Biodynamic farming is similar to organic farming but tends to go a step farther and was the precursor to the organic movement. Developed in the 1924 Germany, it treats animals, crops and soil as one single system. According to the Biodynamic Association, “A biodynamic farm is a living organism.‘
This living organism is also seen as a “unique individuality;‘ this means each farm is unique and different. So, a biodynamic farmer must find his own holistic balance that works for his farm.
Biodynamics was quickly came to the USA in 1926. In 1938 the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association was started. Now know as the North American Biodynamic Association. Biodynamic farming even has a standards group called Demeter International and certification agencies for products produced by biodynamic farms. Two practices many biodynamic farmer try to follow are biodynamic preparations and moon planting.
Biodynamic Preparations
Biodynamic preparation play a huge role in biodynamic farming. Preparations are numbered 500-508. The first is the 500 preparation also know as horn-manure. It is prepared by allowing cow manure to ferment in a horn while being buried in the soil for 6 months in autumn and winter. This is then used to make a soil spray the stimulates humus formation and root growth. Preparation 501 also know as horn-silica is…
