From Valerie@stuart.ak.planet.co.nzFri Mar 31 21:23:32 1995 Date: Sat, 01 Apr 95 07:33:27 +1200 From: Valerie Cowperthwaite To: sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Re: Re: Biodynamic Farming Info? In article , jhaskett@asrr.arsusda.gov writes: > > > I concur with the earlier posting that suggested the article > "Biological Dynamic Farming - An Occult Form of Alternative Agriculture." > H. Kirchmann, Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Ethics 1994, 7(2) > 17 3-187. The abstract states in part: > > "...(Steiner's) instructions were based on insights and inner visions > from spiritualistic exercises and not on agricultural experiments... > many of his statements are not provable simply because scientifically > clear hypotheses cannot be made as his descriptions were unclear and > not stringent. Those predictions that can be tested scientifically have > been found to be incorrect. It was concluded (in the article) that > Steiner's instructions are occult and dogmatic and cannot contribute > to the development of alternative or sustainable agriculture." > > Jonathan Haskett > What a pity the author of this article did not do some up-to-date research. Here in New Zealand many farmers are farming biodynamically. They are successful and sustainable. The farm I am involved with of 1,000 acres supports sheep, beef cattle and is involved in building up a sizeable dairy herd as a source for its planned milk products programme. They also run small scale pig and poultry operations, plus grazing for race and show horses. Commerical vegetable growing and an extensive tree raising and planting programme are also included. Other farmers are contributing in the areas of dairying particularly and biodynamic growers are successfully holding their own in citrus and avocado growing to name just the higher profile areas. One of our leading winemakers who consistently wins international gold medals also grows his grapes biodynamically. Pfeiffer's early work on microbes and composts gives the lie to the statement that there is no scientific basis for biodynamics as does the paper in Science April 1993 by Reganold et al showing the sustainability of biodynamics especially with regard to soil conservation. Our farm has also been the site of various other scientific investigations including work on the dung beetle, blow flies and fish farming - we have a unique mullet farm. I would not point anyone to Steiner's works as an introduction. The Biodynamic Farm by H.H. Koepf and the Coming Revolution in Agriculture by Dr Harold Willis offer more practical perspectives on biodynamic farming - there is some controversy in bd circles over Willis' view. Soper's book on gardening is also, as I remember, relatively free of the mystic elements. Kirchmann's conclusion reminds of a MAF scientist critical of biodynamics who featured in a TV programme on this topic - "Yes, well we see that it DOES work, but we don't see why it SHOULD work." So therefore it is dismissed!