Biodynamic agriculture first originated in central Europe but is now practised in farms, vineyards and gardens all over the world. At the heart of the biodynamic approach are the eight preparations -- Horn manure, Horn silica, Yarrow, Chamomile, Nettle, Oak bark, Dandelion and Valerian -- which are often produced by local biodynamic practitioners using well-established recipes. But as the biodynamic approach expands beyond its European origins, its methods have been increasingly adapted to meet the needs and challenges -- climates, fauna, seasons and regulations -- of different regions around the globe. This fascinating book presents the results of a unique study, carried out by the Agricultural Section at the Goetheanum, Switzerland, into how the biodynamic preparations are used in fifteen countries worldwide, including Egypt, Brazil, New Zealand, India and across Europe. The detailed case studies explore how the preparations are modified to suit their locations, as well as offering an insight into the work of each practitioner and how their understanding has evolved over the years. Contributors include Ueli Hurter, Dr. R. Ingold, Dr. M. Kolar, J. Schoenfelder, Dr. A. Sedlmayr and A. van Leewen. This book is a valuable reference into the production and application of the preparations around the world and an inspiring endorsement of how biodynamic principles hold true in such varied environments.

In recent years, the role of information and communications technologies in the development of agriculture and environmental issues has received significant attention in different types of international forums. With new technologies constantly developing, there is a need for research dedicated to technological progress. Innovations and Trends in Environmental and Agricultural Informatics provides emerging research on the design, development, and implementation of complex agricultural and environmental information systems, addressing the integration of several scientific domains including agronomy, mathematics, economics, and computer science. While highlighting topics such as image quality assessment, environmental policy, and supervised classification, this publication explores the applications and progress of various technologies within agricultural and environmental professions. This book is an important resource for researchers, professionals, academics, students, and scientists seeking current research on the rapidly evolving field of technology integration in agricultural production and environmental issues.