Rudolf Steiner and Biodynamic Farming
When people think about agriculture, mostly they think about food, vegetables, and fruits. However, when you look from a sustainable and holistic approach, surely one name prominently stands out, Rudolf Steiner (or often misspelled as Rudolph Steiner). He is often referred to as the “Father of Biodynamic Farming” by numerous scholars. But what is biodynamic farming? Well, it is a farming method that goes beyond the organic approach by incorporating spiritual and cosmic dimensions.
In this article, we will examine the life history and teachings of Rudolf Steiner, the principles of biodynamic farming, and how his teachings connect with the world of wine and vineyard farming practices. If you like history and organic agricultural practices, you will understand how Steiner’s ideas shaped modern viticulture.
The Life and Legacy of Rudolf Steiner
Born on 27 February 1861 in Austria, Rudolf (Joseph Lorenz) Steiner was a great philosopher, scientist, and spiritual thinker. He founded Anthroposophy, a spiritual movement that sought the understanding of how the spiritual world was connected with the material world. It is within this thought-seeking that Steiner developed an interest in organic farming practices, hence formulating the principles of biodynamic farming.
At a young age, Steiner’s life was marked by a keen interest in the fields of science, humanity, and philosophy. Attending Vienna University of Technology, he proceeded to study mathematics, natural sciences, and philosophy and proceeded to be a respected author and lecturer. It was during his lectures in natural sciences and philosophy that he began having a deep interest in the spiritual world while figuring out if there was any connection to the “real” world. Sadly, he died on 30 March 1925 at Dornach, Switzerland, after getting ill for six months since his last lecture in September 1924.
So, why is he known as the father of biodynamic farming?
The Principles of Biodynamic Farming
Biodynamic farming can be described as a regenerative type of agriculture whose aim is to create a balanced and self-sustaining ecosystem on the farm. In a biodynamic farm, the health of the soil, plants, animals, and humans are all interconnected in one way or another. However, before he died in 1925, Steiner held a lecture on Agriculture commonly known as the “Agriculture Course” in which he laid the principles of biodynamic farming.
These principles include;
Holistic Farming – Biodynamic farming considers a farm as a single organism where everything is interconnected. Therefore, biodynamic farmers must view their farms as an organism where soil, plants, animals, and humans themselves are connected to the farm sustainability rationale. Furthermore, Steiner claims that farmers must consider cycles of the moon and planets, cosmic rhythms, and spiritual forces at play and examine how they influence their farmland’s environment.
Biodiversity – Biodynamic farming must encourage biodiversity on the farm. To create a balanced ecosystem, biodynamic farms must diversify themselves with various crops and animals. Having diverse cultivated plants and animals on the farm leads to a working relationship with nature and environmental resilience.
Compost – Biodynamic farming is facilitated by high-quality compost. The compost improves soil fertility and structure hence reducing the need for external fertilizers. Biodynamic compost includes the use of herbs, minerals, and other living organisms to create a living compost.
Biodynamic Preparations – Biodynamic is a land-healing process that involves the introduction of special soil preparations. In biodynamic farms, soil must be prepared using compost, herbs, and other minerals to stimulate the life forces in the soil and plants.
Observation – Entangled with spiritual interpretations, biodynamic farmers must be keen observers of their land and crops. They must pay attention to natural occurrences, including the moon and other cosmic appearances and check how they affect their farms, crops, and animals. Ultimately, they must adapt their practices according to seasons accordingly.
Avoidance of Synthetic Chemicals – Just like organic farming, biodynamic farming avoids the use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, and inputs. In the modern era, biodynamic farmers must also avoid the use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) as they may alter their farmland’s interconnectedness by killing soil organisms.
Biodynamic Farming and Wine Production
How is biodynamic farming connected to wine production?
Well, while biodynamic farming has been debated for a long, vineyard farming is best suited as the ideal place for the implementation of biodynamic principles. Research has found that biodynamic wines have been spreading widely in France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, and other grape-growing regions. Furthermore, these growers have cited improvement in their vineyard conditions and their wine taste.
Here is how it all comes together:
Terroir (land) Expression: The vineyard land’s unique qualities can be improved by biodynamic practices. In the world of winemaking, there is much emphasis on terroir since expression of the land is highly valued.
Biodiversity: Biodynamic farming crops can be interplanted with other crops, herbs, and flowers. This interplanting is important in vineyards as it creates biodiversity to support healthier ecosystems. Furthermore, it also influences the flavor profiles of grapes and their wines.
Cosmic Influences: In biodynamic farming, spirituality and cosmic beliefs play an important role. Therefore, when applied to vineyards, some individuals believe that cosmic influences (like the moon) can alter the growth and quality of grapes, leading to better wines.
Sustainable Soil Management: In biodynamic farming, soil is a valuable part of the system (organism). In grapevines, healthy soil is as important as its terroir. Therefore, biodynamic compositing and solid building techniques contribute to the long-term sustainability of the vineyard.
Minimal Interventions: Biodynamic farming takes a farm as a whole organism able to heal itself, requiring minimal intervention. In biodynamic winemakers, these minimal interventions allow grapes to express their true character.
Conclusion
Rudolf Steiner’s work has been labelled as pseudo-science and esoteric by many scholars who argue that it yields the same results as organic farming. However, the truth is that he left an undeniable mark in the cluster of organic agriculture empowered by spirituality and philosophy.
Next time you enjoy a glass of wine, remember I could be biodynamically farmed. Take a second and appreciate Rudolf Steiner’s wisdom and remarkable concepts of biodynamic farming.
Want to read more? Try these books!
References
- Barnes, H. (2015). Rudolf Steiner & the History of Waldorf Education – Association of Waldorf Schools of North America. Waldorfeducation.org. https://www.waldorfeducation.org/waldorf-education/rudolf-steiner-the-history-of-waldorf-education
- Biodynamic Association. (n.d.). The Farm Individuality | Biodynamic Association. Www.biodynamics.com. Retrieved 21 January, 2023, from https://www.biodynamics.com/farm-individuality
- Biodynamic Association. (2012). Biodynamic Principles and Practices | Biodynamic Association. Biodynamics.com. https://www.biodynamics.com/biodynamic-principles-and-practices
- Biodynamic Association. (2019). Who Was Rudolf Steiner? | Biodynamic Association. Biodynamics.com. https://www.biodynamics.com/steiner.html
- Denig, V. (2017, April 6). Biodynamic Wine, Explained. Vine Pair; Vine Pair. https://vinepair.com/articles/biodynamic-wine-explained/
- Idai Nature. (2020, 3 December). What is Biodynamic Farming? – Idai Nature, lieders en Biocontrol Agricola. Idai Nature, Líderes En Biocontrol Agrícola. https://www.idainature.com/en/news/agricultural-news/what-is-biodynamic-farming/
- Masotti, P., Zattera, A., Malagoli, M., & Paolo Bogoni. (2022). Environmental Impacts of Organic and Biodynamic Wine Produced in Northeast Italy. Sustainability, 14(10), 6281–6281. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106281
- Rudolf Steiner | Anthroposophy, Education, Philosophy | Britannica. (2023). In Encyclopædia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rudolf-Steiner
- Silović, V. (2023, August 10). A Guide to Biodynamic Wine: Everything You Need to Know. Wine & More; A Guide to Biodynamic Wine: Everything You Need to Know. https://www.wineandmore.com/stories/guide-to-biodynamic-wine/
- What Is Biodynamic Wine? (n.d.). Patagonia Provisions. Retrieved 2 October, 2023, from https://www.patagoniaprovisions.com/blogs/learn/what-is-biodynamic-wine
