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The Biodynamic Preparations in Context: Individual Approaches to Preparation Work - Case Studies of Worldwide Practice

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The biodynamic preparations in context: Individual approaches to preparation work - Case studies of worldwide practice - Dr. Ambra Sedlmayr, Anke van Leewen, Johanna Schönfelder, Dr. Maja Kolar, Dr. Reto Ingold, Ueli Hurter Research Team: Dr. Ambra Sedlmayr, Anke van Leewen, Johanna Schönfelder, Dr. Maja Kolar Consultant: Dr. Reto Ingold Project leader: Ueli Hurter Peer-review: Dr. Petra Derkzen Translations and proofreading: Bernard Jarman Published in August 2016. Sponsored by: Free donations to the Section for Agriculture Stiftung Software AG Verein zur Förderung Anthroposophischer Institutionen Demeter International e.V. CULTURA GmbH Private individuals Sektion für Landwirtschaft am Goetheanum Hügelweg 59 CH-4143 Dornach Tel: +41 (0)61 706 4211 Fax: +41 (0)61 706 4215 www.sektion-landwirtschaft.org II Dedicated to Devon Strong, preparation maker from California, who took part in the present study and who crossed the threshold in November 2015. III Acknowledgments We would like to offer our warm and heartfelt thanks to all the preparation makers, their groups and the families who have received the researchers and shared their knowledge and experiences of the biodynamic preparations with them and the readers of this publication. Thanks too to the many individuals in the various biodynamic associations who have provided contacts and support for various aspects of this research. This research has been closely supported and overseen by the IBDC (International Biodynamic Council) in its capacity as the steering committee. Benno Otter and Dr. Uli Johannes König have offered their time and participated in pilot case studies to develop a consistent research methodology. David Steiger, Simon Brinkrolf, Dr. Uli Johannes König, Beatrice Hurni and others have taken on tasks in various 'emergency' situations. Therese Jung from the Section for Agriculture has managed the project backstage and navigated her way through an excessive work load due to the occupation of her colleagues with this project. The co- leaders of the Section for Agriculture, Jean-Michel Florin and Thomas Lüthi provided feedback to the project as milestones were achieved. Dr. Petra Derkzen agreed to peer-review and scrutinise the present report and help us reduce mistakes and increase clarity before publication. Bernard Jarman has made translations and polished the English language of this report. This study would not have been possible without financial support from a number of individuals and organisations. A grant given by Software AG Stiftung enabled us to start the project and plan the worldwide data collection. Demeter International, the Verein zur Förderung Anthroposophischer Institutionen, CULTURA GmbH and Christopher Mann made significant contributions to support the work. Any remaining costs, not covered by the main project related donations, were covered by free donations to the General Anthroposophical Society and the Section for Agriculture. We naturally take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation that may appear in the text. IV Table of contents 1 Introduction 1 2 Methodology 6 3 Andreas Würsch and the preparation making group in central Switzerland 16 4 Christoph Willer: Preparation expert on a large farm in Germany 35 5 Regional preparation making groups – The Niederrhein Preparation Group, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany 50 6 Antoine Fernex and the preparation making group based on Truttenhausen Farm in Alsace, France 61 7 Harald and Sonja Speer – Working with the preparations on a small mixed farm in Sweden 74 8 The preparation group of Zeeland in the Netherlands: Sharing the journey of engaging with the biodynamic preparations 84 9 Practical work in the centre of understanding and making preparations – Carlo Noro, Italy 95 10 Angela Hofmann and preparation work in the desert at Sekem, Egypt 106 11 Andrea D'Angelo and preparation making by the biodynamic consultants of Bairro Demetria in Botucatu, Brazil 120 12 João Volkmann – Biodynamic Preparations – the Foundation for an “Agriculture of Trust”, Brazil 135 13 Devon Strong: Preparation practice adapted to North America 151 14 Chris Hull and the Hohepa community – producers of preparations for the Biodynamic Association of New Zealand 163 15 Colin Ross and Wendy Tillman: The art of producing biodynamic wine using the biodynamic preparations at the Seresin Estate, New Zealand 175 16 Binita Shah –Working towards the adoption of biodynamic agriculture by small farmers in India 197 17 Comparing and contrasting the case study evidence – discussion and summary of findings 212 18 Epilogue 247 19 References 248 20 Indexes 251 Appendix 255 V 1 Introduction Ueli Hurter How this project came about The preparations form a core part of the biodynamic approach to agriculture that was founded during the Agriculture Course (Steiner, 2005). It is, therefore, necessary for the biodynamic movement to periodically take up this theme and address the issues that emerge. In doing so both 'internal' aspects (issues arising within the biodynamic community) and 'external' questions need to be considered. The most recent focus on the preparations came from outside the movement as a result of the BSE crisis and the public health regulation that was introduced in response to it in 2001 and which effectively prohibited the preparations throughout the European Union (EU). A great deal of effort was then needed – including the setting up of a dedicated office in Brussels – in order to re-establish some form of legal basis for them within the EU. The current need to consider the preparations has its origin within the biodynamic movement itself. During the three years leading up to this study, various issues have arisen in connection with the preparations. In its certification work, Demeter International (DI) has found itself having to decide which preparations comply with the standards and which do not. In other words, some standardisation is being asked for. A less visible but very real question arises in connection with the increasing number of producers growing specialist crops and especially wine. As new groups of people begin working with them and public awareness grows thanks to media interest in new wine trends, the spot-light shifts to the preparations and as it does so a large market for the specialist production of preparations begins to open up. A third aspect concerns the different schools of thought regarding the preparations and the tendency among their very dedicated representatives of emphasising their differences rather than what they have in common. The International Biodynamic Council (IBDC) was asked to give a clearer definition of biodynamic preparations and the way they are made. The question was: If limitations need to be set (in terms of guidelines) what aspects should be considered? Who should decide what is right or wrong? Is the creation of standards the best way of achieving a) greater clarity in the production and application of the preparations and b) strengthening the work with preparations? Could there be other social techniques for achieving this goal by for example providing information on 'best practice' (such as with handbooks) or mandatory training? The Section for Agriculture takes the view that defining the preparations in terms of standards is of questionable value – freedom is required to work creatively with the biodynamic impulse. The question from the point of view of the Section for Agriculture is therefore not about standards but rather: How can we best focus on the unsolved mysteries of the preparations so that instead of taking hasty decisions, a space is created where involved discussions can take place and a mood of genuine research is encouraged within the biodynamic movement? It is the particular task of the IBDC to address the diversity, areas of tension and questions living in the biodynamic movement. It is manifestly clear that while the strength of the Demeter trademark is due to the clear standards that have been set, the investigative spirit living in the biodynamic movement also needs to be cared for and developed. This reflects the twin objectives so typical of biodynamic agriculture, of engaging in production while simultaneously searching for new ways forward. That is why the Section for Agriculture was encouraged by the IBDC to take up the theme of the preparations on behalf of the whole movement, exploring current questions in an exemplary way and provide deeper insights. 1 The unique qualities of the preparations The preparations have several special qualities. One of them is that their existence depends entirely on their being made and applied. The reason for this is already laid down in the Agriculture Course (Steiner, 2005). Following the grandiose cosmic-terrestrial imaginations given in the first and second lectures and the delicate substance lore offered in the third, we are introduced in the second half of the fourth and in the fifth lecture, to the preparations in terms of how to make and use them. The spiritual and scientific explanations that introduce them are hardly developed. This gives the impression that Steiner wanted to inspire each person to take responsibility for and find their own connection to the preparations. Statements made by Rudolf Steiner around the time of the course (for instance during an address given to young people in Breslau, June 1924) confirm this. They serve to explain why a purely intellectual understanding of the preparations is to be avoided. It is in the nature of the preparations that they can only become a reality once they have been made – the preparations can only be spoken and thought about by those who have actually made them. Or, stated more boldly: Only those who make the preparations can know what they are. This personal practice requires skill, willingness to act and a feeling for the preparations. It leads to a certain qualitative approach to the preparations. The inner and the outer practical aspects inter-penetrate one another more intensively than they do in the case of other work on the farm. It is not easy to work with this on both the personal level, in the movement or with the wider public.
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