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Brief History of the Australian DEMETER Bio-Dynamic Method |
The Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Method developed
from advice and instruction given from 1922 to 1925, by the scientist
and philosopher, Rudolf Steiner. In 1924 Steiner gave a series of
lectures, addressing the situation of Agriculture in direct response to
requests on how to reverse the problems of loss of vitality in crops -
which had became noticeable since the introduction of chemical
fertilisers. These series of lectures later became known as the
"Agricultural Course".
The first group of landholders and scientists inspired by Rudolf
Steiner decided to name the arising Agriculture the "Bio-Dynamic
Method". The term derives from two Greek words "bios" (life) and
"dynamis" (energizing or motive force). The use of the word "method"
indicates that one is not dealing merely with another "organic input
system", but rather that certain principles are involved which in their
practical application secure healthy soil and plants, which in turn
produce nutritious food for animals and man.
The task of developing the details for practical application of
Steiner's indications was entrusted to a number of his co-workers. The
foremost of these were Lily Kolisko and Ehrenfried Pfeiffer.
Lily Kolisko was able to scientifically verify that substances present
in only the minutest quantities (dilutions to the 100Billion's) could
indeed produce both positive and negative effects on plants and
animals. This was in the period of 1924 to about 1930, before the value
of trace elements, or "discovery" of vitamins had occurred. Of course
since then modern agriculture not only recognises the importance of
these, but also includes in its growing list, substances such as
hormones, enzymes, amino acids, humic acids and many other substance
required in minutest amounts to act as bio-catalysts.
Ehrenfried Pfeiffer dedicated himself to refining the method of
production of the Bio-Dynamic preparations (specially prepared herb,
mineral and manure substances applied to compost, soil and plants); and
to establishing the quantities and rates of application of these
substances. He was also a leading bacteriologist and at the forefront
of the then emerging new science of nutrition. Steiner had already
drawn Pfeiffer's attention to the important role of the "finer
elements" (now called trace elements), in connection with health and
proper physiological functioning. Pfeiffer did numerous trials and
experiments to understand and show the effects of biocatalysts; trace
elements, enzymes, growth hormones and "other transmitters of energy
reactions". Pfeiffer attributed part of the effectiveness of the
Bio-Dynamic preparations to their biocatalyst activity.
Steiner was adamant that the new Agricultural Method should become as
widely practiced as possible in order to heal the Earth and improve the
nutritive quality of its produce. This need was openly discussed with
Peiffer, who later expressed frustration that the method was being
restricted to members of the Anthroposophic Society. (This was in part
due to the fact that the discussions/indications given in the
Agricultural Course presupposed a former knowledge of Steiner's
Anthroposophic teachings.)
A huge breakthrough came when Alex Podolinsky took up Steiner's
challenge of making the method available to "all farmers". Applying and
refining the method on his own farm, and then by working closely with
professional farmers from a multitude of enterprises since the early
1950's, Podolinsky was able to bring the indications of Steiner's down
to a more practical level. He supported his very keen observations with
a clear and conscious methodicity of explanation and understanding. He
was the first to recognise that plants have two types of root systems (more); one for the uptake of
water which supports the transpiration process; and much finer white
"hair roots" which are the feeder roots. Under both natural, and
correctly managed bio-dynamic systems, these two processes occur
independently of each other. With artifically fertilised, or even
organically fertilised systems, the feeder root system is often impared
or even destroyed. Due to Podolinsky's life long dedication to the
Bio-Dynamic Method, he has been at the forefront of providing farmers
world wide with a sustainable, health imbibing alternative Agricultural
method.
Many Australian, as well as European and other country, farmers have
embraced this practical application of the Bio-Dynamic Method, which,
if correctly applied, does not rely on large, or even any, amounts of
off farm inputs. The results of their efforts are clearly visible in
the humus formation and soil re-structuring that occurs on their farms,
often in a very short space of time. |
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