Farm individuality is an important principle in biodynamic food growing. Individuality can also be applied in urban food growing spaces of any scale, but there are some changes needed in how to work with individuality, some new perspectives.
I had the pleasure of running a workshop recently at the global centre for biodynamics in Dornach Switzerland at the Goetheanum. It was the 2018 international biodynamic conference. The workshop I ran was focused on working with biodynamic preparations in the urban food growing context. Farm individuality was discussed and a number of the perspectives described below evolved from our conversations.
Background of farm individuality
Rudolf Steiner, the founder of biodynamic agriculture, first raised the term “farm individuality” in his Agriculture lectures in 1924. He discussed the “farm organism”, expressing how: mineral, plant, animals, human beings, land history, climate and connection to cosmic cycles are all part of a system. If brought together in a dynamic way, they interact positively to express the farm’s unique potential or “farm individuality.”
Biodynamic farmers work towards balancing the soil and creating a farm individuality that is a self-sustaining whole, where fertility and feed come from within the farm rather than from outside. This closed loop system incorporates an ideal balance of animals and plant life, creating environmental and economic benefits.
For chemical farmers, its obvious they do not have a closed loop system. For organic farmers, seeking high levels of productivity, having the right balance of animals to recycle organic matter into crops is often challenging. For biodynamic farmers, the biodynamic preparations are a potent help, but challenges remain. Farm individuality is a concept designed for farmers to strive towards.
Benefits of using farm individuality
Farm or garden individuality for urban food growers – new perspectives
For urban farmers and gardeners, the challenge with inputs and resources on site is amplified, especially with animals and their manure being recycled into the soil. What are the new perspectives?
The last point above is the most important one. Attitude is everything in life. What is more personal, more reflective of your individual character than how you are when you work in the garden?
Come along to one of our Workshops or talk to us about our Coaching service. I suspect that you will feel what farm individuality means from an urban perspective when you experience our gardens!
Happy Gardening
Authored by Peter Kearney – My Food Garden.
Have you ever had visions of an abundant vegetable garden full of delicious produce that…
Sunshine and warm weather in Queensland are ideal for growing a colourful garden. But what…
Homegrown food finds its haven under the effect of a sunny climate and fertile soil.…
Brisbane is blessed with a subtropical climate where the long and productive growing season evokes…
Brisbane enjoys its unique subtropical climate. The extended growing season of Brisbane compared to the…
Science and technology have advanced and Brisbane's citizens have begun to understand how important organic…