Farm Journal: June 2024
BDNAC Event June 22, 2024
We had the great pleasure of hosting BDNAC (Biodynamic Association of Northern California) at the farm on Saturday June 22. It was a packed day full of exploring, learning, and communing with nature through a morning practice of Eurythmy, plant observations, a beautiful St Johnís Meditation, farm walks, pastel drawing, compost preparation tutorials, conversation around the future of biodynamic farming, and sharing meals together under the big oak trees.
Compost “Preparations” are a fundamental component of the biodynamic method. It is a natural process of recycling animal manures and organic wastes, stabilizing nitrogen, and building soil humus to improve overall soil health. Biodynamic® compost is unique because it is made with six specific BD (biodynamic) preparations. On our day with BDANC, we focused on two of them: Yarrow and Stinging Nettle.* Both of these plants have long been used throughout history in Biodynamic® farming and as herbal remedies for the body. They are easily accessible for home gardeners to forage in nearby fields, meadows, and wooded areas should they wish to try their hand at improving the overall health of their garden.
Achillea millefolium, or Yarrow, takes its Latin name from Achilles, the legendary Greek warrior, who used yarrow for its ability to stop bleeding on the battlefield. As a fermented preparation, it can be applied to compost piles to enliven the processes of sulfur, potassium, and fluid flow by converting urea, a vital nitrogen fertilizer which serves as the “food of food” into protein which develops nitrogen fixing bacteria. It helps the soil become more stable and allows the plants access to important trace minerals. Yarrow also attracts many beneficial insects so the good bugs keep the bad bugs away.
Urtica dioica or Stinging Nettles are similar but they’re especially adept at accumulating nitrogen in the form of proteins. Dry nettle leaves by weight contain some of the highest levels of protein of any edible leafy greens. This is why nettle leaves (brewed as a tea or made into soup) are so healthy for us to eat. The fermented preparation repairs soils with imbalances of iron, magnesium and sulfur by releasing the nitrogen stored within the plant’s own roots. Excess iron can create tight soils with a hardpan or crust and lock in other necessary trace minerals. The nettle preparation loosens the soil texture allowing the nutrients to release and be reabsorbed by plants.
*The six compost preparations, used in unison, are made from yarrow flowers, chamomile blossoms, the whole areal portion of the stinging nettle while in flower, oak bark, dandelion blossoms, and valerian flowers.
Resources on BD Preparations:
BDANC- Biodynamic Preparations
Biodynamic Farming and Gardening, Renewal and Preservation of Soil Fertility by Manfred Klett, (Portal Books, 2021)
The Foundations and Principles of Biodynamic Preparations by Ehrenfried E. Pfeiffer, (Floris Books, 2023)