SustainLane ? Do You Buy Biodynamic?

February 2008
Edition 40

Greetings!

Biodynamic. We've all seen the term before (most likely on a bottle of wine), but what does it actually mean?

At the most basic level, biodynamic is a certification given by Demeter, the world's first recognized "organic" certifying body. On a deeper level, biodynamic agriculture is based on the spiritual philosophy of Rudolph Steiner, an Austrian scholar from the early 20th century. According to Biodynamics.org, "Biodynamics has a holistic world-view that, for example, sees the influence of planetary rhythms on the growth of plants and animals as of equal importance to a purely chemical analysis."

This theory was first applied to agriculture by the German populace in 1924, when they noticed that the soil in their fields was losing its vitality. Steiner suggested that they treat the farm as a complete organism, rather than as a collection of animals and crops - thus biodynamic agriculture was born. Find links for the complete history and explanation of biodynamic agriculture in the In the News section below.

Plus, read why Jill B. loves the biodynamic yogurt from Seven Stars Farm, what Cris B. sees in Frey's biodynamic wines, and how Christine V. gets her hands biodynamically clean every time she steps off the bus.

Featured Product: Yogurt from Seven Stars Farm

We all know yogurt is both delicious and nutritious, but what happens when it's also organic and biodynamic? It means that, in addition to some bad rhymes from us, you get mad props from Jill B.

Click here for Yogurt from Seven Stars Farm

This yogurt puts all others to shame

"If you love yogurt, but are concerned about the rampant mistreatment of cows on factory farms and don't want to fill your body with hormones, antibiotics, and other "extras" that are added to many dairy products, you must try Seven Star Farms organic yogurt. The only thing added is..." click here to read more

Have you tried this brand of yogurt? Write a review at SustainLane.com and share your experience.

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Featured Business: Frey Vineyards

Now that wine from the United States is exploding on the world market, it is of the utmost importance that vineyards take care to keep their soil nutrient rich. Let Cris B. tell you about one vineyard determined to reconnect with the earth through their wine.
Click for Frey Vineyards

Hip, Hip Syrah! - for Frey's Organic and Biodynamic Wines

"Frey has two wine lists. One for organic and another for biodynamic. The latter ecological farming method takes wine making to another level of organic agriculture. Frey has stricter standards and considerations of the entire ecosystem, which includes..." click here to read more

Have you tried any of Frey's Wines? Just have thoughts about their winery in general? Write a review at Sustainlane.com and let everyone know!

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Biodynamics in the News

Biodynamic agriculture has been called "Organic Plus" by some and "Agriculture Alchemy" by others. Read the articles below on the history of biodynamics, its founder, and modern biodynamic farming practices. Then let everyone know what you think in our Biodynamic Forum.

The history and practices of biodynamic agriculture.

The San Francisco Chronicle says biodynamic is one step beyond organic.

The homepage of the Demeter biodynamic certifying agency.

MSNBC explores how wine is going from red, white and rose to green.

What did you think? Is biodynamics one step above organic or one step below voodoo? Share your opinion in our Biodynamic Forum and be entered in a drawing to win a free SustainLane T-shirt.

Staff Pick: Benedetta Hand Sanitizer

Alcohol belongs in our wine (and beer, and vodka...) not in our hand sanitizer. Not to mention the host of other chemicals in conventional hand sanitizers we probably don't even want to know about. Let Christine V. introduce you to the worlds first alcohol-free, organic, biodynamic hand sanitzer. Now where did I put that bottle of Frey's...

Click for Benedetta Hand Sanitizer

Natural Hand Sanitizer with No Alcohol Five Stars

"This lavender scented hand sanitizer is amazing and does not dry out your hands like alcohol based sanitizers. I ride the bus to work every day and immediately spray it on my hands when i get off. Not only does it clean and sanitize your hands, it has..." click here to read more

Have you tried Benedetta's hand sanitizer? How about a different organic or biodynamic hand sanitizer? Write a review at SustainLane.com and share!

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