Applied Biodynamics — Issue 093 (Spring/Summer 2018)

Issue 096 addresses the question of how biodynamic agriculture can respond to increasing demand for healthy food while supporting the viability of more farms. The issue moves from reflective framing into applied case studies, interviews, and institutional developments, maintaining a practical orientation throughout.

In “How Do We Meet the Need for Healthy Food and More Farms?” Abigail Porter frames structural challenges facing contemporary agriculture, including land access, economic pressure, and farmer sustainability. Biodynamics is presented as a method emphasizing soil regeneration, human responsibility, and farm individuality rather than scale expansion.

“Stony Ridge Farm: Transitioning to a Market Garden” documents a farm shifting production and management toward a market-garden model. The article reports on changes in crop selection, soil management, labor organization, and preparation use, emphasizing gradual adaptation and learning through seasonal feedback.

In “If Farming Isn’t Always Good Vibes and Friendly Fairies, Is It Still Worth It?” N. McGill reflects on the emotional and physical realities of farming. The article contextualizes biodynamic work within perseverance and responsibility rather than idealized expectations, without introducing technical procedures.

“Winter Green: A Model for Future Farms” profiles an integrated farm emphasizing education, mentorship, and diversified production. The article describes how biodynamic principles support long-term farm continuity through training and community engagement.

“For the Earth as for Human Beings: Mac Mead on Making the Biodynamic Preparations” presents an interview detailing preparation making as a disciplined practice. Materials, timing, handling, and attentiveness are described, emphasizing repeatability and observational learning rather than innovation.

The issue includes “In Memory of Alex Podolinsky,” recognizing his contributions to biodynamic agriculture, particularly large-scale preparation application and farmer education.

In “Permadynamics: Conceptual Marriage of Permaculture and Biodynamics in Farm Design Introduced at JPI,” Pat Frazier reports on integrating permaculture design principles with biodynamic preparation work and seasonal rhythms at JPI.

The issue concludes with “Introducing Our Newest Board Member: Teresa O’Shaughnessy, Secretary,” documenting governance continuity at the Institute.

Articles

• Global Climate Change in a Nutshell, and What You Can Do  (M. Biltonen)  
• Remembrance Farms: How One Farmer Works with Change (M.  Biltonen)  
• Climate Change on Biodynamic Farms: Survey Responses  From Backyard Hobby Gardening to a New Passion for a  Healthy Earth—An Education in Awareness (M. Reisbord) 
• Climate Change Debate; Can We Turn Down the Heat? (D.  Klocek)  
• Climate: Soul of the Earth, by Dennis Klocek (Reviewed by M. Maruca)  
• JPI News (P. Frazier)  
• Introducing Our Newest Board Member: Pamela Sophiajohn 
• Call for Board Members  
• Upcoming Events  
• Dandelion Blossoms Sought  
• World Biodynamic Farming Day

Key Topics Covered

• Scientific overview of global climate change mechanisms

• Atmospheric carbon concentration trends and temperature data

• Soil degradation, fossil fuel dependence, and agricultural vulnerability

• Biodynamic soil carbon sequestration and organic matter rebuilding

• Empirical farm responses to extreme weather variability

• Farmer-reported resilience comparisons across regions

• Adaptive versus mitigative agricultural strategies

• Preparation-based responses to frost, drought, excess moisture, and disease

• Long-term observational research and survey methodology

• Integration of cosmological rhythm studies with climatic data analysis

Citation Source

Applied Biodynamics, Issue 093, Spring/Summer 2018, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics.