Ana Apatu: Spiritual side of agriculture

Ana Apatu.

With so much going on lately it is hard to attend everything. One such event was the biodynamic annual conference held last weekend at the Havelock North Community Centre.

While I cook dinner, I catch up with my mother Jen and her husband David Wright. Before moving to Wellington to be with my mother, David lived in Hawke's Bay for many years and taught at the Taikura Rudolf Steiner School. David, executive secretary with the Biodynamic Association, was one of the main organisers of the conference.

They both look weary but exhilarated. Perched on my kitchen bar stools over a glass of delicious Abbey Cellar merlot, they recount highlights of the conference. Biodynamic agricultural practices fascinate me. Biodynamics ("bio" - life, "dynamic" - energy), based on Rudolf Steiner's spiritual science, recognises there is a growth force, or energy force, related to the cosmic rhythms. Movements of the moon and other planets have a profound influence on soil, plant and animal life.

There can be many comparisons/similarities drawn between biodynamics and traditional Maori growing practices. David and Jen are particularly impressed with presenter Tyne Marie Nelson, who researched biodynamics and traditional Maori agriculture. In her 20s, Tyne is a Taruna graduate and of Ngati Kahungunu, Ngapuhi and Pakeha descent.

On my 2.5ha property I have spread one of the BD500 preparations, a cow dung preparation supposed to increase microbial count in my soil. Biodynamics has an important link with cattle as the ideal providers of the manure used in composting and fertilising for horticulture, and in the use of the cow horns for the BD500 preparation. I dream that one day I might be in a position to grow something organic. I have a pond and have planted natives through a gully and poplars along the fence line for shelter.

I listen to David and Jen recount their field trip to Tauroa station where crops of linseed, barley, oats and wheat are grown. Cattle and sheep are farmed. Tauroa also produces nuts, feijoas, timber, eggs and truffles. I listen to how green the farm is and understand that the biodynamic grasses seem to put down deeper roots, which means the grasses are more resilient to drier periods. A mixture of "weeds", chicory, lucerne, red clover, are examples.

Having walked at the back of Hohepa, I have seen the nature of the mixed pasture for the Hohepa cows and how well the cows appear. And the cheese they produce ...

Having tasted some biodynamic wines, I am a real fan of James Millton's wines. James Millton, NZ's original biodynamic winegrower, was awarded the Council Award for Commitment and Service to Biodynamics in Aotearoa New Zealand. Apparently for over 30 years Millton Vineyards' grapes have been grown using biodynamic techniques. Grapes are grown without the use of herbicide, insecticide, systemic fungicides or soluble fertilises. Instead special herbal, mineral and animal preparations are used.

Biodynamics is not a new method of agriculture. In fact, biodynamic methods were first used in 1928 at Havelock North. I understand this practice is a real commitment and one which recognises the spiritual aspects of growing.

I finish with quotes from those who are committed to biodynamics.

James Millton says: "I practise biodynamics for no other reason than a burning desire to grow the best wine and produce. I like the philosophy, the discipline and the reward. I like the enthusiastic people the subject attracts. I like the spiritual science and metaphysical attitude. I like the mindfulness. I like it as well for the fact that when you do it well it becomes easy. And when it is easy there is little space for dis-ease to fit in."

Jai Chaitanya Das, Hare Krishna Nature Farm, Mysore, says: "Biodynamic farming has a balanced understanding of agriculture and thereby brings out the best of all traditional systems. Its subtle perspective makes a very creative environment for the farmer to function and transform agriculture from a skill to an art. This then brings with it the culture of nurturing and healing the soil, so as to heal the human body, mind and thereby the larger social system."

- Ana Apatu is chief executive of the U-Turn Trust, based at Te Aranga Marae in Flaxmere.