Principles Of Organic Agriculture PDF

Principles of Organic Agriculture Hamsa Khaled Sec3  What is biodynamic? Biodynamic farming is a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming that initially developed by Rudolf Steiner. focuses on reinforcing the interaction between soil, plants,...

Principles of Organic Agriculture Hamsa Khaled Sec3  What is biodynamic? Biodynamic farming is a holistic, ecological and ethical approach to farming that initially developed by Rudolf Steiner. focuses on reinforcing the interaction between soil, plants, animals, and humans. In this way, the farm becomes a unique living organism in which each part nurtures the other. STIRRING AND SPRAYING THE HORN MANURE AND HORN SILICA PREPARATIONS Six BD preparations  1. Achillea (Yarrow) BD prep. made from the tiny heads of yarrow flowers ,which are packed into a stag’s bladder in early summer. The bladder is hung above head height in the sun for the summer. In autumn the bladder is taken down and buried in fertile soil where it Remains for the winter, before being removed the following spring.  Why yarrow & bladder? The yarrow plant is related to Venus, and therefore connects with light energies. It is very high in sulphur, K ,recycling urea into protein which stimulates the soil, allowing energies to flow. A stag’s bladder is used because of the function of the bladder within the animal, used for its detoxing and cleaning ability.  2. chamomile Made from German Chamomile. The preparation should be made in the autumn, by placing the dried flowers in the intestine of a cow. The best time to collect the flowers of the Chamomile is early summer and early in the morning. Only collect young flowers. Start with a 30-40cm length piece, knotted at one end and use a large funnel to squeeze flowers in before knotting the other end with a piece of sting.  Why chamomile? Human beings have long since used Chamomile to aid digestion and relax the soul. It was also used to preserve meat before the advent of refrigeration. In biodynamic farming, Chamomile reduces ammonia in the soil, breaks down organic matter to stabilize nitrogen and increases calcium to create a rich stable humus that increases the health of the soil.  3. Sting Nettle The preparation is made in the autumn. The dried nettles should be compacted into 10- 15cm diameter clay pots that are placed head- to-head into fertile soil. The preparation needs to be left for a year so ensure the site is well marked. Over the next 12 months, the nettles will transform leaving dark colloidal humus.  Why sting nettle? BD504 has enormous healing potential. Working in related to Mars, plays a huge role in resolving soils with an imbalance of iron, magnesium and sulphur.  4. Oak bark This preparation is made by filling a domestic animal’s skull (Cow, sheep or goat) with finely ground oak bark, buried in a watery environment in Autumn. The preparation will be lifted in Spring and then go through a final aerobic process.  Why Oak & Skull? There is approximately 3-5% calcium in oak bark and it is natural plant-based “living” calcium. A skull is used as it is a link to the sensory or nervous system, which relates to intelligence. BD505 preparation is designed to regulate and balance calcium levels, and the skull is a vessel made from calcium-rich bone.  5. Taraxacum The dry flowers should then beplaced in a cow’s mesentery – this is the sheath or “skin” that supports and contains the animal’s organs. The mesentery filled with flowers is then folded like a parcel and sewn tightly together, then buried in autumn.  Why Taraxacum? Dandelions have a huge influence on enabling plant and soil life to access Silica. it is vital for improving cell structure and strength allowing plant sap to flow smoothly.  6. Valerian Unlike many other biodynamic preparations, the flowers are not dried but milled in a pestle and mortar. The crushed flowers are then mixed with water and placed in a glass jar in light.  Why valerian? The Valerian plant has a relationship with light and warmth and brings these properties into the natural system. It stimulates microlife to make phosphorous available. It is related to Saturn. Cow Pad Pit (CPP)  CPP promotes the break-down of organic matter to humus in soil, compost and manure and it promotes soil life, improves soil structure and water retention. It is made by mixing 60kg cow manure with 200g crushed egg shell and 300g basalt dust, which is then fermented with biodynamic preparations (502-507) for a three to four months in a pit lined with bricks.  There are some important criteria for the selection of the pit:  The soil should be well aerated.  The site should be shaded.  When choosing a place, make sure that the pit is not in the root area of trees or shrubs, as roots can grow over long distances into the pit and the manure. The dimensions for a pit are 90 x 60 x 30 cm.