John Mcdogoode

Dale Hodgins wrote:I prefer natural farming or sustainable farming. Many practices that are quite old, are harmful to the land and food. Agriculture did plenty of harm to the natural world before the advent of chemical farming.

Masanobu Fukuoka has brought us Natural Farming.

Personally, I prefer "real food" That can encompass biodynamic, organic, or natural

Of course with organic standards collapsing and biodynamic so undefined still (with so many branches and means of teaching, demeter has already shown a significant fall from Stiener's original lectures. Dont get me wrong biodynamics was meant to grow and be innovated from, but not in the black and white demeter is doing. Balance is the key and I feel others are teaching biodynamics in a more wholesome manner.)

As for a universal title or label.. I use chemical or conventional for the poisonous foods and agriculture. While sticking to real food for other methods as mentioned. Eventually I wont be buying organic as the standards are already collapsing.

I just wanna know when can we buy the DVD set haha.

I would have to find a book or online source to explain in detail, but basically biodynamic planting uses a schedule based of celestial bodies' influence on Earth and it's plants, animals, and subtle energy. For example, the moon and each planet embody different energies, much like astrology does. Certain planets embody different energy which effects plants differently based off which part of the plant is desired to be worked with. Biodynamic agriculture relies heavily on intent to work properly, as do most things in this existence/reality/dimension/planet. Maria Thun did extensive work on a planting calendar and the effects for decades in Europe. If you want to plant broccoli for example the florets are consumed typically, being the flower part of the plant, days under the influence of energy benefiting flower crops, fire I believe. Carrots, onions, and potatoes would be examples of root crops, earth energy, and are typically harvested in the afternoon or evening when energy is flowing downward. Conversely, leaf crops such as lettuce, greens, cauliflower (as this thread mentioned), are worked with on leaf days, water energy (planets/influences). However, leaf crops should be harvested on root or fruit days due to the watery, wet influences of leaf days causing molds, etc (cabbages harvest on flower days). Stella Natura is a company that produces annual calendars for biodynamic farmers, their website has much more in depth information on these concepts. I have just a few notes I jotted down from Secrets of the Soil pertaining to such celestial guidance in stewardship.. full moons enhance germination, optimally right before the full moon. Abosrption and metabolism are at peak during full moon, so harvesting crops around this time is bad if they are meant for long storage. Crops meant to be above ground, ie any but root, it is best to sow on a waxing moon. Root crops are sown as the moon wanes. A descending or running high to low moon is best for downward growth such as transplant, pruning plants, or taking cuttings. Conversely ascending moons are good for germination as the energy and growth is flowing upwards. All these are recommendations and by no means a law or rule, more so suggestions made by Steiner and observed through trial and error by Maria Thun to harmonious with larger than typical humans think, celestial, and cosmic forces or energies. Hope this helped!

May be a thread somewhere dedicated ot this, but I was wondering what the benefits of using biochar are? I have seen the practice used the world over in videos and movies, but havent been sure of what happens biologically and energetically for the soil. I am a biodynamic farmer, incorporating permaculture techniques into my developing practices of Natural Farming. Sounds like soil structure is helped significantly through water retention and possibly nutrients are made available via the char or microbes activating life in the soil when the char hits, allowing assimilation of nutrients (in a burned forest type manner). Any of you experienced souls have any general gists of what such a farmer as myself could learn from biochar and its use?

I am learning about beekeeping from a local Biodynamic beekeeper and we have had multiple discussions on Sun Hives. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with them. I plan on having multiple hives, at least one a Warre while the others Sun Hives. My intentions are to give the bees a sanctuary and place to swarm naturally year after year, while collecting very little honey (in comparison to a typical amount harvested). Growing the grains, crafting the hives, and giving the bees a spherical home seems immensely rewarding to the soul and greater harmony. I have been deeply influenced by the book The Shamanic Way of the Bee and the referenced teachings of the Path of Pollen, and hope to carry on such sacred practices for the sake of the bees. Just wondering if there were any folks using such techniques here, specifically the Sun Hive.

http://www.naturalbeekeepingtrust.org/sun-hive-biodynamic-initiative-0

Dorothy Elizabeth Werenfrid wrote:Which days have you found best for producing Cauliflower and Broccoli types? Leaf or Flower?

Secrets of the Soil mentioned planting broccoli on flower days while cauliflower is planted on leaf days.

The book is life changing. Nothing short of it, as long as your perspective is ready to expanded and you are ready to grow spiritually.

Some call it witchcraft, non scientifically supported data, etc, etc.. to them, I say put the book down and come back when ready. It took me three years to finish the book because the information was assimilated when I was ready to grow as an individual and accept the greater knowledge presented within the covers.

From sonic bloom, azomite, even potenizing water, and using dowsing for the gift it is to humanity. Cosmic pipes/ fiedl broadcasters are the only branch of concepts presented I havent been able to enact. Hugh Lovel has been less than supported or helpful in achieving a higher level of stewardship. Luckily, like most scientific 'developments' there is more harm and complication to be brought forth from such. Dowsing and communing with the Nature spirits is much simpler and effective it seems.

Please don't discount or discredit this book until you have completed it fully. The knowledge is invaluable to moving our existence into a peaceful and harmonious one, away from our current struggling ignorance, in the shadow of the Church of Progression.

Also, to discredit the formative forces described, Hunza civilization, even Maria Thun's extensive work is a costly mistake to any who wish to steward harmoniously. We can learn so much from our past if we only accept we are not the best we have ever been.

This book helps us to remember our past experiences and successes, even if these memories are thousands of years old.