Stanisław Karłowski (1879-1939): Pioneer of Biodynamic Farming and Organic Agriculture in Poland
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.97.12692Keywords:
Rudolf Steiner, Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, Experimental Circle, Koberwitz, Kobierzyce, Franciszek Siedlecki, WW1, WW2.Abstract
Stanisław Karłowski (1879-1939) was one of the great champions of Biodynamic farming during its formative years. After an illustrious career as an international banker, in 1920 he purchased the Szelejewo Estate in Poland comprising 1,724 hectares. Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925) presented his Agriculture Course at Koberwitz (now Kobierzyce, Poland) in the summer of 1924. Rudolf Steiner called for farming to be based on natural and biological principles and the farm to be considered as an organism. His seminal course laid the grounds for the subsequent development of Biodynamic and organic farming. Stanisław Karłowski encountered Biodynamics in 1929. He converted his Szelejewo Estate to Biodynamics, thereby creating what was, at the time, likely the largest Biodynamic (BD) farm in Europe, and perhaps the world (c.f. Ehrenfried Pfeiffer’s farm, Loverendale, Netherlands, was 320 hectares). Stanisław Karłowski published a series of seven booklets (in Polish) promoting the practice of Biodynamics (including a translation of Ehrenfried Pfeiffer); these are believed to be the first Biodynamics publications in Polish. Stanisław Karłowski ran courses on Biodynamics at his Estate and made BD preparations available. He engaged in lively debate and advocacy for Biodynamics in Poland’s ‘Agricultural Gazette’. He implemented Rudolf Steiner’s injunction to test the ideas of the Agriculture Course and he published his results and observations in ‘Demeter’, the leading Biodynamics journal of the time. With a leading Polish Anthroposophist artist, Franciszek Siedlecki, he developed advertising material for Biodynamic bread from his Szelejewo Estate. Stanisław Karłowski was a member of Rudolf Steiner’s ‘Experimental Circle of Anthroposophic Farmers and Gardeners’, the ‘inner sanctum’ of those pioneering the development of Biodynamics in its gestational years of the turbulent interwar period. He founded an association to progress biological farming practices. The breadth and depth of Stanisław Karłowski’s dedication to Biodynamics flags him as an exceptional member of the Experimental Circle. He brought to the task an economic viewpoint, the attention to detail of a banker, and the independence of thought of a non-Anthroposophist. Within weeks of the German invasion of Poland, Stanisław Karłowski was executed by a Nazi firing squad in the town square of Gostyń, his wife was deported, his beloved Szelejewo Estate was appropriated by the Nazis, and Poland was extinguished as a sovereign state. The present paper establishes Stanisław Karłowski as a pre-eminent pioneer and champion of Biodynamic and organic agriculture.
References
Kancelaria Senatu, Senat RP w latach 1922-1939 - Stanisław Karłowski. 2022, Warsaw: Kancelaria Senatu.
Charles, D., Master Mind: The rise and fall of Fritz Haber, the Nobel laureate who launched the age of chemical warfare. 2005, New York: Ecco, HarperCollins Publishers.
Freemantle, M., The Chemists' War 1914-1918. 2015, Cambridge, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry.
Steiner, R., Agriculture Course. 1924, (1929, first English language edition; trans George Kaufmann). Dornach, Switzerland: Goetheanum.
Dagg, N.V., Introduction., in in Eugen Kolisko, Reincarnation and Other Essays. 1940, King, Littlewood & King Limited: London. p. 9-14.
Pfeiffer, E., Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening: Soil Fertility Renewal and Preservation. 1938, New York: Anthroposophic Press.
Paull, J., Biodynamic Agriculture: The journey from Koberwitz to the World, 1924-1938. Journal of Organic Systems, 2011. 6(1): p. 27-41.
Northbourne, Lord, Look to the Land. 1940, London: Dent.
Paull, J., Lord Northbourne, the man who invented organic farming, a biography. Journal of Organic Systems, 2014. 9(1): p. 31-53.
Paull, J., Attending the first organic agriculture course: Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course at Koberwitz, 1924. European Journal of Social Sciences, 2011. 21(1): p. 64-70.
Steiner, R., To All Members: The Meetings at Koberwitz and Breslau. Anthroposophical Movement, 1924. 1: p. 9-11.
Paull, J., A history of the organic agriculture movement in Australia, in Organics in the Global Food Chain, B. Mascitelli and A. Lobo, Editors. 2013, Connor Court Publishing: Ballarat. p. 37-60.
Paull, J., The pioneers of biodynamics in New Zealand. Harvests, 2018. 70(3): p. 38-40.
Paull, J., The pioneers of biodynamics in USA: The early milestones of organic agriculture in the United States. American Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2019. 6(2): p. 89-94.
Paull, J., The pioneers of biodynamics in Great Britain: From Anthroposophic Farming to Organic Agriculture (1924-1940). Journal of Environment Protection and Sustainable Development, 2019. 5(4): p. 138-145.
Pfeiffer, E., De Vruchtbaardheid der Aarde: Haar Behoud en Haar Vernieuwing het Biologisch-Dynamische Principe in de Natuur. 1938, Deventer, Netherlands: N.V. Uitgevers-Maatschappij & E. Kluwer.
Pfeiffer, E., Die Fruchtbarkeit der Erde Ihre Erhaltung and Erneuerung: Das Biologisch-Dynamische Prinzip in der Natur. 1938, Basle, Switzerland: Verlag Zbinden & Hugin. 383
Pfeiffer, E., La Fertilita della Terra come Restaurarla e come Conservarla. 1938, Milano, Italy: La Prora.
Pfeiffer, E., Fécondité de la Terre, Méthode pour conserver ou rétablir la fertilité du sol: Le principe biodynamique dans la nature. 1938, Paris: Editions de La Science Spirituelle.
Paull, J., The secrets of Koberwitz: The diffusion of Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course and the founding of Biodynamic Agriculture. Journal of Social Research & Policy, 2011. 2(1): p. 19-29.
CIA, 2021. 2021, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Washington, DC.
Zamoyski, A., Poland, A History. 2015, London: William Collins.
Oesterreich, Reisepass - Paszport: Stanislaus R.v. Karlowski, Nr. Ka/558. 1916, In Namen Seiner Majestat Karl Keisers von Oesterreich (private collection): From 27-7-1916.
Bietkowski, P., Karłowski Stanisław Franciszek Józef, in Karłowski Stanisław Franciszek Józef. Polski wkład w przyrodoznawstwo i technikę. Słownik polskich i związanych z Polską odkrywców, wynalazców oraz pionierów nauk matematyczno-przyrodniczych. 2015, Instytut Historii Nauki Polskiej Akademii Nauk: Warszawa. p. 167.
Patrick, D. and W. Geddie, eds. The Illustrated Chambers's Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge. Vol VII. 1926, W & R Chambers, Limited: London.
Arrigo, E., Meet Australia’s desert-dwelling frogs. Australian Geographic, 2018. 7 May.
Hargreaves, R., Hitler's Final Fortress, Breslau 1945. 2013, Barnsley, South Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Military.
Gliński, M., A Foreigner’s Guide to the Polish Alphabet. 2015, Warszawa, PL: Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Culture.pl.
Gavrilas, R., The Diacritics SEO Technique – A Tactic Nobody is Using. 2019, Lași, RO: cognitiveSEO.com.
Willer, H., et al., eds. The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics & Emerging Trends 2022. 2022, Switzerland: Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) & Bonn, Germany: IFOAM-Organics International: Frick.
Paull, J. and B. Hennig, A World Map of Biodynamic Agriculture. Agricultural and Biological Sciences Journal, 2020. 6(2): p. 114-119.
Piotrowski, T., Poland's Holocaust: Ethnic Strife, Collaboration with Occupying Forces and Genocide. 1997, Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company.
Łoza, S., Stanisław Karłowski, in Czy wiesz kto to jest? [Who'sWho], S. Łoza, Editor. 1938, Gtó wna Ksiȩg Wojskowa,: Warszawa. p. 324.
Skorupska, E., Stanisław Karłowski - Człowiek wielu pasji (cz.1) [Stanisław Karłowski - A Man of Many Passions (Part 1)], in Rocznik Gostyński [The Gostyń Yearbook]. 2021, Muzeum w Gostyniu: Gostyń. p. 87-138.
Lukas, R.C., The Forgotten Holocaust: The Poles under German Occupation,1939-1944. 2007, New York: Hippocrene Books.
Matthäus, J., J. Böhler, and K.-M. Mallmann, War, Pacification, and Mass Murder, 1939: The Einsatzgruppen in Poland. 2014, Rowman & Littlefield: Lanham, MD.
Wilson, W. and others, Treaty of Peace between the Allied Associated Powers and Germany. 1919, (signed 28 June at Versailles). London: His Majesty's Stationery Office.
Karśnicki, J., Dz.U. 1920 nr 70 poz. 467: Ustawa z dnia 15 lipca 1920 r. o likwidacji majątków prywatnych w wykonaniu traktatu pokoju, podpisanego w Wersalu dnia 28 czerwca 1919 roku [Law of July 15, 1920 on the liquidation of private property pursuant to the Treaty of Peace, signed at Versailles on June 28, 1919]. Dziennik Ustaw [Journal of Laws], 1920. 70(467): p. 1242-1243.
Karłowski, S., MS letter dated 26 February 1921 to the Ministry of the Former Prussian District, Treasury Department in Poznań (Ministerstwo byłej Dzielnicy Pruskiej Departament Skarbu w Poznaniu) signed by Stanisław Karłowski re purchase of Szelejewo Estate from Schonburg Waldenburg in contact dated 2 December
Schönburg-Waldenburg, H.P.v., Erinnerungen aus Paiferlicher Zeit [Memories from past times]. 1929, Verlag von K F Koehler: Leipzig.
Województwo Poznańskie, Majȩtność Szelejewo: Powiat Gostyn [Szelejewo Estate, County Gostyn]. 1929, Rolnicza Drukarnia i Ksiegarnia Nakladowa Spolka [Agricultural printing house and bookshop printing company]: Poznań.
Pronin, D.T., Land Reform in Poland: 1920-1945. Land Economics, 1949. 25(2): p. 133-145.
Partick, D. and W. Geddie, eds. The Illustrated Chambers's Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge. Vol VII. 1926, W & R Chambers, Limited: London.
Zawojska, A., Process of land reforms in Poland: Explanation by using theories of institutional change and theories of political behaviour. Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities, 2004. 7(1): p. #01.
Richter, K., Post-war Agrarian Economic Policies (EastCentral Europe), in International Encyclopedia of the First World War 1914-1918, O. Janz, Editor. 2017, Friedrich-Meinecke-Institute of Freie Universität Berlin: Berlin. p. 1-11.
Karłowski, S., Umstellung eines Großbetriebes [Conversion of a large farm]. Demeter, Monatsschrift für biologisch-dynamische Wirtschaftsweise, 1937. 8: p. 131-133.
Steiner, R., The Christmas Conference, Part Two: The Proceedings of the Conference, Continuationn of the Foundation Meeting, 29 December, 1923. 1923, Fremont, IL: Rudolf Steiner Archive, .
Paull, J., The Koberwitzers: Those who attended Rudolf Steiner's Agriculture Course at Koberwitz in 1924, World's foundational organic agriculture course. International Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 2020. 6(2): p. 47-54.
Marks, C., Reminiscence: A way to Anthroposophy. Chanticleer, Newsletter of the Berkshire-Taconic Branch of the Anthroposophical Society, 2017. 27(5, January): p. 2-4.
Heinrich, B., The Snoring Bird: My Family's Journey through a Century of Biology. 2008, New York: Harper Perennial.
Course Register, Verzeichnis der Besitzer des landwirtschaftlichen Kursus der von Dornach ausgegeben wurde. 1926-, Dornach: Archive of the Goetheanum.
Oboleńska, D. and M. Rzeczycka, Rudolf Steiner and His Polish Emissaries: Tadeusz Rychter and Other Anthroposophists from Poland, in Polish Esoteric Traditions 1890-1939, A. Świerzowska, Editor. 2019, Gdańsk University Press: Gdańsk. p. 138-158.
Krasnopolska-Wesner, Z., Zniani Anthropozofowie (Polska)[ Famous Anthroposophists (Poland)]: Franciszek Siedlecki. 2021, Warsaw: antropozofia.net.
Wachsmuth, G., Warsaw - Amsterdam. Anthroposophical Movement, 1929. 6(47, 48): p. 393-396.
Warszawskie Koło, Program Zjazdu Polskiego Towarzystwa Antropozoficznego, Warszawa 23-29 października 1929 [Program of the Congress of the Anthroposophy Society in Poland, Warsaw, October 23-29, 1929], in Polskie Tradycje Ezoteryczne 1890-1939 [Polish Esoteric Traditions], Vol. 4: Źródła i dokumenty. Gdańsk: Wydawnictwo, D. Oboleńska, Editor. 1929, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego: (2019). Gdańsk. p. 136-138.
Wachsmuth, G., Pogadanki o rolnictwie [Talks about agriculture]; Program Zjazdu Polskiego Towarzystwa Antropozoficznego, Warszawa 23-29 października 1929 [Program of the Congress of the Anthroposophy Society in Poland, Warsaw, October 23-29, 1929], in Polskie Tradycje Ezoteryczne 1890-1939, Vol. 4: Źródła i dokumenty, D. Oboleńska, Editor. 1929, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Gdańskiego: (2019). Gdańsk. p. 136.
Wistinghausen, A.v., Erinnerungen an den anfang der biologisch-dynamischen wirtschafsweise [Memories of the beginning of Biodynamic Farming]. 1982, Darmstadt, DE: Verlag Lebendige Erde.
Cross, M., An account of the Agricultural Conference at Marientein on May 30th. Anthroposophical Movement, 1929. 6(27): p. 235-236.
Wachsmuth, G., Agricultural work. Anthroposophical Movement, 1929. VI(42): p. 366-367. 385
Rzeczycka, M., Karłowski Stanisław. Kultura polska wobec zachodniej filozofii ezoterycznej w latach 1890-1939. Internetowy Leksykon Polskiego Ezoteryzmu 1890-1939, 2019. http://www.tradycjaezoteryczna.ug.edu.pl.
Groh, T., Forward for the English Translation of 'Lebensgesetze ...', in In Laws of Life in Agriculture by Nicolaus Remer. 1995, Bio-Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association: Kimberton, PA.
Groh, T., Remer, Nicolaus, in Anthroposophie im 20. Jahrhundert. Ein Kulturimpuls in biografischen Portäts, B. von Plato, Editor. 2003, Biographien Dokumentation der Forschungsstelle Kulturimpuls, Goetheanum < https://www.biographien.kulturimpuls.org/list.php?&id=557 >: Dornach, Switzerland.
Selawry, A., Ehrenfried Pfeiffer: Pioneer of Spiritual Research and Practice. 1992, Spring Valley, NY: Mercury Press.
Koepf, H.H., Erhard Bartsch., in Biographien Dokumentation. 2003, Forschungsstelle Kulturimpuls: Dornach.
Paull, J., Australia's original Demeter Farm (1934-1954). Journal of Biodynamics Tasmania, 2017. September(123): p. 16-19.
Pfeiffer, E., Beknopte Practische Handleiding ten Gebruike bij de Biologisch Dynamische Landbouwmethode. 1935, (1955 edn). Serooskerke, NL: N V Cultuur mij 'Loverendale'.
Paull, J., The Betteshanger Summer School: Missing link between biodynamic agriculture and organic farming. Journal of Organic Systems, 2011. 6(2): p. 13-26.
Baker, C.A., The Soil and its Products: The foods we eat versus life-giving foods. 1938, Batu Gajah, Perak, Federated Malay States: The author.
Karłowski, S., Ziemia i jej płody [The soil and its products; a translation of a booklet by C.Alma Baker]. Biologia a zycie, 1939. 4(August): p. 203-220.
Karłowski, S., Biologia gleby w praktyce rolniczej [Soil biology in agricultural practice]. Biologia a zycie, 1939. 3: p. 137-158.
Karłowski, S., Wpływ paszy na zdrowie zwierzat i jakose produktow pochodnych [Impact of feed on animal health and the quality of derived products]. Biologia a zycie, 1939. 1: p. 11-47.
Karłowski, S., Praktyczne wskazówki zastosowania metody biologiczno-dynamicznej na roli i w ogrodzie. Dla członków Zespołu pracy rolników i ogrodników pracujących według metody biologiczno-dynamicznej [Practical tips on the use of the biological-dynamic method in the field and in the garden. For members of the Farmers and Gardeners Work Team working according to the biological-dynamic method]. 1934, Poznań: [Szelejewo Estate].
Karłowski, S., Działanie preparatów metody biologiczno-dynamicznej [Action of preparations of the biological-dynamic method]. 1935, (Translation of pamphlet by E Pfeiffer, M Küntzel & E Sabarth). Poznań: [Szelejewo Estate].
Karłowski, S., Wpływ paszy na zdrowie zwierząt i jakość produktów pochodnych [The effect of feed on animal health and the quality of derived products]. 1937, Poznań: [Szelejewo Estate].
Karłowski, S., Praktyczne wskazówki racjonalnego zakładania i stosowania kompostów [Practical tips for the rational establishment and use of composts]. Vol. Nr.4. 1936, Poznań: [Szelejewo Estate].
Karłowski, S., Organizacja kompostowania surowców [Organization of the composting of raw materials]. 1937, Poznań: [Szelejewo Estate].
Karłowski, S., Ziemia i jej płody [The soil and its products; a translation of a booklet by C.Alma Baker]. 1939, Nr.7. Poznan: Szelejewo. 203-220.
Ignotus, Na 'Kursie' w Szelejewie [At the 'Course' in Szelejewo]. Gazeta Rolnicza: Pismo tygodniowe ilustrowane, 1935. LXXV(#16, 19 kwietnia): p. 510-518.
Niklewski, B., W sprawie metod biologiczno-dynamicznych [On biological-dynamic methods]. Gazeta Rolnicza, 1933. LXXIII: p. 114.
Karłowski, S., Nieco światła do artykułów p. Jerzego Ryxa o gospodarce biologiczno-dynamicznej [A little light for Mr Jerzy Ryx's articles on biological-dynamic economy]. Gazeta Rolnicza, 1934. LXXIV(46, 16 listopada): p. 1217-1219.
Karłowski, S., W sprawie gospodarki biologiczno-dynaminczej - zakonczenie polemiki [On biological-dynamic economy - end of the polemic]. Gazeta Rolnicza, 1935. 5(1 lutago): p. 94-98.
Karłowski, S., Pytanie Nr.2005 W Nr.6 'Gazety Rolniczey ... Odpowiedź [Question No. 2005 in No. 6 'Agricultural Gazette' ... Answer]. Gazeta Rolnicza, 1935. 9-10(1 marca): p. 280.
Zatorska-Salmanowicz, E., Z Dziejów Teatru - Franciszka Siedleckiego Droga do Teatru. Roczniki Humanistyczne, 2010. LVIII(1): p. 11-35.
Cavanaugh, J., Out Looking In: Early Modern Polish Art, 1890-1918. 2000, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
Paull, J., The First Goetheanum: A Centenary for Organic Architecture. Journal of Fine Arts, 2020. 3(2): p. 1-11.
Mickiewicz, A., Zywila, legende lithuanienne. 1866, True World of Books: (Facsimile 2021). Delhi, IN.
Bartsch, E., On the work done by the Experimental Circle of Agriculturalists in Germany. Anthroposophical Movement, 1929. 6(7): p. 56-58.
Paszewski, A., Kronika [Chronicle]. Biologia a Życie [Biology and Life], 1939(1): p. 58-59.
Paszewski, A., Od Redakeji [From the Editorial Board]. Biologia a Życie [Biology and Life], 1938(1): p. 3-4.
Baxter, I., Himmler's Death Squad - Einsatzgruppen in Action, 1939-1944: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives. 2021, Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword Books.
Rodale, J.I., ed. Organic Farming and Gardening. 1942, Rodale Press, 1(1):1-16: Emmaus, Pennsylvania.
Paull, J., The lost history of organic farming in Australia. Journal of Organic Systems, 2008. 3(2): p. 2-17.
Douglas, F.C.R., Memorandum and Articles of Association of The Soil Association, Ltd. 1946, 12 pp.; London: F. C. R. Douglas, Solicitor.
Himmler, H., Der Untermensch. 1942, Berlin: SS-Hauptamtes beim Reichsführer SS.
Hitler, A., Mein Kampf. 1925, 2016 edition. Munich, DE: Institut für Zeitgeschichte (The Institute of Contemporary History).
Reichskriminalpolizeiamt, Sonderfahndungsbuck Polen [Special search book Poland]. 1939, (copy in Biblioteka Śląska, Katowice). Berlin: Reichskriminalpolizeiamt [Reich Criminal Police Office].
Hargreaves, R., Blitzkrieg Unleashed: The German Invasion of Poland, 1939. 2010, Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books.
Polish Ministry of Information, The Black Book of Poland. 1942, New York, NY: G P Putnam's Sons.
Hasiński, B., Memories of war 1939-1945. 1999, Muzeum w Gostyniu (Museum in Gostyń): (Published 2010). Poznań.
Tonder, G.v., Einsatzgruppen: Nazi Death Squads, 1939-1945. 2018, Pen and Sword Military: Barnsley, UK.
Steiner, R., Kurs Rolniczy: Podstawy całościowego myślenia w rolnictwie ekologicznym. 2007, Zielone Świątki: (Trans: Mateusz Szoblik). Bielsko-Biała.
Paull, J., Translations of Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course (Koberwitz, 1924): The Seminal Text of Biodynamic Farming and Organic Agriculture. International Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 2020. 6(4): p. 94-97.
Selbie, K., Editorial Autumn 2022. News Leaf, 2022. #120(Autumn): p. 5.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2022 John Paull, Pawel Bietkowski
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
