About the 25 acres of land that we tend to…

Light of Day farm is Michigan’s only certified Demeter Biodynamic farm at the present time. Biodynamic farming methods, in a nutshell, are based on recommendations made by Dr. Rudolf Steiner, using a Lunar calendar as a guide to planting and harvesting, the application of certain preparations, positive intention, and a sincere dedication and devotion to healing the Earth by exhibiting a reverence for every created thing. We have seen incredibly positive results in soil vitality, and in the quality and quantity of our yields here since incorporating these ancient  methods of farming wisdom into our practice. Old and New Testament scripture references many of the formal Biodynamic principles that Dr. Rudolph Steiner highlights in his lectures and his book, Agriculture, written in the 1920′s.

“Biodynamics is a holistic, sustainable form of agriculture that dates all the way back to the 1920′s. It takes into account everything from the cycles of the moon and stars to the soil, plants, animals and people, with the ultimate goal of making each garden or farm a healthy self-sustaining ecosystem.”-ATTRA

To learn more about Biodynamics, please read this very informative overview of the process by following this link to the ATTRA website. http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/biodynam.pdf

BIODYNAMIC® AGRICULTURE  • AT A GLANCE (courtesy of the Biodynamic Trade Association~)

HISTORY OF BIODYNAMIC FARMING
In 1924 a group of European farmers approached Dr. Rudolf Steiner (noted scientist, philosopher, and founder of the Waldorf School) after noticing a rapid decline in seed fertility, crop vitality and animal health.  In response, Steiner held a series of lectures that presented the farm as a living organism: self-contained and self-sustaining, responsible for creating and maintaining its individual health and vitality. This was in sharp contrast to the view of the farm as factory, able to boast production by importing chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, which was largely responsible for the observations of depleted vitality noted by the farmers who sought Steiner’s guidance.  Steiner was one of the first public
figures to question the long-term benefits of this manufacturing view of agriculture, to warn of its environmentally destructive practices, and to propose an alternative to chemical agriculture.

HISTORY OF BIODYNAMIC CERTIFICATION
In 1928, following Steiner’s agricultural lectures, Demeter (named for the Greek goddess of agriculture) was formed in Europe to promote Biodynamic farming, initiating the first publicly organized promotion of “sustainable” agriculture.  A certification system, defined by rigorous farming and processing standards,
was implemented, making Demeter the very first ecological label for organically produced foods.  Today, Demeter International remains the only internationally recognized Biodynamic certifier and consists of a network of individual certification organizations in 45 countries around the world.
In the U.S. Demeter Association, a non-profit, was formed in 1985 to promote Biodynamic agriculture here, and is the sole holder of the U.S. Patent Office certification marks DEMETER®, BIODYNAMIC®, and DEMETER CERTIFIED BIODYNAMIC®.  In order for a commercial farm or product to legally use
the term BIODYNAMIC it must have obtained certification through Demeter.  The Farming and Processing Standards underlying the certification enable Demeter to protect Biodynamic agriculture and in doing so, to pursue its vision of healing the planet through agriculture.

THE ORIGIN OF “ORGANIC”

Rudolph Steiner’s concept of “the farm as organism” was adapted in the 1940’s by the English Baron, Lord Northbourne, an agricultural science teacher at Oxford University, who, inspired by Steiner’swritings, first coined the term “organic farming.” In the 1950’s, influenced by the rise of Biodynamic farming in Europe, the American J.I Rodale popularized the term “organic” in his publication “The Organic Farmer.”  Like its Biodynamic forbearer, primary importance was placed on soil health, eschewing synthetic chemicals, and encouraging the use of compost, cover crops, and holistic pest and weed management.  However there was a divergence from the fundamental view of the farm as organism.  In 2002 the USDA implemented the National Organic Program (NOP), defining the standard for organic food by focusing on allowed and prohibited materials- including the prohibition of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers- instead of the farming system.

BIODYNAMIC® PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES

Biodynamic® agriculture views the farm as a self-contained, self- sustaining ecosystem responsible for creating and maintaining its individual health and vitality without any external or unnatural additions.  It is an integrated farming system that addresses the health of the entire property and maximizes the unique characteristics of each farm.

In practice, soil, plants, animals and humans together create this image of a holistic living organism.  On-farm recycling improves the individualizing character of the farm and includes the integration of animals and animal feeds, perennial plants, flowers and trees, water features, and composting.  Farms reduce
dependence on imported materials for fertility and pest control.  Water conservation is emphasized. Specially prepared medicinal plants, minerals, and composted animal manures help increase the vitality of the products grown and further anchor each individual farm in time and place.  Biodynamic farms are
required to maintain at least 10 percent of total acreage as a biodiversity set-aside.  Riparian zones, wetlands, grasslands, and forests: all are considered an integral part of the life of the farm.

Biodynamic farming is holistic land stewardship at its best.  It is the highest paradigm of sustainable farming, offering one of the smallest carbon footprints of any agricultural method.

USE OF THE PREPARATIONS
A distinguishing feature of Biodynamic agriculture is the use of nine preparations made from herbs, mineral substances and animal manures that are utilized in field sprays and compost innoculants applied in minute doses, much like homeopathic remedies are for humans.  Timely applications revitalize the soil
and stimulate root growth, enhance the development of microorganisms and humus formation, and aid in photosynthetic activity.

ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR CONSIDERATIONS
Farmers throughout time have realized that nature can be more fully understood by studying and integrating natural, cyclical rhythms as well as the gravitational pull of the moon on the earth’s moisture.
Many Biodynamic farmers refer to the astronomical calendar when planning activities such as pruning, cultivating, harvesting, and spraying the preparations.  This emphasis on the importance of qualitative observation rather than relying solely upon quantified data is an important holistic contribution to the
field of sustainable agriculture.

DEMETER CERTIFIED CROPS VERSUS PRODUCTS
The crop (for example, a tomato) that results from a certified farm is Biodynamic, but in order for a processed product (for example, tomato sauce) to be called “Biodynamic” it must have been made with Biodynamic ingredients and processed in accordance with the Demeter Processing Standard.  The intent
of the Processing Standard is to protect against manipulation of the product as much as possible to allow for the identity of the Biodynamic agricultural ingredients used to come through.
Although the number of Demeter certified products in the US market is growing quickly, worldwide Demeter has been recognized as a quality seal for many decades.  Demeter’s product list includes produce, dairy, grains, wine and distilled spirits, oils, coffee and tea, body care products, medicinal herbs, meats and breads.

BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE DEFINITION
Biodynamic® agriculture is an ecological farming system that views the farm as a self-contained and self-sustaining organism.  Emphasis is placed on the integration of crops and livestock, recycling of nutrients, soil maintenance, and the health and well-being of the animals, the farmer, the farm, and the earth: all are integral parts that make up the whole.

ORGANIC vs. BIODYNAMIC®

HISTORY
Following Rudolf Steiner’s agricultural lectures of 1924, Biodynamic farming took hold in Europe.  In the 1940’s, English Baron Lord Northbourne, agricultural professor at Oxford and Biodynamic farmer at his family’s estate in Kent, coined the term “organic” from Steiner’s view of “the farm as organism.”  In the 1950’s, influenced by the rise of Biodynamic farming
in Europe, the American J.I Rodale popularized the term organic in his publication “Organic Gardening.”  Because of their allied history, both methods shared a focus on soil health, condemned the use of synthetic chemicals, and encouraged the use of compost, cover crops, and holistic pest and weed management.

CERTIFICATION SYSTEM VERSUS REGULATORY PROGRAM
Demeter was formed in Europe soon after Steiner’s lectures to promote Biodynamic agriculture in Europe through education and certification.  In the US Demeter was founded in 1985 as a non-profit, and obtained the certification mark
“Biodynamic®” soon after.  In order for a farm or agriculturally based product to refer to itself as “Biodynamic” it must have
obtained certification through Demeter.  This certification system has maintained, as its underlying philosophy, Steiner’s view of the farm as a living organism.

In 2002, with the growth of organic labeling in products across the country, the USDA ruled that a base market definition was needed, and launched the National Organic Program (NOP) to define organic standards and enforce them through
federal law.  There are national organic regulatory programs in Europe, Japan, Canada and other countries around the world.

KEY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN NOP ORGANIC* AND DEMETER BIODYNAMIC®
History
-NOP established in US in 2002
-Demeter established in Europe in 1928, and in the US in 1985
Use of imported materials
-NOP permits imported organic fertilizers and pesticides
-Biodynamic® reduces imported materials by addressing its needs from within the farming system
Fertility delivered via a nutrient rich soil component, called humus, created by the:
-Integration of livestock
-Intensive use of green manure (cover crops grown to add nutrients to soil) and legumes
-Rotation of crops
-Application of field/compost sprays
Pest and Disease Control:
-Creation of biologically diverse habitat encourages balanced predator prey relationships
-Humus development contributes to insect and disease resistance
Water:
-Increased humus levels result in soil’s ability to store water
-Preservation of riparian areas emphasized
Livestock feed source
-NOP allows for organic feed imported to the farm from anywhere in the world
-Biodynamic® requires 80% of livestock feed be grown on farm.
Biodiversity requirements
-No specific NOP requirement
-Biodynamic® requires a biodiversity set- aside of ten percent of the total farm acreage
Farm certification
-NOP is crop focused and allows for a designated parcel to be certified
-Biodynamic® is farm focused and requires that the whole farm be certified
Product certification
-NOP processing standard is applied across product types and focuses primarily on ingredients used
-12 Biodynamic® processing standards, developed for specific product types, require minimal manipulation so that the
agricultural ingredients used define the product

* We recognize that many organic farmers embrace many of these practices and exceed the NOP standard.

For more information, contact Demeter’s Marketing Director Elizabeth Candelario by calling 707.529.4412 or by email at:
Elizabeth@demeter-usa.org