What is Biodynamic Farming?
What is Biodynamic Farming?
Biodynamic farming is an organic farming method. It is practiced by combining ancient lunar planting cycles with natural alternatives like microbial agents as fertilizers. Variations of this farming have been around for thousands of years. Because industrial farming became increasingly popular and easier, this basic way of growing food became increasingly difficult to compete with the bigger players in the market. These farmers opted to stop selling their products and farmed for their family. In 1924, Dr. Rudolph Steiner came up with the idea of biodynamic agriculture. He thought of the farm as a self-contained and fully self-sustainable organism. Because of him, we can find these farms in over 50 countries. The principles of Biodynamic Farming are:
- Plant Diversity ( Grow a range of plants)
- Crop Rotation ( Encourages sustainable agriculture)
- Animal Life ( Through moving crops and raising a wide range of animal species)
- Composting (With the different manure and organic waste, it helps to enhance the soil and balances nitrogen levels that helps with growing crops)
- Homeopathic Solutions (Using extracts from animal, plant and mineral manures, there are nine homeopathic preparations that can be made as sprays to treat the soil, plants and compost)
- Life Forces ( These are the phases of the moon as well as celestial and seasonal cycles)