Biodynamics
Riverglen Biodynamic Farm encompasses a farmstead, gardens, an orchard, hedgerows, pastures, hay fields… It is surrounded by Greenbelt woodlands and wetlands, is traversed by creeks and borders the Ottawa River. The farm is recognized and treated as a living organism. As farmers, we manage the complex interactions between the living organisms who make Riverglen their home. Maintaining healthy, positive relationships between the plants, animals and humans is our main concern. If we follow natural rythms, our task is made easier and more efficient. We can acheive a balance between life, death, growth and harvest.
Although humans re-arranged the landscape to shape our farm, the above-mentioned relationships function as small ecosystems. Working with ecosystems means working with natural rythms. Seasons, day length, warmth, precipitation are caused by the movements of our planet through the cosmos. Solar, lunar and planetary cycles help us time our various tasks and maximize their effectiveness.
Of course, no synthetic chemicals are used for production. Our fertile soil lives and breathes. We feed it mature compost, till it with care, and keep it covered with vegetable or cover crops. The living organisms which make up soil posess a remarkable intelligence. They transform raw minerals into compounds that plant roots can absorb, in exchange for delicious root exudates. We nurture and support our soil organism’s abilities by applying specially made preparations of fermented herbs to our fields.
Our compost is made of cattle, sheep, chicken and duck manure. We take full responsibility for the production of manure from healthly, organically fed animals by raising them ourselves. Furthermore, all our animals obtain a majority of their food from the farm itself. The poultry and waterfowl are free range, and the ruminants feed on pasture and hay.
Our commitment to the biodynamic method is certified by Demeter Canada.
One principle we must grasp,
Otherwise no development will be possible in our crucial time.
Seek the truly practical life
but seek it in a way
that does not numb you towards the Spirit that is working in it.
Seek the Spirit,
but do no seek it out of greed for the supersensible,
from supersensible egoism;
but seek it, because you want to apply it
unselfishly in practical life, in the material world.
Make use of the ancient principle:
“Spirit is never without matter, matter never without Spirit.”
So that you say:
We intend to handle all material matters in the light of the Spirit,
And we shall seek the light of the Spirit in such a way
That it will kindle in us a warmth for our practical deeds.
Spirit that is led into matter by us;
Matter that is shaped by us until it reveals the Spirit it contains;
Matter that receives through us the Spirit revealed;
The Spirit that is brought by us to and into matter;
All this will build that active and vivid substance
Which can take humanity into real development;
Into that kind of progress that the people of today
In the deepest and most worthy longings of their souls
Can only but yearn for.
Rudolf Steiner
You can find out more about biodynamics at:
The Society for Biodynamic Farming and Gardening in Ontario
http://biodynamics.on.ca
The North American Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association
http://www.biodynamics.com