Applied Biodynamics — Issue 066 (Fall 2009)

Applied Biodynamics Issue 066 (Fall 2009) presents Philippe Armenier's positive vineyard comparisons and plant-tea methods, preparation making in Japan, JPI's 2009 Biodynamic Compound Preparation formula, and the spiritual-scientific legacy of Harvey Lisle.

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Attention as biodynamic practice

Christy Korrow begins with Simone Weil's thought that absolute attention is prayer. In biodynamics, the hour of stirring and the daily presence of the practitioner on the land cultivate this quality. Practical instruction grows into phenomenological research: reading the book of nature, recognizing the gesture of a healthy plant or landscape, and perceiving what will restore balance.

Philippe Armenier's vineyard work exemplifies that attentive method. He brings preparation practice, side-by-side field comparison, blind tasting, soil measurement, and a highly developed reading of soil, vine, leaf, fruit, wine, and season into one living inquiry.

From one-third of a vineyard to complete conversion

Armenier began working biodynamically in Châteauneuf-du-Pape after reading Rudolf Steiner's Agriculture Course and studying with François Bouchet. He first converted one-third of his family's fifty-two acres while the rest remained under the previous management.

During the following hot season, Armenier reported that conventionally managed vines drooped and browned under heat and reflected light from the limestone rocks, while the biodynamic vines remained green and lifted. Blind tasting distinguished the treatments, and the biodynamic wine showed greater elegance and delicacy.

The strength of these side-by-side results led the whole vineyard into biodynamic management within months. By 2009, Armenier reported that his consulting work had converted more than 2,000 acres, with about half Demeter certified.

Organic-control blocks, blind tasting, and soil measurement

Armenier also describes trials in biodynamic vineyards using organic control blocks. Four blind-tasted organic wines were drier and shorter in tannins, while the biodynamic wines were more vivid, with good acidity and greater expression.

At L'Aventure, the vineyard followed adjoining biodynamic and organic areas and monitored soil pH, organic matter, cation-exchange capacity, microbial profiles, canopy response, grapes, and wine. The plant, fruit, and wine were read together with the soil.

Armenier's first goal is beautiful soil. In his practice, the plant reflects the soil, terroir becomes perceptible in fruit and wine, and the same attentive comparison follows that development from field to glass.

Stirring and timing

Armenier favors hand or mechanical stirring that creates a full vortex, chaos, reversal, and strong vertical movement. The preparation program is developed for each vineyard and aligned with the planting calendar. Monthly visits allow timing and materials to respond to the actual condition of soil and vines.

He regards correct stirring and prompt application as essential to the plant gesture. Canopy, leaf posture, color, sap movement, fruit formation, and ripening become visible guides for the next action.

Plant teas: methods and rates

Armenier works with the plants used in the biodynamic preparations as fresh or dried herbal teas, distinct from the finished compost preparations themselves. His methods vary according to material and purpose:

• Infusion: boil water, then pour it over the plant material.
• Decoction: boil the plant material in water and simmer for one hour; useful for tougher materials such as oak bark and eggshell.
• Cold tea: steep for three days; it can be used at stronger ratios on smaller acreage.
• Long tea: steep for ten to fourteen days, primarily for soil use.
• Fermented horsetail: prepare by the Kolisko method for the silica and moisture process.

The usual dilution is one part tea to nine parts water. A 1:1 dilution may be used for cold teas, and small areas can receive stronger tea. The field rate is generally three to five gallons per acre, sprayed early in the cool morning while the plants are fresh and breathing. Canopy sprays are kept lighter, while longer-fermented teas are directed toward soil.

Reading the preparation plants

Armenier gives each plant a practical spiritual-scientific role in the vineyard:

• Stinging nettle: supports the iron process, trace-element availability, and sap flow.
• Yarrow: works with sulfur and potassium, supports fruit taste, and helps a plant lift from an overly earthbound gesture.
• Chamomile: strengthens the calcium process and helps the vine receive and manage heat.
• Oak bark and eggshell: deepen the calcium process and can be combined with chamomile.
• Dandelion: supports the silica process and extends the activity of BD 501 during a cold season.
• Valerian: works with phosphorus, Saturn, warmth, and the restoration of order.

These plant relationships let the grower meet the particular needs of soil, season, canopy, and fruit with a defined method and an attentive reading of response.

JPI's 2009 Biodynamic Compound Preparation formula

In “Anecdotes and Antidotes,” Hugh J. Courtney records JPI's working formula: fifty liters (12.5 gallons) of cow manure, 500 grams of basalt powder, 100 grams of eggshell left visibly coarse, and one complete set of BD 502–507. Valerian was held until the midpoint, when the buried material had reached a colloidal state.

For vineyard use, JPI did not add dried stinging-nettle plant because its strong leafy-growth gesture was not the fruiting direction sought. The preparation is also known as Barrel Compound or Barrel Compost; JPI uses the Compound name for its United States product. This historical formula can be studied alongside JPI's current Biodynamic Compound Preparation instructions.

Biodynamic farming and preparation making in Japan

Ben and Konomi Campbell carried their JPI preparation-making experience to Hokkaido, where they joined Takeshi and Michiyo Han'ura, Denis Pilliaud, Yoshiko Kano, farmers, educators, and supporters in forming the Biodynamic Agriculture Association of Japan. Workshops combined introductions to the preparations, cosmic rhythms, the Agriculture Course, cows, CSA structure, and Demeter standards.

At oubdfarm, the Campbells established pasture, Jersey cattle, chickens, greenhouses, a CSA plot, and preparation-making sites. Local conditions guided the work: they gathered dandelion and other herbs, planted valerian, used abundant stinging nettle, sourced permitted animal sheaths, built Barrel Compound pits, and brought ground quartz when local silica was difficult to find.

Their goal was a model biodynamic farm, Demeter certification in Japan, strong seasonal workshops, and extra preparations for growers across Japan and Asia. The association brought experienced teachers, serious farmers, administrative support, communication, Demeter study, local material sourcing, and preparation practice into a growing national network.

Harvey Lisle's spiritual-scientific legacy

The issue honors Harvey Lisle (1915–2009), soil chemist, beekeeper, biodynamic fruit grower, naturalist, dowser, teacher, and researcher. His work connected soil chemistry with rock powders, quartz grinding, beehive placement, vortex formation, food vitality, sprouted grains, enzymes, and spiritually enlivened composting.

Nearly seventy years of observation and education made Lisle an important bridge between physical measurement and spiritual science. His work with soils, plants, preparations, bees, food, water, and formative forces continues through the students and practitioners he inspired.

Key topics covered

• Armenier's reported green, lifted vines and more elegant biodynamic wine in the first side-by-side comparison.
• Later organic-control trials with blind tasting and positive biodynamic wine qualities.
• Soil pH, organic matter, cation-exchange capacity, microbial profiles, canopy, grape, and wine observations.
• Infusion, decoction, cold-tea, long-tea, dilution, rate, and early-morning application methods.
• Preparation-plant relationships in vineyard practice.
• JPI's 2009 Barrel Compound or Barrel Compost formula.
• Local preparation sourcing and association building in Japan.
• Harvey Lisle's soil, quartz, bee, food, water, and stirring work.

Explore related resources

• Rudolf Steiner's Agriculture Course
• BD 500 Horn Manure, guide, and current instructions
• BD 501 Horn Silica, guide, and current instructions
• BD 502–507 Compost Preparation Set and current instructions
• Biodynamic Compound Preparation, guide, and current instructions
• BD 508 Horsetail, guide, and current instructions
• Stella Natura Planting Calendar and calendar guide

Articles in this issue

• Growing the Biodynamic Wine Industry in California: An Interview with Philippe Armenier — Hunter Francis
• Biodynamic Farming and Preparation Making in Japan — Ben Campbell
• Harvey Lisle, Spiritual Scientist, 1915–2009 — Christy Korrow
• Anecdotes and Antidotes — Biodynamics at Work — Hugh J. Courtney
• Faye's Freeform Kale and Radish — compliments of Anne Morgan of Midheaven Farm

Citation

Source: Applied Biodynamics, Issue No. 66, Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Bio-Dynamics, Fall 2009.