Biodynamic Agriculture
was one of the first organized organic farming systems based on being diversifed and sustainable. It manages the material world with organic aplomb and moral sensitivity. It is an activity of partnership with the natural world. A partnership which nourishes and sustains all realms involved: the visible and invisible, the people, the animals, the plants, the elements and the earth.
One of the first steps in making a batch of Biodynamic Compound (BC) is lots of mixing.
Spiritual Foundations
for the Renewal of Agriculture
In 1924 a number of farmers asked Rudolf Steiner (anthroposophist, scientist, educator, artist) for a course on agricultural issues. In the course Steiner shared many profound and far reaching insights based on a holistic world view. A world view based on the inseparable union of spirit and living matter. The Agriculture course continues to be a source of inspiration for many farmers. It outlined spiritual foundations for the renewal of agriculture and initiated an ongoing line of innovative research that has spanned the decades.
Farm Individuality
One fundamental postulate of the biodynamic approach is that the farm itself is a living being. This can lead to immediate practical and beneficial consequences. The minerals, microorganisms, plants, animals and people of the farm compose the farm’s various organs. All of its diverse constituents grow stronger, more interrelated, vibrant and awake—it becomes a unique farm individuality—when supported by biodynamic agriculture.
Cosmic Rhythms
A biodynamic farm has the vast cosmos as its context. Just as a magnetic compass needle can only work and be understood as part of the entirety of the earth, living beings on earth are part of the entirety of the cosmos. Biodynamic farmers often go to great lengths in their striving to understand the larger context of their farms and attuning to cosmic rhythms such as lunar cycles, tending the formative and life forces and appreciating the grace of life’s splendor.
Life and Formative Forces
It is imperative for our times that we protect and strengthen the life and formative forces of our world. We need to do this for the health and future of our children and generations to come, the food they’ll eat, the air they’ll breathe and the water they’ll drink. We need to do it for their developing bodies that will carry them their whole live-long-life during their sojourn on this living planet.
Biodynamic Preparations
Biodynamic farmers take up the task of strengthening the life and formative forces of our world. We grow or wild-craft a number of herbs which we carefully craft, at specific times of the year, into various biodynamic preparations. These preparations are applied to the farm in a number of ways to stimulate life processes.
Living Temples of Service
We believe farms can and need to be healthy living food production ecosystems . . . and much more. The living realms of nature are vast, magnificent and phenomenal. Farms should serve as society’s conscience and stewards of nature’s wonders. Farms should be living temples of service. Such living farms should be a place where the community can commune with the natural world and participate in the sacrament of Life’s splendor. Kona Biodynamic Farm aspires to be such a farm.
Whether a raindrop, sunbeam or soil particle; a microorganism, earthworm or insect; a plant, animal or tree; a child, student or teacher; a coworker, apprentice or intern; a visitor, volunteer or patron; a consultant, inspector or official; a CSA member, customer or buyer; a homemaker, chef, or “eater”. . . Kona Biodynamic Farm salutes you!
—Phyl Dwyer
