On a bright sunny day early this spring Evrett Lunquist and Ruth Chantry were busy moving flats full of vegetable plants from their greenhouse to outdoor gardens for transplanting.
Common Good Farm, Lincoln, Nebraska, grows over 45 different vegetables and herbs for their Community Supported Agriculture customers. How they grow them is what really makes them special.
Lunquist and Chantry follow biodynamic principles in growing their wide variety of crops.Before moving to Nebraska 19 years ago to start his own CSA, Lunquist did a comparison of a conventional farm and a CSA farm that was practicing some biodynamic principles.
“At first I thought there was no difference, that the biodynamic folks were just speaking a different language to explain the same things,” Lunquist said. “Then it occurred to me that it was a completely different perspective in an effort to work with the life of the plant.”
“That is where biodynamics starts for me,” Lunquist said. “It recognizes the living element of the plant and that you can work with it. That is key to encouraging plant health and vitality. The crux of biodynamics is a healthier plant. We are trying to create the highest quality and vitality that we can.
”Biodynamics is not a new concept. According to the Biodynamics Association website, biodynamics was first developed in the early 1920s based on the insights and practical suggestions of the Austrian writer, educator and social activist Rudolf Steiner. The Biodynamic Association said today the biodynamic movement encompasses thousands of successful gardens, farms, vineyards and agricultural operations of all kinds and sizes around the world.
Source: Biodynamics encourages plant health – High Plains Journal: Doug Rich