Community biodynamics
Hunter Valley New South Wales
Community biodynamics
Hunter Valley New South Wales
Working with Nature
WHAT IS BIO-DYNAMICS?
The bio-dynamic method is an approach to agriculture based on advanced knowledge of the working of soil, plants, and animals as they exist on the farm or garden and as part of the total environment.
It aims to produce well balanced plant growth from a sustainable soil fertility through enhancing soil structure and the availability of nutrients.
It uses a range of farm sourced ‘preparations’ to assist in effecting these aims.
These ‘preparations’, described initially by Dr Rudolf Steiner , are made from plant, animal and natural rock materials.
Pest and disease control is generally managed by developing the farm as a total organism.
BD practitioners make use of specific natural products for weed and pest control, which they make from the weeds and pests themselves. Weeds and pests are very useful indicators of imbalances in soil, plants and animals; and the aim of the BD approach is to use such indicators in a positive way.
BD farming practices are of an organic nature, not relying on bringing fertilisers on to the farm, although some organic or natural mineral fertiliser may be necessary during the initial phase of a new farm setup.
HBG believes that it is a privilege to work with Nature and as such we carry an enormous responsibility, not only in caring for the land but also in producing food which will give human beings life and vitality.
Who Started It?
Rudolph Steiner
In the 1920s Dr Rudolf Steiner was asked about a decline in agriculture in Europe. He had already done a lot of work on health and education. He could see that if a new agriculture didn’t eventuate that agriculture would go from bad to worse in civilised countries.
Not only would intermittent periods of local starvation or high prices occur, but these conditions would become quite general ... we must endeavour to shape things in such a way as to bring forth a new fertility. At the same time, the man generally credited with proposing chemical fertilisers, Justus Von Liebig (1803-1873), was questioning his own work.
He said, 'Inorganic forces breed only inorganic substances. Through a higher force at work in living bodies, of which inorganic forces are merely the servants, substances come into being which are endowed with vital qualities'.
In biodynamics it is these vital qualities, the etheric life force, that are enhanced in the soils and the ecology. From here they enter the food to nourish not only our bodies but also our souls.
Will you join us?
The Hunter Biodynamic Group Inc. (HBG) meets regularly to share information amongst people interested in learning about the practical application of biodynamic methods of farming and gardening. Meetings alternate between information evenings conducted with biodynamic practitioners and field days at Hunter Valley farms and gardens at which practical, hands-on activities take place. Biodynamic (BD) practitioners seek to understand and work with natural life as well as enhance their understanding of the mineral processes used in conventional agriculture. Healthy soil is a prime basis for healthy plants, animals and ultimately people.