Episode: Eight
Date: 26th April 2008
Presenter: Phil Dudman
Story Title: Biodynamics 

As we all know what you put in is what you get out and this is exactly the same principle that applies to organic gardening. Organic gardening is all about unlocking the natural goodness already found in soils and plants without using chemicals or pesticides. Garden Guru, Phil Dudman visits a biodynamic farm and discovers a special organic formula called ‘Preparation 500’ which is working wonders in producing top quality fruit.

Featured Product- Aracaria Biodynamic Farm
Aracaria comprises 22 acres near Mullumbimby in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia. The climate is mild and sub-tropical. Rainfall averages around 2 meters (78 inches) per annum. The area is lush and fertile, being part of the Mount Warning volcanic system. We have ocean glimpses to the east, an impressive escarpment to the north and the cone of Mount Chincogan to the north-east.

History
The Northern Rivers area was once dense rain forest. European settlement resulted in clearing and logging. It is said that the Suez Canal was built with Mullumbimby timber. With banana plantations, beef and dairy farming followed. Originally Aracaria was part of a large farm that was divided into smaller holdings. Biodynamic principles were introduced in the early 90s. Pecan, mango and lemon myrtle orchards were established. The land changed hands in 2002 and became Aracaria in November, 2002. The continuous application of BD preparations for over 10 years makes Aracaria precious and rare.

The Vision
It is clear that commercial agriculture using artificial fertilizers, herbicides etc is ultimately unsustainable as it will inevitable deplete the soil and is poisoning the planet. Organic methods are important steps in the right direction. Biodynamic practice goes further again by working with the earthly and cosmic energies that bring vitality and health to soil and plants, going beyond sustainability to a bigger vision of providing the nutrition and forces for the continual evolution of Earth and humanity. It is our intention to grow the land into a living, shared artwork that vitally demonstrates the biodynamic principles of life-force and harmony between soil, plants, animals and humans and indeed the whole universe! Aracaria is a 20 year project.

Six Biodynamic Fundamental Points
1. The word biodynamics combines two aspects of growing: ‘bio’ which refers to bringing life into matter (i.e. as in all physical organisms including plants, animals, humans and even the Earth herself) and ‘dynamics’ that suggest the rhythmical movements all life is subject to (e.g. the seasons) and which have their correlations to planetary rhythms.
2. The farmer / gardener is the creative balancing and harmonizing agent that brings these forces together to let plants express themselves to their fullest potential of taste, beauty, fragrance and nutrition.
3. Biodynamics aims to be proactive in creating and evolving a healthy biosphere that vitalizes all life in soil and atmosphere.
4. The biodynamic approach works with nature in its totality. This includes consideration of cosmic (e.g. Sun and Stars) and earthly forces.
5. The goal of biodynamics is to produce food that fully nourishes the human potential, body, soul and spirit.
6. Behind all matter and forces, i.e. everything, is the activity of spirit.

Who Invented ‘Biodynamics’?
Biodynamics is based on the work of the Austrian philosopher and visionary Rudolf Steiner. He outlined his ideas in eight lectures (1924). The lectures are recorded in the book 'Agriculture'. Steiner explained that the health of plants, soil and animals depends on us becoming conscious of the relationship and interplay of subtle forces between the Earth and its forces (including gravity) and the more distant cosmic peripheral forces (including levity). He gave practical instructions on how to treat the atmosphere, soil, manure and compost, how to make special biodynamic fertilizing preparations and generally harness the natural forces that are neglected in the modern approach to agriculture. The biodynamic approach to agriculture is now practiced in many countries of the world.

What Are Biodynamic Preperations?
There are 9 biodynamic preparations (500 - 508) that are either applied to the soil or compost. Each plays a specific role and helps to connect Earth and Cosmic life forces. Preparation plants include, Yarrow, Chamomile, Dandelion, Nettle, Valerian, Equisetum, Oak Bark, Ground Quartz and Cow Manure. They are processed, buried and lifted in harmony with Nature rhythms and applied in small amounts. NB: They are not a substitute for good fertilizer but will set up preconditions for enhanced life processes.

Grown On Aracarcia
Biodynamic preparation plants, pecans, mangoes, lemon myrtle, persimmons, figs, asparagus, yams, potatoes, lemon grass, lotus flowers, turmeric, cardamon, ginger, citrus, rosella, vegetables, many herbs. Our gardens are constantly expanding.

Featured Product- ‘Preparation 500’
Steiner's Proposition:
Cow horns (in contrast to the antler's horns) retain formative astral-etheric forces and send them back into the digestive system. These forces are preserved and can be utilised in cow manure which is permeated with nitrogen-bearing forces and oxygen-bearing forces. Preserving these forces in a certain way and applying them has an enlivening and astralizing effect on the soil. In contrast to water soluble fertiliser which only effects the watery part of the soil, horn manure also impacts on the earthy, mineral component of the soil. Manure is stuffed into a cow horn and buried. In this way the a&e forces are preserved and because the horn is surrounded by the Earth, these forces are further enlivened.

How To Make 500 According To Steiner:
Take the manure, in whatever form available, and stuff it into cow horns and bury it in the ground (0.75m - 1.5m). The soil should not be too sandy or clayey. The horns are buried during the entire winter, the season when the Earth's forces are inwardly directed. 
At the end of winter, the horns are dug up and the manure is taken out. The slightly sweet smelling content contains immense a&e and life-giving forces. Diluted with water and thoroughly stirred in a certain spiral way for a certain period of time the manure is ready to be applied to the land.

Esotieric Comment:
The cow horn preparation preserved Sun forces that work through the planets nearer the Sun, causing germination, root development and plant growth. The spiral stirring is of significance as it echoes the rhythmic and spiralling nature of all life. Vortexing stirring in one direction echoes the 'Winter Sun' while the other direction relates to the 'Winter Sun'. 

Practical Farming Considerations:
Prep 500 takes on the characteristics of the soil in which it is buried. Its best to make the preparation on the land where it will be used with dung that has been collected from the farm itself. 

Quality of preparation: Can be checked by Chromatography. 
Smell, feel and look are also important. 
Dung must come from healthy animals feeding on a good mixture of grasses.
Collect dung on the same day the horns are filled.

Location of the burying pit: 
Find a well drained spot where BD preps have been applied for some time.
Pad the pit with mature BD compost. Fertile topsoil layer is best. Size of pit: 2 x 4m. In non-frost condition the pit does not need to be much deeper than 0.4m. 

Cow horns:
Medium sized horn sources as local as possible are best. (Jersey, Milking Shorthorn, Friesian), Mature cows are preferred to heifers. Do not use bullhorns.

Method:
Fill cow horns. Place them into pit with open ed down to ensure drainage. The horns should not ever be flooded with water. The pit should not ever become dry. Give each horn a bit of space. Back-fill the pit gently. Horns should not be in the ground for longer than six months. Check after four months.

What can go wrong:
Worm can eat up the cow dung. To discourage worms place a good quantity of raw compost on top of the pit. Keep the pit free of weeds and grasses so that no roots can grow into the horns.

Timing:
Best time to bury in Australia is April / May. Best time to dig up is September / October. Watch the soil and make sure it does not dry out.

Lifting:
The 500 should be slightly loose and have a sweet smell without any suggestion of cow dung smell. Sometimes there can be a white or pink fungus growth. This is of no concern. Store the 500 in glazed earthenware jars in a cool place. Lid should be loose fitting as the 500 needs to breathe. Well-stored 500 will last up to three years. 

How To Apply 500:
Use rain water. Run it over a flowform for a couple of hours. Avoid using plastic containers. Dissolve the 500 in the water. Stir with your hand or a stick. Create a good vortex that reaches right down to the bottom of your container. Once you build a good vortex, crash it by reversing the stirring direction. Change direction three times in a minute. After about 30 minutes the water changes to a more slippery nature and stirring becomes easier. Stir for about 60 minutes.

When and how often:
Twice a year; in spring and autumn. Moon phase: always apply in the descending moon phase. Time of the day: early autumn: about 4pm; late autumn: about 1pm. Early spring: 2pm; late spring: after 5pm. Light rain can help especially when the grass is long.

How much to use and how to distribute: 25g stirred into 13 litres of water will cover 1 acre. Apply no later than one hour after stirring. Use natural brush to spray while walking the land. 

Contact
Aracaria BioDynamic Farm
Address:
Iona Farm
82 Iona Road
Beerburrum QLD
Email: info@aracaria.com.au
stefan@aracaria.com.au
Phone:
Terry & Liz Little
0427 721 566