The Myth of Biodynamic Agriculture
“Biodynamics is a scientifically sound approach to sustainable management of plant systems”
Linda Chalker-Scott
The Myth
Biological dynamic agriculture, a.k.a. biodynamics, is a system of agricultural management based on a
series of lectures given by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Over his lifetime, Dr. Steiner became concerned with
the degradation of food produced through farming practices that increasingly relied on additions of
inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Reputed to be the first alternative approach to agriculture,
biodynamics has evolved over the last century to include many organic farming practices that have
demonstrable benefits on land use and crop production. In fact, biodynamic is often used synonymously
with organic in both scientific and popular literature. Biodynamic agriculture has more recognition in
Europe, but North American proponents of this system are increasing. Is the biodynamic approach one
that should be encouraged?