts, nor the movie (Food, Inc.) has mentioned biodynamic farming. I realize that many people have never heard of it, so here is a brief introduction.
In the Alternate Farming Systems Guide: “Biodynamic Farming & Compost Preparation,” N.C.A.T. Agriculture Specialist, Steve Diver, explains that biodynamic agriculture was the first ecological farming system to develop as a grassroots alternative to chemical agriculture. In the early 1920s, after the introduction of chemical fertilizers at the turn of the century, a group of German farmers began to notice a sudden decrease in the health of their crops and livestock and an increase in soil depletion. They sought the advice of the Austrian scientist and philosopher, Rudolf Steiner, (founder of the Waldorf School system and Anthroposophy), who had spent many years studying the subtle forces of nature. In 1924 he gave a series of lectures outlining his new farming system, which were then published in his book Agriculture: Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture. This "Biodynamic agriculture" stressed the importance of crop rotation and the relationship between the farmer, his crops and his livestock. The farm is viewed as a self-nourishing and bio-diverse ecosystem where the livestock provide fertilizer for the plants that, in-turn, feed the farmer and the livestock. Biodynamic agriculture doesn’t use artificial fertilizers or pesticides, instead fermented herbal and mineral preparations are used as compost additives and field sprays.
The difference between organic and Biodynamic agriculture is the astronomical element. The word Biodynamic is a combination of “Biological” and “Dynamic.” The “Biological” practices are the same techniques used on organic farms to improve soil health, (such as composting and not using artificial fertilizers). But the "Dynamic" element of Biodynamic agriculture is unique to this system. This is where many people become suspicious of the system’s validity. Biodynamic farmers believe in a vital life force and natural rhythms corresponding to the phases of the moon that enrich the farmer, crops and livestock with life energy. So the time for planting, composting and harvesting is dictated by the lunar cycles.
As the demand for sustainable agriculture has increased, Biodynamic agriculture has gained popularity for its ecological benefits and the increased understanding that biodynamic produce is nutritionally superior to conventionally grown produce. Today most biodynamic farms are located in Europe, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Biodynamic farming is practiced in over fifty countries across the globe, including Egypt.* The crops which have seen the biggest jump in biodynamic practices are grapes. In recent years upscale vintners world-wide have switched to biodynamically grown grapes for their superior taste.
It is increasingly apparent that we must change our food system here in the U.S. It is estimated that 160 million tons of artificial fertilizer are used globally each year. These materials cause harm to humans and animals and the production is very harmful to the environment. Biodynamic agriculture uses natural fertilizers made from plants or animal waste which are not harmful to the environment and are a renewable recourse. Biodynamic farming focuses on open pollination and the cultivation of biodiversity. Each farm has unique produce, which has adapted to the local environment, as apposed to the seeds controlled by multinational corporations. Another problem is the depletion of the nutrients in soil caused by growing the same crops without rotation, (crops such as corn and soybeans). Once the soil is no longer usable, the corporations simply move on and buy more land. And this is the cause of much deforestation, (especially in the soybean industry).
Biodynamic agriculture doesn’t cause disease, water contamination, dead zones in the ocean, degraded soil, resistant pests or require expensive clean-up like conventional farming. It produces biodiversity, enriches the soil, increases the nutritional value of crops, is self-regulating, self-neutralizing and self-sufficient. So why isn’t it mentioned?
*A group from my high school visited Sekem, a biodynamic farm near Cairo founded in 1977 by pharmaceutical engineer Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish. To learn more about Sekem follow this link: http://www.sekem.com/english/PDFs/Global_Compact_Report.pdf).
Bibliography:
Agriculture: Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture by Rudolf Steiner
Diver, Steve. "Biodynamic Farming & Compost Preparation." ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. Web. 29 Apr. 2011. <http://www.attra.org/attra-pub/biodynamic.html>.
Food, Inc. Dir. Robert Kenner. Perf. Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser. 2008. DVD.
Wow! Thanks for doing this, Becca. This is VERY helpful, and nicely researched.
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