| | Demeter Newsletter -- September 2026
Greetings from Demeter!
In this issue:
+ Events Season - Demeter at Upcoming Conferences
+ Certification Update - Welcoming New Operations
+ Biodynamic Directory Spotlight - Eastern Wineries
+ Biodynamic In The News
+ Gauging Interest in Pelletized Chicken Manure
+ Demeter Classifieds - Organic Grapevines Available
+ Demeter Calendar
Please send newsletter content suggestions or
questions to: [email protected] |
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It’s Almost Events Season!
Our small but mighty Demeter team, together with the Economic Development Committee, is starting to prepare for some big events this winter! We’re excited to bring a fresh approach — new storytelling, print materials, and messaging — based on our learned experiences, feedback from our community, and a higher awareness about what messages will really resonate with new audiences. We’re expecting to cross paths with lots of farmers, retailers, buyers, brands, and movement advocates. Every conversation holds the potential for a new insight, new connection, new opportunity — and we intend to make these experiences meaningful and actionable with data-tracking and follow-up. These events are a wonderful opportunity for us to build our audience, educate about Biodynamic farming, and participate in the community conversation!
Our Winter 2026 - 2027 Events Calendar:
▶️ Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference and Trade Show
December 1-4, 2026, Iowa city, IA
Acres U.S.A.® Eco-Ag Conference -- More Information
▶️ 47th Annual EcoFarm Conference
Jan 20-23, 2027 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds, Monterey County, California
Demeter will be hosting a workshop at this conference! Here’s how it will appear in the program:
Biodynamic: The Roots of a Regenerative Revolution
Long before organic and regenerative agriculture became movements, there was BioDynamics. Beginning in 1924, BioDynamic® agriculture introduced the whole farm as a living, self-regenerating ecosystem, rooted in the relationships between soil, plants, animals, people, and the larger rhythms of nature. Many ideas shaping modern agriculture have deep roots in this century-old approach. Explore how BioDynamics continues to inform farming today, as new research examines the effects of BioDynamic preparations and practices on soil, plant health, and food quality. Discover how these principles can complement other farming methods and strengthen the health and vitality of the land. Participants leave with a BioDynamic preparation guide, sample spray program, and simple observation exercise for seeing the farm with fresh eyes.
EcoFarm Conference — More Information
▶️ Natural Products Expo West
March 2-5, 2027, Anaheim, CA
Natural Products Expo West -- More Information
If you’re planning to attend one of these events, please reach out to us! We’d love to connect with you in person. If you have ideas, tips, or questions about these efforts please send us an email. We’ll be sharing more updates as these events get closer, including on social media.
Chelsea Nolan - [email protected]
Nell Hanssen - [email protected]
Rebecca Briggs - [email protected]
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Certification News
A Warm Welcome to the Biodynamic Demeter Family!
It is such a joy to welcome these wonderful operations into the Biodynamic Demeter Family!
One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to walk alongside each operation throughout their certification journey — from that very first outreach and introduction, to a personal Zoom call where we work together to complete the application, through the inspection process and review, and finally to the moment that makes it all worthwhile: issuing their very first Biodynamic Certificate!
Every operation has its own story, land, and reason for choosing the Biodynamic Demeter path. It is incredibly rewarding to watch that journey unfold and to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and care that goes into becoming certified.
Please join me in giving a heartfelt welcome to our newest members of the Biodynamic Demeter Family, listed below!
If you have any questions about the certification process, please don't hesitate to reach out to Sarah Rhynalds at [email protected].
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Welcome to our Newest Members! |
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We’re excited to share a new section in our newsletter dedicated to highlighting the farmers and processors who bring Biodynamic® products to life. Demeter's online Biodynamic Directory is a tool for both producers and consumers. We hope this newsletter feature will serve to deepen the connection between consumers and the Biodynamic products they love and trust. |
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| | Biodynamic Directory
Spotlight
~ Vineyards & Wineries East of the
Rocky Mountains ~ |
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Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, in Dundee, NY was founded in 1979 in the Finger Lakes region. They eliminated herbicide use in 2003, relying on cover crops and cultivation between rows to control weeds, thus protecting natural yeast populations. In the summer of 2014, they committed their first block of acres to Biodynamic management and as of 2023 the entire HJW site is certified Biodynamic®.
They found Biodynamic methods lead to, “healthier, more resilient vines, more active yeast cultures, and smaller grapes with thicker skins—qualities that enhance winemaking. We saw how biodynamic farming benefits not only the vines but also the people who care for them. By working in harmony with nature, we reduced chemical exposure in the air, water, and soil of our farm, fostering a healthier environment for our workers and the surrounding community.”
Speaking of their choice to pursue Biodynamic certification, they write, “This achievement reflects our dedication and ongoing commitment to thoughtful agriculture, including the introduction of grazing Katahdin-Dorper sheep and heirloom Cotton Patch geese to support natural pest control and improve soil health.”
Contact:
Contact Form
Online Store: Shop – Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard Online Store |
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Lewis & Clark Lake
Vineyard |
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Lewis & Clark Lake Vineyard, located in Yankton, South Dakota, grows a variety of Biodynamic® orchard fruits and berries as well as grapes for wine. Their grapes are available wholesale to area wineries.
In addition to Biodynamic methods, the Vineyard uses Korean Natural Farming practices, Japanese Natural Farming, and traditional organic farming methods. Owner Greg Stach is particularly committed to using vermicompost.
Of Biodynamic farming, he is quoted in AgWeek saying, ““Biodynamics has always been about what I know as natural farming, it’s making all the ingredients you can from the products you grow on your vineyard and on your farm.”
Contact:
[email protected]
605-665-6776
Lewis & Clark Lake Vineyard – South Dakota Specialty Producers Association Listing |
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| | | | Lightfoot and Wolfville Vineyards |
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Located in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Lightfoot and Wolfville Vineyards focuses on cool climate grapes, particularly German-style whites specifically selected for their microclimates.
They write that they are “maximizing the expression of our wines by practicing biodynamic viticulture in some of the Annapolis Valley’s most favourable vineyard sites. Our intention from the beginning has been an unwavering dedication to quality throughout the wine’s journey.”
Their Winery is open year round and their wines can also be purchased from their online store.
Contact:
+1 (902) 542-7774
[email protected]
Online Store: Wine – Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards |
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Stardust Cellars is located in Wilkesboro, North Carolina and their products are available in stores throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Their vineyard was first awarded Biodynamic® certification in June of 2025.
Stardust focuses on grapes native to their region, particularly Muscadine, a culturally significant heirloom in North Carolina. Founder Nico Hogrefe studied microbiology before starting his farm in 2017. We interviewed him for our newsletter last year, and he told us that his knowledge of the importance of beneficial microbes is a core part of his belief in Biodynamic principles. “and I am convinced that we barely understand the depth of importance beneficial microbes have on an ecosystem and on our bodies. The interactivity between microbe, plant, and man is boundless and to holistically look at an ecosystem as its namesake, a system, we must consider the holistic approach that Biodynamics provides.”
Stardust is still in the building phase, selling wines and meads without the Biodynamic label, and planning to expand their vineyard and winery in the future.
Contact:
[email protected]
Tap Room (704) 360-2959
https://www.stardustcellars.com/
Find Their Products: Stardust Cellars Retail Outlets |
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Located in Baiting Hollow, on Long Island, New York, The Farrm, owned by Rex and Connie Farr, has been managed with Biodynamic production methods for 35 years and was the first certified organic farm on Long Island. The vineyard was planted in 2005 with four varieties of Bordeaux grapes, and they gained Biodynamic certification in 2025.
The Farrs write, “All of our grapes are handpicked and we use the Biodynamic Production Method started by Rudolph Steiner in 1920. Through this process, we hope to understand the relationship between the moon and the tides and their impact on production.”
Wines from The Farrm are available for purchase on site.
Contact:
[email protected]
631-369-8237
farrmwine.com |
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Get ready for our upcoming
Biodynamic Directory Features! |
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🌲Biodynamic Holiday Gifts🌲
will be featured in the October and November newsletters!
If you have Biodynamic gifts you'd like to list, please get in touch! |
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Does your business produce any products in these categories? Please email us at [email protected] for details on how to be included.
Previous "Biodynamic Directory Features" can be found on our blog. |
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Biodynamic In The News
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Biodynamic Agriculture's Role in Reforms to the Fashion Industry
A recent published piece in Apparel Views puts the impact of textiles to manufacture clothing and other fashion items as using 30% of global farmland, or 1.45 billion hectares. This includes textile crops like cotton and hemp as well as livestock acreage for wool and leather production.
“DIRT Charity founder and report co-author Arizona Muse said: “Brands have spent a decade arguing about which natural fibre is more sustainable, many with little idea about how these fibres are farmed. DIRT Charity sees that fashion– as a sourcing power– has the opportunity to regenerate up to 30% of earth’s agricultural land through transitioning to regeneratively farmed biodynamic fibre. Healing the surface of the earth from toxic pollution while clothing humans.”
Read more here: Fashion influences almost a third of the world's farmland
Biodynamic Methods Provide Resilience in Extreme Conditions Like Drought
A press release from the Goetheanum in Dornach, Switzerland, details some conclusions and ongoing research about the effects of drought and how Biodynamic agriculture is well-placed to mitigate these effects. The article touches on biodiverse agricultural systems, soil building, and agroforestry as key factors.
Read more here: Mitigating the effects of drought preventively - How biodynamic farming contributes to the management of drought
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Gauging Interest:
Pelletized Chicken Manure for Biodynamic Production
We are exploring a potential source of pelletized organic chicken manure, to be manufactured at a facility in Oregon. The end product would meet the Demeter standard for fertility inputs.
If you are a farmer on the West Coast or elsewhere and you are interested in this project, please complete the survey linked here. |
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Certified Organic Grape Vine Nursery Stock
Field-grown dormant vines available for Spring 2027 Planting
from Inland Desert Nursery
Benton City, WA
inlanddesert.com |
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We are reserving a spot in each of our newsletters to feature a farmer or other certified business owner. If you'd like to write a brief article about your experience with Biodynamic Production, Processing, or Marketing, or answer some interview questions about your operation, we'd love to share it with our readers!
Please contact Nell at [email protected] for more details.
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~ CALENDAR ~
If you'd like your event announced in our monthly newsletter, please send details to:
[email protected]
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Southeast Biodynamic Association 40th Annual Conference
October 2nd - 4th
Red Boiling Springs, TN
Details and Tickets: SE Biodynamic Conference
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Practical Biodynamics - Farmers and Gardeners' Forum
October 6th and November 3rd
Online discussion
For Details: Practical Biodynamics: Farmer and Gardener's Forum
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Free Harvest Festival at Hawthorne Valley Farm
October 10th
Ghent, NY
For Details: Harvest Festival
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2026 Farrm Wine Harvest
October 10th and 11th
Baiting Hollow, NY
For Details: Harvest Event at Farrm Wine
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Three Fold Farm Centennial Celebration
Fruits from the Past, Seeds for the Future
October 10th
Chestnut Ridge, NY
For Details: Centennial Celebration
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Making the Biodynamic Preparations
Hawaii Regional Biodynamic Group Gathering
November 20th - 22nd ~ Register by October 7th
Pu'u O Hoku Ranch, Molokai, HI
To Register: Making the Preparations
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Pfeiffer Center Practical Training in Biodynamics 2026/27
Eleven full-day Workshops September through June
Begins September 19th
Schedule and Registration: Pfeiffer Center Training
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You can find more events on the Biodynamic Association's
Event Calendar:
BDA Community Calendar
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Demeter Business Meetings:
Demeter Standard Committee – meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month
Demeter Board – meets the 3rd Monday of the month |
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