As early as the beginning of the 20th century some farmers realised that industrial methods of agriculture were causing ecological damage. They invited the anthropologist Rudolf Steiner to explain his thoughts on this issue and in 1924 Rudolf Steiner held a total of eight lectures at Koberwitz near Breslau in which he presented a comprehensive treatise on the scientific principles governing the interrelationship between nature and agriculture. Rudolf Steiner made well-defined recommendations for agricultural practices in individual areas.

This philosophy revolves around the farm as a an agricultural operation whose plants and animals become an integrated part of their natural environment. The fundamental objective of biodynamic cultivation is the creation of a farm as a self-sufficient living organism through the keeping of cattle, production of its own seeds and feed, fertilisation with farm-produced compost or manure and the growing of leguminous plants. Adherence to these principles leads to a harmonisation of the living relationship between soil, plant and animal. A healthy soil produces healthy plants which in turn supply the nutritional requirements of man and animal.

Instead of industrially manufactured chemical fertiliser and sprays containing toxic substances, bio-dynamically managed agriculture employs the use of special herbal, quartz and dung preparations which are of vital importance for the production of compost and for the care of soil and plants. This continuous composting process with farm-produced manure and compost preparations creates the basis for a living soil. Preparations derived from cow-dung and medicinal plants such as camomile, dandelion and valerian support the process that creates fertility. Similar to the principles of homeopathy the stirring of these substances into water creates a dynamic force that acts as a carrier of life. A preparation produced in this manner is applied as a fine spray in vineyards and fields and takes effect.

It is of fundamental importance that all processes are applied at the right time. The art of Demeter-cultivation lies in choosing the right time of application. This requires sensitive understanding and long experience in order to be able to observe and make use of the rhythms of the earth and the cosmos. The influence of the cosmos on flora and fauna has been positively proven. An Australian study conducted at the University of Adelaide has shown that bio-dynamically cultivated vines exhibit a significantly better growth of roots.
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