Applied Biodynamics — Issue 085 (Summer 2014)

Issue 085 is a preparation-centered and methodological issue, focused on silica as a substance and process, its role in biodynamic agriculture, and the disciplined making and application of BD #501 (horn silica). The issue integrates philosophical inquiry, practical instruction, educational reporting, and institutional updates.

In “Silica and Its Planetary Forces of Potential,” Hunter Francis interviews Dennis Klocek, whose work bridges Goethean science, biodynamics, and qualitative research. The interview distinguishes between silicon, silica, and the silica process, situating silica as a formative agent active in mineral weathering, soil clay formation, and plant–soil interfaces. Klocek discusses silica in relation to calcium polarity, describing silica as associated with peripheral, form-giving processes and calcium with central, manifesting processes. Soil implications are addressed through detailed discussion of silicates, clays, feldspars, and cation exchange capacity, with attention to how silica-containing minerals contribute to nutrient availability rather than acting as nutrients themselves.

The interview explicitly links these concepts to BD #501 by examining horn structure, quartz grinding, and the interaction of form, substance, and process. Klocek frames the preparation as a synergy of finely divided silica and the horn as a boundary structure, emphasizing that preparation efficacy depends on correct handling, timing, and conscious engagement rather than indiscriminate use. Observations of crop response, including increased light expression and risks of overapplication (e.g., plant stress under high heat), are discussed in practical terms.

In “Making and Using BD #501 (Horn Silica),” Hunter Francis documents Harald Hoven’s established method for producing and applying the preparation at Rudolf Steiner College. The article provides step-by-step procedural detail: sourcing and selecting quartz; crushing, sieving, and grinding to a flour-fine powder; grinding between glass plates; preparing a paste with pure water; filling horns; draining excess water; burial depth, orientation, and site selection; seasonal burial from spring to Michaelmas; and storage either in glass jars or in horns exposed to light.

Application protocols are described quantitatively, including dilution rates, stirring duration, timing of spraying (early morning), crop stage considerations, and frequency. Variations using alternative silica sources (e.g., smoky quartz, orthoclase) are noted with observed differences in intensity, particularly in high-light environments. The article also records ancillary uses such as seed crops, storage crops, and limited use by beekeepers, always framed as reported practice rather than prescription.

“Farming for Health: 2014 Biodynamic Conference” reports on the upcoming Biodynamic Association conference, outlining its educational scope, workshop themes, and emphasis on linking agriculture, food quality, and human health. The article situates the conference as a venue for sharing research, practice, and experiential knowledge across scales.

In “JPI Hosts Spring Preparation Workshop,” Pat Frazier documents a two-day hands-on training at JPI’s Floyd, Virginia farm. The report details preparation work undertaken (BD #501, BD #502, and barrel compost), material handling, group stirring, burial of preparations, and field spraying. Participant composition, instructional roles, and observational exercises are described, highlighting education as a means of preserving preparation quality and method consistency.

The issue concludes with organizational updates, including “JPI Welcomes Joseph Brinkley and Christopher Hammon to the Board,” documenting board expansion to support legal, viticultural, and educational expertise.

Overall, Issue 085 presents biodynamics as a discipline grounded in material precision, soil science interfaces, careful preparation work, and structured education, with explicit acknowledgment of limits, conditions, and the need for judicious application.

Articles

• Silica and its Planetary Forces of Potential (H. Francis Interview  Dennis Klocek)  
• Making and Using BD #501 (Horn Silica) (H. Francis)
• Farming  for Health: 2014 Biodynamic Conference JPI Hosts Spring  Preparation Workshop (P. Frazier)  
• JPI Welcomes Joseph Brinkley and Christopher Hammon to the Board 

Key Topics Covered

• Silica as mineral process and soil component
• Polarity of silica and calcium in soil formation
• Cation exchange capacity and clay–humus complexes
• Conceptual basis of horn silica BD #501
• Quartz selection crushing and grinding protocols
• Horn filling burial and storage procedures
• Quantitative application rates and timing for BD #501
• Risks of overapplication under high-light conditions
• Biodynamic conference education and research themes
• Hands-on preparation workshops at JPI
• Institutional governance and board development

Citation

Applied Biodynamics, Issue 085, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Summer 2014.