Ehrenfried Pfeiffer

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

[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 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 Goetheanum laboratory.

[edit] Work

Pfeiffer was a pioneer of biodynamic agriculture in America. 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 grown food.^{[citation needed]} The method demands much practice — Pfeiffer wrote, about eight years of looking at and meditating about the images which the crystals produce.^{[citation needed]} The life forces are not testable through other scientifical methods, as there is no ordinary chemical analysis which would reveal the presence of life forces.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] External Links

• http://www.pfeiffercenter.org/
• Reprint of the May 31, 1952 Collier's magazine article on Pfeiffer's composting work with the city of Oakland, CA -- http://rotheraine.com/golden_garbage.html