Manures, Biodynamic Composts, and Fertility Management

At the farmstead. Following our snowy Thanksgiving, and in a narrow window of warm weather, I was able to build a fall biodynamic compost, as well as check on how well previously-applied manure had decomposed on the fields. Below, sulfur rich manure ready for application (see MIT researcher Stephanie Seneff's essay on the importance of such fertility inputs at http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/sulfur_obesity_alzheimers_muscle_wasting.html). Also see http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=10586&page=207 and http://books.google.com/books?id=FfLXNlYM_DsC&pg=PA4&lpg=PA4&dq=manure+is+sulfur+rich&source=bl&ots=kbKadFOH8B&sig=4dmIbuRdvdBrujghVXI3DKogrKs&hl=en&ei=5anyTNb4GJC-sQPMh9WvCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CDUQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q&f=false).

Below, ash minerals, "green" organic matter, "brown" organic matter, nitrogen-rich cut grass/hay, manures, peat moss (as per Steiner's first recommendations in Agriculture). All mise-en-place -- ready to build the compost. Note that the peat moss is to be used sparingly -- as it was in Steiner's time. The compost was to be made, almost to homeopathic-scale recommendations, so as to conserve resources. For this compost, we used some peat moss from material remaining after establishing an acid-loving blueberry stand. Organic substitutes for the peat moss are possible -- and depending on relative availablity, certainly desirable.

One view of the completed compost pile after BD preps have been applied.