Bio-Dynamic farming, originating from the agricultural teachings of Rudolf Steiner, has been practised successfully for over seventy-five years and is thus probably the oldest environmentally conscious farming method in existence. Originally established in Germany, and also followed extensively elsewhere in Europe, the method has won ever-increasing numbers of adherents throughout the world.

At a time when conventional farms are largely run on business or industrial lines, the idea of a farm as a self-sustaining living organism is a welcome departure which is becoming increasingly recognised as important for high quality agricultural produce.

 This book shows how, by combining the best traditional farming methods with up-to-date management skills, appropriate crop and animal husbandry and technology, farmers can begin to put this idea into practice and create a modern system which is both productive and ecological.

Friedrich Sattler, author of the main part of this book, is a trained agriculturist. He has been manager for over 30 years at Talhof, a farm that has been run on biodynamic lines since 1928.

Eckard von Wistinghausen, OhD sc.agr., joined the staff of the Bio Dynamic Research Institution in Darmstadt, Germany in 1972. His particular concerns there are site and soil analysis, quality standards and education and training.