Biodynamic

Biodynamic farming is an approach to agriculture and horticulture developed by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1924. It treats the farm as a self-contained, living system whose health depends on soil, crops, livestock, and the surrounding environment. Originating as a response to concerns about soil fertility, it has evolved into a comprehensive farming method often described as a form of organic agriculture with distinctive practices.

It combines standard organic farming principles—soil-building composts, crop rotation, and avoidance of synthetic inputs—with a set of biodynamic preparations and a calendar aligned to cosmic rhythms. The best-known preparations are 500 horn manure and 501 horn silica, produced by burying materials in cow horns and used in very small amounts. In addition, preparations 502–507 are compost and field sprays made from plants and minerals, such as yarrow, chamomile, nettle, oak bark, valerian, and horsetail.

These materials are applied to soil, compost piles, and crops according to instructions that claim to cultivate vitality and harmony within the farm system. The practice also uses an astronomical planting calendar that guides sowing, planting, pruning, and harvesting based on lunar and planetary positions.

Biodynamic farming is commonly associated with Demeter International, the leading certification body for biodynamic products. Farms may bear the Demeter label, indicating adherence to specific standards that extend beyond conventional organic criteria.

Reception and evidence are mixed. Proponents argue that biodynamic methods improve soil structure, nutrient cycling, plant health, and flavor, while critics view the approach as esoteric or insufficiently supported by rigorous scientific testing. Some studies report modest or context-dependent benefits, but broad consensus in mainstream agronomy remains lacking.

The method has a global presence, with farms and vineyards applying biodynamic practices in Europe, the Americas, Australia, and elsewhere, particularly in wine regions where growers highlight terroir and sustainability.