Organic vs ‘biodynamic’ farming: What’s the difference?

Biodynamic Farm Internship Finca Luna Nueva
Image credit: Antonio Marxuach/Travel Word

These days biodynamic agriculture is often assumed to be a standard of excellence in agriculture or viticulture, although it widely misunderstood by the general public, who presume it to be a category of organic farming. However, while the aims may be similar, the differences on a theoretical level are fundamental, and surprising to say the least!

Biodynamics, derived from anthroposophy, is a kind of occultism, supposed to harness “cosmic” and “terrestrial” forces that can be activated or controlled by herbal preparations, and which are meant to have an impact on the composition of the soil and soil organisms.

These “forces” supposedly can influence biological matter based on the constellations or the movements of the planets, according to theories similar to those of astrology.  Another central tenet of biodynamics is the concept of the “unity of the farm organism”, which includes humans, wild and domesticated animals, soil, plants, agricultural practices, and the effects of nature, all working towards some kind of total “autonomy.”

This is a long way from classic organic farming which has nothing esoteric about it but relies on ideas about agriculture which are scientifically validated and reproducible.

Read full, original post: Biodynamics; a very strange concept.

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