One of the methods unique to biodynamic agriculture is the use of the biodynamic preparations.  Horns filled with manure? Grinding up quartz crystals?  It can be hard to know where to start. 

This course covers everything from the basics of what the biodynamic preparations are, how to make and use them all the way through to research, both quantitative and qualitative, that explore their effectiveness.

This self-study course is designed for anyone who is interested in the preparations, for farms, gardens, or allotments.  All that is required is interest, a decent internet connection and some self-motivation. 

Course Structure

  • Readings – some of these have been written specifically for the course and some are collections of other written resources.

  • Activities – designed to further your engagement and understanding of the subject.

  • Interviews – that present the relationship of a biodynamic farmer or grower with the preparations.

  • Further reading and references – if you want to find out more, we've put together lots of resources and links to research and other resources.

  • Live Q&A with experts – every 4 to 6 weeks we'll hold a live webinar with experts to answer your questions. Recordings of past Q&A sessions are also available to all participants.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome

    2. Working with the Biodynamic Preparations (questionnaire)

    3. Initial Thoughts on the Preparations (discussion)

    1. Introduction, overview and initial principles

    2. What is science (discussion)

    3. Interview with Timothy Brink

    1. Horns and hooves

    2. Making the Spray Preparations

    3. Using the Spray Preparations

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Earthly Rhythms

    5. On Manure and Quartz

    6. Summary of the Spray Preparations

    7. The Role of the Cow, by Timothy Brink

    8. Why Cows Have Horns

    9. Silica: Substance and Process by Dennis Klocek

    10. Stirring Exercise

    11. Horsetail Preparation 508

    1. Preparation Plants, Research Exercise

    2. Compost Preparations Introduction

    3. Yarrow (502)

      FREE PREVIEW

    4. Chamomile (503)

    5. Nettle (504)

    6. Oak bark (505)

    7. Dandelion (506)

    8. Valerian (507)

    9. Using the Compost Preparations

    10. Karl Koning on Sheaths

    11. Jeanne Malherbe on the Preparations

    1. Research Papers on the Preparations

    2. Innovations

    3. Dennis Klocek interview

    4. Considera website

    5. DOK Experiment: Long-term study on bio-dynamic, bio-organic and conventional farming systems

    6. Discussion: Making the Preparations in Different Contexts

    7. Robin Snowdon interview

    8. Personal experience and relationship with the preparations

    1. Periodic Q&A Webinars

About this course

  • £95.00
  • 47 lessons
  • 1.5 hours of video content

Registration gives you access to materials for six months.

New to Biodynamics?

If you have no familiarity with biodynamics, we'd recommend you consider taking our Introduction to Biodynamics Course first.