• Biodynamics: Agriculture of the Future by Alex Podolinsky - The Josephine Porter Institute
  • Biodynamics Agriculture of the Future 41-page A4 booklet, thin three-quarter front view
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The Josephine Porter Institute

Biodynamics: Agriculture of the Future by Alex Podolinsky

Biodynamics: Agriculture of the Future by Alex Podolinsky

$20.00 USD
$20.00 USD
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Description

An excellent introduction to the Biodynamic method of agriculture for farming and gardening. It also provides consumers with a comprehensive, yet easily readable explanation of the difference between organic and BD farming and product quality.

Inside the book: a biodynamic farm on originally poor sand

In his June 1999 lecture, Podolinsky describes the farm pictured in the book after several decades without artificial fertiliser, though its soil had originally been poor sand. Agronomists from a fertiliser company analysed clover leaves and found “a full supply of all major and minor elements.” The farm produced grains and raised cattle, sheep, and pigs well. Explore this vivid working-farm account in Bio-Dynamics: Agriculture of the Future.

Source: Alex Podolinsky, Bio-Dynamics: Agriculture of the Future (2000), p. 17.

Inside the book: read the crop as you farm

Podolinsky describes fast, overgrown, blue-green, water-filled growth and still-green wheat lying flat as visible signs he associated with excessive nitrogen absorption and over-fertilisation. Observe these signs together in the crop and its growing conditions, then use them to guide a closer look at fertility and management. This is a separate practical observation from the poor-sand farm account above.

Source: Alex Podolinsky, Bio-Dynamics: Agriculture of the Future (2000), p. 7.

Inside the book: neighboring pastures after three rainless months

In Pictures 11–12, Podolinsky compares Trevor Cobbledick’s biodynamic pasture with a conventionally grown neighboring pasture about 20 metres away. After three months without rain, the deep, black biodynamic soil still supported pasture growth; neighboring soil and plants showed moisture stress. The photographs record this particular dry-weather field comparison and invite closer attention to living soil structure.

Source: Alex Podolinsky, Bio-Dynamics: Agriculture of the Future (2000), p. 15, Pictures 11–12.

Podolinsky’s plant signs in his own words

Podolinsky describes plants with excessive nitrogen absorption as “grow fast; are overgrown; blue green and hang water filled,” and notes still-green wheat lying flat. These are the precise visible field signs in his account: overgrown blue-green, water-filled growth and lodging in still-green wheat.

Source: Alex Podolinsky, Bio-Dynamics: Agriculture of the Future (2000), p. 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is biodynamic agriculture?

Biodynamic agriculture treats the farm as a living whole, combining organic and ecological practices with compost, cover crops, livestock where appropriate, biodiversity, the biodynamic preparations, and attention to seasonal and celestial rhythms. Its practical aim is to support living soil, plant vitality, and resilient farm relationships.
Who was Alex Podolinsky, and where should I start reading his work?

Alex Podolinsky developed a practical, large-scale approach to biodynamics in Australia, emphasizing observation of soil structure, plant form, stirring quality, and the preparations. Biodynamic Agriculture Introductory Lectures, Vol. 1 is a broad starting point: https://www.jpibiodynamics.org/products/biodynamic-agriculture-lectures-vol1
How does biodynamic farming build on organic farming?

Both approaches value ecological care and healthy soil. Biodynamic farming adds the farm-organism perspective, the biodynamic preparations, and attentive work with seasonal and celestial rhythms. Podolinsky presents these as a coherent additional path for growers seeking to deepen organic practice.
What does Biodynamics: Agriculture of the Future cover?

Podolinsky introduces the biodynamic method and the relationship between soil condition, plant form, farming practice, and product quality. The product page also highlights concrete field observations from the book, including vigorous farming on originally poor sand, a dry-weather pasture comparison, and visible signs of excessive nitrogen uptake.