Organic Red Capsicum 1pc Holland/Spain/Egypt

Biodynamic® Farming is a form of organic farming where a high level of attention is given to the farm as a whole entity to ensure long term sustainability.

It began with the observations of Silesian farmers in the early 20th century who experimented with the new artificial fertilisers developed after WWI from the reductionist theories of chemist Justus Liebig, namely that plant growth is directly relatable to chemical reactions.

Initially these simplistic treatments resulted in a better crop, but in the long term, soils were depleted, livestock became less fertile, seed vitality decreased and the flavour of the vegetables was noticeably less delicious.

Concerned, the farmers consulted the Austrian philosophical scientist Rudolph Steiner and in 1924 he gave a series of lectures based on the concept that everything alive is undergoing constant transformation. This dynamism sees the farm holistically in harmony with Nature’s cycles and uses a closed system allowing no synthetic chemicals.

Special preparations made with cow horn, yarrow, chamomile, stinging nettles, oak bark, dandelion flowers, valerian and horsetail (Equisetum arvense) are prepared to vitalise the soil and compost. With timely application these preparations improve biodiversity by stimulating root growth, encouraging essential humus formation and enhancing the development of microorganisms.

Following these lectures and the success of the Biodynamic® farming methods, Demeter was founded in 1928 as the world’s first ecological farming trademark. Demeter’s biodynamic certification requires that Steiner’s principles are followed to support biodiversity and soil husbandry with the concept that humans, animals and plants interact as one living holistic organism. Farming is undertaken with a devotion to healing and rebalancing the earth and a reverence for every living thing.

The Demeter label requires that a farm undergoes a 3 year conversion period which complies with EU organic regulations and includes Steiner’s mineral and plant based applications to vitalise soil life and plant growth. The certification must be renewed every year. Demeter licensed produce is now available in over 60 countries worldwide.

Austria naturally has a strong link to Biodynamic® farming. Egypt has a strong link to Austria through Dr. Ibrahim Abouleish who studied there and whose efforts to sustainably green the dessert N. E. of Cairo, Egypt on his return have been noted by the WHO.

Zenxin’s produce from Egypt is from the Demeter certified biodynamic farms which Dr. Abouleish was instrumental in founding.