What is Biodynamic Farming?

Ever heard of Biodynamic farming? Even though this is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement (been around twenty more years than organic farming!), it is still something of a new trend in the consumer world.

Biodynamic farming is a holistic style of agriculture in which the mineral, plant, animal and humans work in harmony to produce nutrition food and regenerate the soil in tune with the natural rhythms of the moon, the planets and the stars.  These solar bodies influence the optimum times to sow, cultivate and harvest the crops. It was founded by Rudolf Steiner, a highly trained scientist and respected philosopher. Long before many of his contemporaries, Steiner came to the conclusion that western civilization would increasingly bring destruction to itself and the earth if it did not begin to incorporate an objective understanding of the spiritual world and its interrelationship with the physical world. Steiner's spiritual scientific methods and insights have given birth to practical holistic innovations in many fields including education, banking, medicine, psychology, the arts and, not least, agriculture.

The biodynamic system considers the farm as a self-contained, self-regulating unit.  Emphasis is placed on the integration of animals and plants, similar perhaps to our childhood vision of farms as distinct from the current monocultures that exist today. Ideally, animals are born on the farm and fed with produce grown on the farm's land, which has been fertilized with their manure. It is a system that thrives on diversity and, in common with good organic practice, plenty of rotation. One important element of this system is biodynamic composting.  This is a complex and scientific way of recycling animal and plant waste materials for the benefit of the soil, the animals, the plants and the farm itself.  A study at Washington State University found that the preparations used in biodynamic composting have a significant effect on the composting process whereby it matures faster and is richer in nitrates than compost created by conventional methods.
The end result of all these processes is to produce food, be it plant or animal based, that is rich in life forces that create optimum nutrition.  It also tastes better and does no harm to the environment during its production.

There are biodynamic farms and gardens in more than 30 countries on five continents.  Biodynamic produce is marketed under the Demeter symbol and is the only certification agent for biodynamic farms, processors and products in the United States. In essence, biodynamic farms must be certified organic, devote 10% of their farm land to biodiversity, uphold very minimal food product manipulation, and possess whole farm certification. The Biodynamic Trade Association explains that this method of farming is different from sustainable and organic agriculture in 4 ways:

1. The biodynamic farmer thinks in terms of forces and processes whereas organic and sustainable agriculture farmers think in terms of substances.
2. Uses nine homeopathic preparations made of usually mineral, plant, or animal manure extracts, fermented and used to care for the soil, compost, and plants.
3. Uses cosmic rhythms to dictate farming, for example the affects of the new and full moons on planting seeds and plant growth.
4. Conceives the farm as an individual organism, a self-sufficient entity, and depends very little on nutrients from outside the farm. Emphasis is placed on the integration of crops and livestock, recycling of nutrients, maintenance of soil, and the health and well being of crops and animals; the farmer too is part of the whole.

One of the most common biodynamic product is wine. Many high end wine makers, especially in France but also in the Sonoma/Napa area, are now converting into biodynamic farming. Because the soil and the surrounding nature is such a big component for a great wine, biodynamic farming increases the flavor of the wine. Many other biodynamic products or foods are now available in grocery stores such as Whole Foods.

Look for this symbol when shopping Biodynamic.