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Glossary

Bio-dynamic agriculture

According to its own definition, biodynamic agriculture is a comprehensive, holistic organic cultivation method without artificial fertilizers or chemical synthetic pesticides. «Agriculture Course» by Rudolf Steiner in Koberwitz in 1924 forms the basis of the constantly evolving method. It is essentially about understanding «life» in its diversity and promoting it holistically. For this purpose, alternative technology and knowledge paths are used and developed in order to be able to consciously do justice to the unique and individual biotope and sociotope of each individual farm.

A well-known example of biodynamic agriculture is Demeter. But even Demeter farmers cannot do without pesticides (plant protection products and biocides), as the list of resources from the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FibL) shows. Including synthetically produced products such as copper and sulfur, which are used in biodynamic fruit growing and viticulture. Like organic farming, agriculture according to Demeter standards is characterized by highly variable yields and generally lower productivity per unit area than integrated and so-called conventional farming. It is simply not possible to supply the world's population with enough food according to Demeter guidelines.

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Terms from the glossary