Ehrenfried Pfeiffer

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Ehrenfried Pfeiffer was born in 1899 in Munich (Germany) and died in 1961 in Spring Valley NY (USA). Pfeiffer was a scientist, anthroposophist and disciple of Rudolf Steiner.

1 Life
2 Work
3 Importance for our Days
4 External Links

[edit] Life

Pfeiffer emigrated first to France and later via Spain to the USA in 1940. His copper chloride crystallization theory brought him an honorary doctorate from Hahnemann Hospital and Medical College in Philadelphia. He studied chemistry and became professor for biochemistry in 1956.

After working as driver for Steiner in his student days, he worked in the private Research Laboratory at the anthroposophic Goetheanum in Dornach (Switzerland). He became manager and director of an 800-acre experimental farm at Loverendale, Holland. This farm was set up to carry out some of the agricultural studies of the laboratory.

[edit] Work

Pfeiffer was a pioneer for biodynamic agriculture in America. But he is most widely known for his innovative work in composting. He conducted extensive research on the preparation and use of biodynamic compost. For many years Pfeiffer served as a compost consultant to municipal compost facilities, most notably Oakland (California). He is the inventor of BD Compost Starter, a compost inoculant.

He is the inventor of two anthroposophic image forming methods. These are the round filter chromatography according to Pfeiffer (circular chromatography or chroma test) and copper chloride crystallization method developed together with Erica Sabarth. These tests are designed to show the presence of life-forces or vitality in food. The method has proven that there are more such life-forces in biodynamically prepared nourishment. The method demands much practice — Pfeiffer wrote, about eight years of looking at and meditating about the images which the crystals produce. The life forces are not testable through other scientifical methods, they simply do not show up in ordinary chemical analysis.

[edit] Importance for our Days

Pfeiffer`s copper chloride crystallization method can be used to broaden research on the difference between the grade of food which is, or is not, genetically modified. If it shows that genetically modified food has the same life-forces (vitality) like other food, this may have a political meaning, because it would then be easier to assert development aid through the artificial generation of new plants.