From the Agriculture Course to Sustainable Farming: 100 Years of the Biodynamic Movement

Today, biodynamic agriculture is practised in more than 50 countries worldwide and offers a way of growing high-quality produce through the sustainable cultivation of soil, plants and animals. But where did it begin and how did it come to have such an impact? In this fascinating book, Ueli Hurter and Rudi Bind trace the history and development of the biodynamic movement over a century. They examine the roots of the movement in the Agriculture Course given by Rudolf Steiner in 1924, providing a clear overview of the course’s key themes and ideas; they also include reflections from the course participants. The authors describe initiatives that have arisen from biodynamics, such as community-supported agriculture and the creation of seed banks, as well as the influence it has had on the wider organic movement, regenerative farming and the campaign against chemical pesticides and fertilisers. They also include contemporary examples that demonstrate how biodynamics is helping individuals and communities around the world to thrive, including in Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, Spain and India. This book will be of interest to anyone who wants to understand the origins of biodynamic agriculture, its growth into a worldwide movement and its continuing impact on the world.