The Biodynamic Farm: Agriculture in Service of the Earth and HumanityBankrupt farmers, erosion of topsoil, and poor food quality owing to pesticides, hormones, and other additives--these are the well-known realities of the modern crisis in farming. This problem is the outcome of the limited vision of conventional methods and a system that focuses exclusively on quick results and profits. The need for changes is clear, and Koepf provides a vast array of research data and results, as well as many helpful details on animal feeding, crop rotation, diseases, pests, and fertilizing. He shows that the biodynamic method of farming and gardening is the alternative that can turn farming around. Biodynamics is "the oldest alternative agricultural movement in the world." It is based on the concept of the whole farm as a single organism. Its goals are to protect and nurture the soil, improve the quality of food, and organically integrate the farm into the environment as a whole. This is an essential reference for all farmers who are unsatisfied with conventional methods and for gardeners who wish to improve the quality of life around them as well as the food they serve their families. |
Contents
The Farm | |
The Fertile Land | |
Manures and Composts | |
Crop Production | |
Animal Feeding for Production and Health | |
Nutritional Quality and the Consumer | |
Biodynamic Farming and Society | |
References | |
Addresses of Biodynamic Associations | |
Other editions - View all
The Biodynamic Farm: Agriculture in Service of the Earth and Humanity Herbert H. Koepf No preview available - 2005 |
Common terms and phrases
4X V.P. Liquid 7X V.P. Powder acres agriculture alfalfa applied areas barley Biodynamic Agriculture biodynamic associations biodynamic farms biodynamic gardeners biodynamic method biodynamic preparations biological carrots catch crops cattle cereal chemical clover Coffea Coffea praep compost conventional farms corn crop rotation cultivars cycle dairy Demeter Demeter Associations diseases ecological economic effects environmental erosion experiment farmers Farming and Gardening feed feedstuffs field forage fruit Germany grain grass grazing green manure growing growth hayfields human humus husbandry important increased influence Järna Koepf land legumes livestock materials milk mineral nature nitrate nitrogen nutrients oats organic farms pastures pests Pfeiffer phosphorus pile plant potatoes practices preparations 500 problems processes production protein quantities ration rhythms ripening Rudolf Steiner seed slurry soil fertility soil organic matter soil structure sprayed straw substances sustainable teaspoon temperature topsoil treatment vegetables weeds wheat winter yields