WHAT'S THE STORY WITH BIODYNAMICS?

The term Biodynamic seems to creep into the conversation more and more often these days when we discuss natural farming. It tends to fascinate us because it has some aspects that are unconventional to say the least. You can think of it as beyond organic with a bit of a mystical side to it. The movement is based on theories presented in a series of lectures by Austrian philosopher Rudolph Steiner in the 1920s. It's an extremely healthy, if unusual, way to farm because it takes a holistic approach. We've been reminded the hard way, repeatedly, in Napa Valley that a monoculture is not nature's way. The biodiversity angle makes a lot of sense. But, some of the practices raise a few eyebrows. Let's start with the philosophy behind it.

Philosophy

The ideal is that each farm or vineyard is self sustaining, meaning that as little as possible is introduced from outside of the farm. Taken literally, it means that Biodynamic vineyards include a diversity of plants other than grapevines, especially plants native to the area, and also farm animals in order to be self sufficient.

The Biodynamic farmer recognizes that his cultivated plants are the invader in an otherwise self-sustaining environment and interprets the presence of undesirable weeds or pests as indicators of some kind of imbalance in the ecosystem.

The planet, each farm and the soil itself are all viewed as living organisms that respond to the phases of the moon and cosmological cycles so we'll get the best results if we time certain farming practices to coincide with the appropriate rhythm. The goal of the Steiner philosophy is to create a harmonious relationship between man and the soil, the native and cultivated vegetation and the animal world as a basis of sustainability. There's also a moral-ethical perspective or, you might say, a spiritual approach to our responsibility for the land and its creatures. It's believed that an increased reverence for life and greater sensitivity to the environment will produce a by-product of healthier plants, higher-quality produce and an enriched lifestyle. Some practitioners of Biodynamics embrace the whole of the Steiner philosophy. Others are not as interested in the abstract as they are the actual practices and their potential for superior results.

more