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 recognizes 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.
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