Customer Reviews

A Biodynamic Farm, For Growing Wholesome Food

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased this book with the hope of learning how to read the earth, moon and stars in order to operate our farm in rhythm with these, and therefore be more productive. In all the pages before the last three, I found two tidbits of helpful information, and these were things I already knew (chicken poop is great fertilizer, and rotate your paddocks for grazing). An entire chapter was devoted to his receiving a speeding ticket. Now, there's something I didn't expect! I felt I was reading propaganda. I believe one can make their arguments more effectively with positive statements, and that negativity is neither productive nor helpful. There was so much negativity that I was turned off, and I must admit I did not read his speeding ticket chapter thoroughly, but rather skimmed through to see if there might be anything worth my time to read. This book was a complete waste of my money and time. I did get helpful information in the 2007 Biodynamics Calendar, however, and wish I'd known that was all I needed.

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. It's been a hidden treasure for much too long. Although generally aimed at making farmers realize where they are making mistakes and explaining what they should do to fix them, this 1994 classic should be read by a lot more people than just farmers.

The following is a list of others who, in my opinion, may also get a great benefit from reading this book:

Anybody who is interested in wholistic living, anybody who believes there is more to life than what they can see, hear, feel, taste and touch, anybody who cares about the environment and wants to make intelligent choices about what to do about it, anybody who thinks they are progressive but doesn't really know what that means, anybody who wants to live in a society with a sound economic base, anybody who wants to give their children a good start in life, anybody who doesn't want to be sick and doesn't want their children to be sick, anyone who wants to excel in sports, anyone who wants to be wise, anyone who wants to be creative, anybody who wants to be in good health and of sound mind throughout their whole life and not have to go to "the home" in old age, and anybody who reads books, newspapers, or any information conveyed by the written word. If you don't fall into any of these categories, don't bother to read it. And especially if your mind is closed, don't read this book. You won't get anything out of it.

In my opinion, a biodynamic farmer is a specialized type of metaphysician. And for this reason, the book should be placed in metaphysical bookstores or the metaphysical section of regular bookstores so that people interested in metaphysics can see it and maybe take it home and read it, whether they plan to farm or not, because it explains in detailed, yet plain language about all the unseen forces that are brought to bear on plants and animals on a farm that are of paramount importance in creating a healthy body, a healthy mind, and a healthy spirit, not to mention a healthy earth. For so many years I've heard people in the metaphysical movement say, "I want to grow." Well, I say to those people, if you want to grow, read something that will really help you do that in a practical way for a change, especially the section on community sponsored agriculture. Becoming a pseudo-Buddhist isn't going to get it, in my opinion.

I believe that many of those who are concerned about global warming only half understand what is involved, or if they do understand, they won't face the truth about what really has to be done to fix our problem. Certainly our government won't face it because that would mean alienating the owners of the big food combines, the food processors, and all the attendant businesses that are involved, and losing all those huge campaign contributions that keep so many whose qualifications are beyond dubious continually in office. If the common man, the man on the street really understood what is really at stake, organic gardens and biodynamic farms would be springing up like mushrooms all over the world. Reading this book can aid tremendously in gaining that understanding.

The reason I said everybody should read the book, and then I said it should be placed in metaphysical bookstores and in metaphysical sections of regular bookstores is because so often those in the metaphysical world have been leaders when it comes to wholistic ideas that wind up going maintream. How many times have I laughed when some long rejected metaphysical principle has suddenly gone mainstream, and the mainstream has said, "Why, we always knew that," or "we always used that." I won't even laugh this time so long as the right thing gets done.

Hugh Lovel was the first person to help me understand the benefits of biodynamics by explaining symbiotic relationships that develop with BD practices on a microscopic level. I respect his intelligence, expertise, genuinely free thinking self, and generosity of himself.

This book is great for explaining the philosophy and putting it into practical use. Lovel explains that he himself was skeptical of the practices at first, but tried them out and found that they work. That said, I like that this is such a practical book. Most other BD books and lectures have been difficult for me to translate into actual use. Thank you Dr. Lovel!!

...and by the way, has anyone else noticed how many of the foremost biodynamic farmers are named Hugh?!

This book tells about things that are not included in our regular paradigms. People must educate themselves better to understand these concepts of the future. At least they must understand the laws of Association (Similarity, Contagion), and some other things. They must read the great works of Dr. Hieronymus. I'm giving the best rating for this book.

I bought this as a gift for my son, at his request. He is very well pleased to have it!

this book brings to light some of the details of biodynamic agriculture in a readable, witty fashion. thank goodness it is here for us to read