Healthy, happy, holy...cows

I sort of skimmed this book the other day.

"Biodynamics in Practice" isn't a book about just any community-owned farm tucked away in Sussex, England. The Tablehurst and Plaw Hatch farms are operated by Anthroposophists, supporters of a new religious movement (some would say sect or cult) founded almost a century ago by the Austrian polymath Rudolf Steiner. Today, Steiner is perhaps most well-known for the Waldorf schools he helped to inspire, but he had bigger fish to fry, too.

Or cows...

Steiner also inspired biodynamic farming, an explicitly spiritual version of organic farming. Biodynamic farming follows the phases of the moon and makes use of astrology. It also uses a kind of spiritual "herb teas" to make the plants grow better. Somehow, the fairies are involved in this kind of farming, as well (yes, fairies). Another method is a kind of homeopathic manure, placed in the horn of a cow and buried underground for a specified period of time. Apparently, Steiner believed that horned cattle attract cosmic energies! Living cows are therefore allowed to keep their horns (see book cover). The book claims that milk from horned cattle is better than milk from polled ditto, and can be consumed even by people otherwise allergic to milk.

GM crops, pesticides and pasteurization are not used at these farms, and the animals have larger living space than usual. Otherwise, both Tablehurst and Plaw Hatch are commercial operations, something this book reluctantly admits. Farm products are sold for a profit, while electric fences are used to keep foxes out. Tractors, cars and lamps are seen on the photos. Not a big deal if you're a modern farmer, but Anthroposophists regard modern technological civilization as "Ahrimanic" (Ahriman is a kind of devil or demon in Steiner's mythology). I also noted that the farm isn't vegetarian, let alone vegan. Milk, eggs and meat are produced and sold in the biodynamic farms' own store.

"Biodynamics in practice" isn't a particularly deep or advanced book, but it could be of some interest to those who want a general overview of this particular aspect of Anthroposophy. It's nicely produced (using modern computer and printing technology, I presume) and contains a lot of full-colour photos. And yes, some of them show healthy, happy, holy...cows.