When looking at the world of today, we must admit that it has fundamentally changed since 1924, the year Dr. Rudolf Steiner gave his lectures on Agriculture. This is due to a variety of "deeds" of the so called: agro-industry or what we, unfortunatelly, must call: the war on our soils. The damage thereby caused is almost beyond repair. For 150 years we have treated the earth with less and less respect. Additionally, sprawling towns and cities have push farms and food producers onto extremely marginal soils. Little good soil is left, if any!
Fortunately, an ever growing number of farmers, gardeners and foresters (as well as city dwellers) have come to the conclusion that the war against the earth must no longer continue; the maltreating has to stop!
Therefore, many farmers have reverted to Natural Methods by using manure, compost, green manure, lime, clay and organic refuse, feed it back to plants and earth. Shallow tilling and winter fallowing is used as well.
Yet, can this be enough? Can an ailing planet be brought back to good health without an overall understanding of nature?
Dr. Rudolph Steiner has given a detailled course on a new farming method that brings together modern scientific research AND what was instinctively known for thousands of years, namely: the culture of agronomy: Agriculture. In many lectures he pleads that we must get away from Agro-Business and bring a new Culture to the soil.
It is not enough to throw back at nature the ‘organic refuse’ that we can hardly deal with, believing that she will digest it and heal herself. This is not to downgrade any organic or bio-logical method. Such methods are indeed very important (as a first step), however, much more must be done. Our soils can no longer integrate the refuse falling down onto them (industrial pollutants, exhaust gases, heavy metals, tiny plastic particles etc.) – Our soils are falling apart, they are in trouble and so are we! We become what we eat…, a disintegrating, goal-less species full of highly toxic pollutants.
Let us approach the challenge from another angle. Imagine, someone had kicked, cursed, enslaved, hurt and nearly killed you…., for half your lifetime and then, suddenly, comes to the (wonderful) realization that such behavior, after all, is not acceptable. And, let us further assume that this aggressive zealot tells you now that he/she is leaving you in peace - provided you produce some healthy results…, and fast!
What about the past? Have the actions of the past left any marks on you (the soil)?
YOU BET!
We would have to be utterly naïve to believe that we can continue our lives as if nothing had happened, and the past is to be forgotten.
It is obvious that such an approach wouldn’t work, neither with us nor with the soil. Past actions: the spraying of pesticides, the use of plant and animal hormones, deep-trench-plowing, the use of herbicides and fungicides etc. have left painful and deep scars. They present us with rough realities.
Old methods (even well meant) won’t work any longer. Mother Earth is sick and, one could say, ‘in hospital’. Quite possibly on the brink of death before long…..unless we reverse our approach.
If we start to care for our soils we will be ablt to obtain good and wholesome results.
However, naturally and organically grown food, without containing any traces of poisons, is not easily achieved. Contaminants that travel onto our fields and gardens must be dealt with. If we import compost and manure from other gardens and farms, we have to treat it. The present health of most soils is such that they cannot deal with an every increasing amount of pollutants. Instead of leaving it to nature, we must do something Dynamic, and that’s where the good Bio-Dynamic future comes in.
From THE HERE AND NOW (from what is, and cannot be changed – the contaminated soils etc.) we have to work bio-dynamically into the future. This is our challenge and what is demand from us gardeners & farmers. This is what the future expects from us. We cannot simply revert to ‘old methods’ of yesteryear. We have to look at a new way of farming with specific Bio-Dynamic preparations (= soil healing medicines).
To begin with, in order to start your healthy garden, farm, forest or tree nursery, it is necessary that you introduce Bio-Dynamic earth healing ingredients to your composts and fields. These are preparations that do neither dope nor fertilize the soil. Bio-Dynamic preparations are catalysts bringing about a re-vitalization and a connection with the forces that have helped to create the entire soil-, plant-, animal- and human world. (see: Etheric Forces) They connect the soil and plants with the cosmos.
Bio-Dynamic farming, gardening and forestry demand that we engage in our work in a new way. Years of bad soil and water management are to be recognized and must be replaced with methods that are learned from nature (and not forced upon her). Damages of close to two Centuries of soil mining are to be studied, de-masked and shown what they are: stupid and mindless dead ends! And by recognizing the afore, we will be able to apply new ways of soil treatment that include gentle healing processes supported by Bio-Dynamic Preparations.
Natural farming methods won’t lead to the desired healing. Unfortunately, it’s too little too late! A fundamental change in our thinking (process) has to take place and, as a result (and via Bio-Dynamics) we will be rewarded with good crops.
We have taken a lot of time to bring together some of the most essential points enshrined in Dr. Rudolf Steiner’s Bio-Dynamic farming- gardening- and forestry suggestions (let us be clear: it is not a method). We know the study and application of Bio-Dynamic Preparations won’t be an easy process (to begin with), however, after a relatively short period of time and practicing, you will become not only a ‘new person’ with a myriad valuable insights into nature, but also a true artist. At that point, Nature Spirits as well as the Elemental World will talk to you and help your farming and forestry efforts.
Dear friend, please take the time and ‘click’ through our Website. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, do not hesitate and email us.
Yours,
Ferdinand Vondruska
C-Dar World Forest Team
