Margrit Selke (1900–2004) was a specialist in
biodynamic agriculture
Biodynamic agriculture is a form of alternative agriculture based on pseudo-scientific and esoteric concepts initially developed in 1924 by Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). It was the first of the organic farming movements. It treats soil fertility, ...
who did research with Dr.
Ehrenfried Pfeiffer
Ehrenfried Pfeiffer (19 February 1899 – 30 November 1961) was a German scientist, soil scientist, leading advocate of biodynamic agriculture, anthroposophist and student of Rudolf Steiner.
Life
Ehrenfried Pfeiffer began work with Rudolf St ...
. From the early 1960s, until her retirement at the age of 97, she was the maker of the Pfeiffer BD Compost Starter and Field Spray 1. Along with Peter Dukich, Harris Porter and Erika Sabarth, she was considered as one of the "Three Musketeers" of Bio-dynamic
Composting
Compost is a mixture of ingredients used as plant fertilizer and to improve soil's physical, chemical and biological properties. It is commonly prepared by decomposing plant, food waste, recycling organic materials and manure. The resulting m ...
. All the "Musketeers" were noted for their remarkable longevity. Only Harris Porter died in his 80s, while Peter Dukich reached 94, Erica Sabarth, 84 and Margrit Selke, 105.
The exceptionally prolific Selke Biodynamic
Cherry Tomato
The cherry tomato is a type of small round tomato believed to be an intermediate genetic admixture between wild currant-type tomatoes and domesticated garden tomatoes. Cherry tomatoes range in size from a thumbtip up to the size of a golf ball ...
was named after her.
Emil Bock
Emil Bock (born 19 May 1895 in Barmen; died 6 December 1959 in Stuttgart) was a German anthroposophist, author, theologian and one of the founders of The Christian Community.
In 1914 he began a study of languages at the University of Bonn. Howeve ...
, in his book ''The Three Years'' wrote that the seed and plant of this unusual species contains forces evoking "the cosmic sphere of sunlit clouds, air and wind..."
References
External links
Homestead & Garden memories; by John & Helen Philbrick (includes picture of Margrit Selke)
1900 births
2004 deaths
Agricultural writers
{{Agri-stub