BIODYNAMIC FARMING

WHERE SPIRIT MATTERS

By Av Singh

Life can only be passed on by the living.

Rudolph Steiner, 1924

iodynamic farming is arguably the oldest

The eight preparations, designated by their
organized agricultural movement in the ingredients or by numbers 500 to 507, are made
world and yet the concept has avoided a from cow manure; silica; the flowers of yarrow,
concise definition for over 75 years. Biodynamic chamomile, dandelion and valerian; oak bark; and
agriculture is based on the knowledge that the soil, the stinging nettle plant. A ninth prep, often referred
plants, animals and farmers work together in one to as 508, is made from horsetail and is used for
agricultural cycle. The
fungal disease pretheory evolved from a
vention. Rudolf Steiner
series of eight lectures
also noted that a healthy
given
by
Austrian
agricultural system took
philosopher
Rudolf
into account cosmic
Steiner in 1924 to a
factors, such as the
group of German farmers
influence of the moon
seeking renewal in their
and planets on crop
fields. Unfortunately, the
growth and quality.
visionary died less than
Biodynamic
one year later leaving
much of his insights open
preparations
to interpretation by his
Horn manure preparfollowers.
ation (BD 500) is by far
One of Steiners basic
the most famous of all
ideas was that the farm Tamworth pigs raised biodynamically at Whole Circle the preps in large part
should be viewed as an Farm. This rare breed has exceptional mothering
because of how it is
organism in its own right. skills, does well on pasture, and needs only minimal
prepared. Fresh cow
As such, all enterprises shelter with lots of straw in the winter.
manure (preferably from
and activities on the farm
cows grazing pasture) is
are interconnected. This highlights a further ideal placed in a cow horn and buried (on or near the
of limiting off-farm inputs and favouring increased autumnal equinox) in fertile soil. This produces a
self-reliance. In practice, similar to organic farming, sweet smelling, humus-like colloidal substance when
biodynamic farming uses no synthetic fertilizers and harvested in the spring. As with most biodynamic
pesticides. Biodynamic farming favours soil health preps, BD 500 is applied at homeopathic rates (i.e.
through the use of compost, animal and green extremely small quantities); 75 grams is stirred in
manures; diversified crop rotations; and water (34 L) for one hour and spread in droplet form
incorporation of livestock. However, the two over one hectare of soil after 3 p.m. (preferably
agricultural systems differ in that biodynamic during the descending phase of the moon).
farmers rely on eight specific preparations to their
Biodynamic farmers rely on BD 500 to enliven
soil, crops and compost to enhance soil and plant the soil, stimulating soil microorganisms and, in turn,
quality, and to stimulate the composting process.
increasing the availability of nutrients including trace
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The Canadian Organic Grower

www.cog.ca

elements. BD 500 is often equated

with humus formation and
credited with improving soil
structure including water-holding
capacity. It is also used as a root
dip for transplants because of its
effect on root formation,
especially fine root hairs. BD 500
is applied directly on the soil,
usually ahead of planting, and is
best followed by shallow
cultivation (e.g. by a harrow or a
garden rake). BD 500 can be
applied fairly early in the spring
and can be applied several times
during the year.

Biodynamic preparations
contain immense forces
which are eventually
taken on by the water.
Horn silica preparation (BD
501) complements BD 500, but
works in the atmosphere by
enhancing photosynthetic uptake
and increasing assimilation of
nutrients. BD 501 is prepared
from ground quartz or a silicate
such as feldspar, and is buried in
cow horns under the soil for the
summer. Less than 2 grams/ha is
added to water (34 L), stirred for
an hour, and then sprayed as a fine
mist on foliage at sunrise. BD 501
keeps sugar sap levels high with
the excess sugars exuded through
the roots to feed beneficial
bacteria and fungi.

Biodynamic farmers rely on BD

501 to help stave off fungal
disease, increase dry matter
content of the fruit, and increase
the fruits flavour, colour and postharvest quality. Biodynamic
orchardists and grape growers use
BD 501 to increase Brix (sugar)
levels one full point within a few
hours. The proper procedure is to
apply BD 501 when the organ that
one wants to harvest starts to be
formed. Many garden plants, such
as ornamental flowers, tomatoes
and strawberries, should be
treated when the flower buds are
ready to open. Potatoes are best
sprayed when flower formation
begins, and members of the
cruciferae family (e.g. cabbage,
cauliflower, broccoli, etc.) respond
to repeated applications. Similarly, greenhouse plants, herbs,
melons, cucumbers, lettuce and
most soft fruit respond to several
applications after fruit set.
Biodynamic compost preparations (BD 502507) are made up
of various flowers and animal
parts treated in special ways (see
table on next page). Their purpose
is to infuse the compost pile with
life, not with actual living microorganisms but with a vitality that
stimulates the existing species in
the compost.
Preps 502506 are humus-like
materials and are placed in
compost in five distinct holes
approximately three feet apart at
a depth of half the compost pile.

s this just hocus pocus? There are many who

doubt that such minute quantities could have any effect on
soil or plant health. BD 501 can silence most doubters. Spraying
BD 501 late in the day, in full sun or when temperatures are high
will severely stunt or burn plants, while simply spraying water not
potentized with BD 501 will show no effect.

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The Canadian Organic Grower

Johann Kleinsasser of Whole

Circle Farm in Acton, Ontario.
BD 507 is added to rainwater
and stirred in an alternating
rhythm every few seconds for ten
minutes and then half of it is
poured into a sixth hole, while the
other half is sprayed over the
entire pile in a fine mist.
BD 508 is not truly considered one
of the eight BD preps but is used
extensively by biodynamic farmers
as a fungal disease suppressant.

Energy from water

One of the key principles of
biodynamic farming is to harness
energy from nature and this is
probably best exemplified in the
stirring process in making BD 500
and 501. The preparation is added
to water, which is then energized
by hand (or a stirring machine or
flowform structure that creates
vortices of energy). The BD preps
contain immense forces which are
eventually taken on by the water.
The stirring process creates lifegiving vortices which increase
oxygen and give water a pulse or
potentized force. Stirring by hand
can be a phenomenal experience
Spring 2008

17

Making BD Preparation 500 at

Whole Circle Farm in Ontario.
Around fall equinox, 200 to 300
horns are filled with manure and
buried. This provides enough
preparation for the farm and for
others who request it.
in which you create a vortex, only
to then create chaos by changing
directions, and then, out of chaos,
you create another vortex. Many
find the stirring process rewarding
and meditative; it is their
opportunity to infuse the water
with their own positive energy.

Thinking biodynamics?
Biodynamic compost preparations 502-508
Yarrow
(BD 502)

Yarrow flowers are placed in a stags bladder

and are used to attract potassium and trace
elements such as selenium and sulphur.

Chamomile
(BD 503)

Chamomile flowers are placed in the small

intestines of a cow and are used to help
stabilize nitrogen, calcium and sulphur, as well
as manganese and boron.

Stinging nettle Nettle is buried without an animal sheath and

(BD 504)
enhances decomposition, aids in chlorophyll
formation, and stimulates iron, potassium,
calcium, magnesium and sulphur activity in the
soil.
Oak bark
(BD 505)

Oak bark is placed in a cow skull and in water

over winter; it is used to help restore water
balance after too much rain or a full moon. It
also helps protect against fungal diseases and
stimulates calcium and phosphorus activity in
the soil.

Dandelion
(BD 506)

Dandelion flowers are placed in a cows

mesentery (abdominal membrane); this is used
to increase flowering and filling of fruit.

Valerian
(BD 507)

Valerian flowers are tinctured and used to

mobilize phosphorus-activating bacteria, as well
as selenium and magnesium.

Horsetail
(BD 508)

Horsetail shoots are boiled in rainwater and

used against fungal diseases as a foliar spray
or root dip.

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The Canadian Organic Grower

The thought of burying cow horns

and collecting a deer bladder may
sound too daunting to most
farmers and many are reluctant to
adopt biodynamic methods.
However, they need not be
discouraged. Some biodynamic
farmers produce fresh BD
preparations annually and these
are available for sale. There are
also many workshops, courses, and
biodynamic farms that can offer
more practical information to
move you from thought to action.
If you are reluctant to jump
into biodynamics because you feel
the science isnt there to explain
some of Steiners visionswell,
you may be waiting a long time.
For the most part, Western biology
is still based upon a 19th-century
reductionist foundation, which in
essence means if we cant explain
it, it doesnt exist. In contrast, 21stcentury physicists recognize that
there is much in the natural world
that can be measured but not
defined, and yet still acknowledge
its existence. Recent European
research efforts have found that
BD methods alter measurable
aspects of soil quality on the farm,
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despite not knowing the mode of action. This is the

force behind biodynamics and, unfortunately for
the corporate world, it cannot be patented or used
to create profit.

Perhaps Steiners greatest legacy

will be in removing the disconnect
between farm and farmer.
The result has been a somewhat limited outward
adoption of biodynamic practices in North America;
however there are far more practitioners than one
would think. In Europe, Australia and India, the
biodynamic movement is growing exponentially, in
large part because of the increased quality of crops
produced, but as much for the improved quality of
life for the farmer. Is the farmers quality of life
increased by application of biodynamic preparations?
That appears to be the message. For many
biodynamic practitioners, the methods employed
foster a reconnection with the land and the life within
it. Perhaps Steiners greatest legacy will be in
removing the disconnect between farm and farmer.

www.cog.ca

Av Singh, PhD, PAg, is the Organic and Rural

Infrastructure Specialist with AgraPoint in Nova Scotia
and is available for comment or question at 902-8960277 or at a.singh@agrapoint.ca.
Footnote:
Soil fertility and biodiversity in organic farming.
Mder et al., Science 31: 2002.
Soil quality and profitability of biodynamic and
conventional farming systems: a review. Reganold.
American Journal of Alternative Agriculture, 10: 1995.
Suggested reading or watching:
Agriculture Course: The Birth of the Biodynamic
Method. by Rudolf Steiner, Rudolf Steiner Press.
Grasp the Nettle: Making Biodynamic Farming &
Gardening Work. Peter Proctor.
How to Save the World: One Man, One Planet, One
Cow. Video.
The Real Dirt on Farmer John. Video.
Photo credits: Whole Circle Farm

The Canadian Organic Grower

Spring 2008

19