Biodynamic agriculture was founded in Germany, in 1924, by Rudolf Steiner in response to a group of farmers who asked Steiner for guidance on solving the problems of environmental degradation arising from agricultural practices.
The term biodynamics comes from the composition of two words: biological and dynamic. Biological refers to an agriculture inherent to nature, which drives vital cycles and the integration of animal and plant activities within the farm. Dynamic, refers to the farmer’s knowledge, applied to nature’s growth.
In the biodynamic approach, the farm is seen as an organism, an individuality that has in itself all that is necessary for its sustainability, making it self-sustainable. There is a close relationship between soil, plants, animals and the cycles of the earth and the cosmos.
The most favorable time to sow, plant and harvest are chosen by an astronomical calendar, using the active forces influenced by the position of the stars in the sky, (each with their chemical compositions) acting on the chemicals and water resources on Earth.