In today’s economy we often experience the dogma of Adam Smith who postulated that if everyone is striving for his own interest, the “invisible hand“ of the market will transform this interest into wealth for all. In wealthy countries we experience that wealth is not making us happier.
In fact, frequently consumption replaces human relationship. The wealth of a country is measured with the Gross National Product. In Bhutan, a new index was developed: the Gross National Happiness index. It has four main pillars: sustainable and equitable socio-economic development, environmental conservation, preservation and promotion of culture, and good governance.
Happiness can arise by making someone else happy. In all our economic processes, we depend on one another. The division of labour implies that we always need the service of others and that we are always working for others. It seems to be the exact opposite of Adam Smith's picture: if everyone is caring for the other, we can all be happier.
The real economic question is: how can I serve the other? What does he or she really need? This is the attitude of love. Mahatma Gandhi said "Service is not possible unless it is rooted in love". That is the reason why Ibrahim Abouleish has called his economic approach an 'economy of love'.
As farmers, we care for the land. How we care for the land is a service for society. Do we care enough for the people on our farms, for the needs of our local communities, and for the needs of our consumers?
With love and gratitude,
Christoph Simpfendörfer, General Secretary of the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International
Dear members, friends and licensees,
For 33 years, I have been responsible for a biodynamic mixed farm in the South of Germany. I have volunteered in different positions in the German Demeter associations and have now served seven years as General Secretary, first for Demeter International, then for the Biodynamic Federation - Demeter International.
I have had the chance to meet so many people around the world engaged in biodynamic agriculture. I enjoyed learning so much from different cultural backgrounds. The biodynamic principles are applicable everywhere, but the result is as individual as we all are individuals.
With a growing team of engaged colleagues, it was possible to develop new areas of work. In research, training and advisory, one of my highlights was the publication of the two manuals on the biodynamic preparations. The Demeter and biodynamic trademarks have been well protected. Certification work has been strengthened with new software and additional capacity. A new website and a successful image campaign have been launched. Representation in Brussels has been established, giving the biodynamic movement a visible presence in society and in the political sphere. Raw material coordination and growing activity in added-value chains, accompanied by a manual on associative economics, has supported the accessibility of Demeter products for the consumer.
It was my intention to acknowledge and respect the hard work of our farmers, and to strive for societal recognition. We are still on the way to this goal.
The development of the Biodynamic Federation and my personal biography have come to a moment where transition to the next generation will bring the necessary new impulses and modern skills into the organisation.
We are looking for a successor that I will support in the transition as long as it seems useful. And I will certainly continue with the one or the other international biodynamic project.
My deepest thanks go:
to all those who cultivate the Earth, day by day in a biodynamic way and care for all life on it,
to all those who have shared our mission to support our farmers in this task, my colleagues and the board members, all those taking responsibility within our movement,
to all those who contribute in the different places and services to our common vision of an agriculture of the future.
With love and gratitude,
Christoph Simpfendörfer, General Secretary of the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International
Looking for our new Executive Director Apply now!
The Biodynamic Federation Demeter International is looking for its new executive directorto start working on the 1st of October 2023 (or as soon as possible after that date). The former chief executive, Christoph Simpfendörfer, is retiring at the end of the year but will be available to ensure a good handover. You can find the full job description on our website.
Applications can be send in until June 15. All the necessary information is in the job description. Don't hesitate to share and spread the word via the dedicated page on our website.
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Collegial Exchange of Mediterranean Biodynamic Viticulture Join us for an exciting project!
A new and exciting project has launched with the support of the BFDI ART fund to develop a network of collegial exchange on biodynamic viticulture across the Mediterranean.
Via peer exchange we aim to build capacity in our viticulture practices, and strengthen our ability to communicate the advantages of biodynamic viticulture in participants' home countries of South Africa, Turkey, France, Portugal, Greece, and Israel.
The project is comprised of several stages, including a field course and collegial exchange for biodynamic viticulture in the south of France, online exchange meetings, and home-country events organized by participants.
This project was developed out of the real-world need of the project team members' daily work to develop biodynamics in countries where it is not well established, and will be an exciting collaboration of close working in new frontiers to develop biodynamics.
The project team includes:
Liron Israely (Israel), Theo Kontogiannis (Greece), João Castella (Portugal), Arzu Isguden (Turkey), Soazig Cornu (France), Wendy Lilje (South Africa).
We are calling to more colleagues of the Mediterranean regions to join us online and in-person.
The first on-ground meeting will take place on June 4-10, in southern France.
Colloquiums on Biodynamic Preparations Online sessions to learn and exchange on BD Preparations
100 years on from the initial impulse given by Rudolf Steiner, the Biodynamic movement has expanded across the world. Biodynamic practitioners from all over are carrying forward the work with biodynamic preparations in different and changing socio-cultural and agroclimatic contexts. To learn from their different experiences and challenges, while strengthening the foundations of the biodynamic preparations is fundamental to continue supporting the growth and development of the biodynamic movement into the future.
The Biodynamic Federation in collaboration with the Section for Agriculture are organizing this year three online colloquiums on Biodynamic Preparations. The main aims of these colloquiums are to learn about the foundations of the Biodynamic Preparations, to strengthen the networks of learning and collaboration among biodynamic practitioners around the world, and to reflect together on future paths for the growing challenges faced by the global movement.
The first colloquium will be held on June 1st at 3 pm (CEST) on the topic: “The Essence and Quality of Biodynamic Preparations”
In this session experienced BD practitioners from across the world will exchange knowledge and experiences around the foundations of Biodynamic preparations, their understanding of quality and how they enhanced it. Representatives of the Fellowship of Prep- makers from U.S will finalize the session discussing how to assess and perceive quality through chromatography.
During the session, there will be time to meet and exchange mutual experiences with biodynamic practitioners from different countries of the world. To join this session please register in the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUkd-Gqpj8qGdQf48qg6Q-iux4GSnAHgO5O.
The second and third colloquiums will be held on August 31 at 3 pm (CEST) on the topic: “The Animal Being & The Preparations”, and November 23 at 2 pm (CEST) on the topic: “Local Adaptations in the work with the Preparations”.
We look forward to seeing you all on 1 June at 3 pm (CEST). If you have any questions or would like to collaborate and shared your experiences in these colloquiums, please contact Maria Paz Bernaschina (paz.bernaschina@demeter.net), Andrea D´Angelo (titadangelo@hotmail.com) or Sarah Sommer (sarah.sommer@goetheanum.ch).
Biodynamics Resource Hub
Seeds for the development of the world-wide movement
To advance biodynamics across the world today not only requires the commitment and determination of individuals. The international biodynamic community shares a common, responsibility to ensure that the movement can continue to unfold and develop across the world. Many BD practitioners around the world, particularly new associations and associations in developing regions encounter not only different socio-cultural and climatic challenges along their biodynamic paths. Among the key challenges are issues of how to raise awareness of the benefits of biodynamics among the community? How to engage new farmers and build their capacities? How to develop local markets?
Together the International Federation and the section for agriculture share the common mission of helping local associations and young biodynamic impulses around the world to address these challenges. To do this, we are organizing a global campaign to build a Biodynamic Resource Hub. The Hub will be a repository for useful resources, to be made available for BD practitioners and associations around the world. We need your help to build the Hub!
This is a call to build and strengthen networks of collaboration and support for the development of our global biodynamic movement. We are calling on our community to contribute with meaningful resources to strengthen the foundations and enhance benefits of biodynamics, and to support capacity building and biodynamic training locally across the world. Some examples of useful materials could be factsheets, booklets, manuals, videos and podcasts, links to databases, etc.
Resources collected will be available to support the development of the world-wide community through an internal platform at the BFDI website or on demand. If you would like to share material for the Biodynamic Resource Hub please contact Maria Paz Bernaschina from BFDI (paz.bernaschina@demeter.net) or Sarah Sommer from the section for agriculture at the Goetheanum (sarah.sommer@goetheanum.ch).
Communication
World Biodynamic Day May 28, 2023
World Biodynamic Day takes places every year on Whitsun Weekend. In 2023, it falls on Sunday, May 28. Each year, this day is an opportunity to celebrate biodynamics and the work all of you are doing worldwide to implement change for the better, and make an agri-culture for the future possible.
In light of all the challenges organic and biodynamic farmers have to face, this is a day to recognize the work and passion they put into regenerating our earth, our soil and our landscapes.
On this occasion, we will post an article on the BFDI website and a few visuals on our social media accounts. If you are interested in receiving visuals to post on your own social media accounts, feel free to send an e-mail to our communications intern, Louise, at assistant.eu@demeter.net. As Biodynamic Day is a worldwide event, feel free to send the translation of “World Biodynamic Day” in your own language so that the visuals can be tailored to fit your needs. We are also happy to share with you the article if you are looking for some inspiration.
We wish you all in advance a great World Biodynamic Day and hope to make this year’s a successful event!
Membership
Introduction to the Federation Thursday 22, June, from 4-5.30 pm CEST
The Federation is a complex ecosystem of activities and people, all working together to take biodynamics and Demeter out into the world, to build the community of organisations world-wide and to ensure the quality of Demeter products. How do we do this? Alysoun Bolger, Executive Board of the Federation, will present the Federation and its activities for anyone who is curious as to how we are working towards a better agriculture that meets the challenges of today and the future.
This is open to all members and licensees of the Federation, or those who would like to know more about the work of the Federation in the world.
World Banana Forum Update on the Working Group 01's activities
The World Banana Forum (WBF), a project led by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), aims to promote the worldwide adoption of best practices for sustainable banana production and trade. It provides a space where stakeholders can discuss the various problems facing the banana sector to find solutions through collaboration on the following topics:
sustainable management of natural resources
mitigation of climate change and uncontrolled environmental impact
respect for human rights (labour rights, health and safety at work)
The first phase of the project, which involved a methodological guide to measure carbon and water footprints, was successfully implemented. The main sources of emissions being energy and fertilizer use, residues, and refrigeration, the members studied the areas where changes to improve their carbon footprint would be most effective. During the second phase of the project, the WBF implemented, developed and tested an online automated tool for improving the GHG (greenhouse gases) accounting of the banana industry. Training and validation sessions took place over twelve weeks. The current, third, phase of the project is expanding the outreach of the tool to implement a technical accompaniment phase in selected companies from Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Brazil.
A following webinar focusing on plastic management linked to banana production is currently being planned. On that subject, the forum will collect input to generate a comprehensive assessment of plastic use and compile data on good practices. The need for an alignment of policies supporting these good practices in different countries was highlighted. We will continue our work to follow this topic and highlight the work of our banana producers regarding sustainable practices.
He will discuss the upcoming proposals of the seed marketing reform and on new genomic techniques (NGTs), meaning new GMOs. Both proposals are expected to be published before the summer break.
With a collective of 340 organisations, the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International took this opportunity to send a letter to Frans Timmermans reminding him of the dangers a deregulation of NGTs would pose to consumers, farmers within and outside of the organic movement, biodiversity, and the environment.
You can find the full letter on our website. A huge thanks to all members who signed the joint letter. Your support is much appreciated! Feel free to like and share our social media posts (@DemeterInt) to amplify our message!
EU Animal Welfare Reform Leaked draft document from the European Commission plans a ban on dehorning cows
The European Commission is currently working on a proposal to reform the EU animal welfare legislation. According to press, a leaked document (the first draft of the legislative proposal) shows very promising measures to be taken regarding animal welfare. The document illustrates the different and preferred policy options the Commission is considering before publishing the final legislative proposal, which is expected to be presented in autumn 2023.
The study is divided into four sets of measures that impact animal welfare: welfare of animals kept for economic purposes, at the time of the killing, during transport, and animal welfare labelling.
The Federation is happy and proud to read that our concerns have been addressed regarding the dehorning of cows. Indeed, the Commission led a public consultation between October 15, 2021, and January 21, 2022 on this revision to collect feedback from various stakeholders. The Federation published its position on the issue and included recommendations to be assessed by the Commission with regards to the proposal, specifically emphasizing the issue of the dehorning of cows.
According to the leaked document, the Commission’s preferred option on this matter is a ban on dehorning dairy cows, with a five-year transition period. Removing the horn before it attaches to the skull of calves (a practice called disbudding) will also be banned within the five-year period.
The Federation warmly welcomes this ambitious plan to prohibit the mutilation of animals, especially the dehorning of cows as is the current practice today: we believe horns belong to the cow and hope the Commission will stay the course!
Proposed regulation on Carbon Removal Certification A joint letter was sent to the European Parliament and Council of the EU
A joint letter expressing the views and providing input from 27 organisations, including the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International, IFOAM Organics Europe, Slow Food Europe and the European Environmental Bureau, was co-signed and sent to European policymakers regarding the proposed regulation on a unified European carbon removal certification framework (CRCF). Find the full letter here.
Carbon farming refers to agricultural practices that amplify the soil’s capacity to absorb and retain carbon in farmlands and forests. Experts from the last IPCC report are clear: drastic emission reductions are needed to keep global warming from seriously endangering biodiversity and ecosystems.
To this purpose, on 30 November 2022, the European Commission proposed a draft regulation for an EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF), which includes activities under the concept of carbon farming.
The joint letter, sent on May 17 highlights some of the key issues regarding land-based activities (under the concept of carbon farming) in the European Commission’s Proposal. Our key concerns: Ensuring actual benefits for farmers, biodiversity, ecosystems integrity and the climate, to pave the way for a just transition to agroecology. The signatories of the joint letter also aim to prevent this regulation from leaving the door wide open to greenwashing.
Meat and dairy – curse or blessing? Report on new scientific research paper, by Lukas Maschek
The role of animal-source foods is repeatedly hotly debated in the discussion over environmentally sound and sustainable agricultural production systems. To clarify the issue, a research team led by Ty Beal has published a paper in the Journal of Nutrition this year, analysing the current research status of this subject. The focus of their investigation is on environmental aspects and nutrition.
It quickly becomes apparent that there is no such thing as a uniform solution. A multitude of factors determines the health and ecological effects of meat and dairy foods. In the following, some of the study’s key statements are briefly summarised and then placed in relation to biodynamic agriculture with a focus on the topic of "cow and climate".
Milk as a mirror of its environment by Lea Sprügel and Dr Jasmin Peschke
When we drink milk, we consume not just nutrients, but also the whole atmosphere in which the milk was produced: the animal health, the farm and the people who care for the cows. If the raw milk is not treated further, its vitality is preserved and can promote our health – provided that the animals are kept in keeping with their nature.
The impact of glyphosate on our microbiome by Maryna Bogdanok and Dr Jasmin Peschke
As glyphosate is now one of the most frequently detected pesticide residues in food, it is difficult to avoid its intake. It poses a real danger to humanity because it disrupts the gut microbiome – and the connection between gut and brain, or will and thoughts. One more reason to produce biodynamic food.
Save the date:
How animals enhance the health and resilience of the land Our responsibility and the diverse roles of animals
Join the training session with Alysoun Bolger, Jean-Michel Florin and Johannes Wirz from 4 to 25 September, 2023.
We will explore the world of animals in their variety, diversity and context. What understanding is needed from human beings so that we can support animals in their natural contribution to the health and diversity of the land? With biodynamic agriculture as a basis, we will spend four weeks in the wonder-filled world of animals, both wild and domesticated, appreciating and recognising the movement and life that they bring to us and the earth.
Goetheanum World Conference - Reshaping a World Movement
September 27 – October 1, 2023
At the upcoming Goetheanum World Conference, the Section for Agriculture is involved in two thematic forums:
1. "On Earth we want to live! What are our contributions for the future of the Earth?" with Lin Bautze (CH), Laurens Bockemühl (D), Nadia El-Hage (IT), Bruno Follador (BR), Vesna Forštnerič Lesjak (SI), Justus Harms (EGY), Ueli Hurter (CH), Johannes Kronenberg (CH/NL), Meinhard Simon (D)
2. "Positive Health! How can we ensure the development of human health, healthy communities and habitats for animals, plants and healthy soils?" with
Georg Soldner (D/CH) and Jean-Michel Florin (FR)
We cordially invite you to join us in thinking about these questions and to register for the Goetheanum World Conference.
Trainers for the future - Deepening in Biodynamic Agriculture and Anthroposophy Virtual work cycle for future trainers in 5 sessions organized by biodynamic trainers in Latin America
This course was born from an initiative of a collective of trainers from Latin America. For two years the group has been working to train biodynamic trainers, to support each other and to grow together. Now, in the third year, the group is offering this online course (in Spanish) for biodynamic trainers to deepen their knowledge and learn the methodological aspects of adult education on the basis of biodynamic agriculture.
In collaboration with the Section for Agriculture, the course is open to guest biodynamic trainers who would like to gain insights into this training. This will be supported with a simultaneous interpretation into English. DONWLOAD FLYER (SPANISH)
First session: Biodynamic Agriculture and Anthroposophy:
27th + 28th May 2023, 20.00 – 22.00 CEST, UTC +2
Visit thewebsitefor other dates, further details and the registration link. The “Formadores para el Futuro” coordination group looks forward to welcoming biodynamic trainers from other continents, to bring our goals and learnings even closer together, after the great conferences and online sharing we experienced last year!
Since the 1990s, when I heard for the first time that Steiner had given the Agriculture course at the time of Pentecost, in 1924, the question arose of the relationship that one could have with the other. Little by little, from here and there, information came to me, which came together and created a sense. Now, one year away from celebrating the 100th anniversary of the event, the beginning of that sense appears.
Christ at Pentecost, in the year 33
50 days after Resurrection Sunday, 10 days after Ascension Thursday, Christ sends the Holy Spirit to the disciples, gathered in that same room as for Holy Thursday supper, in a transforming event that points to the future of all humanity. The path of encounter with the spirit, which can be sought by the human being who, in freedom, sets out on a path of search and self-development.
Christ renewed a feast, Shavuot, which had been celebrated for over 1300 years by the Jews. An agricultural feast, in which farmers brought their first harvests to the temple as an offering. It also renewed the delivery, celebrated together, of the tablets of the Law to Moses, the law that came from above, received from Jehovah. Henceforth, the law within each one was valid, to be followed, individually, in freedom.
Rudolf Steiner's relationship with the farm in Koberwitz
In a personal conversation in 1919 with Countess Johanna von Keyserlingk, in which they discussed the future of the family, where they were going to live, whether in the city or in the countryside, Rudolf Steiner suddenly throws at the Countess: “Ask to have Koberwitz!” Count Carl von Keyserlingk was the administrator of his father-in-law's estates, and he ran a huge monoculture of beets for the manufacture of sugar, but he lived in the city, and the coming and goings bothered him. He had already asked to have a house to live in the countryside, but his father-in-law had threatened to dismiss him if he continued to insist. Still in the conversation, Rudolf Steiner insists once again with Johanna: “Ask for Koberwitz!”, and later wrote a letter to Carl supporting him to ask for the place again. And, as if by a miracle, Johanna's father not only agrees, he supports the renovations she wants to carry out on the property.
In the renovation, in 1920, among other things, Johanna asked to engrave, above a small side door (on the left) the initials PSSR (Per Spiritum Sanctum Reviviscimus - a Rosicrucian expression), and since then everyone thought they were the contractor's initials of the reform. It was at this door that on June 7, 1924, the day before Pentecost Sunday, Count Carl von Keyserlingk received and introduced each participant of the course to Rudolf Steiner.
The renewal of agriculture, by Rudolf Steiner, which was going to bring the cure to that madess of an agriculture of illusion, could only take place there, and with the blessing of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of truth, for agriculture.
Zarathustra began the Messiah myth 7,000 years ago, proclaiming that the Sun-dwelling god, Ahura Mazdao, would one day unite with the Earth, and in practical terms ancient Persian culture began agriculture, cutting the land with a plow so that the sun's rays penetrated the Earth. A beginning that came from the Mysteries. In the year 33, Christ makes his union with the Earth real, at Easter and Ascension, starting to inhabit the etheric space of the Earth, sending the Holy Spirit to men at Pentecost. In 1924 Rudolf Steiner brings us the agriculture of truth, practiced by all those who feel connected to this spiritual stream that recognizes the need and works to bring new life to the Earth. A new spiritual impulse for human beings and for the whole Earth.
Ronaldo Lempek, Pentecost, 2023, Associate of ABDSul Biodinamica
Italy
Biodynamic Federation Demeter International visiting Italy 37th International Biodynamic Conference
An important meeting organized by the Board of Directors of Demeter Italia took place from April 18 to 21. The members of the Supervisory Board and of the Board of Directors of the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International (BFDI) were hosted in Campania. The meeting in Italy had been strongly longed for by the BFDI Supervisory Board and was based in Capua at “La Colombaia” farm owned by Enrico Amico, President of Demeter Italia.
On April 18 in the morning, a meeting was held at the Archaeological Museum of Capua by the Boards of Directors of BFDI, together with the representatives of the three Italian associations belonging to the International Federation (Demeter Italia, the Association for Biodynamic Agriculture, and Arge) and the representatives of some biodistricts (Salvatore Basile for Cilento, Maria Letizia Gardoni for the Marche). It was a good opportunity to understand the panorama of active Italian realities and the quantity of issues currently under discussion: from the presence of animals in biodynamic farms, to the stories Italian media carry about biodynamics; from the recent approval of the organic law, to the market trends. As far as the last issue is concerned, the specific Italian situation was crystal clear, given that Italian Demeter producers actually export most of their products: the inner market could be widely improved.
The Supervisory Board was attended by president Helmy Abouleish from Egypt, vice-president Alexander Gerber from Germany, and the directors Regina Haller (Argentina), Edouard Rousseau (France), Maja Kolar (Slovenia), Bettina Holenstein (Switzerland), Jean -Michel Florin (France) and Ueli Hurter (Switzerland). For the Executive Board, Christoph Simpfendörfer (Germany) and Alysoun Barrett Bolger (United Kingdom) were present. For Demeter Italia, in addition to president Enrico Amico and vice-president Alois Lageder, all the directors came: Carlo Brivio, Paolo Fontanabona, Elisabetta Foradori, Marco Paravicini and Antonello Russo.
The Biodynamic Association participated online, with president Carlo Triarico and councilors Valentina Carlà Campa and Domenico Genovesi. President Andreas Zuegg and directors Bernhard Zuegg and Klaus Visintin were representing Arge.
During their visit, the representatives of the BFDI could see how biodynamic agriculture is applied in Italy, starting from Amico Bio company. They had the possibility to understand the commitment, punctuality, precision, professionalism and passion Italian biodynamic farmers and their collaborators put in their daily work, not only in the production phase but also in the transformation processes.
Of course, there were also opportunities for cultural visits: Capua museum, which houses archaeological finds from the Roman and pre-Roman ages; the Royal Palace of Caserta and a final tour to Naples, Pompei and Sorrento, with a visit to a coastal farm which grows lemon and olive trees.
Demeter Italia has put all its efforts into the success of the work scheduled in Campania and to make the experience of the BFDI representatives unforgettable: they certainly brought home a pleasant memory of Italy and of Italian biodynamic reality. However, there is still a lot to discover and so… looking forward for the next opportunity!
Traditional preparation day in Trient ARGE Bozen Trient, May 3
The Arbeitsgemeinschaft für die biologisch dynamische Wirtschaftsweise (ARGE) Bozen Trient VFG met on May 3, 2023 for the traditional preparation day. The preparations buried in autumn were dug up. In addition horn silica and cow pat preparation were made. Apart from the joint preparation work, these meetings also serve to form and strengthen the group - and the day also includes a joint lunch.
Spain
Albacete is once again the epicentre of biodynamic agriculture in Spain
The Association 'Agro-Cultura Con Respeto' organised the IV edition of the Biodynamic Organic Agriculture Fair in the Palacio de Congresos de Albacete, held on 22 and 23 April.
This biannual state-wide fair has been held with great success in Albacete since 2017, where visitors and exhibitors attend as well as numerous speakers who participate in the series of conferences that are organised during the days of the Fair, which are very popular and have a large audience.
The fair is conceived as a meeting place for biodynamic producers and other agents in the sector (such as advisors, suppliers of inputs for biodynamic agriculture, certifiers, trainers and researchers, distributors and traders), including other organic processors interested in biodynamics, restaurants, canteen managers and, in general, all consumers interested in the quality of the food provided by biodynamic agriculture.
This year 2023 the lectures dealt with anthroposophically oriented medicine, the farmer as an artist, accounting for the social and environmental values of organic farming (German Regionalwert initiative), new developments in Demeter standards, digital marketing, and Waldorf pedagogy by the team of La Colmena primary school in Albacete. Special mention should be made of the exchange between biodynamic advisors, which closed the training project for advisors financed by the European Community, through Erasmus + funds, as a result of the collaboration between the Agro Cultura Con Respeto association and the German company Merckens Development Support GmbH, which lasted 19 months.
To ensure the quality of all the Fair's activities, an organising committee was set up, with the participation of the producers promoting the Fair and institutions that wanted to collaborate in supporting the organisation of this Fair 2023. These include the Provincial Technical Agronomic Institute (ITAP), the association for Biodynamic Agriculture in Spain, the Spanish Society of Organic Agriculture/Agroecology and the educational association La Colmena.
The 4th edition of the Fair included an exhibition of stands of companies related to biodynamic agriculture, which offered tastings and samplings, a program of conferences, workshops and debates, activities for children, an exhibition of informative posters and materials, instruments and equipment used in biodynamic agriculture, and catering with biodynamic products.
Cambium Napa Valley: A Biodynamic Masterclass Series Three days of biodynamic masterclasses and tastings featuring international wine producers and leaders in biodynamic viticulture.
This July, the Biodynamic Demeter Alliance will join domestic and international producers and leaders in biodynamic viticulture to host Cambium Napa Valley: an immersive three days of biodynamic masterclasses and tastings at the Quintessa estate in Napa Valley, California.
Thursday – Saturday, July 27-29, 2023 marks the seventh edition of Cambium – and the first time the series will make its way to the United States.
By bringing this set of voices together, we intend to build a rich and collaborative discussion around biodynamic viticulture with the producers, consultants, viticulturists, sommeliers and wine professionals in attendance.Click here to see the full program and line-up.
On behalf of the Biodynamic Demeter Alliance, Cambium Formazione, Montinore Estate and Quintessa, we invite you to share this announcement within your professional networks – and with anyone who may be interested in attending.
From June 14 - 17, 2023, the Biofach America Latina, co-organised with Bio Brazil Fair and Naturaltech, will welcome members of Brazil's organic movement interested in discovering new distribution options. Latin America is the third largest region of organic land worldwide, with organic sales in Brazil amounting to around US$ 950 million.
With the slogan ‘Organic and Natural Universe in Motion’, the BIO BRAZIL FAIR | BIOFACH AMERICA LATINA and NATURALTECH is poised to be another successful event. More than 85% of stands have already been sold!
“More than gathering the market, we want to provide a universe of experiences. That’s why we chose the theme ‘Organic and Natural Universe in Motion’ for 2023”, shares Valeska Oliveira Ciré, Head of products at the events.
More than 700 exhibitors and 1,400 brands will be represented. Visit the BIOFACH America Latina - BIO Brazil Fair website for more information and free registration (available in Portuguese, Spanish and English)!
The series consists of three thematic dialogues that aim to identify entry points, opportunities, building blocks, innovative approaches and institutional frameworks that can support the upscale of agroecology. Between 60 and 90 participants contributed to each dialogue from various backgrounds (scientists, government representatives, civil society organizations, intergovernmental organizations, private sector, and others). The key findings and recommendations of each dialogue were summarized in three outcome briefs. The briefs were officially launched during the FAO Deputy Director-General’s visit to Switzerland on February 22, 2023.
The Agroecology dialogue series aims to contribute to the emergence of a broader framework on multiple pathways for food system transformation that highlights concrete steps to promote agroecology at the national policy level, and set priority areas for a food systems transformation.
The three dialogues focus on case studies, examples and best practices of transformation pathways, combined with group discussions. Below are the three different themes that were discussed (click on each title to read the outcome brief):
Click here to access the Agroecology Dialogue Series’ Webpage where you can find short video summaries of the 3 discussions, and more. If you would like to be informed about future events, please visit the Food Policy Forum for Change.
David vs. Goliath Biodynamic poultry breeding programme
Small scale poultry keeping on Demeter farms enjoys increasing demand worldwide. Especially market gardens and perennial farms realize that a small mobile chicken coop is a low-threshold opportunity to integrate the animal kingdom into the farm organism. The Standard change to lower the on-farm share in small scale poultry keeping aimed to support these efforts and to simplify animal husbandry on otherwise animal-free farm types.
The main obstacle is often to find suitable breeds suited to organic and biodynamic farming. In the global poultry breeding industry only two major players are left, who have divided up the world market. Apart from that, there are no significant commercial players left. There is some activity in the field of pure breeds, but here the breeding is for appearance, and the fattening and egg performance of these breeds are not suitable for commercial purposes.
To develop commercially successful cross breeds is a very costly endeavour. One has to keep thousands of animals (of at least two very different pure breeds) for many generations to achieve significant breeding success, without any income during this time. So, it takes double-digit millions of investment with a very high risk; not a healthy environment for start-ups. For multinationals, the organic sector does not seem to be attractive enough; there are currently no breeds that are selected with regard to the husbandry conditions of organic farming. However, the differences in husbandry and feeding are so great that this is exactly what is actually needed, animals that are bred and selected on the basis of organic feeding and husbandry.
As a consequence, organic and biodynamic farmers are forced to keep animals optimized for high energy feeding and isolated amino acids in a completely closed and controlled housing environment with a very high susceptibility to animal diseases.
The last decades showed an enormous concentration process in the poultry industry. All remaining breeding flocks were either integrated into one of the two remaining companies or breeding was terminated to eliminate competition. Fortunately, two breeding flocks were overlooked, the former state-run breeding flocks of the state breeding program of the former German Democratic Republic. The University of Halle took over these breeding flocks after the fall of the wall and continued the breeding activity on a small scale. Eight years ago the financing of this breeding programme was critical and Demeter Germany and Bioland were asked for support. In order to maintain the basic socialist idea, a non-profit organization was founded, by farmers for farmers – the main idea “no ownership on breeding”. With a lot of energy and a substantial amount of third party funding by the German government and numerous private foundations, it succeeded to build up a considerable breeding organization in the last eight years.
The “Ökologische Tierzucht gGmbH” runs a dual-purpose breeding programme based on three pure breed flocks (New Hampshire, White Rock and Bresse Gauloises) which allows several combinations of performance cross breeds. It is the only breeding program in the world (that we know of) that is certified according to organic and organic association standards. The animals have a huge forested run and are fed 100% organic. Breeding animals are kept in flocks not in cages (which is the gold standard in non-organic breeding) and the main breeding goals are social behaviour and disease-resistance instead of high performance. Of course, the breeding programme also attaches importance to the performance concerning the production of eggs and meat, but it is not the all-dominating criterion.
The goal is balanced performance using an ecologically sound feed ration - regional components and by-products of agriculture without food competition to human nutrition. The ÖTZ has already come very close to achieving this goal and is continuously improving it with great commitment. All this is run by a small, but very enthusiastic team consisting of approx. 15 persons distributed over 10 full-time positions.
It all started with a few enthusiastic people and two socialistic breeding herds. In the last years the ÖTZ has build up a professional breeding site with several flocks, integrated additional endangered breeds, established several research projects and collaborations with universities, and has expanded its activities to include cattle breeding.
In the year 2020 the ÖTZ invested in extensive rebuilding measures and approval to be allowed to supply animals within the EU without restrictions. This year a new position for international supply chain management will be established which is co-financed by the German programme for development of the organic sector. The ÖTZ therefore is searching for contacts, partners and farms interested in developing together a more sustainable poultry breeding, with a focus on Europe and Africa, but also open for everything else.
Further Information via our website in English (with general information and video documentation):www.organic-breeding.org
Sustainable Foods Summit Amsterdam, 15-16 June 2023
The 2023 European Edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit is taking place on 15-16 June in Amsterdam. The summit will discuss approaches to move to circularity via nature-positive production and regenerative agriculture. Other topics include upcycled foods, green packaging materials, biodiversity impacts, decarbonisation of supply chains, ethical partnerships, precision fermentation, plant-based ingredients, consumer trends, marketing success stories, evolutions of the organic and sustainable food market, and more.
The Sustainable Food Awards will be co-hosted alongside the summit, on June 15. Organised by Ecovia Intelligence (formerly Organic Monitor), the Sustainable Foods Summit is an international series of summits that focuses on the leading issues the food industry faces concerning sustainability and eco-labels. Other editions in this international series will be hosted in the Asia-Pacific (4-5 Sep), Latin America (28-29 Nov), and North America (24-25 Jan 2024).
More news from the Federation on our websiteand social media:
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Thanks to all our readers and authors for their interest. The next newsletter will be published in June 2023. If you would like to submit any articles or comments, please send your contributions to: newsletter@demeter.net.
