In the nation-wide health movement of buying local foods and supporting small sustainable agriculture, the concept of ‘biodynamic farming’ is sure to be tossed into conversation. But what does biodynamic actually mean? And why does it matter for folks who are just trying to eat well? Glad you asked. At Wise Goat Organics, it’s one of our top priorities to source all our ingredients from biodynamic farms. And for great reason! Below, we’ve summed up the main concepts of biodynamic farming so that you can get better insight into why we do what we do. 

Biodynamic means that every individual part of farming is equally important in nurturing the whole. It integrates each element from soil and plants to people and spirit to create an interdependent living organism. Biodynamic farming doesn’t isolate or regiment a singular system, but rather uses the strengths and needs of each part to complement the other. Thanks to countless researchers and farmers, biodynamic farming has continued to evolve for nearly 100 years. Typically, biodynamic farming includes the following practices:

  1. Planting diverse seeds and crops instead of one crop for many acres. 
  2. Plants living with animals to fertilize the soil and help with pest management.
  3. Using the land’s natural forms and rhythms instead of tearing down trees, flattening hills, or filling ponds. 
  4. A high priority on ethics and integrity in decision making. This includes decisions around social, economic and environmental impact.  
  5. The use of compost, cover crops, and no-till practices to maximize soil health. 
  6. A high value for the social, mental, and physical health of all those who interact with the farmland (from working on it, to purchasing from it, to living near it). 

These principles reflect the holistic and integrated health approach that Wise Goat organics has when making all our products. Each decision about purchasing, packaging, preparing, and selling our goods is made with the understanding of our social, economic, and environmental impacts. So, when you buy from biodynamic farms or companies that use these farm’s products, you can rest assured that you are 

1) contributing to the economic and social health of your community 

2) getting the most nutrient dense products thanks to the biodiverse, healthy soil 

3) supporting a sustainable, long term solution to the growing environmental crisis