Biodynamic Farming & Vineyards:
10 Things to Know
1. In June of 1924, Rudolf Steiner presented 8 lectures over 10 days. Approximately 100 farmers had gathered in Koberwitz, Germany to hear those talks. Today those lectures can be found in a book called Agriculture, and are what became the foundation of Biodynamic® farming today.
2. Biodynamic® farmers seek to fashion their farms as self-regulating, bio-diverse ecosystems in order to bring health to the land and to their local communities. This idea extends to seeing the whole earth as a single, self-regulating, multi-dimensional ecosystem.
3. Biodynamic® farming is a holistic and regenerative farming system. It focuses on soil health, the integration of plants, animals, and biodiversity in creating a whole farm system that requires a minimum of imported materials to sustain itself.
4. 10% of the total land of the farm is required as a minimum to be set aside to be a biodiversity preserve. That may include but is not limited to wetlands, forests, riparian corridors, and intentionally planted insectaries.
5. The use of preparations is a requirement of the Biodynamic® Farm Standard. There are 9 in all, made from herbs, mineral substances, and animal manures, that are utilized in field sprays, and compost inoculants. Their purpose includes revitalizing the soil, stimulating root growth, enhancing the development of microorganisms and humus, and aid in photosynthetic activity.
6. Timing plays a key role. Nature has cycles, and working in alignment with those cycles allows small amounts of inputs to go a long way. Consider it like tossing a pebble in a pond. One small thing can cover a lot of ground.
7. Demeter certifies for Biodynamic® Farming. The first vineyard to be Demeter Certified east of the Mississippi gets their certification in Sept 2012. If all goes as planned, that recipient will be Shinn Estate, from the North Fork of Long Island.
8. Some of the world’s top wine producers farm biodynamically. A few from France include Zind Humbrecht, Domaine Leflaive, Domaine Leroy, Michel Lafarge, M. Chapoutier, and Clos de la Coulee de Serrant (Nicolas Joly).
9. Biodynamic® farming has spread its wings in Oregon. Brick House, Bergstrom, Brooks, DeLancelotti, Cooper Mountain, Evening Land, Maysara, Montinore, Dominio IV, Johan Cellars, and Cowhorn Vineyards are among those walking the talk. A Washington state highlight is Cayuse.
10. California’s biodynamic® community of wineries includes Frey, Grgich Hills, Ambyth Estate, Benziger, Paul Dolan Vineyards, Beckmen, Presidio, Ampelos, DaVero, Ehler’s Estate, Robert Sinskey, La Clarine Farm, Quivira, Montemaggiore, Porter Bass, Porter Creek, Littorai, Ceago Vinegarden, Quintessa, Arajuo, and Front Porch Farm.
“Finding Biodynamics” is my personal story on how I first got introduced to biodynamic® farming and vineyards.
Additional Resources:
- Rudolf Steiner College
- Biodynamic® Farming & Gardening Association
- Demeter USA
- An Agriculture Perspective
