How it all Began – on 7 June 1924

A man with dark, slicked-back hair stands up to talk. It’s a warm summer’s day, the audience packed into an ornately decorated, wood-panelled room, some spilling over into the adjoining hallway. There’s an expectant air amidst the haze of an early summer afternoon.

It’s 7 June 1924 and Rudolf Steiner is about to give the first of what become known as his eight Agriculture lectures. Invited to Count Keyserlingk’s mansion in Koberwitz –  part of modern-day Poland – he would changing the lives of many present, and others since.

“Agriculture especially is sadly hit by the whole trend of modern spiritual life. You see, this modern spiritual life has taken on a very destructive form especially as regards the economic realm, though its destructiveness is scarcely yet divined by many,” Steiner began.

Farmers, estate managers, doctors, priests, teachers, artists, and engineers had been invited from across Europe. Many were familiar with his teachings. They had read his anthroposophy books, or been to other talks. This was Steiner presenting to a closed group rather than the general public.

It meant that the radical ideas he presented would have a soft land initially – important for their germination. Steiner wanted those present to try them out first. He was giving “hints, which for the present should not be spoken of outside this circle, but looked upon as the foundation for experiments and thus gradually brought into a form suitable for publication”.

 

 

“Agriculture especially is sadly hit by the whole trend of modern spiritual life”

An Agricultural Experimental Circle was formed. The Anthroposophical Agricultural Association was founded in 1928. And the publication part of Steiner’s directive came to fruition with the launch of BioDynamic Farming and Gardening by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer in 1938. 

Biodynamic associations have expanded across the globe. Communities centred around biodynamic farms, such as Plaw Hatch Farm and Tablehurst in the UK, have flourished. There are now 400,000 biodynamic certified acres worldwide. The ‘hints’ have become teaching and the ‘biodynamic’ approach. 

But many would argue it hasn’t spread widely enough, as evidenced by the planet giving some pretty big hints. Amidst degraded soils, a loss of biodiversity is decreasing and a climate that is changing, more needs to be done. It’s never been as important to read Steiner and spread the word – because this time we don’t have another 100 years.

 

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