Is certification for you?

The Demeter Biodynamic® Farm Standard applies to the certification of farms and ranches for the purpose of allowing their farms and ranches and resulting agricultural products to carry the Demeter certification marks “Biodynamic®”, “Demeter®” and Demeter Certified Biodynamic®.  The Demeter Biodynamic Farm and Processing Standards meet the minimum requirements set by Demeter International.  These base standards form a common legal foundation and agricultural framework for Biodynamic practice worldwide.

Like the sustainable farming movement itself there are many entry points on the path to sustainability, and many different reasons why farmers choose, at some point or another, to enhance their farming program through Biodynamic certification. Jim Fetzer of Ceago Vinegarden speaks about how, back in the early 1980’s, he began to notice a loss of vitality in their family vineyards, and came to believe that conventional farming was not a sustainable paradigm for their multi-generational family business.  Dr. Robert Gross, a psychiatrist up in Oregon who owns Cooper Mountain winery, may tell you that he was using homeopathy in his practice and began to feel as if there was a disconnect between how he was treating his patients and how he was farming his vineyards.   But one thing is certain: most Biodynamic farmers inevitably mention how they have developed a closer relationship to their farms, and have become better farmers because of it.