DEMETER

For the rights to use the Australian DEMETER Bio-Dynamic trade mark an Operator must satisfy the requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce and show soil structure development and farm management as detailed in the Australian Demeter Bio-Dynamic Method Standard.

Our Bio-Dynamic research and practice in Australia has produced a totally new and dynamic approach to farming, but despite our over 60 years of experience and practical application refining the Bio-Dynamic method to suit Australian conditions, we:

• remain faithful to the original indications of Steiner,
• use the quantities and quality preparations made according to Pfeiffer’s research; and

provide maximum support for the special bio-dynamic preparations to be effective by applying the methodicity and practical understanding gifted to the agricultural world by Alex Podolinsky.

New Impulses have again and again arisen in History. One can never “go back” to a past. With the breakdown of natural plant growth conditions through forced farming methods, and deteriorating environmental conditions, a new agricultural impulse became necessary. This new impulse is carried by the correct application of the Australian Demeter Bio-Dynamic Method.

Photo 1: Typifies soil compaction worldwide due to reduction of microbes and worms through effects of chemicals, fertilisers and too heavy machinery.

Photo 2: The same soil after one year Demeter Bio-Dynamic activation. A typical result showing our bio-dynamic soil structure and humus building activities.

Evidence of the results of the Australian Demeter Bio-Dynamic Method are shown in the photographs above. Photograph 1 - typical soil of today, compacted and dead. Photograph 2 - the same soil, within less than a year, - and without the addition of any inputs other than one mechanical aeration, cultivation, sowing down to pasture species and two applications of our basic soil activator named Prepared 500.

Foundation to our method of agriculture is understanding and supporting the production of humus in the soil. There is no such thing as “permanent” humus. Humus exists only at the height of a process of continuous becoming. “Permanent” humus would be dead material – nothing better than organic matter of little dynamic consequence. In a living soil, worms and microbes continue to make new humus out of old organic matter. Sustainability of humus is guaranteed by the soil structure as depicted in photograph 2. Loss of soil structure results in loss of humus.