About JPI

The Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics (JPI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the memory of Josephine Porter. With single-minded determination, Josephine Porter carried on the work of making biodynamic agricultural preparations in the United States for nearly 30 years. Many farmers and future farmers came to her Cherry Valley, Pennsylvania farm to learn about biodynamic agriculture and preparation making. Hugh Courtney apprenticed with "Josie" each spring and fall season for over seven years. When she died in 1984, Hugh decided to carry on her work by creating JPI. In 1985 the Institute was established in Woolwine, Virginia and is dedicated to making biodynamic preparations, and conducting biodynamic agricultural research and education. JPI's efforts are concentrated in the areas of biodynamic agriculture, horticulture and forestry.

As taught by Josephine Porter, the making of quality biodynamic preparations can only be accomplished by emphasizing the spiritual, as well as the practical, aspects of their production. Those who are new to biodynamic agriculture require a source of quality biodynamic preparations if they are to do their own research and educate themselves about biodynamic agriculture. JPI's mission is to serve as a reliable source for biodynamic preparations for the beginning or seasoned practitioner; as an education center for all biodynamic practitioners as they begin to make their own preparations; and as a research venue which focuses specifically on the BD preparations.

A Short History of Biodynamic Preparations

Biodynamic agriculture originated out of the spiritual scientific research of the Austrian scientist and philosopher Rudolf Steiner, the founder of Anthroposphy and Waldorf education. In 1920s Europe, the use of chemicals in agriculture was causing great concern for a number of farmers and soil scientists; especially with regard to its effects on seed viability, deterioration of food quality, and health related problems in both livestock and crops. In 1924, Steiner presented a series of eight lectures on these issues, which are now published as Spiritual Foundations for the Renewal of Agriculture. During this lecture series, Steiner gave indications for producing several different preparations to be used in agriculture which are now referred to as Biodynamic Preparations (BD preparations).

A different viewpoint is required when approaching agriculture from the biodynamic perspective. In our "conventional chemical" or "organic" approach to agriculture, we tend to think in terms of substances (or more specifically, chemical requirements that can be met by this or that substance). In chemical-based agriculture, we bring nitrogen to the soil via ammonia or urea, and in organic-based agriculture we bring nitrogen via manure. For phosphorous the substance of choice is super-phosphate or rock phosphate. We are thinking in terms of chemical substances or NPK, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in the soil. With biodynamic agriculture and biodynamic preparations, we learn to think in terms of forces in addition to substances. This does not mean discarding all knowledge of soil chemistry; it means we need to go beyond solely the chemical point of view. Just as the effects of the force of gravity or the force of magnetism can be observed without actually being able to see these forces, so too can we recognize the forces that are released though biodynamic preparations.