Biodynamics in the World

The Newsletter of the Agricultural Section at the Goetheanum, the International Biodynamic Association and Demeter-International e.V.

Agricultural Section at the Goetheanum

§ Agricultural Conference 2018: The preparations – the heart of biodynamic agri-culture The annual international conference of the Biodynamic movement takes place from 7th to 10th February 2018 at the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland. Programme and registration form

§ Intensive study week 2018: From burning issue to bea-con of light In 2018 the Intensive Study Week of the Section for Agriculture will take place again in Dornach at the Glashaus from 14th - 19th of January, in German and English

§ Seeds as a Commons: Final study now available in Eng-lish The English version of the study: Seeds as a Commons - Breeding as a source for real economy, law and culture can be downloaded. Hardcopies are available as well.

§ Dealing with food – carefully, appropriately and indivi-dually The Coordination Centre for Nutrition and its activi-ties for the World Food Day.

Demeter-International

Standards Committee § Joint statement on international issues The EU regulations on aquaculture show the need for coordinating public statements among Demeter mem-ber countries

International Certification Office § New certifications Since April 14 new certifications have been issued.

§ After-effects of the Hurricanes on the Banana Projects in the Dominican Republic The hurricanes Irma and Maria have led to severe da-mages in some Demeter banana plantations

Accreditation Council § Demeter-International Certification workshop 2017 In September 25 international certifierfs met at the Emerson College in Sussex, England, to share their practical application of Demeter standards.

Dear members and friends of Biodynamic farming,Many representatives from the worldwide Biodynamic movement meet these days in India. We will learn to know at close range the strong Biodynamic movement in In-dia. Demeter India will become a full member of Demeter-International next year.

We want to make our contribution to the development of the worldwide organic movement by our common participation at the Organic World Congress of ifoam. It will be exciting and instructive to meet as many farmers from all over the world.

We will report in the coming newsletter.

Biodynamics in the worldNewsletter October 2017

Be the change you want to see in the world

Mahatma Gandhi

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 2

Back to top

Demeter-International

Reports from member countries § Latin American meeting in Uruguay From 7th to 10th September 2017, the 32nd meeting for Biodynamics in Latin America took place in Piriá-polis, Uruguay

§ Training for volunteers at the ABD – Brazil The main aim of this project is to receive volunteers from throughout Brazil, as well as from other countries, with interest in learning Biodynamics by doing

§ Brazilian study group of bees in Biodynamic manage-ment One objective of the study group is to develop produc-tion Demeter standards for stingless bees

Reports/ various § Demeter and the Biodynamic Movement mourn Fritz Baumgartner Fritz Baumgartner passed away in the first morning hours of 4th October. He was during many years a member of the circle of representatives of the section for agriculture and an active representant of the Goethea-num and Anthroposophie

§ A meeting with Biodynamic wines of Cordillera de los Andes The International Biodynamic Vitiviniculture Encoun-ter brings together oenologists and winemakers from wineries and vineyards of Argentina and Chile.

§ 3rd International Demeter Wine Trade Fair: “Demeter Angers" The fair will take place from 5th to 6th of February 2018 in Angers, France. Please register now.

§ Sustainable Foods Summit – New Horizons for Eco-La-bels and Sustainability From 1st to 2nd of June 2017 the Sustainable Foods Summit took place in Amsterdam

§ Biodynamic on "The Today Show" Biodynamic was featured twice on a major US televi-sion show “The Today Show”. Watch the two videos online

§ Film tip: Code of survival - or the End of Genetic En-gineering In the film two Demeter producers are shown.

Dates & events

§ 17th - 19th of November: The Nordic Biodynamic Forum, Vesilahti, Finland Theme: Biodynamic Preparations Programme and registration (until 10th of November):

§ 22nd - 25th of November: The 7th International Biodynamic Vitiviniculture Encounter, Buenos Aires, Argentina Programme

§ 14th - 19th of January 2018 : Intensive study week, Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland Theme: From burning issue to beacon of light Programme and registration

§ 5th - 6th of February 2018: International Demeter Wine Trade Fair , Angers, France More information

§ 7th - 10th of February 2018: Agricultural Confe-rence, Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland Theme: The preparations - the heart of biodynamic agri-culture Programme and registration

§ 25th -27th of February: International Days of Deme-ter Wine, Museumsquartier, Vienna, Austria Programme, registration

§ 6th - 7th of May 2018: International Biodynamic Wine Conference, San Francisco, USA Programme

§ 5th - 8th of September 2018, Evolving Agriculture and Food Perspectives in Biodynamic Research, Goe-theanum, Dornach, Switzerland Call for papers opens in December. More information soon

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 3

Back to top

Agricultural Section at the Goetheanum

Agricultural Conference 2018: The preparations – the heart of biodynamic agri-cultureThe annual international conference of the Biodynamic movement takes place from 7th to 10th February 2018 at the Goetheanum, Dornach, Switzerland.

The Biodynamic preparations bring vitality to the earth, its fruits, the farms and their communities. They inspire our actions and bring concrete benefits to nature as a whole. They also present us with big questions. At the conference insights will be shared from all over the world and in order to inspire and encourage, there will be an intensive exchange of experiences. Those invited include farmers, gardeners, wine growers, orchar-dists, herb growers, advisors, researchers, students and apprentices, food processors, traders, cooks, nature educators and also consumers and friends of the Biodynamic impulse. The plenary sessions will explore the preparations in all their breadth and depth, in the parallel themed sessions specialists will be able to share experiences and deepen their work while in the workshops intensive personal dialogue will be encouraged. To complete the programme there will be music, artistic courses, guided tours of the Goetheanum and an exhibition. At the conference, we want to share the open and refreshing spirit that accompanies work with the preparations in so many places.

Simultaneous translation into English, French, Spanish, German and Italian. The conference is open to all. The conference is open to all. Programme and registration form

Intensive study week 2018: From burning issue to beacon of lightIn 2018 the Intensive Study Week of the Section for Agriculture will take place again in Dornach at the Glashaus from 14th - 19th of January, in German and English.

Are you looking for tools, methods and an exchange of experiences to:

§ move your farm or enterprise into a new phase of development? § position your enterprise differently in its social surroundings? § develop a new inner relationship to your enterprise, organisation or initiative? § transform visions into projects which can be put into practice? § expand or reduce the scope or context of your work?

You are: A farmer, gardener, processor or trader or are involved in an organisation or institution connected to Biodynamic or organic agriculture.

We take our current activity as the point of departure for this week and ask: where am I at present?

More information, Registration form, Programme

Seeds as a Commons: Breeding as a source for real economy, law and culture “Seed belongs to us all!” This slogan arose a few years ago in response to the rapidly consolidating power of the seed industry and particularly its patenting of varieties. Is this slogan merely an emotional statement or can it become reality? This question was the starting point for a new study – how can seed and the plant breeding process be understood as 'public commons' in the best sense of the word from both a legal and an economic point of view? You can obtain this study for 15 Euro /17 CHF plus carriage from the Seczion for Agriculture at the Goetheanum sektion.landwirtschaft@goetheanum.ch or download it here. For hardco-pies please contact sektion.landwirtschaft@goetheanum.ch

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 4

Back to top

Dealing with food – carefully, appropriately and individually – activities of the Coordination Centre for Nutrition for World Food Day

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has created World Food Day on 16th October in order to encourage a careful and respectful way of working with food. With small events members of the Nutrition Centre team are raising awareness for nutritional questions.

“In an age of opulence more than 800 million people are still facing starvation”. With this comment Heinz Fendrich draws attention to the growing number who go hungry. That is why on the 16th October the head chef at the Sonnenhof curative home in Arlesheim, Switzerland, serves a meal of rice and the lentil dish Dahl. For millions of people it is the only meal they have each day. In the school kitchens of Waldorf schools in France an information poster is displayed urging people to avoid wasting food. “The amount of food being thrown away at our schools has been significantly reduced thanks to the introduction of a 'raw food, soup and salad bar' which has allowed pupils to choose what they want rather than having everything pre-served,” said Ina Chesnier from the Waldorf school in Avignon. Petra Kühne director of the Nutrition Wor-king Group in Germany explains in a newsletter the effects of eating meat on climate, environment and animal welfare and encourages people to buy organic, regional and seasonal produce.

“Biodynamic agriculture has an innovative approach to global food security” said Jasmin Peschke food coor-dinator from the Agriculture Section at the Goetheanum. “Important principles include long term soil im-provement on farms with both crops and livestock, increased biodiversity through Biodynamic breeding, close cooperation between producer, processor and the trade as well as life-enhancing food products resulting from the application of Biodynamic preparations.”

At the Coordination Centre for Nutrition experts are working on themes connected with anthroposophical nutrition. Food trends are explored in the journal 'Das Goetheanum' no. 42/2017 by Jasmin Peschke and Jean-Michel Florin from the Agriculture Section. They call for an individual approach to nutrition that al-lows a connection to made to the various foods.

For further information contact:

Jasmin Peschke, nutrition@goetheanum.ch, Tel. +41 61 706 41 32

Verena Wahl

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 5

Back to top

Demeter-International

Standards Committee

Joint statement on international issuesOften initiatives arise, which Demeter-International or the standards Committee or individual member countries may be asked to give their position on. A recent example is a proposal that the EU regulations on aquaculture should be expanded to include Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). It has not great rele-vance for us at present as there is little Demeter certified aquaculture. However it highlights an issue – we need to coordinate our opinions so a clear Demeter position is made. This is essential to ensure unequivocal support, or otherwise, is expressed.

If you want to make a submission, or a public statement on an issue that has relevance outside your national jurisdiction please let the General Secretary know so that the appropriate coordination can take place – he can activate the best response via the Board, the Standards committee, the AC etc. so that we speak with one voice.

Ian Henderson

International Certification Office

New certificationsSince April, the following new certifications have been issued:

§ Maria de Fátima Orta Jacinto & Hugo Miguel Jerónimo Monteiro /Portugal: 12ha herbs in conver-sion to Demeter. BD consultation by Joao Castella, Demeter control by Ecocert. Contact: fatimaoj@gmail.com

§ Ghenadie Belostecinic - Aromaticas de Palma/Portugal: Small herbal plant in conversion to Demeter. BD consultation by Joao Castella, Demeter control by Ecocert. Contact: aromaticasdepalma@gmail.com www.aromaticasdepalma.com

§ Biodynamis/Ukraine: Importer/ trader of packaged products. Contact: bioukraine@ukr.net www.bioukraine.com.ua

§ Arzu Duran/Turkey: Small mixed farm in conversion to Demeter. BD consultation by Hans Supenkäm-per, Demeter control by CERES. Arzu also supports us in the translation of guidelines and brochures into Turkish thus making Biodynamic and Demeter more popular in Turkey. Contact: istafilciftligi@gmail.com

§ Frutas e Legumes Guiné Bissau, S.A.R.L./Guinea Bissau: Cultivation of cashew kernels, mangoes and avocados on 645 ha in conversion to Demeter. BD consultation by Klaus Merckens. Demeter control by BCS. Contact: mgazquez@ramafrut.com www.frutaselegumesgb.com

§ Wupperthal Original Rooibos Coop/South Africa: Cultivation of rooibos tea from 21 farmers on 102ha, in conversion to Demeter. BD consultation by members of the BD Association South Africa. De-meter control by CUC. Contact: barend@wupperthal.co.za

§ Vinimark/South Africa: Exporter for Reyneke Wines Contact: info@vinimark.co.za www.vinimark.co.za

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 6

Back to top

§ Venture Tea (PvT) Ltd./Sri Lanka: Processor / exporter of teas. Control by CUC. Contact: compliance@ventureexp.com www.venturetea.com

§ Joint Agri Products Ceylon (Pvt) Ltd./Sri Lanka: Processor / exporter of spices. Control by CUC. Contact: info@japc.lk www.japc.lk

§ Moringa Guarani S.A./Paraguay: Cultivation of Moringa on 11ha, in conversion to Demeter (more to come). BD consultation by Pablo Baumgratz, Demeter control by CERES. Contact: mcf@ygua.net www.ygua.net

§ La Campiña Peru S.A.C./Peru: Cultivation of ginger and turmeric from 6 small farmers on 14ha, in conversion to Demeter. BD consultation by Rene Piamonte. Demeter control by IMOCert. Contact: ymontero@lacampinaperu.com

§ EUROFRESH PERU SAC/Peru: Cultivation of avocados and ginger on 3 farms covering 35ha, in con-version to Demeter. BD consultation by Héctor Dagoberto Marín Ludeña, Demeter control by IMOCert. Contact: josemaria.marin@eurofresh.pe www.eurofresh.net

§ New exporters for fresh blueberries/Chile: IMPORTADORA EXPORTADORA Y COMERCIALIZADORA SOUTH FRUIT LTDA/Chile, con-trol by CERES. Contact: dmartinez@sbberries.cl EXPORTADORA RUIZ TAGLE Y LAZO LIMITADA/Chile, control by CERES. Contact: qc@rioduero.cl

We sincerely welcome all new partners!

Cornelia Hauenschild

After-effects of the Hurricanes on the Banana Projects in the Dominican Republic The Demeter bananas currently available on the European market come from four projects in the Domini-can Republic

§ Horizontes Organicos S. R. L. in Azua de Compostela: 93.49 ha Demeter bananas, with an additional 6.12ha Bananas in conversion to Demeter. As well as this, 36.88ha Demeter mangos are cultivated. www.HorizontesOrganicos.com

§ BIOTROPIC S.R.L.Centro Ecologico del Cibao in Mao, Valverde: 8.10ha Demeter bananas. www.biotropic.com

§ Banama S.A. Finca Laguna Salada in Mao, Valverde: 85.29ha Demeter bananas. www.banama.com.do

§ Plantaciones del Norte, S.A. in Mao, Valverde: 269.02ha Demeter bananas and 207.12ha Bananas in conversion to Demeter. Further to this, an area of 120ha is being converted to lemons. bguerola@plantacionesdelnorte.com

In September two hurricanes, Irma und Maria, struck the Dominican Republic causing severe damage. Alt-hough southern areas were largely spared (Horizontes Organicos SRL), the Banana plantations in the more northern regions were hit with massive flooding.

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 7

Back to top

Volker Schmidt from BIOTROPIC SRL reports:

'IRMA brought violent winds causing some 15-20% loss by physically brea-king the palms. The plants can grow back from this type of damage since the root bowl beneath the soil surface can develop new shoots. The har-vest would have stabilised again in four months.

But then MARIA arrived. This storm brought huge amounts of rain. The result was flooding in the entire banana growing area around MAO. The problem with flooding is that the rootstock itself dies through oyxgen deficiency. That means in turn that the palms must replanted, a large, expensive undertaking. The newly established palms will not bear harvestable fruit for a full year; this consequence has hit us very hard.

We have losses of 50%. And on top, the area that had been replanted just a year ago - in October 2016 - following four weeks of continuous rain..

Repairing the damage from 2016 cost about $US100.000 because we strengthened and raised the stop bank protection around the farm. These dykes would have held a moderate level of flooding, but not an event of this order of magnitude.

Now we have to replant anew but the money for that is not available. An additional negative effect of the water has been a reduction in the quality of the export goods from those plants which did survive the flooding. They were so stressed by the rain that the fruit arrives in Europe overripe.'

Fernando Belliard of Plantaciones del Norte, S.A. which is also located in Mao, Valverde, informed that 150ha of their planta-tions were affected by the hurricanes. With a production of 2000 boxes of 18.14 kg / ha / year, this corresponds to a loss of 300.000 boxes.

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 8

Back to top

Accreditation Council

Demeter-International Certification workshop 2017Emerson College, Sussex, England

It was a great pleasure to welcome the Demeter-International Certification workshop in September to Emer-son College in south of England. We were blessed by both typical English rain as well as early autumn sun-shine. Emerson has a long tradition with Biodynamics with Dr Herbert Koepf being the head of the School of Biodynamics and Earth Sciences the 1970s.

The aim of the workshop is for certifiers from the length and breadth of the Demeter Movement to meet and share their practical application of the Demeter Standards. This year we were 25 participants, mostly from Europe. This was further stretched with Jim Fulmer coming from the West Coast of the USA and Krishnan Venkataraman from India.

Some of the topics that were covered in the pro-gramme were:

§ Importing into the US market.

§ Requirement for Demeter products to use 100% Demeter ingredients where possible

§ Input approval

§ Labelling and recipe approval

§ Definition of a farm

§ Need of Animals on the farm

As could be seen there were variations in how the standards were being interpreted locally. But all stayed true to the commonly agreed DI Standards. There were several outcomes such as the creation of a task force for exporting to the US, the resolve to use Demeter ingredients where available, a decision about the responsi-bility for labels with several addresses and an enthusiasm to continue with the Demeter ‘buddy’ scheme.

Working in smaller groups was also very much appreciated as it gave the chance for more people to ‘have a voice’. A major topic that is often coming up is the need for animals on a Demeter certified farm. Despite a lively discussion there was no resolution, but a better overview was attained of how each country works with it.

The Partnership Evaluation is a means to help support Demeter development in each country through visits from an expert from another country. The new round of visits for 2018 is well into its planning with many appointments already having been firmed up.

The contributions from the certifiers inspires the work of the AC to strengthen the common understanding of Demeter standards and also to respect the national needs. The AC will be able to take the fruitful work up in its motions for the Demeter-International Members Assembly.

Opportunities were given on both days for guided tours of Emerson campus and nearby Tablehurst Farm. The rich history of Emerson was spoken about by Steve Briault, and David Junghans showed us some as-pects of the Tablehurst site. There we could see how they were using innovative farming methods to improve the soil cultivation through minimum till. Briony Young is in charge of making the Biodynamic prepara-tions both for Tablehurst as well as contributing to the UK supply sold to the farmers and gardeners by the Biodynamic Association. She spoke passionately about her work with the preparations in both the UK and India.

Richard Swann and Reto Ingold

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 9

Back to top

Reports from member countries

Latin American meeting in UruguayFrom 7th to 10th September 2017, the 32nd meeting for Biodynamics in Latin America took place in Pi-riápolis, Uruguay. The Biodynamic impulse, which began with a handful of people many years ago, gathered 150 people from Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Guatemala and México under the theme: "Nutri-tion, Health and Freedom". The meeting took place in a tourist complex, everyone was accommodated on site and all meals were made from locally produced food.This year there were 30 speakers and coordinators of the workshops (all from Latin America) who shared their experiences and worked with the participants. In addition to the main lectures, there was room in the plenum for the exchange on individual projects, such as small family coffee businesses of, rice or avocado farms, itinerant beekeeping in the Andes, a larger mixed enterprise with a social community structure, expe-riences with community gardens in an urban environment and also specialised larger companies such as wineries.Three main workshops illuminated the theme looking at humans, animals and plants. Further workshops were devoted to the topics of seed breeding, urban agriculture, Biodynamic research, agriculture and the art of education as well as participatory forms of certification.At the same time, the representatives of the individual countries met for various workshops in order to or-ganise the next meeting together and to plan further joint activities. To this end, a Latin American forum was created from representatives of each country. The countries which were not present in Uruguay are also encouraged to attend in future.Artistic work as well as a market place for products, seed exchange and tasting had their place in this year’s programme.A new agenda point gave country organisations a place in the plenum to speak about their activities, their organisational structure, problems and successes. Likewise, the finances concerning the last meeting in Chile were presented in a transparent manner, and each participant's own responsibility for the financial aspect was strengthened. Many people travelled more than a thousand kilometres on a small budget to attend; the travel costs for most exceeded the costs of the 4 day conference itself. The meetings are budged to be cost-neutral, and with external contributions, farmers and students are always supported with a 50% reduction in the cost of the conference (including food and lodging). Thanks to Uruguay's generous support this year, many people have been able to participate in this way.The next meeting will take place in Brazil in 2018, closing a circle of 7 years.

Regina Hallerreginahaller1@yahoo.com.ar

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 10

Back to top

Training for volunteers at the ABD - BrazilThe main aim of this project is to receive volunteers from throughout Brazil, as well as from other countries, with interest in learning Biodynamics by doing. The ABD works on three hectares of land, on a sandy soil, with research, seed production, preparation work, medi-cinal plants, agroforestry, and poultry rearing. We are located at the Cerrado landscape in Botucatu, 900 me-ters above sea level, with dry winters and wet summers.

In 2016 we received 11 volunteers from June to Decem-ber, in 2017 a further 23 volunteers from January until August.The people who come for the volunteer practical work come from different regions, most of them are Bra-zilians. They are studying at a university (biology, agronomy, forestry, ecology or other) and are longing for a deeper view of the possibilities of regeneration and sustainable development of landscapes, about healthy nutrition, about agriculture.The young people are seeking some of these aspects. At the end of their volunteer time many of them say that they found something extra, something for life as a whole.They find a way to live life, how to understand nature and people, how to share a living space (in the com-mon house), and work together with very new technology which cannot be learned during five years study-ing at the University.Through their students, ABD had established agreements with 15 Universities in Brazil. At the same time we had some volunteers who are not at any university but come independently with a wish to meet Biodynamics. Most of them come through the Biodynamic specialization course run by the Insti-tuto ELO.During the 12 month period 2016/17 we had almost 30 candidates who were in contact with us but didn’t manage to become a volunteer for personal reasons.We have many different activities concerning our area plan. Daily we meet together to look at questions and new tasks for the work. At the ABD area we have one co-worker who is involved in the agricultural field work and he interacts with the volunteers – is permanently available for them.The important rule for the volunteers doing the development and maintenance of the area is of significance: the learning process is by doing and only after that can it be shared, discussed and researched.

Some activities in the last months: § Soil preparation, crop area planning, sowing, crop management (pruning, thinning, weeding, soil cover, fertilization, harvesting etc).

§ Follow-up of the research on the preparations plants § Seedling production § Plant cultivation for seed production. Maintenance and expansion of the seed bank

§ Cultivation of an area destined to become the system of syntropi-cal agriculture - restoration of the area (SAF).

§ Activities with gardening and landscaping § Maintenance of the irrigation system § Care and treatment of poultry § Maintenance of fences and greenhouses § Work and various activities with Biodynamic preparations (elabora-tion, application, etc.).

§ Participation in seed fairs

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 11

Back to top

§ Activities with bees § Maintenance and general services § Integration with local activities and producers (Biodyna-mic paste for trees).

The tutorial work guides questions about the recent inte-rest in sustainability concerning all human performance and the Biodynamic practices and these questions are the foundation for discussion.The presence of trainees at the ABD is of great value.The professional exchanges are enriching during the doing, during the execution of the work. Learning from achieve-ment makes knowledge in Biodynamics palpable and more effective.It is very important for the trainees to be inside a community such as this. They get in contact with the Anthroposophical branch, the Instituto ELO for Biodynamic course, the Waldorf school etc.Some people meet Anthroposophy for the first time through the Biodynamic training period.In this sense I realize that with the reception of volunteers into the Biodynamic practice and scientifical approach, the Biodynamic movement can be enlarged with new insights and can be revitalized.This is a project which started on May 2016 at the ABD in Brazil with the financial support from Instituto MAHLE.

Andrea D’Angelo Lazzarin, Tutor of the volunteer program - ABD - titadangelo@hotmail.com

Brazilian study group of bees in Biodynamic managementIn 2016 members of the Brazilian Association of Biodynamic Agriculture and Biody-namic Association of Southern Brazil began a study group of bees in Biodynamic management, with support from the Mahle Institutes´local branch. The group held five meetings in the states of São Paulo, Santa Catarina and Minas Gerais. In these meetings we worked on the elaboration of a booklet called "Genius of a bee"(Der bien”) and made possible an exchange of experiences in the different realities of na-tive (stingless) bees and Apis.

The objectives of the group are:

§ studies and practices of Biodynamic apiculture, as a beekeeping and Biodynamic stingless bees develop-ment network, seeking to collaborate in structuring the diversity of agricultural organisms adapted to Brazilian ecosystems, mainly in the Southeast and South regions.

§ develop research with new types of hives § dissemination locally to farmers and students § develop production Demeter standards for stingless bees § to develop Demeter Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) for apiculture and stingless bees products

Pedro Jovchelevich - pedro.jov@biodinamica.org.brNelson Jacomel Junior - terranovaestrela@gmail.com

Basket made of rye

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 12

Back to top

Report/ various

Demeter and the Biodynamic movement mourn Fritz BaumgartnerFritz Baumgartner passed away in the first morning hours of 4th Oc-tober. He was during many years a member of the circle of represen-tatives of the section for agriculture and an active representant of the Goetheanum and Anthroposophie.

Fritz has moved a lot in his life. His wife Anneli and he were always a team. They farmed the “Bruderholzhof” near Basel during a decade. The Research Centre for organic farming (FIBL) was created on this farm. Fritz was one of the driving forces for the realization of the DOK trial – the long-term trial has his 40th anniversary next year. He joined the Biodynamic

Movement into the foundation of Bio-Suisse. He participated as well to the foundation of Demeter-International and has represented Switzerland for many years together with others.

His big heart included without effort all opposing personalities and streams within the section. He could listen with great attention or sit in the round like dreaming.

If he rose to speak – the view often directed upwards – he spoke out of his mind. Not out of a comfortable mind, but out of a spiritual sensing.

One could say out of an inner quest and struggle for the higher self. His words were simple, “Light” was his most frequent metaphor, and in his words the whole human being was present with his heart, his hand and his head. Often he urged to see farming as “agriculture” (he lived in the French part of Switzerland).

And the title of the coming conference “The preparations – the heart of the Biodynamic agriculture” is connect with him.

Ueli Hurter

Fritz Baumgartner *23. April 1929 † 4. Oktober 2017

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 13

Back to top

Report/ various

A meeting with Biodynamic wines of Cordillera de los AndesFor the sixth consecutive year, the International Biodynamic Vitiviniculture Encounter was held, an event that annually brings together oenologists and winemakers from wineries and vineyards of Argentina and Chile, who practice Biodynamics both in the field and in the wine cellar.This sixth Encounter took place in Viña Odfjell, in Padre Hurtado-Santiago de Chile, where for three days, winemakers from more than twenty wineries exchanged experiences of Biodynamic work in wine.Also present were key speakers Christoph Simpfendörfer - General Secretary of Demeter-International and Georg Meissner - Winegrower, oenologist and very well-known researcher specialized in Viticulture BD who developed Biodynamic principles and practice from various angles particularly as they relate to southern hemisphere viticulture.In the framework of this event, a tasting of twelve Biodynamic wineries was made at the European Restaurant, where guests and specialized press tasted the unique, pure and rich Biodynamic wi-nes produced on both sides of the Cordillera de los Andes.The wines were presented by their respective oenologists, among them: Álvaro Espinoza, from Viña Antiyal and one of the Chileans with more experience in Biodynamic vitiviniculture; Cristó-bal Undurraga of Viña Koyle; Yves Pouzet de Viña Tipaume; Arnaud Hereu de Viña OIdfjell; Julio Bastías of Viña Matetic; The Argentines: Mario Toso, from the winery Luna Austral; Panos Zouboulis from the winery Krontiras; Giusseppe Franceschini and Andrej Razumovsky from Alpamanta winery, among others.All the wines tasted presented an excellent level of quality, by personal preference the most outstanding were the carmenere pure wines and the assembly of carmenere, cabernet sauvignon and syrah of Viña Antiyal; The Tipaume and Grez blends of Viña Tipaume (the first vinified in barrels and the second in clay amphorae); The carmenere Royale and the blend Cerro Basalto of Viña Koyle; The wines Orzada (one carignan and another tannat) of Viña Odfjell; Coyam and GE of Viña Emiliana; And the Malbec Nuna and Ayuni of the Argentinian winery Chakana. Special mention for the wild and stimulating sauvignon blanc Breva of the Argentinian winery Alpamanta.

Chilean Wineries: Antiyal, Tipaume, Koyle, Matetic, Odfjell, Hacienda Araucano / Francois Lurton, Emi-liana, Lapostolle.

Argentina Wineries: Alpamanta, Luna Austral, Chakana, Krontiras.

Source: http://www.todovinos.cl/wp2/2016/11/22/un-encuentro-con-los-vinos-biodinamicos-de-la-cordil-lera-de-los-andes/ (by Alejandro Tumayan, shortened version)

The 7th International Biodynamic Vitiviniculture Encounter will take place in Bodega Chakana, Mendoza, Argentina from 22nd to 25th of November, starting with a tasting at Buenos Aires with the presence of Jo-nathan Nossiter, director of the movie “Mondovino”. Further Details

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 14

Back to top

3rd International Demeter Wine Trade Fair: "Demeter Angers"The 3rd International Demeter Wine Trade Fair will be held on February 5 and 6 2018 at the Exhibition Center in Angers, France. The trade fair is organized in partnership with “La Levée de la Loire” (organic winemakers in Loire Valley) and the “Loire Valley Wine Fair”. “Demeter Angers” is becoming an unmissable event for Demeter winemakers and wine pro-fessionals. 65 wineries already signed up and over 3000 international visitors are expected. A limited number of stands are available to Deme-ter-International wineries. Please contact Pierre Deffrennes from Deme-ter France for registration details.

Pierre Deffrennesp.deffrennes@demeter.fr / +33 3 89 41 43 95

Sustainable Foods Summit - New Horizons for Eco-Labels and SustainabilityFrom 1st to 2nd of June 2017 the Sustainable Foods Summit took place in Amsterdam. It was organized by Ecovia Intelligence and brought together some of the most influential organisations involved in sustainabi-lity and eco-labels in the food industry. The opening keynote address was held by Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart, founder of EPEA International Umweltforschung, who calls for an overhaul of the traditional cradle-to-grave paradigm. He promotes the so-called cradle-to-cradle design concept. A philosophy where there is no waste, only nutrients. In the con-text of agriculture, compost is maybe the best example for this principle. Amarjit Sahota, founder and president of Ecovia Intelligence, gave a brief update on sustainability and orga-nic, fairtrade and other eco-labels. What are the challenges ahead? For example, Tom Zoellner sees a future of agriculture in urban agriculture and vertical farming. Besides food and beverage firms, who gave presentations about their general sustainability strategy (e.g. In-nocent, Givaudan, El Corte Inglés, Barilla) there were several speakers focusing on true cost accounting (TCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA). For example, Annemarie Kerkhof, managing consultant at Ecofys showed that dairy milk in comparison with alpro soy drink has 2.5 times more CO2 emissions, uses two times more land and four time more water. Tobias Bandel, Managing Director of Soil & More presented results from a study they did with Eosta. According to their models and measurements, conventional apples bear an external health cost of €0,21 whereas the external health cost for organic apples ranges between € 0,07 and € 0,00, depending on the organic system applied. On the second day, Dr. Kanayo F. Nwanze, former president of IFAD, gave an inspirational opening keynote address, focusing on the environmental and social benefits of smallholder farming. He reminded the au-dience of extreme contradictions, such as the fact that Africa is a very rich country in terms of its resources, yet many have to suffer from poverty and hunger.Jacqueline Mailly from Hogan Lovells elaborated on the general EU regulatory framework for foods and paid particular attention to problems in food labelling. For example, the word ‘natural’ is often used as a deceptive marketing ploy, leading people to believe that a product is organic, when it is not. The EU law does not give a clear definition of the word ‘natural’, hence it can be used to deceive in the market place.During the last session, social and customer impacts where discussed by many major organizations such as Fair Trade Original, Organic Trade Association, and Slow Food.The first Asia-Pacific edition will take place in Singapore on 28-29th November. The next North American edition will take place in San Francisco on 18-19th January 2018, whilst the tenth European edition will be hosted in Amsterdam on 14-15th June 2018.This is a summary by Maximilian Herstatt’s (trainee DI Brussels Office) report. For further information please contact him assistant.eu@demeter.net

Photo by Marc Chevalier

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 15

Back to top

Biodynamic on "The Today Show"Biodynamic was featured twice on a major US television show “The Today Show”.

Watch the video 'Meet biodynamic, the food approach that goes beyond organic – Nourishing mind, body & spirit'.

Watch the video 'School Lunch Makeover – bringing nutrition to the Cafeteria'

Film tip: Code of survival - or the End of Genetic EngineeringIn the film two Demeter producers Helmy Abouleish (CEO of SEKEM) and Sanjay Bansal (President and CEO of Darjeeling Organic Tea Estates Pvt. Ltd., also known as their first tea garden "Ambootia") are shown.

Watch the trailer online.

Biodynamics in the World Newsletter– October 2017 | 16

Back to top

Section for AgricultureUeli Hurter, Jean-Michel Florin, Thomas Lüthiph: +41 61706 4212 sektion.landwirtschaft@goetheanum.ch, skype: ueli.hurter, skype: jeanmi-chelflorin, skype: Thomas.luthi1

International Biodynamic Association IBDAUeli Hurter, Therese Jungph: +41 61706 4212 office@ibda.ch skype: ueli.hurter

Demeter-InternationalGeneral Secretary & newsletterChristoph Simpfendörferph: +49 711 87874398christoph.simpfendoerfer@deme-ter.netskype: christoph.simpfendoerfer

CertificationCornelia Hauenschildph: +45 874269 90c.hauenschild@demeter.deskype: hauenschildsingapore

New ProjectsUte Bucholskiph: +49 6155 8469 99ute.bucholski@demeter.deskype: utebucholski

Accreditation CouncilReto Ingoldph: +41 61 7 03 11 88reto.ingold@demeter.netskype: r.ingold

Raw Materials Co-ordinatorAurelie Truffatph: +33 450 357 440a.truffat@demeter.frskype: truffat.demeter

StandardsIan Hendersonph +64 4143 712ian.henderson@demeter.netskype: hendersonian

International CommunicationAnette Jorryph: +49 6155 8469 81anette.jorry@demeter.deskype: anette.jorry

IMC CoordinationKatja Aßmannph: +49 30 24339759katja.assmann@demeter.de

Office BrusselsDr. Andreas Biesantzph: +32 26 462 117andreas.biesantz@demeter.netskype: biesantz

Published by Demeter-International e.V. Editor Christoph Simpfendörfer & Carolyn Heubeck

The next newsletter will be published on 24th of January 2018Editorial deadline will be 10th of January 2018