Issue 010 (Winter 1994) covers dairy husbandry and economics, potting-soil recipes, compost handling, winter food, a farm conference, and Evergreen Elm.
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Applied Biodynamics Issue 010 (Winter 1994) ranges from dairy husbandry and farm economics to potting-soil recipes, compost practice, winter food, a farm-based conference, and a horticultural-therapy garden. Its central feature is Nick Franceschelli’s interview with Michael Wildfeuer of the Camphill Village Farm in Kimberton, Pennsylvania.
The animal within the farm organism
Michael Wildfeuer describes his aim as “letting the cow be a cow.” In practice, that means retaining horns, avoiding tail docking, keeping cattle outside when possible, providing sunlight, air, and a deeply bedded loafing barn, and relying primarily on forage. The herd receives small amounts of freshly rolled oats or barley but no soybeans or protein supplements. Calves are placed with nurse cows so they can suckle rather than being bottle-fed.
Evergreen Elm county-fair results
In “The Correct Use of Esoteric Knowledge—Biodynamics,” Candace Coffin reports on L.A. Rotheraine’s Evergreen Elm biodynamic horticultural-therapy garden at the McKean County Fair. The issue’s table records 11 ribbons in 14 categories in 1991 and 31 ribbons in 33 categories in 1994, including 17 blue ribbons that year. Coffin places the ribbons within the garden’s multi-year biodynamic growing program.
Ten potting-soil approaches
“Potting Soil: Some Recipes from Around the Country” records ten named grower methods (printed pp. 11 and 13). Kerry Sullivan blends peat, vermiculite, perlite, castings or aged biodynamic compost, garden soil, and lime, spraying historical Barrel Compost, now called Barrel Compound by JPI, as he mixes. Allen Cleek moistens commercial Promix with Barrel Compost. Jenny Erickson rests a compost, topsoil, sand, and perlite mix over winter and uses BD 508 and chamomile tea when making more potting soil in spring. The editor notes that compost used in the recipes was prepared with BD 502–507.
What economic change did Michael Wildfeuer report at Camphill Village Farm?
Wildfeuer says the dairy became self-supporting and broke even for the first time after shifting away from a machinery- and grain-intensive model toward grazing and lower expenses (printed pp. 4–5). He reported bottled milk at about $3 per gallon wholesale and $3.80 retail through local health-food stores, roughly $1 more than conventional milk at the time.
What cattle-management practices does Michael Wildfeuer describe?
He describes forage-first feeding with little freshly rolled grain, no soy or protein supplements, retained horns, no tail docking, outdoor access, a deeply bedded loafing barn, and nurse cows that allow calves to suckle.
What potting-soil approaches does Issue 010 document?
The editor presents ten named grower methods (printed pp. 11, 13). Some combine aged biodynamic compost with peat, soil, and drainage materials; Allen Cleek moistens commercial Promix with Barrel Compost, the historical name for JPI Barrel Compound, while Jenny Erickson uses a fall-made mix and later BD 508 plus chamomile tea. The editor notes that compost used in the recipes had received BD 502–507.
What county-fair results did Evergreen Elm report in Issue 010?
Candace Coffin reports that L.A. Rotheraine’s Evergreen Elm garden entered 33 categories at the 1994 McKean County Fair and won 31 ribbons, including 17 blue ribbons (printed p. 10). The table also records 11 ribbons in 14 categories in 1991 and 31 in 33 categories in 1994. The ribbons reflect the garden’s complete biodynamic growing program.
