It is about time we celebrated anti-celebrity status. Where is that rare individual who never wants to make the front pages?

Or hasn't been on telly or written a book and couldn't care less about their 15 minutes of fame?

Such a person of quality is not easy to find and must possess an enviable selfesteem that depends neither on recognition nor image.

Food of quality is equally hard to find. Our fruit and vegetables must attain perfect looks before being displayed in the supermarket.

Yet a blemish-free apple no longer automatically guarantees nutritional excellence.

We cannot see how many growth promoters, sprays or waxes it contains. We have no record of its history, of the condition of the soil in which it was grown, whether it was picked unripe or how long it has been stored.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the deterioration in food and environment ultimately takes its toll, leading to a loss of health and weariness of soul.

This was recognised by an Austrian philosopher, scientist and social reformer almost a century ago. In 1924, Rudolf Steiner gave a series of lectures to farmers, upon which a holistic form of agriculture called biodynamics was founded.

The principles behind biodynamics have little in common with modern industrial and intensive farming methods which produce results quickly and efficiently on a large scale.

On the contrary, biodynamic agriculture looks at each farm individually recognising the need for each one to take advantage of its unique surroundings and find the correct balance between soil, plants and livestock.

In practice, the biodynamic farm is a selfcontained unit, producing its own seeds and feed for a range of different animals and ecosystems (ponds, hedges, woods, pastures).

Respecting the laws of nature and considering the needs of future generations are important to the biodynamic farmer. But he or she requires expertise and community support for the farm to become truly viable and self-sustaining.

Special compounds are used to restore the vitality of earth and plants because the quality of soil has become poorer. Manure, quartz crystal, dandelion and yarrow are sprayed on to soil and plants or are added to the compost in small amounts. These natural preparations help plants achieve optimum development, affecting taste, colour and smell.

Enhanced soil fertility means crops put down deeper roots, plants keep longer when harvested, reproduce better and resist pests and disease naturally with less need for pesticides, insecticides and fungicides.

Food grown biodynamically is more nutritious and a little goes a long way.

Biodynamic agriculture is no flaky ideal but a growing movement with thousands of operational farms worldwide.

Marketed under the Demeter symbol, authentic biodynamic produce costs more because farming methods are labour-intensive and yields are lower.

As well as paying for quality food, the consumer pays for the reversal of environmental pollution.

Long-term, it may only be a small price.

The biodynamic centre in the South-East is Emerson College, Forest Row (tel 01342 822238). Visit www.emerson.org.uk for more information and training courses.