Star and Furrow 105

ISSN No: 1472-4634
Journal of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association
Issue no: 105
Summer 2006
4.00
BIODYNAMICS & ENVIRONMENT
FARM & LANDSCAPE
KNOW YOUR SOIL
NEW BDAA VISITOR CENTRE
WIN A SPECIAL PRIZE IN OUR SURVEY!
AIMS & OBJECTIVES

OF THE BDAA
The Association exists in order to support, promote and develop
the biodynamic approach to farming, gardening and forestry. This
unique form of organic husbandry is inspired by the research of
Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) and is founded on a holistic and spiritual
understanding of nature and the human being.
The Association tries to keep abreast of developments in
science, nutrition, education, health and social reform. It is linked to
the Agricultural Department of the School of Spiritual Science
(Switzerland) and affiliated as a group of the Anthroposophical
Society in Great Britain. It is also a full member of Demeter
International, SUSTAIN, IFOAM and the Five Year Freeze.
Membership is open to everyone interested in working with,
developing or learning about biodynamics. Current rates are 30
(12.50 concessions). Members receive a quarterly newsletter, Star
and Furrow twice a year, regular information on events and access
to a members library. Many local groups exist for further study and
the exchange of practical experiences.
The BDAA stocks more than a hundred books on biodynamic
agriculture and related subjects. These are available from the office
by mail order.
SEED DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
The Association is working to develop a sustainable on farm
plant breeding programme, increase the availability of high quality
seed varieties suited to organic growing conditions and encourage
the establishment of a cooperative network of biodynamic seed
producers. The breeding and development of appropriate site
adapted varieties is of vital interest to biodynamic farmers and offers
the only long term alternative to biotechnology. It also requires an
ongoing research commitment that is entirely dependant on gifts and
donations.
DEMETER CERTIFICATION
The Association owns and administers the Demeter
Certification Mark that is used by biodynamic producers in the UK to
guarantee to consumers that internationally recognised biodynamic
production standards are being followed. These standards cover
both production and processing and apply in more than forty
countries. They are equivalent to or higher than basic organic
standards. The Demeter scheme is recognised in the UK as Organic
Certification UK6.
APPRENTICE TRAINING
A two year practical apprentice training course is offered in
biodynamic agriculture and horticulture. Apprentices work in
exchange for board and lodging on established biodynamic farms
and gardens and receive tutorial guidance and instruction from
experienced practitioners. Practical training is supported with regular
theoretical sessions either on the farm or in coordination with other
local centres. Two week-long block courses are offered to all UK
apprentices each year. Graduating apprentices receive a certificate
from the BDAA.
FUNDING
The Association is a small organisation wholly dependent on
subscriptions, donations and grants. There is a healthy and growing
interest in biodynamics and to meet this welcome development
additional funds are being sought to supplement the limited
resources available. Becoming a member and encouraging others to
join is an important way of supporting the work. Donations over and
above the recommended membership subscription are also
extremely helpful. Even the smallest contribution can make a real
difference. For those considering making a will and possibly leaving
something to support biodynamic development, a legacy leaflet is
now available. Please contact the office for a copy.
For information on all aspects of the Associations work contact:
Biodynamic Agricultural Association, Painswick Inn Project,
Gloucester Street, Stroud, Glos, GL5 1QG
Tel. 0044 (0)1453 759501
Email: office@biodynamic.org.uk
Website: www.biodynamic.org.uk
STAR & FURROW

is the membership magazine of The Biodynamic Agricultural Association (BDAA).
It is issued free to members. Non members can also purchase Star and Furrow.
For two copies per annum the rates are:
UK 9.50 including postage
Europe (airmail) 10.50
Rest of the World (airmail) 12
BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
The Painswick Inn Project,
Gloucester Street,
Stroud,
Gloucestershire
GL5 1QG
Tel/Fax: 01453 759501
E-mail: office@biodynamic.org.uk
Website: www.biodynamic.org.uk
Editor: Richard Swann,
Contact via the BDAA Office or
E-mail: starfurrow@biodynamic.org.uk
STAR AND FURROW Editorial Group:
Richard Swann, Jane Cobbald, Bernard Jarman,
Anna Irwin, Jessica Standing, Laurence Dungworth
The function of Star and Furrow is to encourage the free exchange of ideas and
experience among those who work with, or are interested in biodynamic farming,
gardening and related subjects. Contributors subscribe to no dogma and are
bound by no rules. Their contributions are personal documents, not official
utterances by the Association.
Final dates for contributions are 1st April for the summer issue and 1st October
for the winter issue. Copy should either, be typed / printed in black on A4 paper,
on disk in a format accessible to Microsoft Word or sent by e-mail. Please send
articles to the editor at the BDAA Office.
Front cover picture: Richard Swann
Design and layout: Bill Hicks
Printed on 115 gsm Era Silk 100% recovered paper waste by SevernPrint,
Gloucester
Published by the Biodynamic Agricultural Association
BDAA 2006
Charity No: 269036
Issue Number 105
Summer 2006
BDAA COUNCIL
ISSN 1472-4634
CONTENTS
Chairman: Nick Raeside

Vice Chairman: Laurence Dungworth
Treasurer: Ian Bailey
Other Council Members: Richard Gantlet, Liz Ellis,
Pat Fleming, Chris Stockdale and Peter van Vliet
BDAA Executive Director:
Bernard Jarman
Email: bjarman@biodynamic.org.uk
Association Secretary:
Jessica Standing
Biodynamics & the environment
Developing landscape & enhancing wildlife
12
The BERAS project
13
Biodynamics & the forest enviroment
16
Farm auditing for sustainability
18
What happened when biodynamic farming met

permaculture design?
20
Seed Development Fieldsman

Peter Brinch
Email: pbrinch@biodynamic.org.uk
Review - SEKEM
- Ecovillages
DEMETER STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Chairman: Sue Bradley
Tel: 01509 673897
21
Hay in the tree tops
24
A new centre for the BDAA
26
Reviews
Demeter Standards Development Officer:

Timothy Brink
Tel: 0131 478 1201
Email: timbrink@biodynamic.org.uk
- BD spray & compost preparations

- Extrordinary plant qualities
- The BD food & cookbook
Scheme Co-ordinator and Secretary:

Fiona Mackie
Tel: 0131 6243921
Email: fionajmackie@hotmail.com
30
What does light say about food quality?
33
Knowing more about soil
39
A new impulse for social change
40
Life forces in the plant organism
42
Beyond organics
43
Demeter market place
44
Advertisments
EDITORIAL
The environmental crisis is not far from the front pages of the newspapers on most days now and much is being made of
it some constructive and some not. So how can those who are working with biodynamics deal with this pressing issue?
In this edition we have started to address this by looking at the biodynamic farm and forest and the contribution they can
make to the local cultural landscape. A farm audit has also been included where you can assess the impact your farm or
garden has on your local environment.
Having a solid knowledge and understanding of your soil is essential to creating a healthy biodynamic land organism and
Richard Thornton Smith has written an excellent introduction. With the growth of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association,
we are also announcing the BDAA Councils wish to develop a new centre to give the Association a worthy home.
It feels to be very timely to also be devoting some space to the Demeter Market Place. This is not only because the
marketing of Demeter products is gathering a new momentum, but also out of environmental reasons. The supermarkets
are tightening their grip on peoples spending power especially when it comes to food. One way to counter that is to
support your local supplier of biodynamic (or organic) food.
In the next issue we will continue with the environmental theme as well as dedicate some space to questions relating to
food and nutrition. I would like to hear from you if you have any contributions to make on this very topical issue.
Have an enjoyable summer.
Editor
BIODYNAMICS & THE ENVIRONMENT

by Laurence Dungworth
ell, I have decided to do my bit for the

environment to be a 21st century ecowarrior. So, I am going to plant trees, buy
organic food, run my car on bio-diesel and go
on holiday in Englands National Parks. And then
everything is going to be alright, isnt it. Isnt it?
Well, unfortunately when it comes to the environment

things are not that simple. To help us on our way we firstly
need to come to a definition of the environment.
Whose environment?
When in doubt reach for the Oxford English Dictionary, and
according to this the environment is:
1. The surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant
lives or operates, or,
2. The natural world, especially as affected by human activity.
and an environmentalist is:

A person who is concerned with the protection of the environment.
Further, if you type environment into Google, you get two

and a quarter million results, with the focus being on the
second definition.
My environment
My personal environment as I write this, is my room. I
share this with only a few people and it is subject to a
particular temperature in which I am comfortable, to
musical noises of my choice, pictures I have chosen, and
of course a certain amount of radiation from the computer
screen.
If I step outside my house and into my garden there is an
immediate change. There are of course the flowers and
vegetables that I grow, but I share this space with several
groups of other users and they all have their influence. If I
look beyond the garden fence my view is also taken up
with the town where I live and all the buildings that make it
up. Being in a town the noise also increases dramatically
and it is not my noise. It mostly comes from passing traffic,
which one soon gets used to, but in addition there is also
all the exhaust fumes from all this traffic. Some of this must
find its way into my garden and surely pollutes the air I
breathe as well as the soil that grows my vegetables and
flowers. This is very inconsiderate of all those drivers do
they not know they are polluting my environment?
If we now go to the farm where I work we can look even
wider. Wed better drive, as we have to get there before the
end of the paragraph. The farm is on the edge of the
Cotswolds which is an area well known for its beautiful
landscapes. As I write the cowslips are blooming, and I am
sure that by the time you read this there will be many other
flowers in the chalk grassland hay fields. The farm is a
community farm that I help to look after and so there are
various influences working together but I am very active in
the shaping of the landscape. If I look over our recently laid
hedge, then I can see our neighbours farm, and I can
sometimes see him spraying his chemicals. I also see his
Star and Furrow No: 104
huge barns with his many animals

kept in for much of the year.
Looking further afield two things
attract my attention one good
and one bad. Firstly there are
several fields in which trees are establishing themselves
due to less intensive management. Secondly, I can see the
Nympsfield wind turbine sticking prominently up on the
ridge across the Stroud valley. I have carefully avoided
saying which is good and which is bad though.
Far in the distance is the motorway with a seemingly
endless flow of vehicles, and overhead the jet streams are
a constant reminder of the passing planes. All of these
people going about their business. What effect can we
possibly have on this?
Our environment
In some of these instances it is obvious where our
influence lies and the immediate effect it has. However,
things are very subtle and cause and effect are finely
intertwined. What does become clear is that the
connection we have to an environment has a direct effect
on the care we take of it. There is a general feeling of
alienation from the environment, whether it is the
destruction of the rainforest that is ultimately due to our
consumerism, or the piece of litter that we walk past
because someone else dropped it. When we experience
the environment as not being ours, then we allow all sorts
of things to happen that we shouldnt. We have to embrace
the fact that we all have a lot to do with the whole earth,
and the effect we have on her is determined by our choice
of action.
Together with the earth we have gone through a process of
co-evolution, and this brings us into a special relationship.
The environment of the earth has had long lasting effects
on us, and increasingly through the 20th century we have
begun to have a lasting effect on it. Through working
together with what the earth offered we were provided with
water, food and shelter, just as a mother provides a child
with these necessary things to nurture it into adulthood.
But the earth has grown older over the years and now it
seems that we have rather outgrown our nest. It thus
becomes necessary for us to begin to look after the mother
who raised us, as she grows older and increasingly unable
to respond to the heightened demands we place on her.
We have grown up now and need to become responsible
within this relationship. We need to do our bit.
Doing our bit
If we have a look at the actions I outlined at the beginning
of the article we can see some of the dilemmas we are
faced with.
Firstly, planting trees: this is considered one of those
environmental holy cows i.e. it is always good to plant
trees. Certainly their growing helps with carbon
sequestration the absorption of the excessive carbon
Buy organic food. Various studies have shown that

organic farming is better for the environment from a wildlife
point of view, as well as possibly producing healthier food.
There is also the reduced reliance on fossil fuels that are
otherwise used to produce the agrochemicals necessary
under conventional production. However there is the
danger that increasingly industrialised organic production
negates the wildlife benefits associated with organic
farming. It needs to be more than chemical-free production
to avoid problems such as monocultures, and lack of
habitats. In addition, consumers commitment to organic
food could also increase the transport of food if they favour
exotic, organic produce over local produce.
Bio-diesel. Being carbon neutral, i.e. releasing only the
carbon dioxide that it absorbed through its growth, is a
positive benefit of bio-diesel, as is its lower level of
localised pollution. However, two of its methods of
production are questionable. Firstly rapeseed is a common
ingredient, but this can be a very intensive form of
agriculture, with the crop often being sprayed off before
harvest. There is also the danger of the crop not being GMfree. Another potential ingredient is palm oil. This is a
tropical plant and the creation of vast palm plantations has
been the cause of rainforest destruction in Asia.
National Parks. There are many positive things about our
National Parks, and any holiday that is close to home is
very positive due to the reduced travelling pollution.
However some National Parks have been using
agrochemicals to maintain an environment that some
would not consider natural. An example of this is the
spraying of heather moorland to prevent bracken
encroachment. The moorland is valuable in itself, but is
nature not trying to carry on its natural process, and are the
national park authorities being completely responsible
when it comes to the use of these safe chemicals in a
natural area?
above and below: Eco-buildings at Pishwanton, East Lothian, Scotland
photographs by Richard Swann
dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming.

However it has recently come to light that scientists have
not appreciated the extent to which methane is emitted in
this process. Methane as a greenhouse gas is 20 times
more potent than carbon dioxide so it could possibly
overshadow the beneficial effect of tree planting. Things
are very uncertain, as these are preliminary laboratory
tests and investigations by the Forestry Commission and
foresters have questioned the assertion by the press that
forests will no longer act as carbon sinks. It may well be
that the effect of methane is negligible.
Forests are a very beneficial wildlife habitat supporting
many species and so it is good to have trees. However
there is such a thing as inappropriate planting, which can
cause a loss of valuable wildlife habitat. This is well known
now with respect to the planting of conifers on heather
moorland (though this is not all bad) but also applies to
lowland sites as well, such as planting (or scrub invasion)
of chalk grassland, referred to earlier. In these cases it can
be better not to plant trees but to look after the habitat that
is there originally. One also needs to bear in mind not only
the species one is planting but also their provenance. Most
people are aware that it is better for us to plant English
oaks (quercus robur) than turkey oaks (quercus cerris), but
it is equally important that the seeds are sourced
reasonably locally and not from as far afield as Hungary as
has been the case with plantings of quercus robur (English
oaks).
What can we do?

The world of environmentalism is fraught with
contradictions and a lack of knowledge. So much so, that
some espouse a hermitic, self-sufficient life where our
detrimental effects become insignificant. There is some
value in this, but our higher nature is that of a social being,
and so more is required.
Our current justifiable preoccupation with environmental
issues was not present when Steiner was speaking,
otherwise he would surely have had something to say
about it. Maybe this is just as well, because we have to
now think for ourselves. We can also look around and learn
a great deal from the wider environmental movement.
One common realisation is of the separation of people
from their environment, as a direct result of
industrialisation
and
development.
From
an
anthroposophical perspective, this is a process of ego
development in which we feel separate from everything.
This is a very important development, but we must bear in
mind that it is a phase rather than an end, and we need to,
as individuals, recreate the links we have with each other
and our environment.
In the first instance it is the farmers, gardeners and
foresters who work on the earth can begin to care for it
more. But, hopefully it will become apparent that that line
between farmer and consumer must become more blurred
and porous than it has tended to be in recent times, and we
must all develop a responsibility. So how should we do our
bit?
Biodynamics Caring for the Earth
Steiners audience when he gave the Agriculture Course in
1924 were those mainly involved in the production of food,
and so this was the emphasis in the lectures. However,
biodynamics can potentially play a big role in the care for
the earth, as the fundamental principles of biodynamics
are beneficial to the environment.
Firstly Steiner talks in lecture two about the farm aspiring
to a state of being a self-contained individuality. This is
very different from the current status quo where it is
common for many farms, organic included, importing most
of their inputs. A farm that is able to produce most of what
it needs from within itself firstly reduces the amount of
transport that is involved with the production of its produce,
and secondly can show those who are interested, a truer
cost of this production.
Later in the Agriculture Course, in lecture seven, he talks
about the need for a variety of habitats on the farm
extolling the benefits of woodlands, shrubs, meadows,
damp areas and their associated flora and fauna. He
justifies this loss of productive land by stating that it is so
essential to good farming that your farm will be more
successful even if this means a slight reduction in your
tillable acreage. However, at the beginning of lecture
seven he discusses how nature was perceived at that time
and states: Everything we are supposed to know about
these things is neatly pigeonholed into species and
genera. But that is not how things are in nature. In nature,
and actually throughout the universe, everything is in
mutual interaction with everything else
Star and Furrow 105
So, a truly biodynamic farm should have less of an impact

on the environment in terms of transport and inputs, but a
greater positive effect in terms of diverse habitat creation
and maintenance.
But if we look at Steiners indications of the process the
earth is undergoing, we can see that we are an integral
part of the being of an aging earth that needs to become
re-spiritualised. This is a long process, but one which we
have to be actively involved in. Like an older lady, the
physical earth works less well, but she has to prepare for
the next phase of her life. How do we assist in that
transformation? How do we help her prepare?
Well, the answer is in the last question it is all in the
preparation. The biodynamic preparations, given by
Steiner, were explained in terms of the ways in which they
contribute to the quantity and quality of food. However,
they also play a vital role in the transformation of the earth.
The cow and biodynamics
How to reconcile the importance of the cow within
biodynamics with the fact that they have been identified
as a major producer of methane a potent greenhouse
gas.
Firstly, taking a historical perspective, there have been
many million ruminants for millennia with no noticeable
change in climate. Recent climate change is considered
man-induced and has its source in industrialisation,
especially road and rail transport.
Looking at the effect cows do have, we should examine
the effect of our own diet. Nowadays people in the
west consume far more meat and dairy products than
in the past, and than is possibly good for them. This
increases the ruminant population above what the earth
may be able to bear.
So, seen in context, the cow still has a place on our
farms and within nature.
Space does not permit the detail necessary to do justice to

the way the preparations work, nor does my patchy
understanding of them. Suffice to say, that when one
applies them, the physical preparation is merely acting as
a carrier for forces that enable a transformative healing to
occur. This is not a healing that returns the earth to how it
was before, but is part of an ever-dynamic process. So, if
we are looking at forces working with the life of the earth,
then we are in the realm of the ethers. There are four
ethers, traditionally connected to the four elements. This is
shown below with the addition of the preparations:
Element
Ether
Fire
Air
Water
Earth
Warmth
Light
Tone
Life
Preparations
Valerian
Dandelion
Nettle
Horn manure
Chamomile
Yarrow
Oak
Horn silica
This classification was the topic of the last IBIG conference

(reported in Star and Furrow 104), and is simply one way
of beginning to understand how the preparations work. By
using them we are strengthening the earths ether body
and enabling her to go through this transformation.
The way forward

Hopefully this article has shown that the issues
surrounding the environment are far from simple and
straightforward. However the only solution lies with our
beginning to understand the complexities and to applying
ourselves in order to make sense of it. Within this, a
biodynamic perspective can help us to care for this, our
earth. To make a start, here are some things to attempt:
If we have a garden we should look after it in a fashion
that is as beneficial for the wildlife of the area as
possible whilst producing some food for ourselves and
friends. Using the preparations will improve the quality of
this produce, but also helps with the earths
transformation. If we only have a small area, it can be
helpful to share this with other gardeners or allotment
holders.
Whether you garden or not, make a connection to a local
biodynamic farm. If you do not have a local biodynamic
farm, make a connection to an organic farmer to see if
he would be interested in converting. Alternatively you
could establish a Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) project to be run biodynamically. There was a full
article on CSAs in Star and Furrow 102.
Try to get as much of your produce from this or other
local farms. If you want to plant trees, establish a
landscape group connected to the farm to see if there is
a need for more trees or hedges, or whether other
landscape features and habitats need some special
attention.
With the other issues affecting our environment, the
earth, we need to constantly bring to mind the
consequences of what we do becoming conscious of
our actions. If we want to look then for alternatives we
can, but this must be a matter for the individual for it to
have a lasting effect.
Enjoy this beautiful earth that we are part of. Some say we
should leave it as we found it, but I think if we try quite
hard, we can leave it in a condition better than how we
found it.
Gardening for the Environment

Our gardens and allotments offer great scope for us to
do a little for the environment both locally and globally.
With a little muck from a local friendly biodynamic
and organic farm, and seeds from an organic or
biodynamic supplier, one is able to produce fruit and
vegetables and offer a haven for wildlife, without little
other external input.
The use of the preparations is important even in
backyard gardens, as is following the planting
calendar. This brings the earth into harmony with the
cosmos, as does the imagination of all the planets
going around the earth. We all know the sun is the
centre of the solar system, but we all have our
gardens on the earth, and this imagination
recognises the wonderful dances the planets make
around the earth.
Composting all the waste from the whole garden, or
even growing things specifically to be composted (i.e.
green manure, nettles, comfrey) one is able to
maintain fertility for production. Some areas for
wildlife habitat i.e. lawns are actually more diverse
and therefore more valuable if they are lower in
fertility.
The compost heap itself is teeming with wildlife for
instance slow worms, which also help with pest
control. It is important to remember that pests are
also wildlife and valuable for the environment, even if
not always so appreciated by us.
Other habitats can be created or maintained, whether
it is flower and herb rich grassland, fruit trees or even
a pond.
An area for vegetables makes a good contribution,
reducing our dependence on imported food there is
no more local than your own garden. The gluts that
you may have can also be preserved to provide fruit
and vegetables during more lean times.
Useful contacts:
Friends of the Earth - http://www.foe.co.uk/
Greenpeace - http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/
Cultivating Communities (CSA) - http://www.cuco.org.uk/
DEVELOPING LANDSCAPE
AND ENHANCING WILDLIFE
A BIODYNAMIC
BIODYNAMIC APPROACH
APPROACH TO
TO FARMING
FARMING PRACTICE
PRACTICE
A
by Thomas van Elsen - translated by David Heaf
1. Why work with cultural landscape?
between people and nature.
Why do people engaged in biodynamic agriculture and

horticulture also work on the development of the cultural
landscape? When this question is put to a workshop of
people interested in biodynamic agriculture, the responses
show a great variety of viewpoints as illustrated by the
following quotes from the participants on an introductory
course (Forschungsring, Frankfurt, January 2002):
All responses seemed to have something to do with the

attitude of human beings to nature. There are obviously a
number of standpoints from which we can view landscape
and the natural world. Firstly, the landscape is used for the
cultivation of agricultural products and thus for feeding
people. Secondly, unspoilt landscape also contributes to
people's
relaxation,
to
sensorial
nourishment.
Furthermore, landscape used for agriculture 'nourishes' a
multitude of organisms that have found habitats in Central
Europe only through agricultural activity. Many species of
bird, butterfly, orchid and arable weed were introduced into
Central European landscapes through putting post-glacial
forests under cultivation. Agriculture was not always the
greatest cause of species extinction or environmental
destruction that it is today. On the contrary, regionally
differentiated and species-rich cultural landscapes, that
today are regarded as in decline, only arose through
historical land use. Indeed, farming caused many animal
and plant species to move in.
photographs by the author
conserving natural flora

protecting species
increasing species diversity on permanent grassland;
managing poor (unfertilized) meadowland
establishing hedgerows for animals
creating intact surroundings for farmland
working holistically with the environment
not exploiting the earth but caring for it
a stimulating and healthy environment for our children
creating and developing/networking habitats
preserving traditional varieties
planting woodland
promoting beneficial insects
no monocultures
wildlife refuges
human responsibility
symbiosis of people with the natural world
formation and maintenance of a cultural landscape
capable of giving people healthy food and
surroundings
creating a pleasant working environment for people
health
landscape as a place where people live
All the participants readily agreed that it is important to
develop cultural landscape. They made several references
to nature, species and habitat conservation and
maintenance. Others placed more emphasis on the
significance for people of an intact landscape. It should be
capable of providing healthy food as well as
pleasant and healthy working and living
conditions. It should also be developed in
such a way that beneficial insects are
encouraged, in order to minimise crop
pests. And finally the participants called
for a holistic, responsible, caring
approach to landscape: a symbiosis
Star and Furrow 105
What is the connection between the changing

understanding people have of nature and these two
contrasting effects of human activities on nature one
which once led to its enrichment and the other which now
causes its impoverishment? There are also contrasts in the
contemporary debate on nature conservation. Whereas
conservative nature conservation aims at protecting nature
from people, biodynamic agriculture places people in the
centre; make the human being the very foundation. Many
an approach in organic agriculture restricts itself to farming
in a way that is as 'environmentally friendly' as possible,
i.e. has the least possible impact on the existing natural
world. Is this 'ecocentrism' an irreconcilable contrast to the
'anthropocentrism' of biodynamics? We shall return to this
question. Before that, I should like to consider the motives
behind nature conservation and landscape development in
organic agriculture and give an overview of some possible

practical measures for organic farms.
2. Landscape development through organic
farming
In dealing with landscape issues in organic farming
practice, we can find several levels, and all conceivable
transitions between them. There are farmers who have
changed to pesticide-free farming for purely economic and
rational reasons and who at the same time are somewhat
unconcerned about landscape development. Others try to
shape their farm landscapes by making use of organic
farming practices, for example planting hedges to protect
against erosion and to encourage beneficial insects.
Others think that what is important is not only landscape
structure, but also the species diversity of the land under
their management. They try through mowing regimes to
produce the most species-rich and healthy hay for their
cattle, even if the tonnage yield is lower. Agrienvironmental schemes lend support to this, for the later
mowing times not only allow more plant species to flower,
ensure their survival and provide nourishment for the
insects that visit flowers, but also ground-nesting birds are
enabled to raise their broods before mowing. Still others try
to understand their farm as an organism of a higher order
in which the individual landscape elements fulfil functions
as do the different organs in an organism. Thus they aim to
set up and manage unproductive habitats in the landscape
so as to introduce warmth and colour into it through the
variety of insects and flowers at these sites. And there are
farmers who try to work out a development plan for their
farm based on its individual situation and landscape and in
doing so aim to involve people from outside in the process.
In collaboration with farm customers they hold seminars
and organize working weekends in which upkeep and
development measures can be carried out together, and
through which people can rebuild a connection with
cultural landscape. But within this process, before anything
is changed, the landscape is studied and specialist support
from nature conservation organizations and consultants is
called in who can provide on-farm conservation and
environmental advice.
2.1 Developing cultural landscapes
a matter of co-operation and study
In 'refilling' cleared agricultural land with structural
elements and biotopes, before any reshaping work is
done, it is useful to study the special farm and landscape
context, so that instead of producing a conglomeration of
arbitrarily established biotopes, a harmonious and
appropriate continued development of the cultural
landscape is possible. This aspect should become more
the concern of farmers themselves.
There is no shortage of suggestions as to how farmers can
be supported in this. It helps if qualified nature
conservation consultancies are set up to give on-farm
advice, as is already successful practice in a number of
places
(van
Elsen
2005a,
2005b,
www.naturschutzberatung.info). Several people have
suggested combining organic conversion with establishing
a landscape stewardship and development plan that is
worked out and implemented with the co-operation of the
farmer. This requires the farmer to take a fresh look at the
landscape together with the farm staff and anyone
interested in the farm neighbourhood. This process must

not only take into account the knowledge and experience
of those who deal with and work in the farm landscape, but
must also be open to new points of view and insights. The
adviser or planner can contribute to this with ecological
and specialist nature conservation knowledge, map the
landscape habitats, and detect developmental potentials.
He becomes a facilitator for 'fellow students', assists
development, and places himself at the disposal of those
engaged in the process. This participative planning
process, which draws in the local knowledge and
experience of the farmer, may result in formulating a vision
for the farm in the form of a landscape development plan
that identifies and illustrates its developmental potentials.
Thus the aim of this planning concept must be to set a
process in motion in which the course of what is being
created can grow, along with the capacities and changing
attitudes of those responsible (van Elsen et al. 2000). Such
processes may appear very different according to the
composition of the group of participants (cf. inter alia
Beismann 1995, Fuchs 1997, Vereijken et al. 1997, van
Elsen 2000, 2001, 2005c), but they always involve an
intensive study of the landscape to be developed and raise
awareness of people's intentions and viewpoints about it.
2.2 Establishment, development and care of
biotopes in agricultural landscapes
What practical measures can we take to develop the
landscapes of organic farms? Planting hedges is what
usually first comes to mind. Hedges develop as 'linear
woodland margins' into exceedingly valuable biotopes that
provide habitats for many plant and animal species. The
ecological value of a managed hedgerow increases with
age and width. Ideally, when planted it should be fiverowed or at least three-rowed. In the interest of animal
biodiversity indigenous shrub and tree species are planted.
There are numerous publications available that give advice
on establishing and managing hedges and spinneys.
Organic farmers are trying to go beyond the familiar uses
of hedgerows as support for beneficial insects or as
protection from erosion for instance by using leaves and
branches of the shrubs as a valuable supplement to winter
fodder, as was the case in the past. In doing so they are
also reviving old techniques such as pollarding and
coppicing. Further landscape development options with
timber include planting single trees and the establishment
and management of meadowland orchards of standards
(long-stemmed trees).
Many habitats can be redeveloped using limited resources.
Dry stone walls built with stone gathered from the fields
and left to develop vegetation spontaneously provide a
particular microclimate for animal species requiring
warmth. A newly established pond in part of a field, where
each year the tractor gets stuck in the mud, is a magnet for
all sorts of creatures that are driven out of the cultivated
areas. Such measures can allow scope for further
developments, i.e. restore to nature some room for
manoeuvre.
Pioneer biotopes and areas of successional vegetation on
which plants are free to develop without intervention,
grassland subject to drainage reversal and newly
established ponds or lakes all offer such development
potential. Where for legal reasons the establishment of
hedges for dividing large fields is problematic, it is
nevertheless permissible to introduce

species-rich 'flowering strips' with annuals or
perennials.
Whereas in areas where land has been
cleared for intensive agriculture, the prime
concern of nature conservation is reestablishing biotopes, in richly structured
districts it is more a matter of managing and
developing the existing structural diversity.
Here the requirements of land use present
several threats to diversity of both biotopes
and species. If calcareous arable fields on
level ground are set aside they lose their
annual wild flowers of cultivation. Poor
grassland turns to scrub when grazing
ceases. Forest re-establishes on mountain pastures that
are not mown. Deliberately keeping such marginal sites
under appropriate management through organic or
ecological farming, for instance within the framework of
contractual nature conservation such as environmental
stewardship schemes, promises a future for orchids,
grasshoppers and butterflies on dry slopes and for summer
pheasant's eye or summer adonis (Adonis aestivalis) and
large Venus' looking-glass (Legousia speculum-veneris)
on calcareous arable fields in Central Europe. It makes
complete sense to integrate marginal sites in the overall
management of biodynamic farms. And it is not just a few
farmers who value hay from montane sites as a worthwhile
supplement to protein-rich clover-grass forage with
beneficial consequences for animal health.
2.3 Practical measures on cultivated areas
Encouraging the wild plant and animal life of cultural
landscapes can be integrated into actual management
practices for farmland, whether arable or pasture. In order
to promote species-rich wildlife communities on arable
fields it is advisable to avoid combining several arable
fields into a single unit, and to divide existing large fields
into smaller units. Marginal structures are valuable habitats
for many threatened species of plants and animals in
cultural landscapes. Where rarer wildflowers occur in
arable fields it is desirable to supplement the existing
herbicide-free management system with the establishment
of extensively managed strips along field margins and
without mechanical weed control and undersowing in
them. Another practical measure to encourage many
species currently under threat is, on selected areas, to
dispense with stubble management immediately postharvest.
On grassland, radical changes in resowing the following
crop, cutting for silage earlier, and increased frequency of
usage have led to an impoverishment of formerly speciesrich and differentiated plant communities. Practices that
are desirable for increasing extensive management in
organic farming and that simultaneously protect insects,
amphibia and meadow birds include:
introduction of beam mowers and their further
development as an alternative to rotary mowers;
keeping the cutting height to at least 8-12 cm;
mowing systems that allow animals a chance to escape,
such as staggered mowing, strip mowing and mowing
patches from the middle to the outside;
timing mowing so as to allow as many plants as possible
10
Star and Furrow 105
to flower;
leaving strips of meadow until the next cutting (fallow
rotations);
no harrowing or rolling after the beginning of the
breeding season; use of game refuges at harvest;
avoiding repeated mowing of margins of fields and farm
tracks.
In fruit cultivation, the cultivation of scattered fruit trees is
incredibly valuable to animals compared with certain shortstemmed fruit plantations. Yet even in existing shortstemmed plantations it is possible to improve the situation
for animals, for example by establishing strips of wild
plants around the plantations, individual long-stemmed
fruit trees, and thoroughfares rich in herbaceous plants
that are cut in rotation. In addition, conservation measures
for specific species can be implemented, for instance by
creating overwintering sites for insects, spiders, small
mammals and reptiles (with piles of rocks or branches) and
by providing opportunities for wild bees and solitary wasps
to nest. Nest boxes may be installed for birds. Birds of prey
are attracted if perches are erected.
Last but not least, the arrangement of the farm and its
buildings offer many opportunities to encourage wildlife.
Optimizing the conditions required by swallows and other
bird species as well as bats, unsealing the surfacing on
farmyards, creating diverse gardens and tolerating
species-rich flora on waste ground and track margins are
some examples of how, through conscious development of
the farm, its customers can be given an understanding of
the concerns of biodynamic farming with regard to the
association between nature and agriculture.
The above compilation of possible practical measures is
intended to be a list of ideas. In Britain there are
commendable publications available from the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds, which are specially for
farmers (Andrews & Rebane 1994, www.rspb.org.uk).
3. From conservation to development of
nature
It is clear that there are plenty of opportunities and
approaches in organic farming for conserving and
developing nature and landscape. To conclude, I shall
return to the questions raised at the end of Section 1
concerning the relationship of people and nature, and the
development of this relationship.
In contemporary discussion about the environment, the
assumption is often made almost as a fundamental
principle, that agriculture, above all the human being, not
only uses nature but takes advantage of it, over-uses it,
consumes it, and that nature would be a lot better off
without human beings. The aforementioned approaches to
active conservation, to caring for nature and cultural
landscape, already refute this assumption, and there are
very many examples in organic farming of how farmers
look after and develop their landscape in such a way that
wildlife becomes more diverse and is enriched through
human activity. And from a global and historical
perspective this contradicts the dogma that human beings
are a disruptive factor in evolution. Even the way that the
surviving indigenous peoples who live close to nature deal
with animals, plants or minerals obviously connected
with a consciousness of what is understood by 'nature' that
differs greatly from ours in the so-called civilized world

can hardly be classified as destructive. When they 'take
out' animals and plants, such peoples, who live in harmony
with nature, give thanks to its creatures for their own food.
However, mythology and the archaeological discoveries
from various cultures that ended long ago indicate that
apart from 'using up' nature for the purposes of survival,
there existed other motives and intentions in dealing with
nature, and that at times people went beyond the
partnership model of a mere awareness and respect for
nature to actively caring for and developing it. It is hard for
us now to imagine the consciousness that gave rise to this,
residues of which may still be found amongst certain
indigenous peoples.
We cannot return to such earlier states of consciousness,
but, unlike in earlier times, it is now possible for us to make
the maintenance and development of nature our personal
concern out of free choice. Human consciousness has
developed in such a way that we come face to face with
nature as something separate from us. It has become part
of the world of objects, something to manage. A first step
in reconnecting with nature, only this time out of free and
self-aware resolve, is practical study of it. Getting to know
nature by actual observation can lead to a new relationship
with it, to a personal involvement and a new recognition of
its value. Thus, understood this way, making human beings
the very foundation, means making the foundation the
human being who endeavours to develop nature
consciously, who takes seriously the fact that human
beings have nature to thank for the possibility of their
evolution on the earth, and now have the possibility of
'paying it back', as Rudolf Steiner put it (Steiner 1923). But
paying back means more than mere conservation or
protection. It means 'developing'.
For many years the pioneer work of the 'Landscape
Weeks' at the Science Section of the Goetheanum in
Dornach, Switzerland have contributed to the development
of a new approach to nature which is appropriate for our
time. Apart from Switzerland, these practical study weeks
instituted by Jochen Bockemhl have so far taken place at
various venues in Germany, Hungary, Russia, Norway,
France and Scotland. Each one involves observation
exercises on the landscape and its development in order to
create new connections or contexts through practical
study. They are carried out at the locality together with the
people and working groups who are concerned with nature
and its development. This year the landscape study will
focus on an estate in the Netherlands. Information for
participants can be found at the web site:
www.petrarca.info.
ANDREWS, J. & REBANE, M. (1994): Farming & Wildlife A Practical

Management Handbook. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB), Sandy, Beds., 360 pp.
BEISMANN, M. (1995): kologische Landschaftsentwicklung durch
Landwirtschaft. Lebendige Erde 2: 89-97, Darmstadt.
FUCHS, N. (1997): Landschaft als Ausdruck von Betriebsindividualitt.
Lebendige Erde 1: 3-12, Darmstadt.
VAN ELSEN, T. (2000): Naturentwicklung Zukunftsaufgabe der
Landwirtschaft? In: PEDROLI, B. (ed.): Landscape Our Home. Essays
on the Culture of the European Landscape as a Task. Zeist (NL)/
Stuttgart: 65-73.
VAN ELSEN, T. (2001): Landschaft und Lebensrume durch
Landwirtschaft entwickeln. Lebendige Erde 2: 38-41, Darmstadt.
VAN ELSEN, T. (ed.) (2005a): Einzelbetriebliche Naturschutzberatung
ein Erfolgsrezept fr mehr Naturschutz in der Landwirtschaft. Beitrge zur
Tagung vom 6.-8. Oktober 2005 in Witzenhausen. FiBL Deutschland e.V.,
200 pp., Witzenhausen.
VAN ELSEN, T. (2005b): Nature Conservation Advisory Service for
Farmers - A New Approach to Integrate Nature Conservation on Farm
Level. In: KORN, H., SCHLIEP, R., EPPLE, C. (eds.) (2005): Report on
the International Workshop 'Opportunities of EU Agricultural Policy
Instruments for Biodiversity Conservation and Integrated Rural
Development in Protected Areas of the New Member States'. BfN-Skripten
153: 65-69, Bonn.
VAN ELSEN, T. (2005c): Practical Approaches on Organic Farms in
Germany to integrate Aims and Objectives of Nature Conservation and
Landscape Development. In: KPKE, U., NIGGLI, U., NEUHOFF, D.,
CORNISH, P., LOCKERETZ, W., WILLER, H. (eds): Researching
Sustainable Systems. Proceedings First Scientif. Conf. of ISOFAR: 472475, Adelaide.
VAN ELSEN, T., GODT, J., HESS, J. (2000): Landschaftsentwicklung
durch Umstellung auf kologischen Landbau. Agrarspectrum 31:
Entwicklung nachhaltiger Landnutzungssysteme in Agrarlandschaften:
222-230, Frankfurt.
STEINER, R. (1923): Lebendiges Naturerkennen, Intellektueller
Sndenfall und spirituelle Sndenerhebung. (GA 220) 2. Aufl. 1982,
Dornach, 212 S.
VEREIJKEN, H., VAN GELDER, T., BAARS, T. (1997). Nature and
landscape development on organic farms. Agriculture, Ecosystems and
Environment 63: 201-220.
Contact details
Dr. Thomas van Elsen, FiBL Deutschland e.V. (Research Institute of
Organic Agriculture)
Nordbahnhofstr. 1a, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany
phone: +49 (0)5542 981655, fax: +49 (0)5542 981568, E-mail:
Thomas.vanElsen@fibl.org
www.fibl.org/english/fibl/team/van-elsen-thomas.php
www.petrarca.info/englisch/index.html
www.naturschutzberatung.info/ (in German)
www.uni-kassel.de/Frankenhausen/ (in German)
Further information
Local wildlife trusts listed at: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org
Farm Welfare Advisory Group: http://www.fwag.org.uk/
Farmcare, a branch of The Cooperative Group, runs the Silver Lapwing
Awards and provides on-farm environmental management advice:
http://www.co-opfarmcare.com/
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds: http://www.rspb.org.uk
References
11
THE BERAS PROJECT

This was an EU funded project
onmental impact of agriculture
project that set out to look at the envir
environmental
agriculture on the Baltic
Sea. It was coordinated
coordinated by
by Ar tur Granstedt, PhD,
PhD, head of The Biodynamic Research
Research Institute in Jarna,
Sweden.
Sweden. Summarised below
below are
are the main findings.
1. The main reason for the increased load of nitrogen and
phosphorus from agriculture to the Baltic Sea is the
specialization of agriculture with its separation of crop and
animal production. This restructuring of the agriculture
sector took place through out the Scandinavian countries
after World War II and has resulted in farms with a high
density of animals and great surpluses of plant nutrients,
particularly in certain regions in Sweden, Finland and
Denmark.
2. A specialization of agriculture in Poland and the Baltic
states corresponding to the changes in Sweden, Finland
and Denmark would lead to an increase of nitrogen
pollution to the Baltic Sea by more than 50 percent .
3. Agriculture based on the principles of ecological
recycling would, according to the results in the BERAS
project, lead to a decrease in the nitrogen leaching by half
as well as a significant reduction in the loss of phosphorus.
4. Nitrogen losses would diminish more in the countries
that today have an intensive agriculture than in the Baltic
countries and Poland where today there is a more
extensive form of agriculture. In Sweden the potential for
diminishing nitrogen losses are calculated to be between
70 - 75%.
5. The total output of animal and crop products would not
have to decrease with such an agriculture reform in the
Baltic Sea Basin, if the production level on the documented
ecological recycling farms in Sweden is taken as standard.
6. The proportion of leys in a future ecological recycling
agriculture would increase in areas where there is now
much one-sided grain production. Leys with both clover
and grass would have to be produced on all farms. This
would increase the chances of diminishing plant nutrients
leaching, building up and protecting the humus content in
soil and promoting biological diversity.
7. Increased ley production would result in the reallocation
of meat production. Production of meat from non ruminant
animal (poultry, pigs) would decrease by half, while beef
production would have to increase correspondingly assuming todays level of meat consumption.
8. Local production, processing and distribution of food
products from ecological recycling agriculture can diminish
primary energy consumption and green house gas
emissions compared to the current conventional food
system. According to a scenario based on studies of the
ecological local food chain in Jrna (Sweden) and the
average consumer in Sweden, the per capita consumption
of primary energy would decrease by 40% and the
production of green house gases would decrease by 20 %
in the food chain.
9. A more vegetarian food consumption decreased energy
consumption by 60% and green house gas emissions by
40 documented by 15 families in Jrna (75% less meat and
100% more vegetables) compared to the conventional
food consumption patterns. The area required for food
production would be reduced by 30% compared to todays
12
Star and Furrow 105
in-country production area and by 50% if the area used for

production of imported fodder is also included. The per
capita nitrogen surplus in Sweden would be reduced by
65% in this more vegetarian scenario when compared to
todays conventional food consumption.
10. An ecological and locally oriented food chain leads to
freedom from chemical pesticides, greater diversity in the
production and more grazing-based animal husbandry. All
of this promotes biodiversity in the farm landscape.
Agriculture based on the integration of animal and crop
production and on-farm self sufficiency in fodder
production would prevent the disintegration of the
agricultural landscape in parts of the Baltic Sea basin
where (like in Poland) the agricultural landscape is still
characterized by a high degree of diversity. In the parts of
the Baltic States where large-scale agriculture production
from Soviet times has collapsed and in the industrialized
and grain dominated areas in Sweden, Finland and
Denmark, introduction of such agriculture could lead to a
restoration of the agricultural landscape.
11. Economic studies at the farm level show higher
production costs when environmental costs are included
(internalized) in the production costs. This includes, among
other things, the restrictions on using fodder concentrates.
There is a 12% lower production per cow without soy
protein. Also limiting the number of animals to the farms
own
fodder-producing
capacity
has
economic
consequences. In the Jrna study the cost for milk
production was 19% higher compared to conventional
agriculture. The food expenditure for the 15 Jrna
households with mainly ecological and to a great extent
locally produced food was on average 25% higher.
However, there was a great variation depending on the
food profile. Conventionally produced food does not
include the environmental costs. They are instead pushed
towards the future or to other parts of the world.
12. Practical examples of ecological recycling agriculture,
local food processing, cooperation with schools, ecological
tourism and the development of local markets have been
documented in the eight countries of the project. These
studies show how private initiatives, raised awareness of
the significance of the food chain for the environment and
a more lively cooperation between people can contribute to
a more ecologically, economically and sociologically
sustainable society. Such a society provides more job
opportunities in the countryside and strengthens the local
rural economy. This is expected to be of great importance
for saving and further developing a vibrant rural culture and
improving the quality of life in the Baltic Sea region.
Establishing such agriculture can have such positive
effects both within the more impoverished rural areas in
the new EU member countries as well as in the
depopulated rural areas in countries with a more
industrialized and specialized agriculture.
This news is also of interest to biodynamic farmers and
consumers in the UK. Full reports can be found on their
website: http://www.jdb.se/beras/
BIODYNAMICS AND THE FOREST

ENVIRONMENT
by Nick Raeside
When we look out from the farm into the wider landscape
what comes to mind? A place to walk, cycle get away from
it all, that beautiful view, the wilderness experience,
perhaps also the home of wildlife, the protection of
endangered priority species, conservation. Our landscape
is a production area for farmers, gardeners and foresters,
and yet it is also a place for recreation, a home for wildlife
and a chance to experience nature. Beauty and
conservation of biodiversity are not inevitable by-products
of organic/biodynamic farming methods because modern
practices can involve intensification and specialisation.
They can only be preserved and developed by shared
knowledge, communal decisions and means. Government
grants and regulations attempt to overcome this shortfall
but it requires more than that - a change in attitude towards
Nature. This needs advice and above all a participatory
approach.
Natural forest and landscape also do not assume optimal
diversity, beauty, vigour and health. In fact some long term
observations of non intervention woodland have shown
that with only rare natural disturbance biological and
structural diversity can actually decrease. I sometimes get
the feeling from the conservation movement that people
are an encumbrance, irrelevant to the needs of Nature and
should be excluded or diverted from important areas.
Modern farming practice with emphasis on economies of
scale, mechanization and efficiency of transport to long
distance supermarkets somehow also downgrade our
place in the environment. What then happens if we leave
Nature entirely to her own devices? Will she be able to
overcome the on going reproductive pressures from
introduced species like the grey squirrel, mink,
rhododendron and other pressures like pollution of earth,
air and water and global warming?
The Romans had a name for the uncultivated, wild land
outside the city walls or centres of habitation. They called
it forest and yet today the term has other connotations of
plantations, pulpwood, mechanised tree harvesters all

coined in the phrase the forest industry. So even though
forestry includes intervention operations which cause
disturbance right through from cultivation and planting to
felling and extraction, forest or woodland has always had a
sister role in conservation, non intervention, protection.
Forest protects natural soil fertility and structure, clean
water and air quality. It guards against erosion, extreme
climate, excessive noise and disturbing visual elements in
the landscape. Forest also provides us with a link to the
past. In former times most of Europe was covered by
forest, which supported the majority of native plants and
animals. Indeed if one stands in a British farm field and
contemplates the vegetation thousands of years past the
chances are that it was forest. In partly forested areas, the
remaining forest must fulfill the role, which the larger forest
area once performed.
Consider for a moment some huge internationally traded
agricultural commodities: rubber, coffee, chocolate and
chickens they all have forest origins yet are produced in an
agricultural environment. In the UK we have numerous
food articles which also have forest origins from
mushrooms and hazel nuts to raspberries and venison.
When we think of biodynamics what comes to mind?
Healthy food, preparations, Demeter certification, planting
calendar; and the central purpose seems to do with
nutrition. Yet given that most farmland and some important
agricultural products have their origin in forest and that
Steiner attributes considerable space to forest and trees in
the Agriculture course is there a role for biodynamics in
the forest and wider landscape?
Are there BD principals we can apply to the forest and
periphery of our farming and gardening activities?
I will discuss below based on the Agriculture Course,
holistic, cosmic, economic, restorative and ecological
principles and the farm organism.
Biodynamics has a holistic world-view. It combines a
knowledge of the influence of planetary rhythms,
imperceptible Nature beings and formative forces on the
growth of plants and animals with practical physical day to
day activities including working with machines and (health
bringing) technologies. Steiner points out that the task of
spiritual science is to observe the macrocosmic, the wide
circumference of Natures workings and know how to
penetrate into them. Here we may add Goethe's principal
'nothing happens in living Nature that is not in relation to
the whole'. Actions at the scale of a single tree will affect
the stand, the whole forest and the whole landscape
organism.
There is a Cosmic Principle: - Everything that happens on
Earth especially to plants is a reflection of what happens in
the Cosmos. Plants are a kind of sense organ sensitive
to all that is revealed to the earth out of the cosmos.
Coordinating these various cosmic rhythms with our
farming activities can also be applied to hedgerows, trees
and forest only the rhythms can involve decades as with
13
photographs by Richard Swann
m sure we can all recall a special walk perhaps in the

early morning or at dusk seeing a timid wild animal
hearing a nightjar or an owl and having a sense of
wonder at living things which have their own
independence. A deer barks at our interruption and hurtles
off straight over a fence which for the farm herd is a
boundary to their world. The people centred farm with the
forest at the periphery seems to create a number of
polarities, cultivated fields and uncultivated meadows and
woodland, plants bred for food production and native flora,
domesticated animals and wildlife. For me the deer stands
as a symbol of the wild forest. They have an intense nerve
/ sense communication with the surrounding world and
from their antlers certain streams are carried outward
discharging to the periphery. The cow on the other hand
stands as representative of the people centred farm, with
its horns shut off from the outer, sending into it the astral
ethereal formative powers which penetrate right into the
digestive organism giving us our precious manure.
the outer planets as well as the seasons. Tree seed (mast)

years do not have obvious rhythms and yet affect the
success of natural regeneration. Can we enhance our
astronomy to predict these events? Observations from
decades of research into the effect of sowing tree seed
during various outer planet oppositions shows how much
tree form, branching habit even leaf form can be affected
by these rhythms. Add to this the moon rhythms which
affect the watery parts in leaf flush, growth of fine root hairs
and sap flow and we soon realize how such things as
planting success, tree fruit and wood quality can be
enhanced with a little coordination. Thus if the outer planet
influences work upwards from the centre of the earth do we
really wish to germinate our trees in plastic pots isolated
above the ground? Also can cosmic knowledge help us
understand the long term effects of artificially isolating
seed, sperm and plants from warmth processes as in seed
freezing and tree cold stores to extend the planting
season?
There are Economic Principles: - Practical knowledge,
experience and social renewal should primarily direct
Agriculture rather than financial considerations.
Increasingly farmers and gardeners are actively involving
the community in helping to ensure continued care for the
land, whether through box schemes, community trust
ownership or school visits etc. There is not much to
prevent CSA practices being adapted to participatory
forestry: communal ownership, distribution of processed
woodland products via BD farms (firewood, sawn timber,
fencing materials, mushrooms, venison). The main hurdle
would be to formulate an optimal sustainable harvest from
diverse species and growth rates, but there are trained
foresters about.
There are Restorative/Healing Principles: - Production
from the land results in forces being taken away from both
earth and air and can be restored by vitalizing organic
matter so that it is able to enliven the earth. This can be
applied to the forest by appropriate application of the
preparations: Spray preparations to regeneration areas;
manure concentrate preparation to woody compost heaps
for humus forming; compost preparations to high carbon
low temperature mycorrhiza forming compost heaps for
tree propagation; tree bark paste and root dip made with
manure, clay and horn manure preparation and afternoon
use of horn silica preparation to aid bud formation prior to
transplanting. When the earth is treated this way, the
plants become more sensitive to their environment and
responsive to cosmic rhythms.
There are Ecological Principles: - biodynamics has a super
ecological orientation. The first principle of ecology is that
each living organism has an ongoing and continual
relationship with every other element that makes up its
environment. Steiner expands this principal to include
Man, the cosmos and supersensible beings and forces. In
Nature and the universe all things are in mutual
interaction, yet science generally studies phenomena in
isolation. We need to observe Natures intimate
(supersensible) relations as well as the underlying facts
and conditions. In addition to the courser ecological
relationships of producers and consumers in the food web
there are also finer relationships or kinships between
various animals and various plants which have arisen in
evolution and harmful processes occur when these are
disturbed or broken:
14
Star and Furrow 105
Between the bird world and coniferous forests otherwise birds can become harmful
Between mammals and shrubs/ bushes which allow
mammals to regulate their fodder
Between the fungi and the lower animal world
(bacteria/parasites). Parasites will develop wherever the
fungal nature of undisturbed woodland and especially
meadows, becomes scattered or dispersed.
Mycorrhiza have a communication role in the forest
community rather like our nervous system they form links
between trees and other plants and the earth. Research
has shown a decrease in mycorrhiza following cultivation,
compaction, and application of herbicide or artificial
fertilizer. It is thus a false economy to cultivate as much as
we can because the land will compensate with problems
elsewhere.
To understand these finer relationships we need to explore

the spatial working of the ethereal or sun-like forces. And
for this we need to develop, amongst other things, the idea
of anti-space in addition to the physical space of normal
consciousness. The bud of a plant has an intimate relation
to the centre of the sun a huge distance away because
distance in the realm of the etheric has no meaning. In
their book Fundamentals of Therapy Rudolf Steiner and
Dr. Ita Wegman describe how life and lifeless phenomena
have different orientations. Lifeless phenomena are
subject to forces radiating outward from a relative centre to
the periphery. Life phenomena are different. Whenever a
substance or process unfolds within forms of life it must
cease to be a mere portion of the earth and we can
conceive it to be withdrawing from forces that ray outward
from the centre of the earth and subjecting itself to forces
that radiate inward as planes and do not have a centre but
a periphery. In a lecture on karmic relationships (1924 Vol.
2), Steiner explains that the etheric world reaches up into
the firmament, the blue sky and at the boundary the stars
appear through which forces of spiritual beings enter the
world of appearances. These are astral forces that stream
in by way of the portals of the stars and they stimulate the
ethers and create from them the formative forces. These
formative forces penetrate into the elements and create in
them substance. The elemental beings bring the ether to
the plants as they spread and grow out into spatial
manifestation. In every plant the root strives to let go of the
ether while that which grows upwards tends to draw in the
astral more densely. All plants are surrounded by the astral
but trees, being tall, are gatherers of rich astral substance
while the cambium makes the ethericity poorer within the
tree and the surrounding soil rather more mineralized. The
animal kingdom in their evolution have interiorized the
astral forces. Instead of growing outwards, the animal
organism grows in on itself and forms more and more
infoldings during embryo genesis which give rise to the
wonderfully organised higher bodies of the higher animals.
The astral forces push inwards creating inner spaces, what
in the plant is outside becomes manifest in the animal in
movement and sensation. The astral does not exist in
isolation, it needs to be ensouled. The astrality which
touches the blossom of the plant appears in an
individualized form in the animal. One can easily imagine
butterfly and blossom, bird and tree evolving at the same
stages in evolution.
Biodynamics adds a new dimension to ecology it
deepens and enlivens the intimate relationship between
human consciousness, wisdom and Nature. Cooperation is
where human or other beings can work in common with

commonly agreed goals and methods, instead of working
separately in competition. In his book Mutual Aid: A Factor
of Evolution 1902 (written partly as a response to
Darwinism), Peter Kropotkin drew on his experiences of
cooperation among the animals and concluded that
cooperation and mutual aid are as important in the
evolution of species as competition and mutual strife, if not
more important. Conservation is not only the domain of
environmental sciences, it requires a social cooperation
and education so that people with different skills and
backgrounds can work together: the gardeners, farmers
and foresters unique experience managing the land, the
environmentalists who know the needs of priority species
and habitats, farm customers and friends and the informed
public who give practical help to support the these
stakeholders to improve the landscape for all.
Biodynamics can teach us to commune with nature in
conscious ways:
Through carefully timing our work so that the rhythms of
the cosmos and plant world can harmonize.
By adapting our soul and with imaginative
consciousness, we can commune with the elementals who
need our cooperation for their important work in Nature.
Through making and applying the preparations which
enable healthy life processes where needed.
Through developing an inner image of the land in our
care over many years we can with perseverance create an
organ of perception for the soul of the land organism which
is related to the group soul of the animals and plants.
By being aware of the ethericity and astrality in the
landscape and their effect on the form of vegetation that
we manage.
Forests, orchards, shrubs are regulators of the right growth
and development of plants over the earths surface. They
guide the astrality in the right way just as certain forces
guide the blood in our body.
If vegetation is too stunted we should increase the woody
areas whereas if plants tend to be rampant with insufficient
seed formation then we should make clearings in the
forest.
There is the principle of the farm organism:- A farm is true
to its essential nature if conceived as a self-contained
individuality. Whatever you need for agricultural
production should ideally come from the farm itself. If we

are obliged to buy in fencing or construction timbers is this
not an incentive then to plant and utilize naturally durable
timbers around the farm? At the heart of biodynamics is the
ideal of the farm as a self-contained individuality, providing
its own seeds, fertility and feed for animals and a range of
environments from ponds and hedges to orchards, woods
and pasture. The art is to develop and to provide a
harmonious and sustainable balance for each land
holding. Silviculture is the art and science of controlling the
establishment, growth, composition, health, and quality of
forests to meet diverse needs and values of landowners
and society on a sustainable basis. Like farming it is
affected by history, regional and owner interest and site
conditions.
A mixed species forest, by its very nature, will usually
provide greater stimulus to regeneration and structural
diversity in terms of age usually increases biodiversity.
Agroforestry and farm ponds can add to the relationship
between farm and forest from an ecological principle that
when two ecospheres overlap this can allow species from
both spheres to exist thus increasing biodiversity. Public
pressure is bringing changes to forested landscapes from
structured stands of fuelwood and timber to landscapes
trying to enhance aesthetics, habitats and biological
diversity. Landscape forestry provides concepts and
methods for shifting management from traditional to
landscape forestry.
Our rapidly developing world is in urgent need of wisdom,
meaning and communion with Nature.
Man is not part of Nature and yet Nature is not whole
without Man. We are necessary for the redemption of
Nature but that is a whole subject in itself. In the past Man
has had an intimate relationship to Nature through
instinctive wisdom, indeed the language of numerous
primitive peoples like the forest Indians of the Amazon
have no word for Nature. Increasingly Mankind is obliged
to take responsibility for the earth. This will require both
knowledge of the supersensible aspects of Nature but also
the admittance that we cannot do it alone and have to
cooperate.
Nick Raeside May 2006
15
FARM AUDITING FOR SUSTAINABILITY

by Mark Measures
Abstract
Policy makers have now established sustainability as the
new aim for UK farming. The development of the Farm
Audit for Sustainability involved identifying the objectives
of sustainable farming, based on the Principles of organic
farming as set out by the International Federation of
Organic Farming Movements (IFOAM) and establishment
of indicators to assess the effectiveness of individual farms
in meeting these objectives. On-farm use of the Farm Audit
demonstrated that the tool was able to provide a
comprehensive assessment of sustainability of the farming
system and that it is an information and advisory tool which
is potentially useful in benchmarking and development of
the farming operation.
Introduction
Government Policy in the UK has commenced a
programme of change for British farming towards what is
loosely described as sustainable farming, one which not
only ensures that the production of food is a commercially
viable business but also one which delivers across a broad
range of public goods and services. This policy is being
driven by changes in EU policy and support and is being
vigorously encouraged through the Report of the Policy
Commission on the Future of Farming and Food which
has been largely adopted by DEFRA. The imminent
application of new support measures following the Mid
Term Review will more or less facilitate aspects of this
process of change on the farm. A clear understanding of
the real, practical meaning of sustainable farming on the
16
Star and Furrow 105
ground is however lacking, although there have been

efforts to identify the desirable outcomes on a national
scale (MAFF, Towards Sustainable Agriculture - A Pilot Set
of Indictors, 2000).
Organic farming is the only system of agriculture which
has a track record of setting a clear aim of sustainable
farming, (IFOAM Standards 2000), one which meets
societies wider objectives for farming including: human
health and welfare, environmental care, resource
conservation and animal welfare in what is self evidently a
finite world. It achieves this through the operation of
farming practices that are characterised by an emphasis
on biological systems and management techniques, rather
than the use of inputs which characterise conventional
farming.
The Organic Advisory Service (Elm Farm Research
Centre) has set up a new initiative, the Organic Systems
Development Programme (OSDP), which is seeking to
help farmers develop their farm management in order to
better meet the overall objectives of organic farming. The
OSDP, headed by Mark Measures, is working with a group
of nine mixed, well established organic farms which are
committed to going beyond the absolute minimum set by
organic standards to better address the broader needs of
society in the way in which they produce food and to
progressively develop more sustainable systems.
Methods
The literature on the use of sustainability indicators was
reviewed (Bell and Morse) and existing procedures for
monitoring assessed (Wackernagel and Rees 1996; Haas

et al. 2000; LEAF Audit 2001; Rigby et al. 2001; Leach and
Roberts 2002). In the light of this, a new auditing system
was formulated in order to meet the needs of the farmers
involved, one which assessed their achievements, through
measurement as far possible and which could be applied
quickly and with the involvement of a farm adviser to
provide independent assessment.
Development of the Farm Audit involved a meeting with
Elm Farm Research Centre staff in order to consider how
the work related to their research programme, which had
already identified key issues relating to sustainability and
developed techniques to address these issues. This was
followed by a meeting with the farmer members of the
OSDP to assess the relevance of the approach and to
engage their input. The Farm Audit was conducted on five
farms during routine advisory visits. During the following
year the Farm Audit was used as part of on-farm group
meetings to highlight the performance of the host farm and
to refine the procedures.
Creation of the Farm Audit required the development of
an audit procedure and a spreadsheet to calculate farmgate energy and nutrient balances, preparation of a farm
record sheet and collation of standard data for comparative
purposes. The latter is still in the process of compilation as
more farms are audited.
The Farm Audit identifies all the key objectives of
sustainable farming, it does this by focusing on the key
criteria or objectives set out by the IFOAM Standards and
then aims to select indicators for each criterion which can
be measured, or some meaningful assessment made and
graded accordingly, of the degree to which the farm is
sustainable. It does not therefore endeavour to asses
every component of every criterion, such an approach
risks being excessively time consuming, neither does it
focus on monitoring activities (much of this is already being
undertaken by the organic certification procedures) but
instead attempts to monitor the outcome of the farming
system and practices.
Audit Procedure
The Auditing procedure in the diagram opposite was
used on all farms.
Auditing in Practice
The application of the Farm Audit was relatively
straightforward, requiring between one and two hours to
conduct, plus a variable amount of time by the farmer to
access the information which was generally readily
available. The use of benchmarking for factors other than
those directly related to financial performance is unfamiliar
to most farmers,
however the Farm Audit was effective in highlighting those
areas in which a farm was particularly effective. This was
very encouraging for the farmer concerned, for example
one farmer achieved a veterinary cost of 20% of the
national average which was rewarding and indicated that
there were farm practises from which others could learn. It
also highlighted some shortcomings, which was of real
help in focusing the attention of the farm owners, manager
and adviser. The Farm Audit helps prioritise areas for
development.
The use of the energy and nutrient budgeting tool is in its
infancy as the facility was not available at the start of the
programme, however for the first time it is providing
farmers with some indication of how efficient they are.
Understanding their energy efficiency and improving it is
something which this group of farmers is keenly interested

in. Early indications are that they are already relatively
efficient due to their non-use of nitrogen fertilisers but there
is clearly great scope for improvement and this information
will begin to provide them with data by which to measure
there progress.
An important outcome of the work has been to focus
farmers attention on the impact of their day-to-day
practices on sustainability, it has also identified major
shortcomings in information available to farmers and
provides a useful means of identifying research needs.
Conclusions
The Farm Audit is a practical advisory tool that has been
tested in the field and proved itself to be an effective way
in which farmers can be supported in achieving change
towards a more sustainable farming system.
Acknowledgements
Input to the development of the Farm Audit by Abbey
Home Farm, Bagthorpe Farm, Commonwork Organic
Farm, Duchy Home Farm, Lower Pertwood Farm,
Luddesdown Organic Farm, Manor Farm Godmanstone,
Sheepdrove Organic Farm and Woodlands Farm, staff
from Elm Farm Research Centre and students of the
Sustainable Development Advocacy Programme (Holme
Lacy College PGC) is gratefully acknowledged.
References
Bell, S. and Morse, S. (1990) Sustainability Indicators Measuring the Immeasurable?, Earthscan Publications
Ltd.
Haas, G., Wetterich, F., Kopke, U. (2000) Life cycle
assessment of intensive, extensified and organic
grassland farms in southern Germany. Proceedings 13th
IFOAM Conference p157.
IFOAM Basic Standards for Organic Production and
Processing (2000).
Leach, K.A., Roberts, D.J. (2002) Assessment and
Improvement of the Efficiency of Nitrogen Use in Clover
Based and Fertilizer Based Dairy Systems.
1.
Benchmarking using Farm Gate Balances. Biological
Agriculture and Horticulture, 2002, Vol. 20 pp 143-155.
LEAF (2001) The LEAF Audit.
MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food). (2000)
Towards Sustainable Agriculture A Pilot Set of Indicators.
Rigby, D., Woodhouse, P., Young, T., Burton, M. (2001)
Constructing a farm level indicator of sustainable
agricultural practice. Ecological Economics 39 pp 463478.
Wackernagel, M. and Rees, W. (1996) Our Ecological
Footprint reducing Human Impact on the Earth, New
Society Publishers.
Contact
Elm Farm Research Centre, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury,
Berkshire, RG20 OHR, UK
Tel. + 44(0)1588 640118 mark.ecom@btinternet.com
17
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN BIODYNAMIC

FARMING MET PERMACULTURE DESIGN?
by Jan Martin Bang
ornach in February, short days, cold weather and
thick fog the whole time. It was my first time
there, and I had been assured it was very pretty.
I didnt see a thing, just a vague suggestion of a
village below us, and some hills above. Still, all things have
their positive sides, so for me there were no distractions,
no temptations to go for walks to admire the scenery. I was
happy to stay within the Goetheanum and concentrate on
talking to the other delegates at the International
Biodynamic Conference. I had been invited to present a
workshop on Permaculture, and see what happens when it
meets Biodynamic farming.
This was not a meeting of equals. Biodynamic farming

appeared to me as a mature movement, eighty years of
powerful work in the world, with strong links to many other
forms of human endeavour. Permaculture came as a
youth, barely thirty years old, full of the enthusiasm of a
youngster, and with the bravado of a movement which has
spread world wide very quickly, and has established itself
in many forms of design.
There were nearly five hundred participants at the
Conference as a whole, and about thirty in the workshops
devoted to an exploration of the meeting between these
two ideas. Most were people steeped in Biodynamic
farming, while few had any serious background in
Permaculture. This may be true of many readers of Star
and Furrow also, so it might be advisable to give a short
description of what Permaculture consists of.
The idea of a perma-nent agri-culture emerged at the
University of Tasmania in the early 1970s as a response to
the global environmental and social crisis. David Holmgren
and Bill Mollison were looking for solutions in the design of
human support systems, meaning this in the widest sense:
food, housing, technology, economics and social support.
Three aspects gave Permaculture a vitality that created a
world wide movement within a decade:
One was the idea of basing design solutions on
templates or models taken from patterns observed in
natural ecology.
The second was to encourage personal responsibility,
emphasising that each one of us is responsible for the
global situation, and each one of us needs to do something
about it.
The third was an emphasis on action, not just preaching,
but to get out and actually create change by oneself.
The development of a standard curriculum for a
Permaculture Design Course helped the idea to spread
world wide, with a network of teachers, emerging
associations in many countries, and a system of accepted
and qualified designers. Within a quarter of a century there
was a global network which could point to a wide spectrum
of successful projects in virtually all climatic and social
environments.
18
Star and Furrow 105
Permaculture had emerged as a tool which could help

solve the world crisis.
Back in Dornach the bad weather kept everyone indoors,
except for the committed smokers, who gathered in tight
clumps just outside the main doors, huddling against the
grey fog blowing in tattered streams. So I had plenty of
opportunities to drink endless cups of coffee, freshening up
old friendships with people I recognised, and making new
ones with people I met in the workshops.
For me, the conference was an opportunity to understand
Biodynamic farming. As a Camphill co-worker, I am
surrounded by a biodynamic farm and vegetable gardens,
but my everyday work in the village does not take me
regularly to those workshops. As I talked to people,
listened to keynote lectures, and participated in various
workshops, a new understanding of Biodynamic farming
emerged within me. There were two aspects of Biodynamic
farming which impressed me deeply:
One was the view of the farm as a whole organism, this
was an area which I felt that Permaculture, with its clear
design tools, could both contribute to, and learn from.
The other was the human element, the farmer as a
person who was in a process of personal spiritual
development, using agriculture as a method of self
improvement. This gave Biodynamic farming a spiritual,
cultural and social dimension. It is much more than just a
better way to grow carrots.
Biodynamic farming is a balanced form of agriculture,
taking into account cosmic aspects, natural rhythms and
remedies, trace elements, and the spirit of the place. It is a
radical, cutting edge farming system, harmonising spirit
and matter. It is one of the established forms of organic
farming in the modern world, dealing with living processes
in animals and plants to produce living food to promote
vitality and health in the broadest sense.
The reason I was there was to create an interface between
two thought systems, both of which were active in the
physical world. Where do Permaculture and Biodynamic
farming meet? Where is the dialog? These were the
questions that came up over those endless cups of coffee.
What can Biodynamic farming learn from Permaculture? It
began to emerge in our discussions that Permaculture has
incorporated many practical ideas: how to save on labour,
how to reduce fuel consumption, how to cut down on
weeding. Permaculture is very aware of the need for
common sense in costs and yields, and encourages more
efficient water and nutrient cycles. One of its main
contributions is the conscious application of smart
ecological connections.
Of course, the next question had to be the reverse of the
last one: what can Permaculture learn from Biodynamic
farming? One of the main strengths of Biodynamic farming
is its spiritual and philosophical background, its firm

foundation in Goethian science, and Anthroposophy. In its
connections between spirit and earth it opens up broad
new vistas for a deeper understanding of how our physical
world really functions, and gives a solid foundation for
future development.
In our discussions we came to see that there were two
clear aspects where we could encourage some cooperation. One was to create more direct contact between
people. Both Biodynamic farming and Permaculture have
extensive networks throughout the world, and it would be
good to encourage individuals to network between the two.
Volunteers from the Permaculture network could work on
Biodynamic farms, and likewise Biodynamic farmers could
attend
Permaculture
gatherings.
The
other
recommendation had to do with the foundation courses
that are used as introductions. We agreed that it would be
good if the Permaculture Design Course contain an
explanation about Biodynamic farming, and likewise, that
Biodynamic foundation courses contain an introduction to
Permaculture.
In any comparison between Biodynamic farming and
Permaculture it must be borne in mind that we are not
comparing like to like. Permaculture is a design system
applicable to anything. Permaculture is just as applicable
to an architectural conference, or a discussion on
economics. Because of this, we should really have referred
to the agricultural application of Permaculture throughout
the conference and throughout this article. With
Biodynamics, it is Anthroposophy which is the system, and
Biodynamic farming is just one application of
Anthroposophy, this time specifically in the area of
agriculture.
The theme of this years conference at Dornach was
Openness and Identity, and it is only by having a clearly
understood identity that one can be open enough to enter
into a dialog with different ideas without either feeling
threatened, or feeling the need to play the missionary. In
view of the current world situation, with climate change,
social dislocation and global conflicts over resources, it is
vital that we should be seeking partners with whom we can
work together to create positive change. Neither of us was
seeking to get married, but I felt a strong desire for
neighbourly co-operation.
Pictures from Ecovillages by the author

above: Israeli cob building
below: Cob building
In summing up during the last plenum gathering, I

suggested that Permaculture was a smart system, but not
always wise, and that Biodynamic farming was full of
wisdom, but not always so smart! We have many things we
might learn from each other, and it is my hope that a closer
co-operation will strengthen each of us.
Jan Martin Bang is a Permaculture teacher with
extensive experience in the Middle East, now living at
Camphill Solborg in Norway, where he has domestic and
administrative responsibilities. He is also editor of
Landsbyliv (Village Life), the Norwegian Camphill
magazine. He is currently secretary of the Norwegian
Permaculture Association, and is also active within the
Norwegian Ecovillage Trust. He has written a book on
Permaculture Ecovillage Design published by Floris Books
in 2005, called Ecovillages a practical guide to
sustainable communities.
Jan can be contacted at: jmbang@start.no
19
SEKEM
by Dr Ibrahim Aboulish reviewed by Richard Swann
his is the story not only of
Sekem Community in Egypt
but also an autobiography of
Dr Ibrahim Aboulish its
founder. The book traces the story
of Dr Aboulish from his earliest
days in Egypt through to the
establishing of the Sekem
Community in the Desert. He
graphically describes how they
transformed a piece of desert
wasteland into a thriving
garden. The book describes
how the community was
slowly built up over many
years starting with the
laying of roads, planting trees
and establishing the ever so vital
water supply.
Sekem is a gem in the desert of Egypt, not only because

of the outer structure that has been created with
biodynamic farms, schools and factories but also because
of the social way this has been achieved and continues to
be maintained. Festivals are celebrated and everyone is
involved in the running of the place. One of the most
striking pictures in the book is of the whole community
standing in a large morning circle. What better image of
hope could be displayed from the Middle East which
usually only send us images of conflict and strife.
Dr Aboulish was awarded the Right Livelihood Award or
Alternative Nobel Prize in 2003 for his work in creating
business model for the 21st century in which commercial
success is integrated with and promotes the social and
cultural development of society through the 'economics of
love'
Sekem is available from Floris Books for 16.99
ECOVILLAGES
a practical guide to sustainable communities
by Jan Martin Bang - reviewed by Laurence Dungworth
e are all aware of little ways in which we can
lessen our impact on the earth and some
even manage to take steps to alter their
lifestyles for the benefit of the environment.
But what if we want to take a bigger step. Not to opt out of
society, but to opt into a mutually supportive community
that has a commitment to sustainability as one of its core
principles. In this instance we can either seek out a
community of our choice or we can create our own.
Jan Martin Bangs book, Ecovillages A practical guide to

sustainable communities, contains inspirations for both of
these options. Peppered through the book are illustrated
case studies of functioning communities. Their focus
ranges from the spiritual to the environmental, with many
tangents in between, but they all exhibit some form of
sustainability. This can be environmental, which is often
the focus in debate around sustainability, but equally
important is social sustainability. Without this, people will
not be able to maintain the ground gained. And even of
course for the many still in existence, economic
sustainability.
This is a whole new movement and one in which many
things are being learnt. For this reason many of the
communities focus on one particular aspect, and are not
able to cover every facet. As Bang points out, each of
these is a compromise between what is desirable and what
actually happens in practice. But it will only be through
practicing that we can learn how to do these things. And
once we have learnt one thing we can move on to the next
element of sustainability.
20
Star and Furrow 105
This is where the book really shines. Bang

is able to share his knowledge,
experience and observations and present
us with a book that is on the one hand a
pleasant and informative read, and on
the other can be used as a workbook
for a nascent or existing community.
The design section for instance begins
with the Social Aspect before covering all the
physical factors involved, from energy to economics.
This makes complete sense, because you cannot start
talking about things and making decisions until as a group
you have agreed how you are going to talk about things
and make those decisions.
The whole book is a bit of a revelatory journey, as mirrored
in Bangs personal conversion from the NO! protest
movement to the YES! Activist movement.
There is a lot of positivity in this book, about what has been
achieved and what is possible. Its style though tempers it
with realism. At the beginning of the book Bang suggest
how to use this book and ways in which it can influence
and inspire the Ecovillages of today and tomorrow. Yet he
also finds space to remark, You can also use this book as
a door stop, to prop up a bookshelf or maybe plaster it into
your wall as an insulation brick. If you read this book I am
sure you will put it to grander use.
Ecovillages is available from Floris Books for 20.00
HAY IN THE TREE TOPS
Discovering the lost art of making leaf hay

by Bernard Jarman
he landscape with which we are so familiar today,

with its fields and meadows, its trees, hedgerows
and woodlands, has evolved in the course of
hundreds and even thousands of years. It has
changed as the climate has changed during the period
since the last Ice Age. In more recent times changes have
come about largely with the help of human hands. Virtually
nothing remains, in Western Europe at least, of the once
great forests which extended across the land. Walking
through a favourite glade today or scaling a local viewpoint
somewhere in England, we may contemplate how things
might have looked when people first arrived. The vast
forest of largely deciduous trees, broken open here and
there by rocky outcrops or recently fallen forest giants,
would have contained what we rarely see today, namely
massive trees of more than 500 years. This wilderness
would have been filled with a great diversity of wild
animals, birds, insects and all manner of wild flora. The
ecosystem would have been stable, pristine but as yet
untamed.
As mankind gradually settled the land, grazed it with

livestock and cultivated crops, the landscape started to
change. Forest was cleared and cultivated areas were
established. Sometimes this change was carried out in a
brutal exploitive way particularly in areas with a strong city
culture and when wars were prevalent. In the rural
communities where for generations people lived in intimate
connection with their land this was different. The so-called
peasant culture of Europe, now largely vanished,
possessed a deep and rich understanding for all that took
place in nature, on the fields and in the forest. To survive
they had to work from dawn to dusk and make use of
everything the earth could provide. Nothing was wasted.
Livestock and family had to be supplied not only through
the summer but also in the winter season of scarcity since
there was no chance of popping out to the local store for
provisions. Despite this constant struggle to survive, many
of these peasant communities had a very full and rich
cultural life that was guided first by the ancient divinities of
nature and later the early Christian Church. This devotion
and spirituality helped build the strong inner fabric of these
peoples.
Out of this richness and innate wisdom these people were
able to transform, build up and care for a European
landscape which, while thoroughly penetrated by human
hands, became an expression of harmony, stability and

diversity. It was a wisdom that lived within these peasant
folk and which was passed on down through the
generations as skill and craftsmanship. It is this
craftsmanship and understanding for the cultivated soil, for
livestock and for landscape development that I would like
to explore further here.
I recently came across a fascinating book written by a
travelling researcher who set out to explore the relics of an
old and nearly forgotten peasant culture in the alpine
landscape of Austria. This book written in German by
Michael Machatschek is called "Laubgeschichten" (stories
of the leaves) which is as yet untranslated (1). He was
particularly interested in observing the interdependence
between farmland and forest that was so clearly a feature
of life in these peasant communities. In the course of his
research he made some fascinating and in some cases
surprising discoveries. In many of the villages through
which he travelled he came across strangely shaped trees.
Trees which in some bygone time had been subject to
regular pruning and shaping. These trees became
windows through which he could discover the cultural
history of a whole landscape.
Leaf Hay
In biodynamic circles the value of leaf hay as a feed
supplement has long been recognised. Its practical use
however has been limited. This is largely because the
collection, drying and storage of leaf hay is very labour
intensive. Few farms today have the resources to invest
time in this activity despite its undoubted value. There was
a time when the harvesting of leaf hay formed an important
part of the farming calendar right across Europe. Evidence
of this can be found in the ancient crafts of pollarding and
coppicing trees. The term pollarding is used to describe the
practice of cutting off the young growth from the crowns of
mature tree trunks while coppicing involves regularly
cutting new growth down to ground level. Many other more
local variations to this practice also took place. One for
instance was to allow some corner of a field to grow over
with scrub trees, mainly alder and sycamore. After about
15 years, the nearly impenetrable thicket was cleared to
leave some well spaced single trees whose stems were
cleared of all branches. With the dramatic increase in light
new bushy growth was encouraged all the way up the
stems. In succeeding years this would be cut and used for
21
photograph by Bernard Jarman
Pollarded plane trees in Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona
leaf hay. Newly planted

trees for pollarding were
placed in sites along field
boundaries, at the edge of
woodland or as small
copses on hill tops and in
other odd corners of the
farm. They were usually
planted out as young
trees
and
gradually
trained into their form.
Today pollarding is still
widely practiced in urban
settings though purely for
amenity purposes and
sadly often without the
degree of care that was
once invested by the leaf
hay gatherers.
pictures on pp22-23 reproduced with kind permission from Laubgeschichten by Michael Machatschek
above: Carrying fallen leaves the traditional way.

St Veit, Salzburg, Austria
In order to maximise leaf

production and facilitate
the harvesting of leaves young shoots were cut back in a
very precise manner. The method varied according to
whether the trees grew in rich lowland soil or high up on a
stony hillside. It was usual to cut the new growth back to
the crown every two years. These strangely shaped
crowns sculpted by years of cutting and filled with future
buds, were seen as a precious resource and not to be cut
into under any circumstances. To do so would leave the
crowns open to all kinds of infection. Cutting meant that all
new shoots had to be removed from the crown leaving the
tree naked and twig less. During the alternate years,
leaves were stripped direct from the branches without
cutting the wood. By this means an annual harvest of
leaves could be obtained without causing too much stress
to the tree.
Traditionally leaf hay was gathered from late spring
through to the autumn. The timing varied according to the
particular climatic and livestock requirements of the region.
The highest quality leaf is produced before the end of July,
the richer twig material in September. A too frequent
September harvest could result in a weakening of the tree.
The traditional time chosen in the Alps was therefore early
in summer. This provided high quality leaf hay, ensured the
best regrowth and if cut every two years, allowed the tree
to build up its reserves.
There is a long list of native European trees and shrubs
which have been used to gain leaf hay including sycamore,
oak, alder, poplar and sweet chestnut and for coppicing,
hazel, alder, oak, hornbeam, cherry, poplar and several
willow species. The most important species however have
always been ash and elm. Ash was once considered such
a valuable tree for producing leaf hay that it was introduced
on farms throughout Europe. The main reasons for this
are that its leaves are very palatable, rich in minerals,
easily digested and quick growing.
Carefully harvested and dried during the growing season
or used fresh, tree leaves were highly valued for their
medicinal properties and high mineral content. It was also
an extremely good supplementary feed for fattening
animals. According to analyses undertaken by Nikolaus
Remer (2), leaf hay and woody twigs contain valuable fats,
etheric oils, resins and tannic acids. Furthermore the
22
Star and Furrow 105
leaves of hazel, alder, lime and sycamore have a dry

matter content of 2-3% calcium, 0.6-0.8% phosphoric acid
and 12.5-18.7% protein as well as a liberal amount of
potassium and silica. This is far more than is found in the
in the various feed grasses. The different tree species also
contain varying combinations of minerals. Birch for
instance, in addition to special fats, resins and tannic acids
also contains betulin whose effect is to cleanse and
stimulate the bladder.
One of the most intractable mineral problems in western
Europe today is that of copper deficiency. Without
supplements and medicinal treatments it is very difficult to
address. A liberal use of leaf hay however could help to
solve this problem. Leaves from maple, elder, alder, birch
and oak can contain as much as 12mg/Kg and ash up to
18mg/Kg of copper! In the days when leaf hay was widely
used, mineral and salt licks were less necessary. Regular
intake of twigs, leaves and woody material provided most
of the minerals needed.
It is estimated that 1,000 bundles of leaf hay were needed
per cow over a 6 month period. A bundle is of similar size
to a sheaf of corn. One person should be able to cut an
average of 30 bundles of fresh twigs and leaves per day.
With practice this can increase to about 100 bundles per
day. If an ash tree is cut once every four years (as happens
in parts of southern Austria) an annual yield of between 20
and 25 bundles can be expected. Nutritionally this is the
equivalent of about 10 pounds of good meadow hay with
the added benefits of a higher mineral content.
Leaf hay can be used for all animal species especially
when fattening. For some animals such as pigs, it needs to
be ground up and fed as meal. Elm and ash is particularly
good for them. Ash leaf hay is also good for fattening cattle
and has been a vital ingredient in their feeding rations. The
astringent properties of the bark stimulates metabolism
and strengthens the functioning of the liver. This in turn
reduces the occurrence of worms and other internal
parasites. The leaves and fruits of the rowan are
particularly valuable for this. Branches of maple, ash,
elder, alder, birch and oak are important too for enhancing
the take-up and transformation of iron. Birch counteracts
sclerosis and hazel enhances fertility while shrubs such as
cherry and blackthorn have a rejuvenating and vitalising
effect on the organism. For sheep the feeding of leaf hay
has been found to provide protection against lung
infections especially in wet years or on damp pastures.
Another interesting phenomenon is that only trees which
have been managed regularly through pollarding and
coppicing are able to provide the high quality material
beloved of the livestock. Twigs and branches taken from
otherwise unpruned trees and bushes tend to be tough and
unappetising. This makes sense since by pruning back the
branches, lots of new, fresh and young growth is produced.
This is tender and more easily digestible.
It was not only leaves harvested green from the trees that
was used. Fallen leaves too were carefully gathered for
feeding livestock. It was often the case that the second
crop of leaves from the trees which earlier in the season
had provided leaf hay were now gathered in the autumn
from the ground after they had fallen. These leaves were
of especially high quality. Many other fallen leaves were
also gathered and allowed to ferment in a pile usually
undercover. Fermentation involved spraying a pile of

leaves lightly with water and allowing it to heat gently. This
created a mass of fungal growth which resulted in strongly
aromatic and apparently tasty leaves. This fermented
material was always eagerly sought after by cattle and
other livestock.
Fallen leaves
In the days before the widespread use of straw for
bedding, it was the practice of the peasant community to
gather fallen leaves from field and woodland each autumn
and to use them for bedding. The combination of manure
and leaves created a well balanced and mineral rich
compost for returning to the soil. In contrast to straw which
is relatively poor in minerals, the leaves of our broadleaved
trees contain many trace elements. It has been suggested
that an important cause of trace element deficiencies, is
the use of bedding straw taken from highly bred cereal
varieties.
Amongst old peasant communities all waste materials
were put to good use including fallen leaves. On snow free
days they would be collected from field and forest. Leaves
from the forest were usually gathered later once they had
started to break down. This half broken down material was
more absorbent when used for bedding than the fresher
material gathered from open ground.

Special brooms were used to sweep up leaves in the
forest. These brushes were specially curved so as to be
able to sweep in the most efficient way possible. Unique
craftsmanship methods were employed to make these
brooms. Thin spruce branches were collected from young
trees and tied together through an iron ring which was then
attached to a broom handle bent almost to a right angle at
the end. The needles were then burnt off over a fire. This
caused the resin in the twigs to become soft making them
pliable. Thus roasted, the broom was taken to a stream
and weighed down with large stones in order to bend the
twigs as the resin cooled. The curvature was sometimes
also achieved by standing on it until the resin set. These
special tools allowed the leaves to be gathered quickly and
even sent several metres through the air to a pile. pic. 5
Rakes were never used amongst the trees because this
could damage the fine

tree roots immediately
below the leaf mulch.
Such damage could then
cause heart rot to the
trees. Sweeping up of
leaves did not do this and
was carried out each year
somewhere
in
the
neighbouring woods. A
period of seven years was
left before the same place
was swept again. It is
strange to think that all
over
Europe
this
sweeping of the forest
floor was going on. Surely,
one would imagine, this
activity is robbing the
forest of its fertility. above: Fallen leaves were once used as fodder for
young cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys and horses
Apparently not, it is and later also for bedding
suggested
that
one
reason for the decline in forest health over the last 100
years has been the ending of this practice. The
accumulating leaf mulch makes the forest soil too rich for
the trees. They need to grow slowly. The richer soil
appears to increase growth rates and therefore
susceptibility to pest and disease attack. It is
even suggested that the phenomenon of the
"dying forest" might be connected with the
discontinuation of this practice. It would seem
from Machatschek's research that soil fertility
particularly in the mountain regions of Austria,
depended on the care and management of
woodland as much as it did on the care of soil,
livestock and crop land.
There was once an intimate co-dependency
between farmland and forest that has gradually
been lost with the disappearance of European
peasant culture. Trees, bushes, hedges and
woodland areas however remain essential to
any wise landscape management. They also
play a vital role in maintaining livestock health
and soil fertility. Is it possible to find a new and
mutually supporting relationship between farm
and forest? Clearly the old form of codependency is no longer possible but perhaps
we can incorporate some of the timeless wisdom of our
peasant forbears.
References:
(1) Michael Machatschek lives and works in Austria. He is
an independent travelling researcher who has written
several books about farming, food and forestry. These
have included subjects such as wild foods and subsistence
living as well as this 550 page book researching former
tree management and the use of trees for food, animal
fodder
and
medicine.
"Laubgeschichten
Gebrauchswissen einer alten Baumwirtschaft, Speise- und
Futterlaubkultur" by Michael Machatschek is published in
Vienna by Blau Verlag 35.00 Euros ISBN 3-205-99295-4.
One copy is available in the BDAA members library for
those who read German.
(2) Nikolaus Remer "Laws of Life in Agriculture" Published
23
A NEW CENTRE FOR THE BDAA

by Bernard Jarman
hen the BDAA first moved to Stroud and
opened its new office, the intention was for it
to become not only the main office of the
Association but also a visitor centre. We were
at the time located at ground level in the Painswick Inn
complex in Stroud and therefore potentially accessible to
passers by. To really develop in this direction however
would have required a lot more input and promotional
activity than available resources allowed. After a couple of
years we moved upstairs to the room we now occupy.
This space is less accessible to the public and the idea of

being a visitor centre had for the time being to fade into the
background. Meanwhile space had to be found for 70 odd
years of archive material, the members library, exhibition
materials and an ever increasing stock of books. Several
years later this space is now bursting at the seams. It is a
beautiful room but no longer large enough to meet our
needs.
Gradually while pondering the next possible steps, a new
idea was born. Would not this be the moment to find or
even create new premises? Could we create something
really special that would express our values while
providing the BDAA with a place of its own? With such in
mind the following ideas began to take shape.
A Vision for a future Building
The building which could be new build or a converted
existing building should aim for the highest ecological
standards. Our building will stand as a demonstration of
the latest ecological building techniques and state of the
art renewable energy technology. Internally it will be
furnished with high quality locally crafted materials and
tastefully and artistically decorated. Its physical existence
will express a commitment both to the local economy and
to sustainable living.
If it is a building conversion then a two or three story
building can be imagined with sufficient space on the
ground floor for a shop space and small caf, on the first
floor a meeting room containing a members library, two
office spaces and a storage room to house archive
material, books etc. On the third floor there could be living
space which might be let out to someone willing to keep an
eye on the property at times when it may be otherwise
unoccupied.
Such a set up would allow small enterprises like a shop,
caf or flat to provide a revenue stream that could help
meet general building maintenance costs. If all the initial
capital costs are covered and highly efficient low energy
systems are in place then it is possible for such a goal is
conceivable.
If a new building were created from scratch then some
exciting architectural opportunities would also exist. The
building could even become truly carbon neutral.
Facilities
The new centre needs to be large enough to provide:
24
Star and Furrow 105
A shop area for the book stall and a public meeting area
with a simple cafe space on the ground floor.
A meeting room large enough to seat up to thirty people.
This would also provide space for the members library
and a standing exhibition etc.
Office space and an adjoining room of similar size to
store books, archive materials, packaging etc.
A dwelling flat possibly on the third floor could provide a
useful source of income and help with general security.
An outdoor/half-covered yard area would be desirable.
This would be used to house outdoor demonstration
materials and be a place for small practical workshops.
It could also serve for bicycle parking.
As regards site, a town context would more easily fit these
intentions than one linked to a farm in the country. This
would make it possible for people to drop in from the street
and enable it to become a local focus of interest. Being a
national organization easy access by public transport and
proximity to a railway station is important. Bearing in mind
the present constellation of staff, Stroud would seem a
sensible location although other options should not be
excluded.
If a suitable site were found close to town but with a couple
of acres of land attached to it, other additional possibilities
could be considered. A particularly appealing idea is that
the BDAA might host a new form of allotment garden
activity. In this scenario people from the local community
would rent a plot in the usual way to grow their own
therefore is I believe to retain the value of being small in

size and therefore not be tempted to grow ever larger on
one site. If the organisation were to grow beyond the
capacity of the building and its land, then instead of
considering larger premises, a new centre of a similar size
should be created in another region. The second centre
might have similar purposes. It could also have a shop
front and a meeting room but perhaps meet some of the
other administrative needs of the growing organization. It
might for instance focus on certification, training or
research work. Such an approach to development helps to
maintain an intimate human scale, avoid the pitfalls of
continual growth and encourage regional development. It
would also mean that while Stroud is likely to be the
location for this centre at present, another region could
take it on at some future date.
While ownership of the building and land should be with
the BDAA, the management of certain areas such as the
cafe or book shop could be taken on by sympathetic
partner initiatives within a cooperative structure.
Developing a cooperative climate and encouraging
networking is part of the Associations ethos. Given a
suitably sized shop front area, other compatible initiatives
could also be offered space for information displays. The
meeting space could likewise be shared as could possibly
some of the office facilities.
Funding such a project will of course be no easy task and
it is unlikely that the purchase and development of such a
property would leave much change from a million pounds.
Because of its sustainable, energy efficient and community
focused intention however it should prove an interesting
project for some funding bodies.
Drawing by Dilly Eeles
vegetables.
A condition would be that they follow biodynamic
gardening principles or at the very least operate
organically. These individual plots would need to relate to
one another and together form an integrated whole. This
would require consciousness not only for maintaining
paths and hedges but also developing a concept of beauty
for the whole garden and the planting of attractive flower
borders. Such a garden would require some indoor space
with tea making facilities and carefully designed individual
tool storage areas. A play area for children would be
needed as well possibly as a small research and
demonstration plot.
The site could be used to run all kinds of workshops to
demonstrate and explain compost making, the
preparations, the planting calendar and much else
besides. It would also aim to encourage real community
involvement.
Human-scale growth
As with many things connected with biodynamics, it is
important to consider the broader longer term aspects of
such an initiative and above all to maintain the integrity of
our objectives. Such aspects include answers to the
question what happens when we grow? Size of operation
is something which is often not considered when a project
begins. Later when growth takes off it is often too late to
change course. An important principle behind this project
What do you think?

Before proceeding any further with these ideas however
we would like to involve you the readers and members of
the Association. What do you think about having a new
centre? Do you think the ideas outlined here befit an
organization such as ours? If not what other suggestions
do you have? If you are inspired by these ideas do you
have any funding suggestions and can you offer any help
in this direction? Are there other ways you might wish to
contribute?
One of the first things we will have to do of course will be
to identify a suitable property. We are currently keeping our
eyes open for such a place but if anyone has a place in
mind or even knows someone who might offer a site, do
get in contact.
In the next few months I look forward to being flooded by
all your thoughts and ideas. Please do write in or email
your comments to me at the office. I will then collate all the
comments, suggestions and ideas which have been sent in
and bring them to our AGM which will take place in the
autumn (6-8th October).
We will have a space at this meeting to discuss the
proposed new centre and share all the hopes and
intentions as well as the concerns there may be regarding
such a project. Afterwards I hope that we will be in a
position to take a further step towards realizing this
initiative. Please send all comments to the office.
25
PRINCIPLES OF BIODYNAMIC SPRAY

AND COMPOST PREPARATIONS
by Dr Manfred Klett - reviewed by Alan Brockman
ith the ever growing interest in biodynamic
agriculture it is very timely that a second
combined edition of this study material, is now
available. It was originally issued by the
International Biodynamic Initiatives Group as a result of
conference lectures. (The Biodynamic Spray Preparations
-1994: The Biodynamic Compost Preparations 1996).
The biodynamic preparations are

perhaps the outward expression of
the fundamental difference between
organic thinking and a thinking that
strives
to
approach
and
understand the dynamic life
forces in nature. This requires
more than a replicating of
natural processes, a copying of
healthy sustainable forms of
growing as practised for long
periods in the past.
A helpful foreword by
Bernard
Jarman,
(executive director of the
BDAA) sets the scene and background
which is then followed by a first chapter, The
development of consciousness and of agriculture. In this
brief but penetrating look into origins we are led to see the
present in a much wider time frame of human development
and relationship to the earth. The progress of human
thought to freedom puts Rudolf Steiners work in a living
relationship with our present time. Today we need to know
how to relate in a free way not only to almost overwhelming
materialistic logic but to the consequences which this
'logic' leads to. In the Agriculture Course as Steiners
suggestions for a renewal of agriculture are referred to, we
are led to find a new relationship not only to our farms and
gardens but to the way we view the world. This chapter
could well be an introduction to the whole of his approach
to fundamental polarities: I and world; above and below:
death and life.
The biodynamic spray preparations are introduced in
chapter 2 .These are based on cow horns. but before going
into a detailed description of these we are pointed to the
personal involvement which .is recommended if we are
really to grow into our work. There are two spray
preparations, one made by filling cow horns with cow
manure and the other by filling them with finely ground
silica quartz powder, buried at different seasons .they are
subject to different forces in the rhythm of the year.
Interesting descriptions and characterisations are given
including why we bring such different materials together
and ending with the fundamental polarity involved with
their use. The possibilities of enhancing the basic polarity
of form and substance are described in relation to the
different living ether forces
26
Star and Furrow No: 104
Chapter 3 Stirring and Spraying the Preparations brings

us further into practice and how this can lead to a new
insight into their relationships with growth. A transmutation
of substances is going on in which we are taking part. This
allows a new relationship to develop to natural processes.
In the past a more dreamy consciousness allowed an
awareness of these elemental forces to be experienced
but now a more conscious relationship is not only possible
but urgently needed. As this develops we become part of
the flow of natural events and a feel for the right time to act
gradually develops.
Life Forces and the Land are dealt with next. Here
polarities of growth and decay and their manifestations of
etheric life forces are differentiated to embrace the wider
environment. Landscape, life processes and lack of
harmony in these (dying forests!) are put into a
comprehensive picture. Soil structure in relation to both
chemical fertilising, homeopathy and effects of varied
potencies lead us into aspects of how these work in the
preparation plants. Future prospects for the earth are
indicated. Results of the use of the preparations backed by
experimental work are a welcome section for practising
growers.
In the next chapter, Protein and Yarrow are used as a
guide to a better understanding of the principles, make up
and usage of the preparations. From yarrows appearance
we are led to the contrast of sulphur to potassium. We
have here again a polarity; above/below. This description
is perhaps one of the most inspiring insights offered. It is
developed in an imaginative characterisation of how
yarrow relates to the whole. The reason for associating the
preparation plants with animal organs, in most cases, also
leads us into wider connections. Further descriptions
concerning making the preparations show how an ongoing
earth enlivening process is developed when the more
enduring quality of animal nature is involved. This quality of
enlivening the solid earthly element is connected with a
new nitrogen formation process furthered by the yarrow,
camomile and nettle preparations. As free human beings
we are not only taking on responsibility for the continuation
of nature but are involved in the development of a new
nutrition which can arise when natural processes are
guided to a higher level. We are, out of insight, in the
position to take nature further, to add a further step which
she cannot take by herself. New super substances can be
added to evolution!
Chapter six, The Six Preparations. Here we are
confronted with the polarity of materialistically orientated
thought to that of Steiners approach. This is seen in the
reductionist view of a condensation process, as typified in
the periodic table being counteracted by that where the
biodynamic preparations represent a path of reintegration
of substances with their origins. This process is traced
through the revivifying plant world, the ensouling animal
world to the view that a further stage can be developed, a
spiritualization by way of the preparations. This last is a

free human deed born of insight! This approach requires
that we view nature as having originated in a higher ideal
world and as having materialised by condensing and
solidifying. The need for this connection of solidity and the
consequent possibility of orientation in space e.g.
uprightness and ego consciousness, is implied. That we
are on our way to re-establish our connection with our
divine origin through prayer and inner work is something
we do for ourselves what we do as a free deed using the
preparations is repeating this process for nature. The
preparations are a kind of meditation for nature,
reconnecting it with its origins.
The concluding chapter The Biodynamic Preparations as
Sense Organs poses the question in what sense is the
reader to understand this? Our task as self conscious
(ego) beings is to create an addition to nature, out of a
moral approach, which can give a new direction to the
beings active there. If we become ever more aware
through observation, study and working with the
preparations we can develop our imagination, and
inspiration which lead to enthusiastic action. This
enthusiasm brings an enlivening gift to nature. A real
Christianising impulse is given to the elementary beings
engendered by such actions of care and love.
Referring to the six preparations, two groups can be
distinguished: the first working from below the surface: the
second above. These are then considered in detail as
regards composition and wider relationships. Moving
upwards from the sub-natural world and the connection of
potassium with radioactivity, a substance with which
yarrow has a special relationship, we are led via camomile
(related to calcium & potassium) and stinging nettle

(calcium, potassium & iron) into the heart of nature. From
there on the ascent towards the super-natural world and
seed formation goes via oak bark (calcium in living
process), dandelion (silica & potassium), to valerian (light,
warmth, air). The connections with the various animal
organ sheaths, used in four of these preparations, are
explained and put once again into a much wider picture of
the relationship of the animal kingdom to the world.
A whole lifetimes work is embodied in this little book. It is
only little in size, (105 pages including a useful
bibliography,) in content it is addressing world-wide
responsibilities. These are taking on an ever more urgent
form; global warming; droughts; dying forests; nature
catastrophes; unsustainable forms of food production.
Rudolf Steiner suggested ways to meet such problems so
that we can work more wisely with nature. Mankind can
only be thankful for the insights, into the inner workings
and relationships, of nature that he gave. Manfred Klett
has put us in the picture. His lifes activity has been
devoted to the service of the earth, especially in its
connection with social ideals. For many years he was the
leader of the Agricultural Section of the School for Spiritual
Science at the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland.
Before that he was a founding member of the
Dottenfelderhof farm community near Frankfurt in
Germany. One can hope that this book will inspire many; it
leads us into the future giving hope in what seems an
uncertain world.
This review originally appeared in New View and is
reproduced here with their permission.
Extraordinary Plant Qualities for

Biodynamics
by Jochen Bockemhl / Kari Jrvinen - reviewed by Bernard Jarman
he medicinal plants which are used for making the
biodynamic compost preparations have often been
studied by farmers, gardeners and scientists. A lot
of fascinating insights have been gained and many
books and essays have been published on the subject
during the course of the last eighty years. Is there anything
more to learn? Well, yes actually.
This book has been put together by two unusual botanical

scientists, who approach the subject using the very
disciplined method of observing plant life inspired by JW
Goethe. Though best known in the English speaking world
for his poetry, Goethe was also an accomplished scientist
who discovered, amongst other things, the metamorphosis
of form in a growing plant. Through combining an artistic
appreciation of plant life in its full context with a rigorous
scientific study of the observed phenomena he was able to
develop a valuable technique for understanding the true
nature of plant life and indeed life as a whole. Inspired by
the enthusiasm shown by Steiner towards Goethe's ideas,
this technique was then developed further in the context of
the Natural Science Section at the Goetheanum in
Dornach. The two authors of this

book, Jochen Bockemhl and
Kari Jrvinen, have spent their
lives pursuing this approach
which is now widely referred to
as 'Goethean Observation'.
In order to understand this
method, the reader is invited
to explore simple phenomena
of nature without drawing on previous
knowledge. By simply looking at a bare twig, at its
structure and form and the way it relates to the dimensions
of space a lot can be learnt about the way it lives and
grows. The deeper one can enter into its nature the more
can one understand of its quality. A plant is also not alone.
It is embedded in its surroundings and has a context.
Gradually as one enters into it more aspects become
apparent and the whole picture of the plant being begins to
emerge.
The many years spent developing and refining this
27
encourages a rich range of plant and

animal species to thrive around it. Then
there is the strange plant horsetail at
home on disturbed soil. Colourful
paintings accompany each description.
In the following chapters these different
plant gestures are developed further
and related to the cycle of the year, the
Soul Calendar of Rudolf Steiner and our
own inner experiences of the changing
seasons. There then follows a section
which considers the botanical details of
each of the preparation plants in turn.
How they grow, what their leaf
sequences are, whether they are
perennial or annual etc. They are
considered in pairs - yarrow and
chamomile, nettle and valerian, oak and
dandelion and horsetail.
observational approach means that it can now be used as

a scientific tool. In this book the biodynamic compost
preparations are the main focus. As always when
considering living organisms and especially when using
this this method, it is important to first look at the whole
before considering the parts. The first chapters therefore
concentrate on the type of landscape in which the various
preparation plants are to be found - woodlands, flowering
meadows or rocky hillscapes. One is led through a
process of sensing (smelling, hearing and touching as well
as seeing) the unique qualities of each site and how light
and shade interelate differently. The next step is to live into
the specific site conditions that the plants require in order
to thrive.
Once the context is established each plant is considered in
turn beginning with the dandelion for it is the first of the
preparation plants to flower. The order chosen is that of the
seasonal succession of their flowering periods. Since
dandelions never grow alone in nature, the plant
community in which they are embedded needs to be
considered too . So it is for each of the plants. Nettles are
shown growing in the half-shade of the woodland edge.
Then comes chamomile out in the open beside a field of
corn and around midsummer Valerian flowers in moist
places where wood and meadow intermingle. Later comes
yarrow. It is at home on dry sunny banks where the soil
tends to be poor. The oak tree grows in the woodland and
At this point begins one of the most

fascinating parts of the book, an
exploration of what an organism is and where organs can
be found in the landscape. An animal organ is one thing,
but a plant? The place where it is growing, the site and all
that goes on there, can this become an organ of the
landscape? What of the animal organs used to make the
preparations? How can they be understood? And what of
the medicinal properties of these plants? All these
questions and more are addressed in a remarkably
sensitive and artistic way. The process expressed through
this book is one of feeling amd sensing one's way into the
being of nature.
The ideas and inspirations from the agriculture course, run
as an unseen thread through the book where they are
presented and reworked in quite a unique and very
accessible way. There is even a section on the 'five sisters
of protein'. It is all in all an inspirational book that will be
invaluable for students, newcomers and old timers in equal
measure. It offers a well grounded method for exact
learning and at the same time seeks to awaken the artist in
each of us. No other book about the preparations
approaches the subject in quite this way.
"Extraordinary Plant Qualities for Biodynamics" will be
published
by
Floris
Books
in
September
2006www.florisbooks.co.uk It will then be available from
BDAA 12.99
THE BIODYNAMIC FOOD & COOKBOOK

by Wendy Cook - reviewed by Karin Jarman
ry and invite Wendy for dinner. You will find her a

very appreciative guest and one who is, naturally,
very interested in the food you serve her. She
tastes the food with her whole being. Eating is a
totally sensual experience for her, she just savours it! It is
a sublime pleasure to her. So do not be daunted by the
prospect, she'll even offer to do the washing-up!
T
28
Star and Furrow 105
I am not a professional cook, I enjoy cooking when I have

the time for it. I often invent my recipes as I go along
depending on my mood, my larder and the time available,
but I am not capable of the "fancy" tricks that good cooks
get up to and my pastry is hit-and-miss. Wendy was a
lovely presence in my kitchen, not critical but inspiring, and
- wait for it - eager to learn from me! This is how Wendy's
cookbook came about. It is full of references of her having
been inspired by others. She is truly generous in this

respect.
So how does this book earn a space on the cramped
bookshelf of cookbooks? Well, first of all it is so much more
than a cookbook. We can follow Wendy's own journey
through some autobiographical snippets that trace her
interest in good food from a frugal post-war childhood,
through her time as a high-society entertainer and on to
being the mother of a young child with severe asthma that
led her on a search for truly wholesome food. One of her
enduring childhood memories is of her father cutting a
mars bar and jelly babies into waver-thin slices and
arranging them in a beautiful pattern on the plate!
Her approach is not fundamentalist or extreme in any
sense of the word. Her search led her via macrobiotics to
biodynamics which she now fully embraces. From a fairly
narrow and limiting approach she was led to one that
appeals to her for its diversity and flexibility. It is a holistic
concept that acknowledges the divine nature of our food
from its origin right through to the table. The chapter
dedicated to this is once again filled with her own sense
experiences, you walk over the farmyard with her, smell
the good smells of a well-kept farm and meet the people
running it, rather than being confronted by some
philosophy.
The descriptions become even more colourful in the
chapter about her time in Majorca where for some years
she lived a simple life with her family. We are taken there
in order to experience the wonderful climate that brings
forth nature's abundance to such an extent that you feel
that it cannot be far off from the original garden of paradise.
You get to smell the orange blossoms as well as the more
earthy aspect of freshly slaughtered meat. She spares us
the details of this since it proved too much for her as well.
You meet the locals by name and get taken to one of their
rich festivals with the tables groaning under the weight of
food. You will find throughout how she walks her talk and
uses her senses wherever she goes. She is someone who
lives life to the full. Not for her are strict dietary rules, what
counts is the sheer joy of cooking, eating and sharing food
with friends, celebrating and giving thanks. I was grateful,
for example, to see the divine properties of honey again
restored to its rightful place having lately been given a bad
name alongside refined sugar.
encouragement to work as much as possible with

seasonal, locally sourced foodstuffs. She has a chapter on
ecology as well and offers special festive recipes to crown
each season with the gifts of its bounty. I was eager to try
one of her recipes that included wild food - the nettle
dumplings. These were a great success with friends who
were invited to an experimental dinner in order to do this
book review. Soup was followed by her Coca Mallorquina,
which is a kind of a pizza but without cheese but instead is
with the Moorish inspiration of raisins and pine kernels.
Although a recipe from the summer section I just happened
to have the right ingredients to hand. Again this worked a
treat, including the yeast dough which I felt slightly daunted
by at first. At Easter I treated my family with the Asparagus
Tart with Wild Garlic and the Honey, Saffron and Pistachio
Rice 'Bavarois'. The latter is like two recipes in one and I
would say a little too rich for my liking, so if you use the first
half only you will still end up with a stunning dish flavoured
with exotic and unusual spices but not quite so heavy on
the stomach.
It is beautifully illustrated with lavish photographs. The layout however is not always satisfactory as when for
instance you have to turn a page in the middle of some
recipe, especially since you cannot get it to lie flat. Also, I
would have liked this fairly large book to have come in a
more sturdy cover since it will no doubt get a lot of use.
This book is a worthy window on to biodynamic agriculture.
I have no doubt that it will bring this approach to the
attention of people who might not otherwise have met it.
Well done, Wendy! And please come again soon to visit
and bring your sense of celebration and fun into my
kitchen!
"The Biodynamic Cookbook - Real Nutrition that
Doesn't Cost the Earth" is published April 2006 by
Clearview Books. It is available fro the BDAA office
18.99
Although vegetarians will find a lot of inspiration she also

offers some good meat and fish recipes. These often have
a vegetarian or vegan option to go with them.
She traces the development of food culture through the
ages in different countries and continents and considers
the important quality questions of our time. At the same
time she provides some very practical ideas such as how
to equip your kitchen with no-nonsense gadgets and which
heat source best preserves the nutrients in food. She also
gives step-by-step instructions on how to make successful
pastry. Did you know that pastry has a warp and a weft and
that it will shrink unevenly if pulled into too many directions
whilst rolling it out? This happens to mine all the time!
There is something new to learn even with basics like this.
What I like best is that her recipe section that is arranged
according to the seasons. This makes it possible to create
an immense variety throughout the year and provides an
29
WHAT DOES LIGHT SAY ABOUT FOOD

QUALITY?
by Jrgen Strube and Peter Stolz
lants thrive in the light and glow in the dark. If the
transition between night and day is reproduced in
an apparatus, clear differences can be observed
between organic and conventionally grown plants
when they are exposed to coloured light. Being dormant is
part of seed nature. With organic seed this was
significantly enhanced. Organic apples appeared,
according to the light measurements, to be more fruit
typical. This was then verified through chemical tests. It
was possible to draw these conclusions because the
measurements were related to the development of the
plant.
What is measured?
The whole sample, e.g. an apple, was first of all illuminated
(excited) by a dark red light. Afterwards (in total darkness),
chemical substances stood at the one pole (represented

by citric acid in diagram 1) and were stimulated by blue
light. At the other pole were the fruits and leaves,
stimulated by red, yellow and green light. A mid position
was taken by the seeds. To our sense observation they
appear lifeless in their dormant state and being stimulated
by blue light are similar to that of chemicals. On the other
hand seeds were also stimulated by red, yellow and green
light thereby revealing a connection with the life processes.
If this classification is to have validity, then the colour
spectrum of the seed would need to change with
germination, that is at the moment of transition from a
dormant to a vegetative active state. Through increasing
excitation by red, yellow and green light the middle
spectrum in figure 1 (wheat seeds) gradually becomes
similar to the leaf type. This is exactly the case. The
alteration of the spectrum from seed type to leaf
type is easily measurable.
Interestingly the opposite also holds good. Indeed,
not much research has been done with respect to the
changes in the spectrum with regard to the ageing or
breaking down processes. However with the already
investigated food samples, results shows that for
example tomato puree manifests as numerous single
substances. (Strube et al. 2004).
Ripening expressed as differentiation
Growth and differentiation are well known
manifestations of plant development processes at the
cellular level as well as in the whole plant. Therefore,
at first a seed sprouts and forms as a first step of
differentiation the seedling and the root. After these
have grown a while, a further differentiation comes
about with the formation of a leaf from the stem.
Growth and differentiation alternate with one another
until in the end a fully developed plant with stem and
leaves arises.
the light given off by it was measured. The same procedure

was followed with red, light red, yellow, green, ultra-violet
and white light. The diagram shows how the measuring
instrument was set up.
If the intensity of the reflected radiance is expressed on a
graph (spectrum) it becomes clear that this radiance is
dependent on the colour used. According to the kind of test
there are shown to be three basic forms, which can be
named as leaf/fruit type, seed type and chemical type.
These three types of spectrum are shown in figure 1.
Measurable plant development and decay.
KWALIS began by first comparing a number of samples
using fluorescent excitation spectroscopy. Among the
tested samples a noticeable polarity emerged. Isolated
30
Star and Furrow 105
An interplay of growth and differentiation applies to

apples too, even if as a fruit it presents only a part of the
complete plant besides root, trunk, twigs and leaves. At the
beginning of its development e.g. in its cherry sized stage,
the colouring of the inside is relatively uniform and it has
very little differentiated form. Only with larger apples are
the seed cavities and seeds clearly visible. On
approaching to ripening their colours at last change from
whitish to brown. The peel also alters, depending on
variety, from a uniform green through yellowish colour
tones to varied nuances of red. With increasing ripeness,
sugars and aromatic substances arise in the apple.
Ripening can therefore be described as an increasing
differentiation. A picked apple keeps its condition for some
time without alteration. At some point however, the apple
rots and gradually goes into a state of decay the former
highly differentiated ordering of the fruit disappears again.
F i g 1 a b o v e : Basic forms of the spectrum. Leaf/fruit types have higher values

with red and yellow, lower with blue. The chemical type only shows a significant
blue value. The seed type has its highest value in blue with values diminishing
towards the red. In the white light each sample measured 100%.
Fig 3 below: Different calendula seeds measured with the spectroscope.

Darker (left) and lighter (right) samples of the variants were measured separately.
The two samples with relatively low values (green) are 'seed typical'. They were
grown organically. The samples with higher values is more vegetative in quality
and was grown conventionally. The two organic samples also differ from one
another. The most 'seed typical' samples (lowest value) are biodynamic.
When contemplated, ripening and differentiation open an

interesting perspective of measurable polar relationships.
With an apple the flesh can be measured as a fruit type
spectrum and the seeds as a seed type spectrum. That is
actually so. Many tests on apples have shown that the
spectrum can be simplified and replaced by a
characteristic numeric value, the yellow/blue relationship. If
the yellow value rises the blue value falls and vice versa.
The illustration shows the alteration of the yellow/blue ratio
with the ripening of the apple, in the upper part for the fruit
flesh, in the lower part for the seeds. The apples come
from a trial at the Louis-Bolk Institute (Dreibergen /
Holland) (Bloksma et al 2001). The yellow/blue relationship
in the spectrum of the fruit flesh becomes ever more a fruit
type with increasing ripeness. Correspondingly, the
reverse happens with the yellow/blue relationship in the
seeds falls and thereby becomes more seed typical.
With the cereals, only the grains can be investigated.
Fig 2 above: Yellow/blue ratio of apples at different harvesting dates. The flesh
of the fruit becomes more 'fruit typical', the pips more 'seed typical'. Ripening
occurs in a differentiated way and is expressed by the increasing differences
between flesh and seed values
Fig 4 below: Light intensity of egg yolks according to their origins. Eggs from
conventional battery and straw yard systems have the lowest values. Those of
biodynamic origin have the highest values but also appear in the medium range
(see text)
Through comparison of the yellow/blue ratio this test also

allows the differentiation of the samples to be assessed
with regard to their seed dormancy. In wheat from the
research plots of the Forschungsinstituts fur Biologisch
Landbau (FiBL Schweiz) it was possible in the four
investigated growing seasons to ascertain, without doubt,
the difference, for example, between the organic and
conventional variants (yellow/blue ratio).
In a trial with white beans Hiss and Buchmann
(BUCHMANN et Al 2000) showed that even after two years
the origin of the conventional or the biodynamic seed could
be differentiated. Parallel trials were carried out using
conventional and biodynamic seeds (variety Trebona). In
the trial the biodynamic was grown in soil and conventional
one in a soil-less nutrient solution. After two growing
cycles, in both the soil as well as the soil-less media the
biodynamic could clearly be distinguished from the
conventional seed by means of fluorescent excitation
31
spectroscopy. (STRUBE et al 2004). From the bean

research it can be concluded that instead of the current two
years then a longer cultivation time could be used e.g. four
years. It must be proved experimentally how many years of
cultivation are needed before conventional seed adjusts
through organic methods. In any case, hybrid varieties
should perhaps be more thoroughly researched.
Biodynamic Growing - measuring seed type
We were asked for an evaluation of calendula seeds, used
as raw material for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use,
using fluorescent excitation spectroscopy. Each of the
samples sent consisted of lighter and darker parts. In order
to avoid a differentiation due to mixed conditions, the
lighter and darker parts were measured separately. Two
samples showed with the yellow/blue relationship as seed
typical and one was relatively of a more vegetative quality.
Between the two seed type tests there was also a clear
measurable differentiation. As was established later it was
the biodynamic sample that showed the most expressed
dormancy.
Organic Feed for laying hens
Information on the effect of organic food on human being
was demonstrated through the Monastery Study by of
HUBER et al (2003) as well as in animal feeding
experiments (VELIMIROV 2001). It was possible to
measure the effect of different feeding regimes using the
light measurements on the egg yolk (Kohler 2001). High
light emission of the egg yolk is, in comparison to the
feather condition is easy to assess. Tests of eggs in
practice also show clear differences in luminescence. Eggs
were collected from the producers or bought from the trade
and afterwards coded and sent to KWALIS for testing
(MEHLHASE 2002).
It is likely that the hens that were kept in straw yards or
battery conditions were given conventional feed, while
those from organic farms were primarily fed on organically
grown feed. Following the investigations of Kohler it is to
be expected that the higher measurements of the organic
eggs rests on the influence of organic feeding and on freeranging. The data from the two farms in the mid section
(see diagram 4) gave rise to an inquiry into these
producers in particular because one of the two Demeter
farms had taken the highest place in a previous
investigation. It turned out that before this investigation, as
a result of special conditions on this holding, bought in feed
constituents (within permitted limits) had been used.
Typical Forms of Ripeness through Organic
Growing
The plant products that were investigated up to now, the
characteristic seed dormancy and inner differentiation
could be recognized according to the way they have been
grown.
If one brings together the results with those carried out
through out chemical testing to determine the nitrogen
metabolism and protein formation, one can conclude that
the conventional method with its mineral fertilisation
intensifies the growth phase. The later ripening phase of
the plant failed however to have a corresponding
intensification. The result was that the plant gave a
predominant vegetative impression and indicated less
inner ripeness.
32
Star and Furrow 105
In organic growing the provision of nutrients probably

results indirectly from the participation of the organisms in
the soil. The plant is less stressed, the relationship of
growth to ripening is evened out. It clearly gives a stronger
typical ripening.
Previous data allows the supposition that the biodynamic
methods, through using the preparations, strengthen the
harmonious relationship of growth to ripening. In our tests
it often provides the clearest ripened products.
Dr. Jurgen Strube and Dr. Peter Stolz,
KWALIS Qualitatsforschung Fulda GmbH,
Fuldaer Str. 21, 36160 Dipperz
Originally published in January 2006 in Lebendige
Erde and based on a translation by Alan Brockman
References:
Bloksma, J., et al. (2001). Parameters for Apple Quality.
Part 1 Report. Louis Bolk Instituut. Driebergen. 2001. 90
74021 22 0
Buchmann, M., et al. (2000). Wachsen Pflanzen ohne
Boden anders? Qualittsforschung am Beispiel
bodenunabhngiger Kulturverfahren im Vergleich zu
Biologisch-Dynamischer Wirtschaftsweise. Lebendige
Erde (4/2000) S. 46-47
Huber, K., et al. (2003). The Monastery Study - How does
food quality affect body, soul and spirit? Published by the
Forschungsring
fr
Biologisch-Dynamische
Wirtschaftsweise, Darmstadt , Germany 2004 English
translation
available
on
the
BDAA
website
www.biodynamic.org.uk)Wie wirkt die Erzeugungsqualitt
von Lebensmitteln? Kann eine konsequente Ernhrung mit
vorwiegend
biologisch-dynamisch
erzeugten
Lebensmitteln Vernderungen im krperlichen, seelischen
und geistigen Bereich hervorrufen? - Ergebnisse der
Ernhrungs-Qualitts-Studie
des
Forschungsring
(Klosterstudie). Lebendige Erde (4/2003) S. 42-47
Khler, B. (2001). Der Einflu von Haltung, Ftterung
und Beleuchtung auf die Biophotonenemission (delayed
luminescence) sowie herkmmliche Qualittsparameter
von Hhnereiern. KWALIS Qualittsforschung Fulda
GmbH, Dipperz. 3-935769-00-8
Mehlhase, J. (2002). Herkunftsbestimmung von
Hhnereiern durch Isotopenmassenspektrometrie und
Biophotonenanalytik. Rheinische Friedrich-WilhelmsUniversitt
Bonn.
Landwirtschaftliche
Fakultt,
Fachbereich Oecotrophologie. Bonn. Diplomarbeit. 181
Seiten
Strube, J., et al. (2004). Lebensmittel vermitteln Leben Lebensmittelqualitt in erweiterter Sicht. KWALIS
Qualittsforschung Fulda GmbH, Dipperz. 3-935769-01-6
Strube, J. und Stolz, P., (2004) "Extra Quality" of Organic
Food ? - Results by Fluorescence excitation spectroscopy
method as applied on selected plants From: DOES
Organic Food Have An Extra Quality? New Research,
New Perspectives and New Insights Elm Farm Research
Centre
Strube, Jrgen und Stolz, Peter (2000) Fluorescence
Excitation Spectroscopy for the Evaluation of Seeds.
Proceedings 13th International IFOAM Scientific
Conference
Velimirov, A. (2001). Ratten bevorzugen Biofutter.
kologie & Landbau (117) S. 19-21
KNOWING MORE ABOUT SOIL

by Richard Thornton Smith
oil is self-evidently what plants grow in it is the
interface between lithosphere and atmosphere
where life processes are concentrated. In a truly
visible way earth and cosmos are linked by plants
which means that soils too, embody a working together of
these polarities. Earth and cosmos were a unity for Rudolf
Steiner while this concept, and specifically that of the earth
as a living organism, were things of which ancient peoples
were formerly conscious the mythological lineage of
Gaia, Demeter and Persephone reflected this. Mother
earth is today merely an affectionate and grateful
reference to our planet, even finding a place in scientific
literature on soil.
At the heart of biodynamics is the creation of a healthy

farm organism where the skin of our mother earth is made
as sensitive as possible to cosmic influences. It is
axiomatic therefore that we try to understand the nature of
our soil before considering how it can best be managed by
organic and biodynamic practices.
Soil formation
Under natural circumstances the development
of soil mostly takes place over long periods of
time by chemical and biological processes
which break down what is called parent
material. This is usually of mineral nature and
can be the solid geological formation
underlying the present soil or a superficial
cover provided by glacial moraine (till), sand or
dust (loess). It can be derived from slope
wash, river alluvium, dune sand or even
volcanic ash and lava flows. Soil can develop
in drained estuarine muds and fen peats,
these having formed a basis for highly
productive horticulture.
Mineral decomposition, or weathering, takes
place through the action of rainwater and
groundwater,
together
with
organic
substances from living and decaying matter,
for the essence of soil is its relation to living
processes. The result is a loose fabric of
altered alumino-silicates (typically clay
minerals), together with resistant minerals
(typically quartz and mixed oxides of iron and
aluminium). Other substances extracted by
mineral breakdown mostly plant nutrients
dissolve in the soil moisture. In this way, stony
material is broken down to an assemblage of
sand, silt and clay-sized particles, the
proportions of which are referred to as the soil
texture.
weathered and generally richer in nutrients. It is principally

the light-coloured feldspars in these rocks which become
clay minerals. A sandstone of mostly quartz sand particles
cannot lead otherwise than to a sandy soil. A mudstone,
shale or greywacke leads to a soil rich in silt and clay
particles. A limestone largely biogenic presents more
difficult problems, for
any residual soil
depends on how
much impurity is
contained in the
sediment, or on other
materials deposited
over it. In practice,
most soils are of
mixed
parentage
owing to the effects
of changing climate
during and after the
Ice Ages, and to
above: Dutch polder lands
human interference
with
all
its
complexities.
above: Felspar crystal
above: Prairie soil, Texas

below: Soil under rainforest, Malaysia
above: Calcareous soil on chalk, Wiltshire

below: Weathered soil to ten metres, Thailand
All sediments have been derived from two very

broad categories of crystalline igneous rock,
granitic or basaltic. The granites are silicarich, containing minerals less easily broken
down while the basaltic types are more readily
33
Environmental change and human impact

Because of the long period of their development soils have
a biography. If not exactly like people, it is still fascinating
to contemplate landscape history and the vegetative forces
which have gone into soil formation over time. Soils in
Britain and many other areas have developed under
forests, a fact drawn not only from the physical remains of
trees in bogs but from studies of pollen in stratified
deposits. After the end of the Ice Age there is already
widespread evidence of human activity in the Mesolithic so
it remains an open question as to how far early groups of
people determined the altering composition of forest. The
first systematic clearances appear to have been in the
Neolithic and Bronze Ages with the beginning of settled
life. Dartmoor, the Yorkshire Dales, the Vale of York and
parts of Ireland were laid out to long parallel land
allotments within which farmsteads were located. Upland
forests were probably easier to clear and cultivate with
primitive methods and presented less daunting drainage
problems than the lowlands. But with their predominantly
acid soils they were not able to reward settlement
continuously for many generations, particularly in face of a
deteriorating climate. Most early agricultural features
34
Star and Furrow 105
eventually disappear under layers of peat or develop into

heather moorlands whose grazing and sporadic burning
effectively restrained tree regeneration and reinforced a
regime of soil acidification. Meanwhile in the Craven
district of Yorkshire, exploitation of the thin soil above the
Pennine limestone accelerated the emergence of
limestone pavements and possibly the same was true of
the Burren of western Ireland.
Soils contain fragments of pottery, charcoal, brick, bone
and flint implements showing how widespread have been
the activities of human beings often far from the horrors
of modern housing estates. Besides incorporation through
ploughing, anything dropped onto the surface will work its
way into the soil in time through the action of earthworms.
It was noted in the most ancient times that rubbish thrown
out of settlement areas replenished soil fertility. In some
ancient village sites in northern Europe and elsewhere, the
soil close to remains of settlement retains higher levels of
organic matter to this day.
The soils of the plains and prairies of North America and
the steppe lands of Russia began their formation after the
Ice Age under birch and coniferous woodlands only in the

last 5-6000 years have they been grasslands. Tropical rain
forests experienced dryness during glacial periods and
became practically savannah. Mediterranean areas had
deciduous woods but by Classical times widespread
clearance of evergreen oak woodland was occurring. This
process denuded the soils of higher areas, led to the
widening and elevation of river flood plains and to ports
being stranded some distance from the sea.
Although forest has been stripped, re-grown and stripped
again from the British Isles over several thousand years,
the process has been confined to only the last few hundred
years in other agricultural landscapes such as those of
New Zealand and the eastern United States. In New
Zealand the upland volcanic soils were particularly
sensitive so that large areas lost much of their topsoil after
European contact. This process has been more recent in
many tropical and sub-tropical countries, such as subSaharan Africa and parts of India where deforestation and
subsequent farming has led to widespread soil
deterioration, erosion and even to desertification. It has
meant that rivers in countries like Bangla Desh, Sri
Lanka and Thailand, once able to maintain a steady
flow, now discharge violently after monsoon rains
while running almost dry at other times. To make
matters worse, farmers have to compete with golf
courses for precious water!
From post-Roman times in Britain, the use of
heavier ploughs and oxen made it possible
to cultivate the heavier soils of lowland
areas which were much more capable
of sustained use. Much historically
poorer drainage of these lowlands
owed its existence to stripping of
forest cover on the higher,
better-drained areas so it was
to be drainage, especially
from the 18th century,
which became a major
preoccupation
of
agriculturalists
as
p o p u l a t i o n
i n c r e a s e d .
Drainage,
supported
m o r e
recently by
grant aid,
has of
course increased the value of much agricultural land while

decimating wetlands and their wildlife. Soil drainage also
leads to release of carbon dioxide and to a diminishing
supply of soil organic matter. Here, as in other respects,
agricultural improvement is synonymous with
environmental disaster.
Soils have therefore been adjusting to changing
environmental pressures throughout
their long histories but the rate and scale of human
destruction has increased alarmingly. It is the legacy of
this waste of natural fertility together with the philosophy of
20th century agriculture with which we must now contend.
Soil types
As handed down to us from the past, soils are strictly
individuals but they can be grouped into various classes on
a local and global scale. In most agricultural landscapes,
temperate or tropical, parent material provides the
foundation while topographic position and its impact on soil
depth and drainage provide a template for predicting soil
characteristics. In temperate regions, where drainage is
free we have the brown earth where plant roots,
bacterial and earthworm activity extend well into the
soil particularly well illustrated when lime is
present. While the surface is darker from organic
matter, the subsoil varies from bright ochre to
greyish-brown in colour. On the other hand,
where drainage is impeded due to high silt
and clay content or restricted due to build-up
of ground water we find gley soils. The
grey tone of these soils derives from
hydrated iron oxides in their reduced
state while rusty-coloured mottling
along root channels results from
periodic drying out.
Black
manganese nodules, indicating
the maximum level of seasonal
groundwater, may also occur.
In the tropics, a similar
slope sequence would
reveal red soils on the
upper landscape and
black soils due to
differently formed
clays in the
valleys.
On a wider
scale one
can see
t h e
35
imprint of climate as rates of processes double for every 10

degree celsius increase of temperature. Towards the
tropics one finds more intense and deeper weathering,
organic matter with more ephemeral existence and
nutrients prone to rapid leaching under high rainfall. The
strong red colour of Mediterranean and tropical soils,
including the soils of Australia, comes from accumulation
of resistant iron oxides on these ancient land surfaces. In
higher latitudes and altitudes, beyond the margins of
agriculture, soils tend to accumulate surface organic
matter due to combinations of low temperatures,
waterlogging and acidity. Podzolic soils predominate on
the better-drained areas, usually under birch and spruce
forests or heath-type vegetation, while extensive areas
subject to frozen ground and snowmelt have gley soils. In
Britain, the soils of lowland heaths and upland areas have
combinations of these features. These soils, together with
the red soils of low latitudes are inherently low in fertility.
Between these zones we find the most fertile soils are, or
certainly once were, those of the worlds great temperate
grassland (wheat-growing) areas, characteristically the
chernozem type a deep organic-rich soil containing lime
nodules as a result of upward capillary processes taking
place in summer. Many soils, due to slope instability or
frequent surface additions of material, are immature while
many of the soils nowadays most important to farming are
artificial, being based on bulldozed terraces or the
enriched soils of protected horticulture.
Aeration and drainage

Let us now look at a number of soil properties of
importance to agriculture firstly aeration and drainage.
All soil life takes place in the water films around soil
particles so the nature of this inner world is of more than
academic interest. Texture provides soil with much inner
space or voids, which we refer to as pores. Larger pores
(macropores), as in a sandy soil, form a connected system
leading to a freely draining soil. In silt or clay-rich soils
much of the porosity is microscopic or capillary in nature so
they take longer to moisten or to dry out and drain. Unless
under permanent pasture, these soils depend more on
ploughing or subsoiling to introduce air while any field
drains will have to be more closely spaced to be effective.
How many of us actually have plans of the field drains on
our farms? Some clays allow water to penetrate their
crystal structure these will swell when they wet and
shrink on drying out. Drainage in such soils owes much to
the formation of larger structural cracks.
No higher life processes are possible without water or
oxygen so soil moisture must always be balanced by
aeration. Water contains dissolved oxygen less as the
temperature is raised, and less the longer it takes for water
to move through the soil. The majority of plants and soil
organisms require the exchange of atmospheric gases into
the soil for healthy metabolism and to avoid build-up of
toxic substances. Wet soils will take longer to warm up in
springtime, offer a more limited growing season and a less
satisfactory environment for plant roots. Earthworms
emerge from wet soils while legume nodulation and
mycorrhizal development cannot occur. However, while
sandy soils allow warmth to penetrate, they are also the
most susceptible to late ground frosts. While freely
draining, they may also be drought-prone which, of course,
underlines the importance of organic matter.
36
Star and Furrow 105
Organic matter and soil structure

Soil organic matter has the effect of moderating the
adverse impact of other physical and chemical soil
characteristics. In agricultural soils, it normally comprises
1.5 3.5% by weight. Organic matter and in particular its
ultimate breakdown product humus, are of great
importance in the development of soil structure the way
that soil particles are held together into aggregates.
Structure includes the pattern of cracks or passages within
the soil which facilitate root development and promote
infiltration and drainage. Soils with stable structure resist
the impact of raindrops, also disruption due to wetting and
drying, freezing and thawing. The presence of lime is
beneficial in that it forms bridges between microscopic
particles of clay and humus.
Loss of organic matter leads either to total collapse of soil
structure (sandy soils) or to a blocky rather than crumb
structure. Because structural deterioration adversely
affects infiltration rate, it also increases the risk of severe
runoff and erosion. On the other hand, in greenhouses
and polytunnels where heat is generated and water
demands are large, insufficient attention to drainage and
progressive structural deterioration, often lead to capillary
salt accumulation.
While cultivation practices exert a strong influence on
levels of soil organic matter, animal grazing is also
sometimes a threat. Overgrazing and poaching of
pastures thus causes compaction, weakens vegetative
cover and exposes soil to erosion. Much structural
damage to soils is also due to deformation of soil by
machinery. Todays 4-wheel drive tractors may lead to
soils being tilled at too high a moisture content with
consequent smear, or at a speed likely to crush rather than
fold the soil.
Soil microbiology
The presence of organic matter, through its influence on
moisture retention and provision of food substrate, is vital
to the well-being of soil organisms of all kinds.
Of
particular importance in plant nutrition are the microorganisms. Many bacterial types primary decomposers
as well as nitrifiers lead to mineral nutrients and nitrate
becoming accessible to plants. Meanwhile specialised
symbiotic organisms (Rhizobium species) provide nitrate
for the Leguminosae. Free-living nitrogen fixers such as
Azospirillum, also provide nitrogen in some environments.
Agriculturally useful legumes in temperate regions require
soils which are above pH 5.5.
Their germination is
adversely affected by cold and damp conditions while
subsequent performance is limited by low phosphate.
Nodulation will be inhibited by high nitrogen levels and low
molybdenum.
Plants also form symbiotic associations with a number of
fungal genera which significantly increase growth and
yield. These are the mycorrhizas which are present on all
plants except the Leguminosae and the Cruciferae,
including sugar beet, swedes, kale etc. The important
group for agricultural crops are vesicular-arbuscular
mycorrhizas. Here, the fungus invades and modifies root
surface cells while an extensive mycelia, finer than
ordinary root hairs, extends into the soil, greatly increasing
root surface area. As with legume Rhizobia, the plant
provides carbohydrate, in return for which the fungus
provides a flow of mineral nutrients which would often not
be available to the plant under the prevailing soil pH. The

fungus uses enzymes as do lichens, to extract soil
minerals, including vital micro-nutrient elements. Soil fungi
have more of an affinity for soils which are on the acid side
and because of this they are able to help plants extract
nutrients where they would otherwise be scarce. For this
reason, if for no other, use of lime should be very
restricted. Other factors likely to limit good mycorrhizal
development include waterlogging, and soils which are left
bare without a cover crop over winter.
Nutrient holding
Here, we are concerned with the behaviour of nutrient
substances in soil moisture and how they are held on soil
particles. We should start with water. This, as we know,
consists of hydrogen and oxygen, but a very minute
proportion at any one instant comprises electrically
charged H+ and OH ions. For any substance to dissolve
in water it needs to form ions and it is waters dynamic
character which brings this about. We should understand
that once a substance has become an ion in water it is in
the dissolved or non-particulate state it is able to move
freely and to connect with the surfaces of minerals. If one
wishes, one can view an ion as taking on part of the living,
or etheric quality of water, a necessary first stage to
entering the living plant.
Ions, both negative (anions) and positive (cations) are held
on soil particles by oppositely charged surfaces. It is in this
way that soils resist the tendency of rainfall to leach out
soluble substances. The alumino-silicate clays have
surfaces and edges which offer charges while similar
properties are displayed by humus. In fact humus, by
weight, is ten to fifty times more effective than soil clays in
holding nutrient substances (see compost calculation
below). Oxide minerals also contribute exchange capacity
but at usual soil pH values they attract mainly anions. The
mechanism by which ions are held at particle surfaces is
known as adsorption. All similarly charged ions may
exchange for each other at particle surfaces according to
circumstance, so we refer to the ability of a substance or a
soil to hold nutrients, as its exchange capacity.
In some instances, nutrients can become attached too
strongly onto soil particles, phosphate for example. The
sites where the phosphate anion becomes strongly
adsorbed are the positive edges of clay crystals and
positive charges on humus and iron-aluminium oxide
minerals. Phosphate can also replace structural oxygen
and hydroxyl ions on the flat surfaces of clays, a process
known as ligand exchange. These processes are known
as fixation (see nutrient access below).
Acidity and alkalinity

The relationship between H+ and OH activity in water is
expressed by the pH value. In pure water where H+ = OH
we have neutrality and the pH is 7 (pH being the negative
logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity). Readings above 7
are alkaline while readings below are acid. Each unit
increase or decrease of pH represents a tenfold change in
the relative activity of the two ions.
The concentration of certain basic cations in the soil, such
as calcium, potassium and magnesium, together with
carbonic and humic acids, affects the acid-alkali balance.
Basic cations react with water to generate hydroxyl (OH)
ions causing the soil to become alkaline in their presence.
On the other hand carbon dioxide dissolves in rainwater to

form carbonic acid and is also generated by biological
activity within the soil. For this reason there will usually be
a seasonal variation in soil pH which is worth bearing in
mind whenever soil analyses are carried out.
Soil pH has a strong influence on whether mineral nutrients
will dissolve in the soil water and will therefore be available
to plants. There is an optimal range of pH for nutrient
uptake from pH 4.5 to 6.5. Although agriculturalists choose
crops and pasture species which are broadly suitable for
prevailing soil conditions, many soils remain blighted
unless their pH can be adjusted. Traditionally, acid soils
have been limed or marled (calcium carbonate usually
being the main constituent) while alkaline soils have had
gypsum (calcium sulphate) applied in order to promote
maximum nutrient availability. If a soil has a high cation
exchange capacity (CEC) (clays and organic rich soils) it
has a higher lime requirement than in the case of a sandy
soil with low exchange capacity. There is therefore a
danger of over-liming sandy soils. While soil pH can be
used as a guide to microbiological activity and nutrient
availability, where there is more humus in the soil,
agriculture can often remain productive at comparatively
low pH because of higher exchange capacity and
potentially greater nutrient reserves.
What benefits might we expect from working

organically?
Plant and animal health
It is widely acknowledged that farming organically brings
benefits to wildlife while animal husbandry shows greatly
reduced veterinary problems arising from living conditions
and quality of feed. The general objective of creating a
wholesome farm organism embodying biodiversity means
that many crop pests can be countered by their natural
enemies. In the soil it is no different. For example,
parasitic nematodes will, in the absence of nematocides,
increasingly be attacked by free-living types providing a
suitable cropping regime is adhered to.
The manner in which nutrients become accessible to
plants leads to healthier plant morphology and to the
development of thicker-walled cells with a higher content of
plant-protective chemicals such as polyphenols,
cyanogenic glucosides and flavonoids. This all acts as a
significant deterrent to pests while higher levels of these
substances connects with the stronger flavour of organic
and biodynamic produce and to its superior keeping
quality.
Building organic matter reserves
The use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers such as urea has
the effect of depleting stocks of soil organic carbon. By
comparison, an organic farming regime can build organic
matter content and humus stability, leading to improved
soil structure and water holding capacity. Better rooting
characteristics, especially under biodynamic management,
lead to increased depth of organic matter penetration. This
results in increased drought resistance and less irrigation
need, as organic matter can hold many times its weight in
water. Here, we should note that repeated wetting and
drying leads to accelerated microbiological loss of organic
matter. Simple tests also show that repeated wetting and
drying will make organic substances less able to absorb
water. One can therefore better understand why compost

heaps should be covered and compost always dug into the
soil and never thrown out and left on the soil surface.
It is well-known that continuous cultivation leads to
diminished organic carbon so also will global warming. A
recent study found that of over 5000 sites in England and
Wales only a tiny 8% had not experienced a loss of soil
organic carbon between 1978 and 2003. There is
justification for saying that organic methods without
explicitly doing so represent an effective agricultural way
of addressing this problem and improving carbon
sequestration in soils.
The value of compost
The subject of compost deserves more expansive
treatment than is possible here but suffice to say that it
provides several major benefits to the soil. It is, of course,
a source of plant nutrients, notably nitrogen, phosphorus
and sulphur but it includes all the mineral nutrients. It
enhances the soils structural condition and all that flows
from that. It is an important source of, and substrate for,
soil organisms and in the wider view of biodynamics it
provides energies which radiate into the soil to promote the
healthy growth of crops. But there is a further part which
compost plays with regard to nutrient retention. Increased
soil humus leads to increased exchange capacity. Now
because of the importance of compost to organic farmers
and gardeners it seems worthwhile to set out, for the more
patient reader, a worked example showing how much
benefit might arise from adding even a small amount.
Please note that it is dry weights which will be referred to.
Clay minerals have CEC values ranging from 5 to around
150 cmol /kg whereas humus substances have values of
200-500 cmol /kg. We shall assume that clay comprises
25% of our original soil and that its CEC is 17.5 cmol /kg (a
50% kaolinite / illite mixture typical of acidic temperate
soils). Without any further material contributing exchange
surface, the soils CEC per kilo would be 4.4 cmol.
However, it would be normal for the remaining 75% of the
soil to contribute around twice this amount, from other
minerals and humus, giving the soil a total value of around
15 cmol/kg.
Let us now say that our compost has a CEC of 200 cmol
/kg (this reduces its potential to allow for a proportion of its
dry weight not being humus in the strict sense at the time
of application). We now add just 100g of this to 1 kg of our
soil sample. 100g is one tenth of a kilo, so 100g compost
@ 200 cmol /kg offers another 20 cmol to our soil. (NB.
Final soil weight is 1100g and this now contains 35 cmol).
When the compost is mixed with original soil the overall
CEC per kilo becomes 31.8 cmol a 112 % increase.
Thus, small amounts of humus significantly impact on CEC
while the lower a soils original exchange capacity, the
greater will be the proportional benefit. If sustainable
farming is in need of proper definition, this must surely be
one of its criteria.
Nutrient access
Over many years much applied phosphate fertilizer has
disappeared into chemically-farmed soils without being
recovered by crop plants. As already mentioned, this is
due to fixation on soil minerals. However, when organic
matter decomposes it releases a variety of substances
which have either cationic (positive) or anionic (negative)
38
Star and Furrow 105
character. Organic anions are larger than the largest of

several different phosphate anions and therefore become
preferentially adsorbed at particle surfaces. In this way
phosphate is released for use by plants. Soils with a
higher organic content will normally be less susceptible to
phosphate fixation a widespread and wasteful problem in
arable agriculture. Furthermore, under organic farming,
bacterial release of phosphate will be more efficient as
there will be no interference from pesticide residues.
Mention has already been made of the role of nodule
bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi. These organisms are
adversely affected by use of synthetic fertilizer, particularly
phosphate in the case of mycorrhizas, as well as by
pesticide residues. It will be very clear that measures
adopted in organic husbandry actively promote these
organisms.
The role of mycorrhizas was not seriously recognised until
the 1980s, long after chemical culture had swept the
landscape these at least doubling the uptake of trace
minerals compared to non-mycorrhizal soils. They also
transfer plant defence and growth-promoting chemicals,
which can, for example, protect against nematode infection
of plant roots. Some of the chemicals evidently improve
drought resistance for studies have shown higher rates of
photosynthesis in mycorrhizal, as opposed to nonmycorrhizal, drought-stressed plants. It is also clear that
mycelia penetrate smaller soil pores than would be
accessible to plant root hairs.
Final thoughts
All farming involves an exploitation of environmental
resources it is something we impose on the environment
we have inherited from the past. Organic farming aims to
work with natural processes and allow them to freely help
the farmer, in comparison to which, the conventional
chemical approach ends up fighting a costly and selfdefeating battle and one which acts as a severe
constraint on the health of the human race.
But if soil is the foundation, the success of agriculture
depends on how well it works in relation to the soil. This is
often a bone of contention, for marketing opportunity, and
even the ideal of a mixed farm, can conflict with what is
otherwise the best or most sustainable use of particular
soils. Individual circumstances often dont allow an ideal
solution yet with organic farming, the rotation adopted
should not only be mindful of nutrient fertility but also of the
soils physical and biological condition arising from all the
work we require of it. We should reflect that unless pasture
management and rotation systems are effectively
implemented it is unreasonable to expect the full range of
benefits to follow from working in an organic, let alone
biodynamic way.
Suggested further reading

Nyle Brady The Nature and Properties of Soils
Macmillan New York
David Rowell Soil Science : Methods and
Applications Longman
Russells Soil Conditions and Plant Growth Ed. Alan
Wild Longman
Sattler / Wistinghausen Biodynamic Farming Practice
BDAA
A NEW IMPULSE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

by Bruno Follador
he life of the Earth depends on the will of the
human being. The Earth will be what man makes
of Her. We live, from now on, in a historically
decisive moment of earth evolution. These
powerful words by Rudolf Steiner find a home in
biodynamic agriculture. The possibility of Biodynamics
taking root in Brazil, one of the largest agricultural
countries in the world, is a powerful thought, for there
arises a new impulse for social change.
The Landless Rural Workers Movement in Brazil, or MST

(Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra), is the
largest movement for social change in Latin America,
organized in 23 out of the 27 Brazilian states. It is
comprised of 1.5 million (and growing) farmers and
families who were extricated from their land mainly
because of the Green Revolution and the industrialization
of agriculture. The MST was one of the first to boldly defy
GMOs when they began to filter illegally into Brazil through
Argentina. They are striving for land reform in a country
where three percent of the population owns two-thirds of all
arable lands, and are fighting for more just educational and
economical systems. I have witnessed in their eyes the
pain unfortunately characteristic of those who have
suffered such injustice, as well as the incredible strength
that is also inherent in these families. It is a strength that
will change the agricultural situation Brazil faces today.
Andreas Attila, a biodynamic farmer and professor of
Geography at the University of Sao Paulo, together with
agronomist Jose Guilherme, became aware that bringing
Biodynamics to this movement would not only help
improve the lives of the families, but would also allow
Biodynamics to rise up as an alternative to industrialized
agriculture. With support from the Biodynamic Association
of Brazil, Attila and Guilherme started a project with ten
families in a MST settlement in Ipero, Brazil. The farmers
responded with an almost immediate affinity toward
Biodynamics and Anthroposophy, which seemed to
resonate with truths already present in their hearts.
As progress was made, there was an attempt to certify the
farms with Organic and Demeter labels in order to improve
financial stability. Unfortunately, before this was made
possible, Guilherme died in a car accident, and the project
came to a hault. I had the privilege of speaking with
Ligeirinho, a humble man from this settlement struggling to
farm 10 acres. He spoke deeply of his faith in Biodynamics,
and anxiously waits to learn more.
acquaint yourself with it and

understand its views. Only
then can you disprove it. You
have to take the bull by the
horns
and
refute
materialistic science by its
own methods. This is
exactly what is happening
with
Professor
Attilas
initiative in Ipero and through
his pioneering work bringing
Spiritual Science into the
academic world. In offering
G o e t h e a n i s t i c
Phenomenology
to
his
classes, Attila provides his
students the possibility of above: Senor Joao and his goat
perceiving the landscape in
a holistic way - a way which the duality of matter and spirit
are overcome. It is allowing Anthroposophy to bridge the
gap between teacher and student, young and old. Rudolf
Steiner states, in his lecture cycle The Younger
Generation, that this gap is ... due to the fact that the
young cannot allow the dead thorn to be thrust into their
living heart - the thorn which the head produces out of
intellectualism. The young demand the livingness that can
only come out of the Spirit.
In addition to trying to restart the MST project, students at
USP are also exploring the necessity of offering free or
inexpensive biodynamic courses to students, farmers from
the MST, and all others who have interest. Since USP is a
public university, and, unfortunately, the Humanities are
not highly valued by the government, the Geography
department often struggles with faculty and student strikes,
poor conditions, and scarce resources. The success of
these initiatives, then, will depend on the generosity of
outside financial assistance.
The implications of Brazil embracing the spiritual
foundations for the renewal of agriculture is of extreme
importance for the future of humanity. It would water seeds
of hope, shed sunlight on the trueness of what it means to
be a caretaker of the Earth, and could, through its own
success and practicality, sprout new initiatives worldwide.
Today, a group of students from the University of Sao

Paulo are trying to restart the project at Ipero. As a student
of Attilas, myself, I wonder, What role could Geography,
the study of the relationship between man and nature, play
in uniting Biodynamics and the Landless Workers
Movement? What is my part in this revolutionary impulse?
What possibilities could bringing Biodynamics and
Anthroposophy to youth and universities create?
References
Attila, A. 2001. A Dissociacao Entre Homem e
Natureza: Reflexos no Desenvolvimento Humano.
Sao Paulo, Brazil: Editora Antroposofica.
Branford, S., Rocha, J. 2002. Cutting the Wire: The
Story of the Landless Movement in Brazil. London,
England: Latin America Bureau.
Selawry, A. 1992. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer: Pioneer of
Spiritual Research and Practice. Spring Valley, NY:
Mercury Press.
Steiner, R. 1967. The Younger Generation. New York,
NY: Anthroposophic Press, Inc. GA 217
In a conversation with E. Pfeiffer, Steiner said If you wish

to overcome the materialist point of view, you must first
For More Information

Contact Bruno Follador: bruno_geo@care2.com
LIFE FORCES IN THE PLANT ORGANISM

by Thomas Link - translated by Michaela Hirschnitz
n many references and lectures Rudolf Steiner draws
attention to the etheric world, that part of the spiritual
world which is closest to us, and makes us mindful that
in order to orientate ourselves in it, we need to follow a
path of inner training. Very little research has been carried
out into this subject over the last 75 years. There have
been however a number of individual researchers who
were charged directly by Steiner to study of the laws
operating in the etheric world and their effects on the
physical-material plane. Thanks to eminent individuals like
Gnther Wachsmuth and Ehrenfried Pfeiffer some
outstanding books and study materials are available which
can help to train one's perceptive capacity with regard to
the etheric world.
the characteristics under consideration can be described

as being genetically determined, i.e. this particular oak will
consistently produce English Oak trees. Yet even here, the
botanist is familiar with a great many modifications in form
and shape.
The biodynamic movement still tends to follow

conventional scientific research methods and draws its
conclusions from observations made primarily on the
physical-material plane. The more subtle the processes
are however, the more difficult (if not impossible) it is to
adhere to these methods. The spiritual world does not
obey sense-based physical laws - indeed the opposite is
true, physical laws are governed by spiritual realities.
At this point in our contemplation of the English Oak, our

perceptions are far from exhausted and we discover
attributes such as: strong and old, gnarled, awe-inspiring,
attractive, repulsive, mighty and stately and many more,
which no longer have anything to do with a botanical
description as such. We find the tree to have vitality, to be
flourishing or dying, flexible or rigid, colourful and glossy,
sallow, dull, fragrant, beautiful or ugly and many other
things besides. So, what engages us at this moment, and
to which level or plane of experience do such perceptions
and observations point? Our ordinary perceptive capacities
actually reach their limits at the chemical level of the tree.
Although we can comprehend the biochemical processes
and study the results, we cannot see the processes
taking place in the tree. Here we have in fact arrived in the
super sensible-realm, at one of the levels of activity in the
world of living forces.
Martin Schmidt, who participated in the 'Agriculture

Course given in Koberwitz in 1924, and later also his son,
Georg Wilhelm Schmidt, continued to pursue the line of
inquiry initiated there. Their research in the field of plant
regeneration opened up a whole new approach for
understanding the physical expressions in the plant
organism of etheric formative forces and the laws
governing them. In my own biographical development and
in my forestry work, it has become a passion to experience
and understand this world of living forces, so as then to be
able to carry healing impulses into the forests and
landscapes in my care.
Using the English Oak (Quercus robur) as an example, I
would like to describe some of the interrelationships in the
world of living forces and explain how they can be
understood.
It is important to be clear in ones mind that there are
several levels (or planes) in the spiritual-super sensible
realms and to know which level one happens to be in at
any given moment, one must be able to identify the
boundaries between them.
In the case of the English Oak, we are first faced with the
physical-material nature of the tree which reaches deep
into the earth with its roots, builds a long lasting trunk, and
lifts its crown high above the ground. This however is true
for more or less every tree. What is it then that makes this
tree, which we can imagine so clearly to ourselves, an
English Oak? The botanist can describe numerous details
which will lead to the unmistakable conclusion, that this is
an English Oak and not some other kind of tree or another
variety of oak. However detailed this description may be
however, we are still on the level of the physicalobservable. We then cross a boundary into what is not so
readily accessible to sense-perception. In scientific terms
I would now like to elaborate this further: In the realm of

etheric formative forces (etheric forces) everything is to be
found that lies beyond the dense material body of the plant
organism and which defines its state of being alive. This
includes growth, the build up of matter, the circulation of
fluids, respiration, warmth processes and rhythm.
Beyond this are the previously listed qualities such as
strong, beautiful, mighty, gnarled, awe-inspiring,
Photographs of Oak leaves
attractive, etc. These attributes correspond to the inner

experiences the human being has of the tree. These do not
belong to the world of etheric formative forces, but rather
to the next higher level, the Astral plane. This realm
corresponds to that of human feelings and emotions and
which only play a peripheral role plant growth. The astral
forces, which in the animal kingdom and in human beings
are of major importance, affect the plant kingdom for
example during pollination.
And finally we come to the highest level, the Spiritual
plane, which ensures that an acorn always produces an
oak, where beings within the zodiac create the so-called
plant-archetypes'.
In order to penetrate further into the nature of the earth and
plant organisms, it is sufficient to consider in the first place
the physical-material realm and that of etheric or formative
forces. This etheric world can be differentiated into the four
distinctively different and primary ether qualities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Warmth Ether
Light Ether
Chemical Ether
Life Ether
These four ethers which, in accordance with the

fundamental laws governing their activity, are always in
movement and through their ceaseless interweaving,
come to physical expression on the earth as the four Greek
elements:
1. Warmth Ether as Warmth
2. Light Ether as Light
3. Chemical Ether as Water
4. Life Ether as Earth
Without the activities of these forces, all forms of life and
the rhythms that sustain them would be inconceivable and
the earth itself would be a lifeless desert.
Applied to our English Oak example, the following
(simplified) representation emerges:
1. The Oak appears to us first in its material manifestation,
in which the Life Ether comes to expression.
2. In the upward and downward flow of sap, in
photosynthesis, in the forming of substance and in the
reproductive vigour, one finds the activity of the Chemical
Ether.
3. Form, Shape & Structure, Resistance to disease and
colour variations of the tree are connected to the forces of
the Light Ether.
4. Quality, uprightness, articulation und fragrance belong to
the qualities of the Warmth Ether.
Because these ether forces are not bound exclusively to
plants, but envelop the entire globe, move around freely
and are being breathed in and out rhythmically, the
different seasons arise. A wonderful illustration of this is the
marked difference in the quality of warmth in May and in
July despite identical periods of sunlight. This
phenomenon can be traced to the fact that it is only at
Pentecost / Whitsun that the warmth ether envelope is
breathed in by the earth. By mid-August it reaches its
point of greatest activity before departing from us once
again in November.
In the wider universe

these
forces
also
interact
with
the
planets, as revealed by
the planetary influences
on plant development.
The
following
illustration of three
double sets of oak
leaves
shows
the
results of a trial project
carried out at the
B a u m s c h u l e
Rittershain
(Tree
Nursery in Rittershain,
Germany).
Three
groups of acorns - all
from the same tree were seeded within
several weeks of one
Above: The Four Ethers
other under significantly
different
planetary
constellations. Each double-set of oak leaves represents a
typical example of the average variation of each particular
group.
Even out in the vast expanse of the Zodiac the activities of
these ether forces, influencing as they do root, leaf,
blossom, and fruit development, are of considerable
importance for our plants - something which is
corroborated by the research and the sowing and planting
calendar of Maria Thun.
Ultimately, it is a matter of practice and of developing ones
capacity for "hineinleben" or entering into the language of
these living etheric forces whose image is imprinted in the
physical appearance of the plant. A true knowledge of
these interweaving forces of the earth and of the plant
renders gene technology unnecessary. Already in ancient
times plant breeding and development that was based on
true insight and understanding for the connections
between plant, earth and cosmos, was being carried out
for the benefit of mankind.
The Author
Thomas Link is a forester living and working in
Germany. For many years he lived with the question of
how to bring renewed life and healing to landscapes in
decline. When he came across the work of Georg
Wilhelm Schmidt he found the inspiration he needed to
explore this theme and apply the principles of
biodynamic agriculture to his own work with trees.
He is coming to England this summer and will be
leading a five day course entitled "The World of Living
Forces". He will be joined by Karin Jarman who is an
art therapist. She will work artistically with the theme
and help participants to deepen their understanding of
this etheric world using the medium of colour and the
discipline of painting. It is an introductory course and
no previous knowledge or artistic experience is
required. "The World of Living Forces" takes place at
St. Luke's Medical Centre, Stroud from 27th August to
1st September 2006. Further information Tel. 01453
757436 or email: indigo@phonecoop.coop
41
BEYOND ORGANICS
A Part Time Course in Biodynamic Agriculture at Emerson College
by Ian Lawton
t is an expression of the conditions in the economic
sphere at this time in Great Britain that more and more
people out of necessity are choosing to take up a parttime education option. The part-time Steiner Waldorf
education courses at Emerson College, which began in
2004, have been booming as a reflection of this. Along side
this there is more and more awareness of green issues,
questions of sustainability, of nutrition and a continual
growth in demand for organically produced food and this
has given rise to shortage of biodynamic farmers. The
realisation that many wannabe biodynamic farmers have
too many commitments to simply up shovel and study fulltime for three years and that many have the basic
agricultural knowledge already and just need to reorientate to the biodynamic way of doing things, has given
the inspiration to create a one year part-time course that
can fill a need in this area.
The first course will take place over a series of seven

weekends and two full weeks running from October 2006
to March 2007. It is primarily designed for those already
working in an agricultural or horticultural context, to provide
an understanding of the biodynamic way of farming and
gardening. Basic knowledge and experience of agriculture
is expected. Students will work with Goethean observation
of the natural world and come to an understanding of the
realm of life forces. The course also will provide a rich
understanding of how to work with the rhythms of the farm
organism, how to create a balance of soil plant, animal and
human elements and how to make and use the biodynamic
preparations. There will also be an astronomy component
to the course.
The course will be carried by Juergen Schumacher and
Arjen Huese, supported by the faculty of Emerson College
and other visiting tutors. Juergen was a biodynamic farmer
for 15 years on his own farm in Germany. Arjen has run
biodynamic market gardens in both Germany and the
Netherlands. Both are also course carriers for the full-time
Biodynamic Organic Agriculture Training. Arjen's
description of how he came to biodynamic horticulture will
probably resonate with many who have found their way
into biodynamic agriculture.
"First I went to a normal university and all we were doing
was cutting plants into pieces and looking under the
microscope. Living organisms were only considered at
a physical level. When I then encountered
biodynamics what made it so interesting to me was
42
Star and Furrow 105
that it gives a framework of thought and tools to look at the

living aspect of plants. There is so much known about the
life forces in biodynamics but not that many people are well
informed about it."
"The world needs farmers who don't regards organisms as
just bags of genes and proteins. That kind of thinking is
very materialistic and has expressed itself in chemical
fertilisers, pesticides, and industrial farming right down to
genetic engineering. We need to understand and respect
the life forces that manifest themselves in plants and
animals."
A biodynamic farm is a recycling farm and the ideal farm is
able to sustain itself without the need for external
resources, in the same way that a healthy human body
does not need to be propped up by chemical medicines.
"On the course", says Arjen, "We will help people to
understand the balancing of the farm organism in all its
aspects. If you have an overwhelming presence of cows
you can think of that as being analogous to having a huge
digestive system, or if you have too many chickens it would
be like having a huge head (nervous system) and a tiny
body. So during the year participants will also develop an
understanding of the different animal qualities that help to
harmonize the farm."
"I think there is, you could say, an archetype of a healthy
farm organism but of course you can't just apply the same
fixed pattern to your farm wherever you are. You can't just
say 20 cows to 30 goats to every 100 chickens and apply
that as a healthy balance across the whole world, so we
will be helping people to understand the qualities of a
particular piece of land, and the wildlife that exists there.
Then they can go away and apply the knowledge
anywhere in the world."
The cost of the course is 1600 per year, which can be
paid in instalments. A limited number of bursaries will be
available to applicants who are accepted on the course,
but are prevented for financial reasons. If required
accommodation and meals are available.
Further details can be obtained
from the college website
www.emerson.org.uk or on
+44 (0)1342 822238
DEMETER MARKET PLACE

The following is a list of some of the places in the UK where you can buy Demeter produce. It is the result of a survey
sent out to all producers in 2005. It is intended that this will be a regular feature in Star and Furrow and on the BDAA
website. If any of the details on the list below have changed since the survey or if you would like to be included in the
listing in the next issue, then please contact the BDAA Office (details at front of magazine).
BRISTOL
Paul Pieterse Watch Oak Farm - tel:01454 418954
fruit, vegetables or meat available from occasional sales
CLEVELAND
Donald Ash Larchfield Market Garden - tel: 01642 579805
vegetables, top fruit, herbs from farm shop
COUNTY TYRONE
Martin Sturm Clanabogan - tel: 02882 256111
vegetables, meat, bakery products available by appointment
CUMBRIA
Judy Stalker Houker Hall Herbs Riddings Croft - tel: 01229
885313
herbal tinctures by mail order
DEVON
Pat Fleming Spitchwick Herbs - tel: 01364 631233
vegetables, herbs available direct
Derek Lapworth Lower Velwell - tel: 01364 644010
vegetables from box scheme (full at present)
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

Joscha Huter Loch Arthur Horticulture - tel: 01387 760544
vegetables, fruit, herbs from farm shop
Richard Cunningham Craig Farm - tel: 01644 420636
meat, private sales from farm
EAST LOTHIAN
Susannah Aykroyd 24 Boggs Holdings - tel: 01875 340227
veg, fruit, eggs from box scheme, farm shop & farmers market
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Kai Lange Oaklands Park Garden - tel: 01594 826735
vegetables, fruit, lamb, herbs from box scheme & wholesale
Laurence Dungworth
GREEN - tel: 01453 753768
vegetables, fruit, herbs mostly to local cafe only
Laurence Dungworth
Stroud Community Agriculture - tel: 01453 753768
vegetables, herbs, meat from box scheme (full at present)
Henk Reyneke
Oaklands Park Farm - tel: 01594 516285
vegetables, meat from box scheme & shop
HAMPSHIRE
Sally Viney Harbridge Herbal Clinic - tel: 01425 652233
medicinal herbs available through consultation
HEREFORDSHIRE
Elaine Povey The Buzzards - tel: 01568 708941
vegetables, fruit, herbs, meat, eggs from the farm
Jane Scotter Fern Verrow - tel: 01981 510288
veg, fruit, herbs, meat by order & Borough Market in London
LANCASHIRE
Jenny Gabrysch Hollinwood - tel: 01995 640189
vegetables, fruit, poultry, eggs from farm shop & box
LINCOLNSHIRE
grain available direct
MONMOUTHSHIRE
Richard & Sarah Stacey Daren Farm Ltd - tel: 01873
890712
meat, wool from farm shop sales (phone)
NORFOLK
David Barker Bakers Organics - tel: 01263 768966
vegetables, fruit, herbs from box & market
David Wrenn Orchard End - tel: 01508 558646
vegetables, herbs from box & market
NORTH YORKSHIRE
William Pickard Falcon Farm - tel: 01287 661234
meat from farm shop & box
Ben Davies Botton Farm - tel: 01287 661211
meat, milk from farm shop
Peter van Viet Botton Walled Garden - tel: 01287 661301
vegetables, soft fruit, herbs, plants from box scheme
PEMBROKESHIRE
Andre Kleinjans Plas Dwbl - tel: 01994 410352
vegetables
PERTHSHIRE
Anneke Kraakman Corbenic Camphill Community - tel:
01350 723206
fruit, plants, baked goods by box scheme
ROSS & CROMARTY

Duncan Ross Poyntzfield Herb Nursery - tel: 01381 610352
herbs, plants, seeds by mail order
RUTLAND
Paul Chenery Town Park farm - tel: 01572 724545
herbal medicine by mail order
SUSSEX
Linda Beaney Holly Park Farm - tel: 01424 812229
dairy goat milk products from farmers markets
Peter Brinch Plawhatch Seeds - tel: 01342 826067
seeds mail order from Stormy Hall Seeds only
Dorothea Leber Michael Hall School - tel: 01342 825604
vegetables, fruit, herbs from local shops
Andre Tranquilini Emerson Garden - tel: 07931 245670
vegetables, fruit, eggs from local shops
WEST LOTHIAN
Diana ONeil Garvald School - tel: 01968 682211
vegetables, herbs
WILTSHIRE
Eamonn & Oriana Wilmott The Beeches - tel: 01985
840820
lamb by mail order
WORCESTERSHIRE
Charbel Akiki Elms farm - tel: 01905 381420
eggs from box scheme & farmers market
George Glide Tree House Farm - tel: 01886 880681
beef (hay) - direct
Malcolm Robinson Aura Soma Products Ltd - tel: 01507

533581
43
Elysium Natural Products Ltd

Unit 12
Moderna Business Park
Mytholmroyd,
Halifax, West Yorkshire
England
HX7 4QQ
Tel: 01422 885523
Fax: 01422 884629
E-mail:
elysiumproducts@aol.com
FOR ALL YOUR DEMETER NEEDS

We have a great range of Demeter Quality products and are adding
to our range all the time.
We now have Demeter products coming in from all over Europe,
so far we have great partnerships with companies from
Holland, Germany, Belgium and Italy.
For more Information on our products and ranges please do not
hesitate to contact us on 01422 885523 or you can check out our
new web-site,
www.elysium-naturalproducts.co.uk
A WHOLE WORLD OF ORGANIC/

DEMETER BABY FOOD RIGHT HERE!
Guaranteed no GMO ingredients
No added sugar
No added table salt
No added Flavours
No added colours
No added preservatives
For more Information contact Elysium Natural Products
WHOLESOME FOOD
CONFERENCE
Green & Away Eco-conference Centre
Glos, 11-13th August
NETHERFIELD FARM GUEST HOUSE &

COTTAGES
Lochanhead, Dumfries DG2 8JE
Tel: 01387 730217
Contact: Jimmy & Pauline Anderson
www.netherfieldguesthouse.co.uk
BOTHY COTTAGE: sunny, spacious and open plan with separate
kitchen. A harmonious and beautiful space. Sleeps 2
Organised by:
Good Garderners Association

Soil Association
Wholesome Food Association
and Edcombe Farm.
There will workshops and discussions ranging from how to
get started in veg/meat box schemes, farm shops and
farmers markets to how to ensure greater mineral uptake
for healthy plants. Laurence Dungworth, biodynamic
grower and council member of the BioDynamic Agricultural
Association, will be co-leading a workshop on the physical
and spiritual aspects of human nutrition.
For details visit
www.wholesome-food.org.uk/conference.html
STABLE COTTAGE: unusual and attractive conversion with a balcony

bedroom, lovely colours and very cozy. Sleeps 2
Both cottages have wood stoves, central heating and all facilities provided.
195-250pw
(1 month : 15% reduction)
The guesthouse is vegetarian and the farm & garden are Demeter
registered ( to bring healing to the earth and grow food plants of nutritious
quality; bordering the Galloway hills it has many fine views).The aim is to
offer rest, care and rejuvenation with good food.
There is a beautiful garden rich in wild life, a comfortable sunny lounge
with wood stove and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Vegetarian organic meals are cooked with imagination using home grown
fruit & vegetables.
Hauschka Rhythmical massage is available.
Prices: 22.50 - 25.00 pppn (5 days: 15% discount)
Meals: 5.00/8.50
ADVERTISE IN THE
STAR & FURROW!
Star and Furrow reaches not only
the membership of over 1000 people,
it is also read by a wider audience in
the organic movement and in
educational institutions around the
country and abroad.
The advertising rates are as follows:
The charge for small advertisement
is 12p per word for members of the
Biodynamic Agricultural Association
and 25p per word for nonmembers.The charges for display
advertisements are in the box
opposite.
Cheques and money orders should
be made out to the Biodynamic
Agricultural Association or BDAA.
Foreign advertisers are requested to
pay by international money order.
The closing dates are: 1st April for

the Summer issue and 1st October
for the Winter issue.
Advertisements not received and
paid for by these dates may not be
accepted.
Please send advertisements to the
BDAA Office.
Back cover outside:
Back cover inside:
Full page
Half page
Quarter page
Eighth page
Inserts per 1000
(all prices inclusive of
300
200
200
100
50
25
65
VAT)
Appeal
www.biodynamic.org.uk needs your support!
The BDAA website has served us well for the past 7 years and is now desperately in need of a major
overhaul. The site was set up in 1999 and has grown and developed to try and meet the demands of the ever
changing situation in agriculture. It is often the first port of call for enquirers, journalists and researchers. On
the current site you can find news, calendar of events, job adverts, annual reports, information leaflets,
Demeter documents, the Demeter Marketplace and much more.
In April and May this year we were getting an average of 1000 'hits' per day and the site has achieved
a high rating with the Google search engine.
In developing the website we need to redesign the whole site so that all the pages are better
integrated and it will be easier to find your way around.
We want to:
Change the format (colouring, font and design) in order to make it clearer and easier to read crisper and
easier to read
Simplify the navigation so that it easier to find what you want
Develop the Demeter marketplace so that the public is kept up to date about where to buy Demeter
produce
Set up online membership application
Make it possible to buy books online
Start a Forum for Producers/Processors/Distributors to communicate their needs with each other
increase the number of documents to give easier access to members and enquirers
For this development we are needing to raise 3000 over the next 6 months
If you can help please contact: The Secretary, The Biodynamic Agricultural Association (BDAA),
Painswick Inn Project, Gloucester Street, Stroud, Glos GL5 1QG Tel/Fax: 01453 759501 or Email:
office@biodynamic.org.uk
New Books from the BDAA

Please post your orders and payment to the BDAA Office (NB all prices are plus 15% P&P)
Betwixt Heaven & Earth, Brian Keats 12
A compendium of essays pertaining to the Earth as a part of the Living Cosmos.
Includes a supplement to the Biodynamic Planting Calendars
Biodynamic Growing Guide: Healthcare for Earth & Humanity, Brian Keats & Stefan Mager
8 6 A4 pages Full Colour - Packed full of info on : The Big Picture, Enhancing Nutrition, Using
BD Preparations, Increasing Soil & Atmospheric Vitality, Perpetual Tool for Sun & Moon
Rhythms, Conscious awareness of Universal Processes.
The Biodynamic Food & Cookbook: Real Nutrition that doesnt cost the earth, Wendy Cook
18.99 Features over 150 delicious seasonal recipes and includes: information on Biodynamic Agriculture,
nutrition, ethics of modern food culture plus practical info on methods of cooking, getting started, cooking tips and
what ingredients to stock in your larder.
Principles of BD Spray & Compost Preparations, M Klett 6.99
Combining 2 booklets from the IBIG series, Klett provides a fascinating overview of the history of agriculture, then goes
on to discuss the practicalities of spray & compost preparations and the philosophy behind them. An essential read for
any BD gardener or farmer who wants to understand the background to core BD techniques.
Back Garden Seed Saving: Keeping our Vegetable Heritage Alive, Sue Strickland 12.99
The latest strains of runner beans may give long stringless pods, but will they crop well on a cold windswept site? Dwarf
peas may be the easiest to grow commercially, but you will still find the six foot types in many gardens they look
attractive, crop for longer and taste like peas used to taste. Whatever the benefits of modern hybrids, old varieties still
have much to offer gardeners.
In this book you can find out about some of the vegetable varieties no longer found in the seed catalogues, and others
that are there now but may not be for much longer. It introduces you to some of the gardeners who grow such varieties,
their tales and tips and their infectious enthusiasm. Most importantly it gives easy to follow crop-by-crop guidelines to help
you save seed for yourself.

Star and Furrow 105

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Star and Furrow 105

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

ISSN No: 1472-4634

Journal of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association

Issue no: 105

BIODYNAMICS & ENVIRONMENT

FARM & LANDSCAPE

KNOW YOUR SOIL

NEW BDAA VISITOR CENTRE

WIN A SPECIAL PRIZE IN OUR SURVEY!

Journal of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

STAR & FURROW

Issue Number 105

Chairman: Nick Raeside

Biodynamics & the environment

Developing landscape & enhancing wildlife

The BERAS project

Biodynamics & the forest enviroment

Farm auditing for sustainability

What happened when biodynamic farming met

Seed Development Fieldsman

DEMETER STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Hay in the tree tops

A new centre for the BDAA

Demeter Standards Development Officer:

- BD spray & compost preparations

Scheme Co-ordinator and Secretary:

What does light say about food quality?

Knowing more about soil

A new impulse for social change

Life forces in the plant organism

Demeter market place

BIODYNAMICS & THE ENVIRONMENT

ell, I have decided to do my bit for the

Well, unfortunately when it comes to the environment

and an environmentalist is:

Further, if you type environment into Google, you get two

Star and Furrow No: 104

huge barns with his many animals

Buy organic food. Various studies have shown that

above and below: Eco-buildings at Pishwanton, East Lothian, Scotland

photographs by Richard Swann

dioxide that would otherwise contribute to global warming.

What can we do?