biodynamics

Biodynamics is a holistic approach to farming and gardening that treats the farm as a living organism, integrating soil, crops, livestock, and people. It originated in the 1920s from the writings of Rudolf Steiner, who proposed a spiritual-scientific method for enhancing soil fertility, biodiversity, and resilience in agricultural systems.

Core practices include comprehensive soil management, composting, crop rotation, and the integration of animals. A distinctive feature is the use of biodynamic preparations numbered BD 500 to BD 507. The most well known are BD 500, a manure preparation prepared in a cow horn and buried in the soil, and BD 501, a silica preparation stored in a horn. The remaining preparations are produced from various plant and mineral substances and are buried in compost or added to soils or sprays to influence soil health and plant growth. In addition, farming decisions are guided by an astronomical and calendrical rhythm, with sowing, planting, and harvest planned according to lunar and planetary cycles.

Biodynamic farming is practiced worldwide, and certification is most widely associated with Demeter International, which accredits biodynamic farms and products, including many vineyards and farms.

Reception is mixed. Proponents credit improved soil structure, health, and crop quality, while critics describe the approach as pseudoscientific and note that evidence for the efficacy of specific preparations is limited and inconsistent. Some studies report benefits in organic systems, though results vary.