Biodynamic Agriculture
Biodynamics is an internationally recognized approach to organic agriculture in which the farmer or gardener respects and works with the spiritual dimension of the earth’s environment.
In a world where conventional agricultural methods threaten the environment, biodynamic farms and gardens are designed to have a sound ecological balance. This concise and fully illustrated book presents evidence that biodynamic crops put down deeper roots, show strong resistance to disease and have better keeping qualities than conventionally produced crops.
Table of Contents
1. Agriculture and the environment
- Industrialization
- Intensive livestock farming
- The role of nitrogen
- Herbicides and pesticides
- The landscape
- Water pollution
2. The Earth, a living organism
- The plant world
- What is life?
- The soil
- Animals
- The farming cycle
- Biodynamic preparations
- The farmer and the farm organism
3. Biodynamics: a brief history
- Agricultural problems in the nineteenth century
- Movements for biological agriculture
- Rudolf Steiner and the Agricultural Course
- The search for quality
- A new start
- An international movement: Producers and consumers; Research; Advisory services; Education and study
4. Practical biodynamics
- The mixed farm
- Manure and compost handling
- The biodynamic compost preparations
- Animal husbandry: Chickens; Cattle; Pigs; The sick animal
- Arable farming and vegetable cultivation
- The biodynamic spray preparations
- Soil cultivation
- Fruit cultivation
- Beekeeping
- Rhythms of sowing and planting
- The landscape and conservation
5. Social aspects
- Trade, sale and control
- The therapeutic effect of biodynamic farming
- Land ownership
6. Looking to the future
- Research into quality
- Research into breeding and seed production
- Practical research
- Economic considerations
- Regulations and government intervention
- A growing understanding
About the Author
Willy Schilthuis was president of the Dutch Biodynamic Association for twenty-five years. She has written several books on biodynamics.
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