Agriculture (CW 327)

Agriculture: Spiritual-Scientific Foundations for Agricultural Renewal

8 lectures and 4 Q&A sessions, Kobierzyce, Poland, June 7–20, 1924 (CW 327)

A century after Rudolf Steiner’s lectures on agriculture in 1924, the effects of his words are self-evident—around the world, biodynamic principles are practiced on thousands of thriving farms, vineyards, and gardens, and Demeter certification for biodynamic produce is recognized internationally as a mark of health and quality.

Speaking to a small audience of farmers in the small village of Kobierzyce, Poland, Steiner launched the first organic agricultural movement. Nevertheless, what has come to be known today as “biodynamics” is distinguished by a number of unique aspects, including the use of herbal and mineral preparations (“dynamizing” applications for compost and field sprays) and the concept of farms and gardens as a individual living organisms that incorporate animals, crops, soil, and community.

This definitive centenary edition of Steiner’s influential agriculture course has been reedited from primary sources to be as faithful as possible to his original meaning and intention. Shorthand reports have been newly transcribed, archival discoveries added, and fresh commentary and notes inserted.

In addition to the original eight lectures and four discussions, this volume features a wealth of new texts, including notes, addresses, and resolutions related to the Experimental Circle (contemporaneously established to join research with practice), comprehensive facsimiles of Steiner’s preparatory notes for the course; original programs and lists of attendee; questions sent in advance; Steiner’swritten and verbal reports, including his address to young people; photos of Kobierzyce; and high-quality color plates of his original blackboard drawings.

This book is a translation from German of Geisteswissenschaftliche Grundlagen zum Gedeihen der Landwirtschaft. Landwirtschaftlicher Kursus (GA 327).

C O N T E N T S:

Introduction by Ueli Hurter

Part I: The Agriculture Course (8 lectures and 4 Q&A sessions)

Part II: The Founding of the Agricultural Experimental Circle

Appendix:
Subsequent Verbal Report by Rudolf Steiner
Extracts from Rudolf Steiner’s Written Reports
Extracts from Rudolf Steiner’s Address to Young People
Program for the Whitsun Conference in Breslau and the Course at Koberwitz
Photos of Koberwitz
Questions Sent in Advance
List of Participants in the Agriculture Course
Regarding this edition

Notes
Rudolf Steiner’s Collected Works
Significant Events in the Life of Rudolf Steiner
Index
Rudolf Steiner’s Blackboard Drawings (plate section)

About the Author

Rudolf Steiner (b. Rudolf Joseph Lorenz Steiner, 1861–1925) was born in the small village of Kraljevec, Austro-Hungarian Empire (now in Croatia), where he grew up. As a young man, he lived in Weimar and Berlin, where he became a well-published scientific, literary, and philosophical scholar, known especially for his work with Goethe’s scientific writings. At the beginning of the twentieth century, he began to develop his early philosophical principles into an approach to systematic research into psychological and spiritual phenomena. Formally beginning his spiritual teaching career under the auspices of the Theosophical Society, Steiner came to use the term Anthroposophy (and spiritual science) for his philosophy, spiritual research, and findings. The influence of Steiner’s multifaceted genius has led to innovative and holistic approaches in medicine, various therapies, philosophy, religious renewal, Waldorf education, education for special needs, threefold economics, biodynamic agriculture, Goethean science, architecture, and the arts of drama, speech, and eurythmy. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner founded the General Anthroposophical Society, which today has branches throughout the world. He died in Dornach, Switzerland.