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Introduction to Biodynamics

Biodynamic farming necessitates the holistic, integrated management of a farm's ecosystem. Biodynamic farmers treat farms as self-contained biomes.

Principles of biodynamic Agriculture

  • Application of sound organic principles;

  • Development of an attitude of respect for and interest towards Nature;

  • Development of the farm, as far as possible, into a self-contained organism as the basic unit of a sustainable system, also called the farm individuality;

  • Sustainable practices which maintain and increase fertility without the use of synthetic fertilisers and chemicals;

  • The keeping and breeding of healthy livestock in such a fashion that they are as far as possible able to perform all aspects of their innate behaviour;

  • Positive care of the environment, efficient water use and the avoidance of pollution;

  • Production of food of the highest nutritional quality;

  • Development of a healthy and balanced cultural, social and economic environment;

*Development of associative business forms whereby a fair and equitable relationship is fostered between producer, distributor and consumer;

  • Acknowledgement and working with the influences of the wider Earth environment including sun, moon, planets and fixed stars;

  • Use of biodynamic preparations: These may be seen on one level as ‘microbial inoculants’ but can also provide the farmer with the opportunity for a more meditative approach and a chance to reflect upon and recognise the higher principles and various beings in Nature.

  • Use of the biodynamic preparations aims to restore health to the farm individuality.

© Demeter Production Standards for Biodynamic Agriculture (2015). Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association in New Zealand. Retrieved from http://www.biodynamic.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Demeter-prodn-stds-2015-with-2017-chgs.pdf
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Sustainability in the New Zealand Wine Industry

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