Biodynamic agriculture is a form of alternative agriculture very similar to organic farming, but it includes various esoteric concepts drawn from the ideas of Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925). The basic principles and practices of biodynamic agriculture include: 1) a holistic view of nature, 2) use of biodynamic preparations, 3) consideration of cosmic rhythms, 4) integration of animals, 5) maintenance of biodiversity, 6) crop rotation and cover crops, 7) on-farm fertility.