In this feature we highlight the farmers and processors who bring Biodynamic® products to life — focusing this month on herbs and supplements. Demeter’s online Biodynamic Directory is a tool for both producers and consumers.
Photo above by The Healing Plant Garden, Camphill Village, Copake, NY
Avena Botanicals
Avena Botanicals is a small herbal apothecary and Biodynamic® farm founded in 1985 by herbalist Deb Soule. Our three-acre gardens contain over 125 different plant species. Each herb, flower, shrub, and tree growing in and around our garden have been planted for their medicinal qualities or as food for pollinators. Over 70% of the herbs we grow and gather by hand are transformed into tinctures, glycerites, infused oils, crèmes, salves, and teas in a special building adjacent to our gardens.
Our farm is certified organic by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and we are the first farm in Maine to be certified Biodynamic by Demeter. Our homemade compost, Biodynamic preparations, song, and prayer add to the health and vitality of our soil, plants, and medicines.
Website: www.avenabotanicals.com
Address: 219 Mill Street, Rockport, Maine 04856
Phone: (207) 594-0694
Carlton Farms
Carlton Farms is a diverse certified organic and Biodynamic® family farm located in the Endless Mountains region of northeast Pennsylvania. Six generations of one family have farmed the land. Today, the farm includes a wide selection of produce, a flock of sheep, and culinary and medicinal herbs.
Their Biodynamic® Ama Hemp brand products can be purchased online. They note that “Ama Hemp products are made from certified organic and Biodynamic hemp grown on our farm in the Endless Mountains region of NE Pennsylvania. We aim for superior quality in all we do while maintaining our commitment to building the quality of our soil. Conservation and sustainability guide all we do. The result is products that meet the highest standards and the best results for folks who use them.”
Online Shop: AMA HEMP
Farm website: Carlton Farms
The Healing Plant Garden
The Healing Plant Garden and its herbal studio, located at Camphill Village in Copake, NY, bring person and plant closer together, growing high-quality herbal products that are provided to residents and visitors of Camphill Village, as well as local customers in the Berkshire Taconic region. The garden hosts more than 300 plant species, some of which are medicinal, and some that are culinary herbs.
Their website notes, “Lavender, calendula, arnica, and sage are some of the herbs that we use to make our salves, creams, and ointments. These herbs were prized by ancient peoples for their curative virtues, just as they are today. We aim to free their natural restorative qualities by transforming them into usable topical forms that can be enjoyed by our customers.”
Website: Camphill Village
Shop: Herbal Products
Phone: 518-329-2115
Natural Health Partners
Natural Health Partners, under their brand Dr. Mercola, offers a variety of vitamin and herbal supplements with Biodynamic® ingredients. Their website notes that, “We ethically source Biodynamic and organic ingredients produced in a sustainable and environmentally responsible manner, working closely with farmers and other partners whose beliefs and standards align with our own. Our products are also exclusively packaged using glass or recyclable plastics whenever possible and forbids the use of any plastic fillers during shipping to create the least amount of impact on our environment.”
Online Shop: Dr. Mercola® Biodynamic Supplements | Mercola Market
More Biodynamic Products from Natural Health Products: Solspring Biodynamic Organic Foods and Pantry Items | Mercola
Oregon’s Wild Harvest
Oregon’s Wild Harvest is a family-owned and operated herbal supplement company located in Central Oregon. Their website states that “Biodynamic farming brings plants, animals and human beings together to restore and harmonize the vital forces of the farm.”
Oregon’s Wild Harvest offers a wide variety of herbal tonics and plant extracts for support of a wide variety of health concerns.
Online Shop: Products – Oregon’s Wild Harvest
Website: Oregon’s Wild Harvest | Organic Herbal Supplements for Improved Health
Phone: (800) 316-6869
Sophia’s Garden
Sophia’s Garden, located in Sebastopol, California, grows a wide variety of certified Biodynamic® healing herbs and produces over 30 certified Hydrosols and Essential Oils.
Their website notes that “Hydrosols are the condensate water co-produced during the steam distillation of plant material for aromatherapeutic purposes. Every drop of Hydrosol contains all the plant’s elemental expression: water soluble components, essential oil molecules, and the fluid flowing through the plant when it was collected. They offer healing properties and access to the actual “life force” of the plant.
Significantly milder than essential oils, hydrosols offer a gentle dose of the aromatic plant’s healing expression and yet are still highly effective.”
http://sophiasgardenherbs.com/education/biodynamic-agriculture/
Online shop and website: Sophia’s Garden Biodynamic Herbal products
Terra Flora
Terra Flora is the headquarters for both Flower Essence Services and the Flower Essence Society. Located on 27 tree-studded acres in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, Terra Flora is a wildlife sanctuary, and wildflower preserve and garden sanctuary for many plant species. The gardens have been Demeter-certified since 1997.
Their website notes that “Plants used in FES products are either grown in the Biodynamic® Terra Flora Gardens or wild-harvested in small quantities in pristine habitats. We use an alcohol preservative made from organic certified and Demeter-certified Biodynamic® grapes.”
Online Shop: Shop | Flower Essence Services