Biodynamic Agriculture, Composts, Preps, Cow Pat Pit, by Christina Chang “Lokelani ‘Ohana Farm”

What is Biodynamic Agriculture?

In the early 1920's a group of practicing farmers, concerned with the decline of the soil, sought the advice of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, founder of anthroposophy, who had spent all his life researching and investigating the forces that regulate life and growth. From a series of lectures and conversations held at Koberwitz, Germany, in June 1924, there emerged the fundamental principles of biodynamic farming and gardening, a unified approach to agriculture that relates the ecology of the earth-organism to that of the entire cosmos. This approach has been under development in many parts of the world ever since.

Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, who worked with Dr. Steiner during the formative period, brought biodynamic concepts to the United States in the 1930s. It was during this period that the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association were founded in 1938.

If the results of the Biodynamic approach may be found in the quality of produce, the health of land and livestock, and the freedom from environmental problems increasingly generated by many modern farming methods, what of the approach itself? What distinguishes it from other agricultural attitudes and techniques?

• Essentially, biodynamic farming and gardening looks upon the soil and the farm as living organisms. It regards maintenance and furtherance of soil life as a basic necessity if the soil is to be preserved for generations, and it regards the farm as being true to its essential nature if it can be conceived of as a kind of individual entity in itself — a self-contained individuality. It begins with the ideal concept of the necessary self-containedness of the farm and works with furthering the life of the soil as a primary means by which a farm can become a kind of individuality that progresses and evolves.

• The maintenance of soil life is vital also in order to protect the soil from erosion and to create, improve, and augment the humus content. The result will be a fine, crumbly structure containing the necessary organic colloids. This leads to the production of high-quality crops, which in turn means better feed for livestock and better food for human beings.

• http://www.biodynamics.com

Biodynamic Farming PracticesBiological Practices, Dynamic Practices

• Green manures Special compost preparations• Cover cropping Special foliar sprays• Composting Planting by calendar• Companion planting Peppering for pest control• Integration of crops and livestock

• Homeopathic Tillage and cultivation Radionics

Biodynamic Compost

• Biodynamic compost is a fundamental component of the biodynamic method; it serves as a way to recycle animal manures and organic wastes, stabilize nitrogen, and build soil humus and enhance soil health.

• Biodynamic compost is unique because it is made with BD preparations 502-507. Together, the BD preparations and BD compost may be considered the cornerstone of biodynamics.

• Here again, "biological" and "dynamic" qualities are complementary: biodynamic compost serves as a source of humus in managing soil health and biodynamic compost emanates energetic frequencies to vitalize the farm.

Biodynamic Preps• A distinguishing feature of biodynamic farming is the use of nine

biodynamic preparations described by Steiner for the purpose of enhancing soil quality and stimulating plant life. They consist of mineral, plant, or animal manure extracts, usually fermented and applied in small proportions to compost, manures, the soil, or directly onto plants, after dilution and stirring procedures called dynamizations.

• The original biodynamic (BD) preparations are numbered 500-508. The BD 500 preparation (horn-manure) is made from cow manure (fermented in a cow horn that is buried in the soil for six months through autumn and winter) and is used as a soil spray to stimulate root growth and humus formation. The BD 501 preparation (horn-silica) is made from powdered quartz (packed inside a cow horn and buried in the soil for six months through spring and summer) and applied as a foliar spray to stimulate and regulate growth. The next six preparations, BD 502-507, are used in making compost.

• Finally, there is BD preparation 508 which is prepared from the silica-rich horsetail plant (Equisetum arvense) and used as a foliar spray to suppress fungal diseases in plants.

• No. 500 Cow Horn Manure • No. 501 Cow Horn Silicea

No. 502 Yarrow blossoms (Achillea millefolium)• No. 503 Chamomile blossoms (Chamomilla officinalis)• No. 504 Stinging nettle (whole plant in full bloom) (Urtica dioca)• No. 505 Oak bark (Quercus robur)• No. 506 Dandelion flowers (Taraxacum officinale)No.• No. 507 Valerian flowers (Valeriana officinalis)Biodynamic preparations are

intended to help moderate and regulate biological processes as well as enhance and strengthen the life (etheric) forces on the farm. The preparations are used in homeopathic quantities, meaning they produce an effect in extremely diluted amounts. As an example, just 1/16th ounce—a level teaspoon—of each compost preparation is added to seven- to ten-ton piles of compost.

• No. 508 Casurina Tea

THE BD COMPOST PREPARATIONS ARE LISTED BELOW

• The traditional manner in which the biodynamic compost is made is rather exacting.

• After the compost windrow is constructed, Preparations 502-506 are strategically placed 5-7 feet apart inside the pile, in holes poked about 20 inches deep. Preparation No. 507, or liquid valerian, is applied to the outside layer of the compost windrow by spraying or hand watering.

Summary of BD Materials

• Preparation Number Material Unit Size Procedure Effects• 500 Horn Manure 1 oz. sufficient for 1 acreStir for 1 hour Promotes roots,

stimulates soil, encourages lush growth, aids germination.• 501 Horn Silica 1 gram sufficient for 1 acre Stir for 1 hour Promotes

photosynthesis, flowers and fruits, aids flavor, color, aroma, keeping quality.• Horn Clay 5 gm sufficient for 1 acre Stir for 1 hour Mediates between growth

poles, promotes balance• 502 to 507 Compost Preps 1 oz each for 10-15 T compost Insert into pile,

sprinkle diluted valerian over pile Builds digestive and formative properties of soil when compost is added

• Pfeiffer Compost Starter 1 oz. sufficient for whole season, add in small amounts Sprinkle in warmed water, let incubate for 20 minutes Adds vital forces to compost, enhances digestive ability of soil

• BC Barrel Compost 1 oz sufficient for 1 acre Stir for 1 hour Stir for 1 hour• 508 Equisetum 1 oz in 1 quart Make boiled tea, dilute 1:10, may stir 20 minutes

Prevents fungus, toughens plant tissues

The development of the Barrel compost grew out of concern with pollution of Strontium 90 from atmospheric atomic bomb tests in 1958. Maria Thun and Dr. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer collaborated trialing various substances then cultivating plants. An unambiguous result was obtained by growing plants with eggshells and ground basalt; the plants did not incorporate or store any radioactive Stontium 90. They then set about a way to bring these two substances to the biodynamic farm. Further experiments and trials saw the development of the barrel compost.

Lokelani Ohana Waihe’e FarmCow Pat Pit Class July 16, 2010

Cow Pat Pit is known as CPP and is a specialized type of compost referring to cow manure mixed with crushed egg shell and basalt dust then put into a 12 inch deep pit lined with bricks. The dung is fermented, together with the preps 502-507, for a period of 3 to 4 months. It is applied in the evenings during the cooler months.Although the barrel compost is made in a similar fashion all around the world the quantities of compost preparations, egg shells and basalt used vary, with the amount of manure being around 50 liters.

• Peter Proctor has developed its use especially on larger farms in Australia and NZ where there is little compost used. In India he has developed wide usage of the preparation.

• His documentary “One Man, One Cow, One Planet” is an inspirational journey through India using biodynamics to restore the soil, plant life and human lives after GMO and chemical agriculture was introduced which had destructive influences in both soil and lives.

• CPP is a very effective way of spreading the influence of the compost preparations 502-507 over a large area of farmland, orchard or garden.

• 60 kgs of cow dung gives about 30-35 kgs of CPP after fermentation. When it is mature, it is mixed with water at the rate of 1kg in 40 litres of water per acre. This means one CPP pit should be enough to cover 40 acres. It should be stirred for at least 10 minutes as this encourages good bacteria development.

• For larger areas the greater amount of liquid can be stirred in a 200 litre drum with the tripod stirring arrangement or with the Virbela flowform for 15 minutes before using.

• It can be sprinkled or sprayed over the land. If it is sprayed onto trees or foliage, it should be first strained through a fine mesh.

• Uses of CPP

The well made CPP has within it all the energies associated with the biodynamic preparations 502-507. It will also contain a wide range of beneficial fungi and bacteria and growth promoting hormones, which can be very helpful in many areas of agriculture and horticulture. It has a wide range of uses.

• Use as a ground spray at 1kgs per acre CPP to 40 litres of water.Soak overnight prior to application, stir for 10 minutes, if necessary strain through a cotton cloth, and spray as required.

• Stir with preparation BD500 at 25gms BD500 to 100gm-1kg CPP. Add during the last 15 minutes of stirring.

• Use as a soil inoculants over land being converted to BD/organic management.

• Use as a soil or foliar feed on all crops at all stages except close to harvest. It can be sprayed every 7 or 14 days. Best sprayed in the evenings.

• Excellent for all field crops, i.e. wheat, lucern, paddy and potatoes. Also mangos, papaya, all tropical fruits and citrus, apples, stone fruit, avocados, grapes, coffee and tea.

• Use on the soil around all fruit trees as a soil inoculants or soil conditioner. Use before any mulching is applied around the trees.

• When used as a foliar feed on all fruit trees, it will strengthen the plants against possible fungus or insect attack. Apply every 14 days before and after flowering.

• Stir with any liquid manures at approx. 50gm CPP per gallon.

• Dissolve in water and use as a liquid manure in its own right.

• Take a handful of CPP, add water to make a slurry and apply as pruning paste to stop bleeding and help healing.

• Apply CPP slurry to the barks of trees to stimulate cambium growth. This strengthens the bark and brings the good soil micro organisms up onto the tree.

• Use to dip roots of all young trees, shrubs, or grapes prior to planting. This will encourage new root development.

• Soak seeds in CPP slurry overnight before sowing. If not overnight, soak for at least 30 minutes, dry off, and sow immediately.

• Soak seed potatoes for 1 hour before planting. Dip potatoes and dry before planting. This seems to help control late blight.

• Cuttings can be soaked in CPP slurry overnight to enhance root development.

• Use as one component of the sequence of BD sprays of BD500, BD501, and CPP in which BD502-507 have been incorporated.

• It can be used to inoculate compost heaps where there is a shortage of biodynamic preparations.

• Use 1kg of CPP in 40 litres of water for each 5 metres of compost and pour into holes along the top of the heap. http://www.biodynamics.in/CPP.htm

This was developed by Deb Cantrill and the Adelaide Hills Biodynamic Group to encourage and enable home gardeners to have their own supply thus increasing its frequency of use on the home garden.

To make the Home Garden Barrel Compost:Cut out the Bottom of the Container Terracotta potGather .10 litres (1 bucket) good quality firm cow manure1 x 2 gram biodynamic compost set125 gm Fine rock dust e.g. fish creek50 gm ground egg shells

Home Garden Barrel Compost

• Method

• Dig a hole 150cm deep and place bottomless container in hole and back fill up sides of container.

• Mix cow manure, rock dust and egg shells using a hand kneading action for 1 hour. You will observe quite a change.

• Place manure mix in container, add compost preparations as per usual. Cover manure with a damp sack. Cover container with waterproof lid.

• After 1 month fork over manure, smooth out and cover again. Check every 4 weeks or so. It should be ready in 3 months. Remove to storage container and store as per 500.

• Preparing the Barrel Compost for use

• CCP is generally applied in the afternoon. For a home garden take 20gm and place in 5 litres warm water. Stir as per 500 for 20 minutes and apply to selected area as per 500.

Acknowledgements & Links

onemanonecow.com

http://bodynamics.com

Adelaide Hills Bio-dynamic Group http://adelaidebiodynamic.com

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service attra.ncat.org

http://www.steinerbooks.org/htt

Lokelani ‘Ohana Waihe’e Farm www.lokelaniohana.org

http://www.jpibiodynamics.org

Peter Proctor Biodynamic Association of India E-mail: bdaind@gmail.com

Thanks to Hugh Courtney for all the Preps

Mahalo to Patrick Moser for being my mentor http://patsbdfarm.com