Biodynamics

The Association's Biodynamics journal has a long history as one of the preeminent publications on biodynamic farming and gardening. First published in 1941 soon after the formation of the Association, Biodynamics has been in nearly constant publication since then. Now a quarterly publication included as a membership benefit, each journal provides a thoughtful collection of original articles centered on a theme of interest to the biodynamic community. Recent themes have included farm-based education, preserving farmland, biodynamics and the environment, opportunities for new farmers, and research.

What can you find in an issue of Biodynamics?

• in-depth articles and resources related to the quarterly theme
• voices from the community — farmers, gardeners, winemakers, apprentices, consumers, BDA members, etc.
• discussion of the biodynamic preparations
• regional, national, and international news and updates
• book and film reviews
• event overviews
• organizational updates — what we're doing, and news from those with whom we collaborate
• seasonal recipes from Chef Anthony Lo Pinto
• regular columns — such as "Voices from the Farm," "Apprenticeship Perspectives,
  and "The Last Word"
• and more...perhaps farm poetry, student photography, short stories — please keep coming to us with your ideas!

Please consider subscribing to Biodynamics by becoming a member. Our deep appreciation goes to all our members who make the investment in these difficult economic times to help us nurture the seeds of deep spiritual, social, and agricultural renewal. We must continue to bring our unique contribution, if the scales of our civilization are going to tip in the direction of a knowing, loving, skillful, and reverent approach to food and farming. Your support and participation are essential for this hope to be realized.


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Spring 2010 — The Biodynamic Preparations

(Coming Soon!)




Nurturing an Impulse

Letter from the Editor

Rebecca Briggs

One can glimpse, at times, the interconnections that exist slightly outside our daily consciousness.

I experienced this recently as I connected in the most unlikely and seemingly circuitous of ways with a person from my small, rural hometown in northern Pennsylvania through the topic of biodynamics. Discovering the deep mutual connections that existed with someone I had known by name only (but whose wife had taught me in pre-school!), I felt a sense of wonder for our occasional ability to perceive some of these relationships, and I am reminded that our work is an effort to facilitate the development of an existing impulse. It has taken me some time to understand the layers of meaning in the use of the word “impulse” in our movement, but it becomes ever more clear as we perceive and feel the results of our efforts.

In a similar way, the biodynamic preparations facilitate impulses in the natural world. Rather than trying to control nature, they work with and harmonize what wants to emerge, and wise use depends upon a certain openness. Beth Wieting concludes in “Preparation 501” in this issue:

It is as if the whole natural environment becomes internally more cognizant, more
independently capable, and more active. The living beings, including the soil, need to be able
to carry out the transformations themselves. . . .

This issue brings together a collection of articles on the topic of the preparations that we hope provides a variety of perspectives. Just as biodynamics looks from many perspectives and in many different ways to understand the farm organism, so do we wish to offer various views of the preparations. This is hardly comprehensive, of course, and so we look forward to providing more information and perspectives on the preparations in future publications.

We also offer in this issue several important organizational updates, including our exciting fundraising campaign, efforts to help the oldest biodynamic farm in the country as they navigate the thorny terrain of raw milk regulation, and an overview of our first ever, very successful Farm-Based Educators Retreat. In addition to regular features and other updates, we also are pleased to present a contribution from Heinz Grotzke, former Biodynamics Editor and a long-time and vital advocate for biodynamics,to our ongoing conversation on “Envisioning the Future.”

You may also note in this issue that we have apparently skipped over the “Winter” season since our last issue (Fall 2009, No. 270). We wished for our publication to arrive in your mailbox as we look forward to the upcoming season, rather than retrospectively looking back at the season just ending. You will still receive four issues in the year, at the same times, and with sequential issue numbers; only the season name has changed.

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For comments, questions, submissions, or inquiries, please email journal@biodynamics.com or write to Rebecca Briggs, Editor, Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, 25844 Butler Road, OR 97448.

Biodynamics is our quarterly membership journal. Please consider becoming a member. We greatly appreciate and rely upon your support!

Table of contents for this issue, including selected articles available in HTML. (Coming soon.)

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Click here for submission and editorial information. Advertising information is available in pdf format.

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ARCHIVES

Fall 2009: Farm-Based Education

Summer 2009: Envisioning the Future

Spring 2009: Preserving the Farm

Winter 2009: Biodynamics and the Environment

Fall 2008: Opportunities for New Farmers and Gardeners

Summer 2008: Research

Spring 2008: Associative Economics and Community Supported Agriculture

Winter 2008: Biodynamic Agriculture Past, Present, and Future — 70th Anniversary of the Association

Fall 2007: Commemoration of Herbert H. Koepf