Biodynamics: The Courses

Farming is not just about technology and numbers. Its about abilities and capacities and judgement. Developing observation skills is a fundamental part of learning to diagnose health and illness and the first step towards finding the right "remedies" for problems on farm (in garden, orchard, vineyard, barn, cellar, etc.). In my courses, along with speaking, I draw pictures to instruct and inspire, explain and offer reflection. "My" farmers who come to my courses, not only take notes on technical issues (from building humus-composts to preventative and remedial crop spray programs), but also get a chance to paint, draw, model with clay, etc. as a part of increasing their capacity to observe and be sensitive to their natural environment - and make sound judgments. We regard such basics as the beginning of mastery. There is nothing like trying to paint something from memory, to increase our sense for needing to observe better and more carefully in the future! It all leads to more awareness and presence. 

Spraying the Preps!

Over the years, I have helped folks develop lighter, more agile spraying rigs of various kinds. Starting in the early 90's ATV's became an instrument of choice due to their light, flexible and efficient uses. Some rigs were built on site from old parts, others were custom built to fit street regulations. Pull behind and mounted rigs have been tried out and every farmer seems to have a favorite. Here are three models built in the last few years...(from top to bottom: wineries Feiler-Artinger, Austria; Manincor, Italy; Hirsch, Austria)

Between the Piles

Growing Vegetables between piles of compost is a wise approach to land use and contributes to a gentle care of what is often not-well-cared-for places.... (here on the lands of "Manincor" in northern Italy)

Building Humus-Compost Efficiently

Building humus-compost efficiently can take several forms - however, experience shows that layering manure and straw (as in this case) or simply greens (nitrogen heavy materials) and browns (carbon heavy materials), keeping everything "fluffy" (airy) and very wet produces maximum effect with zero or perhaps one turning of the piles... (here on the lands of "Manincor" winery in northern Italy). 

Biodynamics and Wine?

Biodynamics in viticulture is becoming better known. It is an important sub-set of biodynamics in general. It has been in the press, on websites and in blogs alot lately. This is wonderful, as we must be grateful in times like these for any and all improvements in quality consciousness. Yet, biodynamics, especially in viticulture is also becoming trendy. This may have good consequences and it may also bring a kind of superficiality, as trends tend to bring. In other words, many people are now, suddenly, interested in viticultural biodynamics. Growers, importers, consultants, store managers, etc. And, significantly also consumers, but only bit by bit. It has become, mostly within the industry, a buzz. A buzz can be a good thing, but can also lead to various and diverse results. What I would like to appeal to is professionalism and enthusiasm for the ideals, not just the glitz.And what are the ideals? Healing the earth, providing new levels of nutrition and helping people find a new relationship nature and healthy renewal through our products. Biodynamics is about working intimately with nature. It is about learning nature's language and being a fully awake, highly conscious participant in nature's processes- - and refining them to the degree possible and providing an increasingly unadulterated product. Last, but not least, biodynamics is about an ehtical, yes a spiritual approach to work, nature, products, customers, self. It is about bringing one's own authentic self into the work, into the products, to the customer. Its about ecological integrity. Its about authenticity. These are high ideals, yet worthy of serious, considered and intensive pursuit. The image above is from Weinberghof Fritsch in Austria. 

Building Humus

Building up humus requires more than mere composting, it requires a substantial transformation of what is decaying into a basis for new life - just as presenting a healthy, life-supporting meal, is more than just cooking up some foods and serving them. Developing humus is first of all a mental process of understanding what humus really is and its role in the household of nature. Humus is very much like the uterus of the earth. It is where nature's seeds go, where they are surrounded by highly concentrated nutrients and where they find just the right conditions for healthy growth. Nature supplies in various ways for the development of humus, naturally. In agriculture, we must take great care to protect and produce humus at very high quality levels. Through appropriate soil care, through green manuring and through humus-composting we are able to actually produce humus in the field. Additionally, certain sprays and soil ammendments can also further the development of quality humus - as can mulching in certain conditions. In the picture above, we see rows of well made, layered composts on the lands of Weingut Heinrich in Austria. 

In Need of Care!

This is what happens, when cultural soils (soils in agricultural use) are not tended to properly. This picture was taken just after a rain (summer 06) and enven though the soil is still damp, it is already cracking. Without humus, there is no cohesion in the soil. To return life to a particlar soil, humus must be built up again. Humus, is not just organic matter, but a complex aggregate of minerals, moisture, air and warmth, a fine composition of nutrients in delicate, but sophisticated bonds with a high level of moisture retention and nutrient availability. It is a funny thing, this humus. It is like an organ in the soil. It is what happens when in nature (or in a compost pile) just the right ingredients are cooked and instead of all decaying into mere salts (minerals), water and organic matter, a re-combination of elements occurs and humus results. It is the end product of a process of death, decay and rebirth. Mixed, temperate forests know how to do this the best of all ecosytems, with a steady build up of humus over the years. We can learn from this in viticulture!