With the nutrition part of the Organic Community website still under construction, I wanted to share some information about biodynamic and organic food production. Due to our modern lifestyle, our contact with the soil has largely been reduced, and much of our nutrition is based on heavily processed foods. The use of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides in food production is having a drastic effect on plant micro biomes in the soil, and on the fruits and vegetables we eat. Together, these factors have led to the depletion of the gut micro biome.
Biodynamic and organic agriculture remedy this, using natural and sustainable methods to foster microbes in the soil, which are known to enhance food quality and content, and work with the human gut micro biome to create health benefits for humans. For more detail on the effects of the plant micro biota on the human gut micro biome, and the similarities between the two, this report is worth a look: 'Healthy soils for healthy plants for healthy humans'.
What is the difference between Biodynamic and Organic?
Biodynamic and organic farming are both examples of Regenerative Agriculture: agricultural practices that put back more than they take out. While the starting point for biodynamic growing is always organic, the main difference between biodynamic and organic agriculture is that biodynamic takes into account the rhythms of nature. For instance, biodynamic growers study solar and lunar movements to choose the best time to cultivate and harvest plants, flowers and foods to ensure their best qualities.
Let's take a look at why regenerative agriculture is so important from a health and sustainability perspective, but first a little bit about their arch nemesis: Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs).
The rise and dominance of UPFs
With the industrialisation of food systems, we have seen a shift away from food that is sustainably and locally produced and distributed, toward a system that is based on distributing widely, and marketing aggressively: with systems driven mostly by a few multi national corporations that wield substantial power over governments, and are also subject to very little government regulation.
UPFs are designed to be super tasty and quick to consume, to promote excess consumption. The foundation or base of these foods differs little from one product to the next, and generally originates from a few common sources of highly processed grains, oils and starches, which are mass produced, and very low in nutrients. These base products are made into foods by introducing various chemical additives to give the foods their flavour, and even texture. In this way, ultra processed foods mimic real foods, but offer none of the nutritional value.
They say everything in moderation. Turns out we aren't eating ultra-processed foods in moderation. For the average Aussie adult, UPFs make up at least 40% of our diet. This is bad for our health and also for the sustainability of the food supply. The food system designed to support this places a burden on the community, and on the planet. The processing, distribution and retailing of UPFs has precipitated unsustainable production and consumption patterns to the detriment of the environment. The industries that produce UPFs contribute up to one third of Australia's CO2 emissions. Suffice to say, this system isn't sustainable from a human health, nutrition and environmental perspective.
Let's look at a model that is more sustainable on all these fronts:
What is Biodynamic (Regenerative) Agriculture?
Bio (relating to life) and Dynamic (a force that stimulates change or progress). The integrity of the whole farm system, from the soil, to the animals, and the human, is the core of this practice.
Rudolph Steiner (of Steiner School fame), is credited as being the founder of the biodynamic approach to agriculture. Steiner - an Austrian philosopher and social reformer who lived from 1861-1925 - recognised that humanity was separating itself from nature. He saw farms as living organisms, and believed they should be self-sustaining, having the ability to thrive on their own.
There was recognition that due to widespread use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers, soils were dying, and food and animal crops were lessening in their nutritional value. A shift of consciousness was being called for. Steiner developed a set of homeopathic preparations used by biodynamic farmers on soil, compost and plants, to help build up the farm's soil and bio system. Chemical fertilizers were replaced with microbial agents such as bacteria, algae, fungi, mycorrhizal, and actinomycetes, while natural options such as neem and salt sprays were used in place of chemical pesticides.
Biodynamic principles
The principles of biodynamic farming first consider the life force and natural elements of the land. The principles are as follows:
A Biodynamic Farm Is a Living Organism
Cultivate Biodiversity
Bring Plants and Animals Together
Generate On-Farm Fertility
Compost Is Enlivened with Biodynamic Preparations
Cultivate Awareness
Support Integrity and Diversity in Seeds and Breeds
Sprays Enhance Soil and Plant Health
Treat Animals with Respect
Work in Rhythm with Earth and Cosmos
Biodynamic Certification Upholds Agricultural Integrity
Approach Pests and Diseases Holistically
Offer Regenerative Solutions for the Future
Contribute to Social and Economic Health
Source: Biodynamic Association
Benefits of Biodynamic Agriculture
A healthy, nutritious and sustainable food system
Increased biodiversity
Enrichment of soils
Improvement of watersheds
Contributes to the aspiration to limit global warming
Benefits the health of future generations
You - and your offspring - are what you eat
Recent research into food quality, nutrition, and long term impacts has shown that dietary patterns actually leave an imprint on us that we pass onto future generations. This is called Environmental Epigenetics. There is evidence from historical records to show that the grandchildren of women exposed to famine and other dietary alterations during pregnancy are more likely to experience health complications than their control counterparts.**
Certification
In Australia, biodynamic farms obtain certification by meeting the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce, and the Demeter Bio-Dynamic Method Standard. There are 6 recognised certification bodies under the National Standard: The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia - NASAA Certified Organic (NCO); the Bio Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI); AUS-QUAL Limited; ACO Certification Ltd (ACO); Organic Food Chain (OFC), and Southern Cross Certified Australia Pty Ltd (SXC). These bodies certify operators to the National Standard, as well as the rights to use the Demeter trade mark. Foods carrying the Demeter Biodynamic label have been grown and processed in accordance with the Demeter Biodynamic standards, known to be 'the strictest standard for organic agriculture worldwide'. The Demeter Bio-Dynamic Trademark is owned by a global movement of farmers, manufacturers, and researchers. There are over 5,000 farms encompassing more than 400,000 acres certified in 60 countries globally.
Biodynamic growers need our support
In Australia, biodynamic food producers account for only 50,000 of the 394 million hectares of land that is operated by agricultural businesses nationally, while organic food production accounts for 35 million hectares of land in Australia. There is an opportunity to further commercialise biodynamic agriculture innovation in Australia. While there are many profitable, mostly independent retailers of organic produce, this segment is being increasingly put under pressure by the economic and commercial targets that currently apply to the conventional segment.
In many markets, one or two giant supermarket chains to control much of the food supply. By introducing their own labels, supermarkets have seized all the power and made organic farmers interchangeable. The ‘conventionalisation’ of organic farming is a current theme, not just in Australia, but also in European nations who are leaders in organic and biodynamic food production. In Denmark, Switzerland and Austria - the top 3 nations with the highest market share of organic food globally - now that organic is growing, they apply the same mechanisms as in the conventional segment: Prices are under pressure, and farmers have less and less negotiating power.
In 2017, the National Farmers’ Federation announced a vision for Australian agriculture to exceed a farm gate value of $100 billion by 2030 (including fishing and forestry sectors). It's an ambitious target, and would require growth of 3% annually, double the current growth rate. This economic target is likely to create even more pressure for biodynamic and organic growers to produce more and more cheaply, and there is a clear trend towards economies of scale.
Despite this, the availability of biodynamic and organic food has increased in Australian urban areas over the last decade. Support for the industry is growing, thanks to the increasing popularity of farmers markets, Demeter biodynamic food boxes, independent biodynamic producers and retailers, such as independent food markets and health food shops. It is important to continue to support the biodynamic and organic industry to grow and become increasingly more competitive. As long as the control of food systems sits with a select few, and commercial outcomes are prioritised over nutrition and health outcomes, the long term sustainability of food systems remains at risk. If we are to undo the damage done by humans moving ever further away from nature and the land, then we must put humans, nature and the land squarely at the centre of our focus: When it comes to food systems, we need to redefine sustainability so it is all encompassing. This means investing in food production that is first and foremost sustainable for the environment, for the soil, and for human health, and second, is economically sustainable.
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