Biodynamics at Porter Bass Vineyard
BIODYNAMICS
ON THE PATH OF BIODYNAMICS "Biodynamics has become the hot insider topic in the wine world these last few years. Although over 80 years old as a method of farming, biodynamics has recently been "re-discovered" and taken to heart, as many producers in the old world and the new are converting to these methods and finding substancial success. So whats the story? The sensationalistic story is that way-out methods are being used, without science or technology and incredible results are being achieved. The truth is that biodynamics is a serious, ecological and ethical approach to modern farming. It is also a sophistocated path of learning about nature and farming. Three reminders mark the begining of a serious study of biodynamics: (1) it reminds us that common sense, keen observation , patience and wisdom that comes from hard work is the basis for success in every imaginable way; (2) it reminds us that mastery lies in details ; and (3) it reminds us that if we are honest , no matter how much we know, there is still much to learn. With this in mind, biodynamics becomes a path of learning: learning about nature, about how nature functions ecologically , about how nature is more than just a machine. In fact, in biodynamics, we see nature as fully alive. We see the earth as a complex, but unified living organism, with many interdependent physiological systems, functions, and rhythms. we also see our ecological region this way, as well as, importantly, our own farms. Each farm is unique, with its own biography , soils, weather, working methods and so on. We go as far as seeing our farms as having their own identity, their own soul and spirit. Significantly, this attitude offers us a heightened respect and awareness about and for our farms, builds the foundation for a more detailed and sensitive approach to farming. We treat each farm as a living being and work to diagnose health and illness, productivity and capacity. Biodynamics becomes in this fashion a kind of medical approach to agriculture. We seek to build completely healthy and sustainablly productive farms. Thus we start with an understanding of what is ecologically healthy, what is ecologically possible in a particular place and how to coax health and productivity from the land. Our methods are all designed to strengthen and heighten the natural health and productivity , the natural immune functions in nature and the overall productive capacity of our farms with highest quality of food and beverage products as our specific goal. We start with building healthy, humus rich soils. We focus on supporting plant health through a healthy, balanced diet. And, when necessary, we use a mix of various kinds of remedies, mostly homeopathic remedies, to balance out imbalances in soil and plant. Some of our methods and "medicines" have become famous, like our preparation 500, which is also often cited as one of the more "sensationalistic" methods we use. However, it is nothing more than a concentrated humus, that we produce to stimulate growth. What is significant, however, is that in biodynamics we begin to understand how health, illness, and remedies for illness are all interconnected and that nature also offers us support in leading healthy , productive lives. "Answers" are to be found directly in nature. This is a basic attitude and experience in biodynamics. Rudolf Steiner, who inaugurated biodynamics, back in 1924, was interested in expanding our awareness and supporting our capacity to seek answers in nature and through our own ingenuity. His philosophy takes time and effort to understand, but the results have been extremely promising and the path enjoyable. Biodynamics is by no means an alternative to conventional farming in this sense, but a true expansion and extension of our understanding and experience. We need to understand the basics of plant growth, of soil science, of physiology and so on. With biodynamics, however, we apply this knowledge in such a way as to seek long-term sustainability through a more gentle and health conscious fashion." Andrew Lorand, PHD Biodynamic Consultant drlorand@yahoo.com Some links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lorand http://attra.org/attra-pub/biodynamic.html http://oregonbd.org/ http://www.biodynamics.net.au/ http://www.biodynamics.org.uk/ http://wwwbiodynamics.com
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PORTER-BASS is not affiliated with BASS ALE
