5 of 12 benefits of biodynamic farming

May 1, 2024

The following is the 5th of 12 articles published every month in 2024 by Biodynamic Federation Demeter on the various benefits of biodynamic farming and look at how it can a climate solution.

Biodiversity is priceless

As a start 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 crop rotations, polyculture, virgin forests, long-term grassland, water bodies, insect and bird shelter, and wildlife protection biodynamic farming manages to enhance and preserve biodiversity. 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.

Working with the ecosystem

Biodynamic farmers work in an integrated way with the ecosystem, searching for balance and integration between wild and cultivated species bringing the best out of each other. The results speak for themselves: 35% more birds, 23% more insects and more soil organisms such as earthworms and ground beetles are found in organic and biodynamic farmland thanks to the creation of natural habitats and the absence of chemical and synthetic pesticides.