Biodynamic Federation Demeter International

Let's celebrate World Bee Day 🐝🌻! 🐝Bees, along with other insects, are indispensable for the pollination of many wild and cultivated plants, making bees essential for nature and ultimately for human survival. However, bees are endangered nowadays, which is why biodynamic farming goes a step further by recommending beekeeping on every biodynamic farm, not necessarily to produce honey but to support bees and the wider environment. 🌼Demeter and biodynamic beekeepers are developing bee-friendly husbandry. The emphasis is on the well-being of the bees - out of respect for life. Beekeepers must make sure that bees can unfold according to their nature in a favourable environment sitting them carefully to avoid environmental pollutants, and allowing them to have an invigorating effect in both the cultivated and wild landscape. 🍯When bees and plants interact, it results in a perfect food and remedy – honey. The character of honey reflects its environment, the climate and the well-being of the bees, which in return is reflected in the way they are kept. And you can taste this difference! 👉https://bit.ly/4bl031H 📷 Demeter e.V. #WorldBeeDay #beeday2024 #bees🐝 #pollinators #biodiversity #environment #wildlife #insects #biodynamicfarming #biodynamichoney #biodynamics #demeter #demetercertification #demeterstandard #demeterhoney

New GMOs: Call for an appropriate regulation🧬⚖️ 📄While the EU is considering to deregulate new GMOs from the current regulatory framework - mainly risk assessment, tracebaility and labelling - the French food safety authority, ANSES, published an opinion mentioning the importance of appropriate regulations when it comes to new GMOs. 📌ANSES mentions in particular the need for a case-by-case risk assessment of new GMOs to prevent any negative impact on our environment and health. The authority also identifed several major issues to be taken into account such as intellectual property associated with patents for plant breeding and concentration in the sector, as well as consumer information. 🤜EU decisions makers must take this opinion into account and carefully consider the risks associated with new GMOs. While the Parliament already voted on the file, the discussions continue within the Council between the 27 agriculture ministers. Risk assessment, traceability and labelling must be maintained for all new GMOs! 👉Here is to the full opinion: https://bit.ly/4bgLo8v 📷Yool GmbH & Co #IChooseGMOFree #NoHiddenGMOs #GMOFree #GMOFreeFarming #GMOFreeSeeds #FreedomOfChoice #GMOs #NGTs #GMORegulations #PrecautionaryPrinciple #EnvironmentalProtection #BiodynamicFarming #BiodynamicAgriculture #OrganicFarming #SustainableFoodSystems #Sustainability #SustainableFarming #Demeter #demeterstandard

Cows have horns🐮🐂 🔖A special thing to note about cattle on biodynamic and Demeter farms: they keep their horns! The Demeter standard strictly prohibits the painful dehorning of cows, as is the common practice on most livestock farms. 🐂This is because research shows horns fulfil important functions for cows, such as grooming, communicating with other cows, digestion and metabolism, and physical heat balance. 🚜Demeter and biodynamic farmers rely on cattle breeds with horns and allow them enough room to roam naturally and build larger stables, for colder months, to allow animals the space to display their natural behaviour. 👉 https://bit.ly/3LDVKnp 📷 Carsten Scheper #demeterstandard #demeterfarming #demetercertification #biodynamicfarming #biodynamicfarm #biodynamics #animalhusbandry #livestockfarming #cowswithhorns #cattlefarming #animalwelfare #animalbehavior

African Biodynamic Conference: starting today🌴✨ 📆 From May 10 to 12 the Egyptian Biodynamic Association EBDA is organising the first African Biodynamic Conference taking place in Egypt both at SEKEM Group premises and Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development. 🌟 With a focus on climate resilience, youth leadership, and indigenous wisdom, the conference aims to shape a unique, regenerative agricultural future in Africa. An exciting conference program awaits us with engaging international experts and African local practitioners including farm visits, planting trees and many other activities ! 👉 More info: https://bit.ly/3UaDzue 📷 Demeter e.V. #InTheRhythmOfChange #100YearsOfBiodynamics #100YearsOfBiodynamicFarming #BiodynamicFarming100Years #BiodynamicConferenceAfrica #Demeter #DemeterEgypt #BiodynamicFarming #HolisticFarming #RegenerativeFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #SustainableAgriculture #Sustainable #Biodynamic

International Compost Awareness Week🍃 🌱There are many methods for making compost, but all have the same goal: turning garden waste into broken down organic matter to nourish our soil and crops. Composting helps to nourish and regenerate soil life which in return helps to feed the plants ensuring the production of healthy and nutrition food. 🎋Research has also shown that composting can ensure more robust and pest and disease resistant plants while bringing more carbon into the living realm, helping to restore balance to the climate. 🍃Did you already start composting? This week it's time to give it a try and help presevering our nature! 📷 Yool GmbH & Co #icaw2024 #icaw #compostlife #composting #compostawareness #soillife #soilfertility #soilregeneration #biodynamics #biodynamicsoil #biodynamiccomposting #biodynamicfarming #demeter #demeterstandards #demetercertification

The farm as a living organism 🐛🌱 🚜Biodynamic and Demeter farmers see their farm as a living organism in which each part reinforces and supports the others: humans, plants, animals and soil work together. 🍃The term 'farm organism' describes holistic thinking and action: the appropriate amount of animals are kept on the farm, whose manure in turn ensures lasting soil fertility and full plant maturity. Animals receive feed from their own farm and people receive the best food. 🤝Against this holistic background, social interaction is also an important component of many farms. Most biodynamic Demeter farms are more than 'just' farms - they integrate people with disabilities, are school farms or cultural event venues. 👉 Find out more: https://bit.ly/3OrrspY 📷 Demeter e.V. #Biodynamicfarming #biodynamicfarm #Biodynamics #Demeter #Demeterfarm #Demeterstandards #Demetercertified #livingorganism #100YearsOfBiodynamicFarming #InTheRhythmOfChange #100YearsOfBiodynamics #biodiversity #soilfertility #socialconnection #animalwelfare

German Agriculture Minister at the Demeter Reyerhof🚜🤝 🐮Together with local decision-makers, the German Federation Minister for Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, visited the Demeter Reyerhof in Möhringen, close to Stuttgart, to find out about the challenges and opportunities of organic livestock farming. 🍀The farm manager Lukas Dreyer presented the farm using the regional value performance calculator elaborated by the Regionalwert Leistungen GmbH. Thanks to this tool he could show that the Reyerhof provided around 180,000€ in public welfare services in 2023. The farm scored particularly high in the areas of soil fertility, expertise, climate and water, working conditions and regional networking. 🐂Next to these social and environmental benefits, the visitors could also see that the environmental and climate footprint of cattle depends on the type of practised animal husbandry. Pasture farming has for instance the potential to mitigate the impact of livestock farming on the climate. 👉 https://bit.ly/4doUmRN 📷 Yool GmbH & Co #Biodynamicfarming #Biodynamicfarm #biodynamics #Demeter #Demeterfarm #demeterfarming #demeterstandards #AgricultureMinister #environmentalservices #EnvironmentalBenefits #biodiversity #soilfertility #animalwelfare #100YearsOfBiodynamics #InTheRhythmOfChange

Celebrating the 100 Years of biodynamic farming: Biodiversity🐞🐝 🌟For the 100 years of biodynamic farming, we would like to introduce you to the fourth theme of our series exploring the 12 Benefits of biodynamic farming: ‘Biodiversity'. 🐛Biodiversity is at the heart of biodynamic farming. Preserving biodiversity is not only important for farming, but also to ensure food security as most insects are intimately connected to food production. As an indication 75% of food crops rely on animal pollination for fertilization. 🐛Therefore, the Demeter standard stipulates that at least 10% of farmland must be left wild or dedicated to biodiversity. Through good management and conservation practices such as long-term grassland or insect and bird shelter biodiversity is preserved and enhanced. 🐦Next to these good management practices, the use of any chemical inputs, fertilizers, or pesticides, as well as GMOs, is also strictly prohibited. Instead, the farm works in collaboration with its natural environment. 👉 https://bit.ly/3GKAx8y #InTheRhythmOfChange #100YearsOfBiodynamics #100YearsOfBiodynamicFarming #BiodynamicFarming100Years #biodiversity #BiodynamicAgriculture #BiodynamicFarming #HolisticFarming #RegenerativeFarming #SustainableFarming #Demeter #DemeterInternational #DemeterStandards #DemeterCertification #Regenerative #Sustainable #Biodynamic

Parliament vote on New GMOs🧬 📆Last week the European Parliament voted to secure their hasty position on new GMOs - new genomic techniques (NGTs) - confirming the outcome of the vote that took place in February and finalising the position of the Parliament. 💪 Strong traceability and national coexistence measures need to be included to protect the freedom of farmers and food producers not to use genetic engineering techniques, and of consumers to choose wherever they want to buy products derived from these techniques or not. 🌿 What is also still missing is a thorough risk assessment for all NGTs coming on the market to make sure no risks are taken for our environment and health. Safety should not be put at stake by a light regulatory framework. 👉Find out more: https://bit.ly/49403Co #IchooseGMOfree #NoNewGMOs #NGTs #NGTfile #newGMOs #EuropeanParliament #plenaryvote #biodynamicfarming #organicfarming #demeter #demetercertification #DemeterInternational #GMOfreefarming #labelling #traceability

Biodynamic Wine Fair🍇🍷 📆From April 29 to 30 the first biodynamic wine fair will open its doors in Mainz, organised by our colleagues from Germany, the Demeter e.V. If you are a retailer, restaurateur or sommelier looking for wineries that are committed to environmentally friendly and sustainable viticulture, then this fair is for you! 🍇Discover the world of biodynamic viticulture and outstanding wines that are produced using sustainable and respectful cultivation methods, engage in inspiring discussions with renowned winemakers and wine experts, and learn more about the background of biodynamic viticulture and its sustainable philosophy. 🍷The Alte Postlager in Mainz is the ideal setting for this unique event. Let yourself be inspired by the individual atmosphere and enjoy unforgettable moments surrounded by outstanding wines and like-minded wine lovers. 👉Secure your spot: https://bit.ly/3QnFuJF #wine #biodynamicwine #organicwine #winefair #tradefair #sustainablewines #sustainableviticulture #biodynamicviticulure #demeter #demeterwines #demetercertifed #certification #viticulture #vineyardlife #winemaker #winetasting #EnvironmentFriendly