Heads of Biodynamic Ag Associations Speak to Students

Robert Karp, co-director of the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association, and Jim Fullmer, co-director of the Demeter Association, both recently spoke to students in a course on biodynamic agriculture.

The speakers discussed the goals of biodynamic agriculture and the role of their associations, including setting standards and offering certification.

Biodynamic agriculture is similar to organic, but adds a number of elements. It emphasizes treating animals, crops, and soil as a single system; local production and distribution; use of compost additives and field sprays; and planting according to phases of the moon.

“What I tried to convey is that for agriculture to be renewed in our time, we need to transcend the tendency to view nature as a kind of machine that we can take apart and tinker with to satisfy human desires,” Mr. Karp said. “In order to overcome this habit, however, we must come to recognize and discern how spirit is working in all things — minerals, soils, plants, animals, people, regions, climates.”

The course, taught by Professor A. Thimmaiah, an expert on biodynamic agriculture, enrolled 11 students, including four who came from California, New York, and Colorado just for this course.

As part of the course the students planted rice in a garden in front of the Sustainable Living Center using the System of Rice Intensification, which dramatically increases yield while also reducing the amount of water needed.

Jim Karpen is a writer by trade, with a special focus on technology. He has a Ph.D. in English and studied the impact of the computerization of language. In addition to writing for iPhone Life magazine, he has also been writing a column about the Internet for the Iowa Source since 1994. He also edits and publishes the MUM Review.