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The Dirty Prince

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By Christabel Akerele

August 15, 2021
12:04 pm
Los Angeles, CA

"If you’ve been waiting for an invitation, this calligraphy is it. Commissioned by Facebook, this is a hand-lettered design for a poster. Quote is Facebook mine "

- Massimo Vignelli

Prince Charles who is also popularly known as the “Dirty Prince” for his passionate love and concern for the soil and earth as a whole is Britain’s most famous organic farmer. Believe it or not, sustainable agriculture was not always this popularly accepted. The Prince of Wales played an important part in propagating this concept in modern times. 36 years ago, he took up yet another and perhaps rather daring and unconventional experiment in form of an agricultural project. However, like the rest of Prince Charles’ ideals about what culture and community should be like, his drive for sustainable farming in relation to the health of both the earth and her occupants was met with a lot of criticism and mockery or as he would term it, ‘madness’. A

Prince Charles who is also popularly known as the “Dirty Prince” for his passionate love and concern for the soil and earth as a whole is Britain’s most famous organic farmer.

Believe it or not, sustainable agriculture was not always this popularly accepted. The Prince of Wales played an important part in propagating this concept in modern times. 36 years ago, he took up yet another and perhaps rather daring and unconventional experiment in form of an agricultural project. However, like the rest of Prince Charles’ ideals about what culture and community should be like, his drive for sustainable farming in relation to the health of both the earth and her occupants was met with a lot of criticism and mockery or as he would term it, ‘madness’.

A very ‘down to earth’ man the Prince of Wales vision is a biologically stable farming is one deeply motivated by Rudolf Steiner’s principles on biodynamic agriculture.

What is biodynamic agriculture?

Biodynamic farming is based on the spiritual scientific research carried out by Rudolf Steiner, founder of anthroposophy (wisdom of Man). It is based on the philosophical conclusion that everything alive goes through a constant process of change.

“To farm biodynamically does not mean to farm mechanically with a fixed method, nor does it mean to fantasise in pseudo-religious beliefs. Instead, to farm biodynamically means to apply universal principles, ideas, thoughts and feelings, depending on the circumstances, the conditions and the problems one is confronted with at the time on the field and respecting the originality and freedom of those who apply this method. As a rule, the act of farming commits you to refrain from causing damage and to focus on grasping Nature’s wise laws and morally respect them.”

As the concept of chemical agriculture began to evolve and gain more popularity, concerns began to rise about the food quality. Indeed, there was an improvement in crop yield, however its effect on soil integrity, seed vitality and livestock were altogether negative. The soil began to deteriorate, and man’s health seemed to be dragged along the same path hence that need for a biologically sustainable intervention.

In response, Rudolf Steiner was one of the first to describe the ‘principles of interconnectedness in relation to farming and to describe a link between the fertility of the soil and the health of the people.

Below is a list of general preparations that Rudolf suggested could be applicable in the slow but sure healing of the soil:
1. Preparation 500 or horn manure preparation
2. Fladen Preparation or Barrel Compost
3. Preparation 501 or horn silica preparation

‘The fundamental aim of biodynamic agriculture is to restore balance and its purpose does not leave things to Nature, but goes beyond Nature, helping it, by supporting its evolution, to obtain a more fertile land that is richer with life’ and therefore advocating that Man be seen as part of nature and not as working against nature.

Biodynamic organic farming is that only form of agriculture that is both financially and biologically sustainable and that will ensure the survival of our planet and its most dear resources. We can thank Prince Charles’ resilience and access to large privately owned funds for that.

The Prince of Wales also hopes that the increased popularity of this ‘intervention’ would aid the development and protection of small family farmers and also allow farmers return to that natural and creative approach of farming.

It is safe to conclude that the Prince Charles hopes to create a new sense of space encompassing environment, agriculture, architecture, healthcare, and education helping humanity improve how it relates to the world and rediscover beauty in a nature that is inclusive of them.