Demeter Association November Newsletter

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Demeter Newsletter -- November 2025

Greetings from Demeter!

In this issue:
+ Certification News - ECERT Client Portal

+ Biodynamic Directory Spotlight - Roasted Coffee

+ Advancing Biodynamic Practices Webinar Series

+ Demeter Board Listening Session

+ Soil Protocol Webinar

+ Demeter's New Look and Upcoming Conferences

+ Biodynamic Mentions - Royal Examiner Feature

+ Biodynamic Association Announcements

+ Demeter Calendar

Please send newsletter content suggestions or

questions to: [email protected]

Demeter USA Has a New Look and

Is Taking It on The Road!

We are excited to share that Demeter has a new look for promotional materials and electronic media. Check out our new look on our website and the Biodynamic Farm Standard. We will continue to develop website content and messaging. New to the website is the Demeter Blog, which will expand with new posts and newsletter features.

The same look will appear in our new conference booth display (partial sneak peek below of backdrop) and printed materials to share about Demeter certification. Our messaging is focused on the principles of Biodynamic farming and processing.

Visit us at these upcoming conferences!

December 1-4, 2025, Madison, WI

Booth #19

January 21-24, 2026, Pacific Grove, CA

Booth #104

March 3-6, 2026,

Anaheim,CA

Booth #1301

We could take on this initiative due to a small grant Demeter received to educate the public about Biodynamic certification. Thanks to Deer Island Studios for helping identify our color palette and design theme, and thanks to Rebecca Briggs and Zachary Krebs at the Biodynamic Association for their work on our website refresh and literature development.

Biodynamic is the Original Regenerative

Regenerative agriculture is getting a lot of attention these days. There seems to be as many definitions promoted by as many different promoters. For those familiar with Biodynamic agriculture, it is readily evident that Biodynamic is regenerative agriculture at its core - building soil, fertility developed on-farm, livestock integration, soil cover, biodiversity, and the list goes on. Should we add great taste and highly nutritious to the list? Surveying the landscape of the various interpretations of regenerative agriculture, Demeter farm certification clearly meets and exceeds the varied definitions. It is not a stretch to say that Biodynamic certification is the original organic and regenerative certification dating back to 1928 in Europe and 1985 in the US.

Demeter is pleased to announce the recognition and addition of certified Biodynamic to the Certified Regenerative category of the NEXTY Awards, which highlights products exhibited at New Hope Network events including Expo West and Newtopia. Expo West in Anaheim, CA has over 3,500 exhibitors and has over 70,000 attendees. Newtopia is a smaller version in Boulder, CO.

Certification News

The Demeter ECERT Client Portal Is Live!

We’re excited to announce that the Demeter ECERT Client Portal is officially live—and ready for you to explore!

This new platform gives you simple, streamlined access to all your key certification information in one convenient place, including:

Your certificates
Your assigned inspector
Downloadable files
Your approved input list
Your upcoming inspection checklist
Your current crops, acres, fields, and livestock
Current and past findings

Getting Started

You’ll soon receive an email directly from ECERT with your login details and instructions.
Once it arrives, simply follow the link provided to log in and begin exploring your account.

We’re Here to Support You

If you have questions or would like a walkthrough of the new portal, please contact:

Sarah Rhynalds
[email protected]
541-929-7148

Sarah is happy to assist or meet with you via Zoom for a guided tour.

Thank You

Thank you for your continued commitment to upholding the integrity of Demeter Biodynamic® Certification. We’re delighted to offer this new tool to make managing your certification easier and more efficient.

Welcome to the Demeter ECERT Portal—your information, your way!

Questions about certification?

Please contact Sarah: [email protected].

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.

Biodynamic Directory

Spotlight

~Roasted Coffee~

Café

Altura

Cafe Altura is grateful to have had the privilege of being both the first organic coffee company in the United States and the first to bring Biodynamic coffee into the country. From our earliest days, biodynamic agriculture wasn’t just something we sourced - it was something that shaped who we were and how we saw our place in the coffee world. The values behind the movement aligned naturally with our own commitment to responsible farming, long-term partnerships, and honoring the land that makes great coffee possible.

Over the past 45 years, that commitment has remained at the heart of our work. We’ve stood by Biodynamic growers through changing markets, shifting consumer trends, and the natural ups and downs of the agricultural world. Our long relationship with early leaders like Finca Irlanda reflects this steady support, but it’s only one part of the larger story. What defines Cafe Altura is our continued belief in the integrity, care, and ecological spirit that Biodynamic farmers bring to their craft. As we look ahead, we remain proud to represent Biodynamic coffee and to help share its remarkable legacy with coffee drinkers everywhere.

Holistic

Roasters

At Holistic Roasters, we believe the true power of coffee lies in its ability to create positive change at every level. Our work begins with direct partnerships with family farms and cooperatives who share our vision for a healthier planet through regenerative, toxin-free farming practices. As a Demeter-certified roastery with over a decade of specialty coffee experience, we are committed to enriching soil vitality, protecting biodiversity, and maintaining transparency throughout every stage of production. By carefully sourcing and roasting all our coffees in-house, we uphold our promise of quality and integrity. Every green coffee harvest is third-party lab-tested for purity—including mold, mycotoxins and heavy metals—ensuring each bag of Biodynamic® Coffee meets the highest standard of clean. This thorough approach allows us to deliver certified Organic and Biodynamic® coffees you can trust in every cup.

Building on our commitment to clean sourcing and processing, we are excited to introduce the Biodynamic Décaf. We partnered with Demeter and Swiss Water® Process to develop this product, ensuring that even our decaffeinated coffee adheres to the highest standard of purity. The Swiss Water® Process uses only water, temperature, and time to remove caffeine gently and safely—making it the ideal chemical-free method for our Biodynamic green coffee. This partnership allows us to offer the clean coffee experience our customers expect and represents another step in our journey toward a more resilient food future alongside our partners like Demeter.

ZenBunni

ZenBunni Biodynamic Coffee began as a small artisan vision shaped by a deep reverence for the earth and a belief that coffee can be more than a daily habit — it can be a ritual of connection, clarity, and nourishment. From the beginning, we approached coffee not as a commodity, but as a form of living medicine capable of supporting the body and awakening the senses. This perspective guided every choice we made from sourcing to roasting, and helped cultivate a community of people who sought a gentler, more intentional way of experiencing their daily brew. Over time, ZenBunni became known not only for the purity and energetic quality of its Biodynamic coffee, but also for its artistry, storytelling, and commitment to elevating the act of drinking coffee into something meaningful.

This vision was first brought to life by husband-and-wife team Zen and Bunni, who founded the brand in Topanga Canyon more than twenty years ago with the dream of offering food and drink that honored both the land and the people who enjoyed it. Their galleries and shops throughout Los Angeles grew into beloved spaces where the community could gather, learn, and taste the possibility of a more conscious and beautiful way of living. Today, ZenBunni is stewarded by Zen, as Bunni is full time with her therapy practice Back to Heart. Along with their daughter Alchemy, the family is still deeply involved and woven into the spirit of the company. At its core, our brand aims to empower and inspire people to make healthier choices — beginning with what they consume and expanding into the decisions they make every day. By supporting ethical businesses and prioritizing Mother Nature in all aspects of life, ZenBunni Coffee hopes to foster a symbiotic relationship between individuals and the earth. This purpose lives in the brand’s guiding vision: “Nurturing Nature, Nurturing You.”

We wholesale all over the world to retailers, wellness practitioners, and supply our coffee to various Biodynamic Farms at bulk like Apricot Lane Farms & Fox Hollow.

ZenBunni Website
[email protected]
Instagram: @zenbunni

Demeter Webinar Series ~ a Resource for Growers

🌱 Announcing Session #3 in Our Biodynamic® Webinar Series
Advancing Your Biodynamic Practices
Hosted by Demeter USA

We’re pleased to continue our free 6-part monthly webinar series designed to deepen your Biodynamic® understanding and strengthen your connection to the Demeter-certified community.

A Quick Look Back: What We Covered in Session #2

Our November webinar explored BD 501 & 508, focusing on how these preparations support plant sensitivity, overall vitality, and strategies for reducing reliance on sulfur or fungicide inputs. Participants gained practical insights into timing, application, and real-world decision-making from an experienced practitioner.

🌟 Up Next: Session #3 — December 9

BD 502–507 Compost Preparations: Single Sprays for Nutrient Release & Soil Vitality
With Lloyd Nelson

This session dives into the compost preparation set—how each one works, when to apply them as single sprays, and the ways they can enhance soil health, nutrient availability, and overall farm resilience.

What’s Ahead: Sessions 4–6

As we move into the new year, the series will shift toward practical, farm-level guidance with Jim Fullmer, offering clarity on standards and hands-on application techniques:

Session #4 – January 13: Demeter Farm Standard — Key requirements related to Biodynamic preparations
Session #5 – February 10: Stirring & Application — Practical considerations for field sprays
Session #6 – March 10: Making Preparations On-Farm — Techniques and insights for farmer-led preparation creation

These upcoming sessions will build on the foundation created with Lloyd Nelson, helping both new and experienced practitioners deepen their confidence and refine their on-farm practices.

Who Should Attend?

Current Demeter-Certified Licensees looking to expand their Biodynamic preparation application practices
Prospective Licensees & the Biodynamic-Curious interested in learning directly from experienced practitioners aligned with the Demeter Farm Standard

Format & Schedule

When: 2nd Tuesday of each month | October–March
Time: 8:00 PM EST | 7:00 PM CST | 6:00 PM MST | 5:00 PM PST
Where: Zoom
Duration: ~90 minutes

30-minute expert presentation + live Q&A
Educational resources provided after each session

Interactive & Engaging

Each session includes a live Q&A for problem-solving, peer learning, and community-building.

Register Now

Spots are free – don’t miss this opportunity to grow with us:

👉 Click here to register

Demeter Board Holds Listening Session

By Beth Hoinacki, Board President

This past month, members of the Demeter board met with several of you in an open listening session to hear questions, concerns, and comments to better inform our work stewarding the organization into the future. While topics ranged from biodynamic preparation making to soil health and nutrient density, most of the conversation centered on the importance of building value for Biodynamic certification and developing markets for Biodynamic products. The essential question posed to the Demeter board was "what are you doing about it?" In the coming months you will read in this newsletter reports of Demeter's attendance at major farming and natural products conferences, including the Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference, Eco-Farm Conference, and ExpoWest. Demeter is also supporting an Economic Working Group with a focus on market and brand development. A report is expected in next month's newsletter, sharing findings from the survey distributed last month. And while these are current and tangible efforts that answer the question, there is more to do. The Demeter board and staff are in active conversation around these topics and we are grateful for the suggestions and focus offered by you in the listening session.

We also heard the desire for more communication, transparency, and networking. You can expect to receive regular reports in our newsletter, and we are planning to continue releasing an annual impact report, as we did for the first time last year. More efforts will be made to connect and serve our licensees with offerings such as our current webinar series on Advancing Biodynamic Practices and future webinar offering on the Demeter Soil Monitoring Protocol. And our recently-launched redesigned website will better serve as a resource to connect and communicate with our Biodynamic community.

As we enter these winter months, and a time for strategic planning within the organization, we will hold these questions and comments near. And we will do more! You can also expect future listening sessions with your board in an effort to stay informed by and connected to our licensee community. In the meantime, you are welcome to contact me with concerns, questions, and comments.

🌱 Reminder: Please Sign Up for the

Soil Monitoring Protocol Webinar

A quick reminder to all Demeter farmers: please sign up using the email you received on November 7th to join our upcoming walkthrough of the new Demeter Soil Monitoring Protocol.

This session will help you understand:

Why the protocol is important for certification
How to take and submit your soil test
What to include with your worksheet

As a reminder, for the 2025 Inspection/Review year, both a current Soil Test and completed Self-Assessment Worksheet are required. If these haven’t been submitted, you’ll see a note on your Findings Report.

Because this is a new requirement, soil testing may be completed anytime in 2025 or by the end of 2026.

Please check your November 7th email for the signup information.

Thank you for your continued dedication to Demeter Certified Biodynamic® farming!

Biodynamic Mentions

Royal Examiner Article Features Biodynamic Farming

An article appeared recently in the Royal Examiner titled Spotlight on Biodynamic Agriculture: A Holistic Approach to Farming. The article describes the many features that set Biodynamic farming apart from other sustainable methods and certifications.

The author notes that, “At the heart of biodynamic agriculture is a simple but powerful belief: the farm is not just land and crops, but a complete, living organism. Soil, plants, animals, insects, and people are all connected, and their interactions matter. A biodynamic farm seeks to balance and support each of these parts, building a self-sustaining system that thrives naturally.” The article goes on to stress the importance of understanding and valuing sustainable and regenerative forms of agriculture as threats from climate change, biodiversity, and other environmental degradations threaten our food systems and ecosystems.

Biodynamic Association Updates --

New Online Courses

Are you new to biodynamics, or have you been practicing for years? We have developed three new online courses to meet the diverse needs of our community.

Member discounts & scholarship rates available!

Biodynamics, A Healing Agriculture

Developing Creativity, Care, and Community for Healthy Farms and Gardens

Wednesday Dec. 10-28

Gain a rich, dynamic overview of biodynamic methods for farmers, gardeners, and land stewards
Find out more & register here

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Inspiring a Biodynamic Movement

A Peer-Led Training for Sharing Biodynamics

Sundays, Dec. 7, 2025 - Jan. 18, 2026

Explore principles of teaching biodynamics to different ages and abilities and how to apply them in a variety of situations
Find out more & register here.

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Inner Development in Service of Life

Strengthening Individual Resilience and Fostering Reverent Soul-Spiritual Relationships with Plants, Animals, Star-Wisdom, and Elemental Beings

Thursdays, Dec. 11 - Jan. 29, 2026

Explore biodynamics as a conscious, practical path for understanding and participating in the spiritual world
Find out more & register here.

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Practical Biodynamics:

Farmer and Gardener's Forum

Monthly, first Tuesdays
7:30 - 9:00 pm ET
FREE

In collaboration with the Josephine Porter Institute (JPI)
Find out more and register here

Notes from the Field...

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.