Answering spiritual-scientific questions and questions on the production and use of field preparations and manure preparations.

The working language of the Preparations work group is German.

Case studies of worldwide practice

Research project of the Section for Agriculture

The biodynamic preparations are a specialty of biodynamic agriculture. Rudolf Steiner gave indications for the production and use of six compost preparations and two field spray preparations in the Agriculture Course at Koberwitz in 1924. Since then the biodynamic preparations have been worked with and developed in many different ways all over the world.

An important aim of the Section for Agriculture is to promote farmer's engagement with the biodynamic preparations in a way that furthers and strengthens their inner personal relationship with the preparations. One challenge in working with the preparations is to achieve a balance between the complementary focusses on inner development, diligent manual work, and good social embeddedness. A deepening of the relationship and understanding of the preparations is possible when one stays true to oneself with regards to one's questions and insecurities while being open to receive new fructifying impulses from experiences, observations and the exchange with colleagues.

From the point of view of the Section, the question is: how can we focus on the unsolved riddles presented to us by the preparations so that we can do our preparation work year by year and that, at the same time, an open space is held for an intensive engagement with the preparations, that increasingly develops the biodynamic movement into a research community?

The Section conducted a research project portraying the diversity of preparation work worldwide with the aim of presenting a best practice approach. The transparent and appreciative description of the diversity is a first step to further constructive dialogue on the preparations.

The research report is available for download.