Biodynamics Made Easy

Plant and Animal Health Through Balance 

All around the world, farmers and ranchers are putting in the hard work to help bring food to your table. But what about in the years to come? Sustainability is about making sure that food is always available for you and your family while taking care of our planet in the process. Small-scale farmers have found ways to keep producing the staples we all love while staying environmentally friendly. Through the use of plants and animals on the same farm, biodynamics was established with the goal of using one species to benefit another. Because of the industrialization of agriculture, farms, orchards, and ranches have been segregated from one another. But by being separate, they can’t share the benefits they all provide. Through biodynamics, growers and producers have found ways to join these methods together. But how can we all use these practices at home? In this blog we will talk about how it works and explain a few ways you can incorporate biodynamics into your farm or backyard, making the most of your space. 

How Does Biodynamics Work?

Essentially biodynamic agriculture creates a living balance between soil, plants, and animal life. Because of this, it can’t be achieved through the use of hydroponics or chemical fertilizer because it needs the living soil with all of its microbes and nutrients to be successful. Through the use of composting, cover cropping, crop rotation, and integrating animals, biodynamic farms create their own soil fertility naturally. By adding animals to your farm you can recycle nutrients and supply manures for your soil. Growers everywhere have started using biodynamics and you don’t need a huge chunk of land to achieve it. So if you’re thinking of adding some animal species to your holding, or are just going for a more sustainable approach, biodynamics may be for you.

How Can I Practice Biodynamic Farming?

My best advice is to look at how much space you have and consider the plants you already grow. You can create a balance without using chemical means if you know what each of your plants needs, so make a list. From here you can start looking into what plants would make great companions to achieve your goals of balancing nutrients. Then if you don’t already, start composting! Your plants need this amazing addition to your soil. And it’s a great way to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste. Biodynamics is all about creating that natural cycle that mimics ecosystems by having plants, animals, and soil working together and improving their health as a whole. So start thinking of your farm or garden as a single thriving organism, with all of its separate parts complementing one another. 

But biodynamics wouldn’t be possible without animals, so it’s crucial that you add some to your holding. Always start by assessing what you currently have, like space and labor. Some animals will require more acreage for grazing and you may not have the ability to keep them without importing feed to maintain them, like cattle for example. Next, consider your goals. What would you like to achieve by adding animal breeds to your homestead? And don’t forget, it’s ok to start small. Even animals like chickens or rabbits will help recycle plant material and kitchen waste into manure that you can use in your soil. And chickens will supply you with fresh eggs! And the eggshells make a great addition to your compost pile, making the finished product more calcium-rich. Even small additions can have a pretty big impact on your farm as a whole, so add a few of one species and see if they work well for you. 

Balancing Your Cultivated Ecosystem

Biodynamics is all about creating a natural cycle by having your plants and animals balance and support one another. Because of this, even the cycles of the moon, planets, and stars can have an effect on times for planting and harvesting. So I would consider checking out a biodynamic calendar that includes all of this vital information, making it a little easier on the grower. Remember that we are part of a much bigger universe, and all its moving parts affect one another, just like your farm’s ecosystem.

Now that you have the game plan for what you would like to add to your farm, it’s important that you know what would be best for creating that continual system through biodynamics. If you are considering adding animals, heritage breeds are often used so that you can continue to use breeding and selection so you can add to your number naturally. If you are considering adding plant species to your holding, heirloom and non-GMO seeds are highly recommended. This makes it easier to generate your own seeds, as it’s just another part of the cycle of plant life, and it’ll be less expensive than having to outsource seeds season after season.  

The Health of Your Homestead

But it’s important to remember that when an imbalance presents itself in the farm ecosystem, pests, and diseases are nature’s way of trying to correct that imbalance. So a biodynamic farmer will try and discern the cause of these problems and make changes and adjustments to bring the farm back to better overall health. So if you’re just starting out, remember to take it slow. It takes time and knowledge to achieve a healthy ecosystem, so make a plan and set reasonable goals. Make sure each part of your farm is functioning well before adding more, or make sure each addition serves a purpose.

Share Your Knowledge

Nothing that’s worth doing is easy, but with hard work, you can achieve anything. Don’t be afraid to reach out, even though the internet offers a wealth of resources, knowledge is gained by word of mouth too. So make sure you are sharing what you know, and asking people in your area what’s worked best for them. One of the great parts of agriculture is that it’s a communal effort, so check out your local farmers market and ask other vendors if you don’t know anyone else in your area. Then you can see what they grow and what’s producing best firsthand! 

Four Roots and Our Fight Against Food Insecurity

If you need more information on sustainable agriculture check out our other blogs and resources. Four Roots is based out of Spokane, Washington and we offer our knowledge so we can help grow our community. We are partnered with local farmers and hunger relief organizations with the goal of providing nutritious and locally produced products to those in need. If you’re interested in trying out those goodies yourself, check out our local fresh produce boxes! They have seasonal items grown fresh from within our area, and they help support local businesses while providing your family with nutrient-dense produce. Even though sustainability is possible through agriculture, it’s all about a better future, for generations to come.