Demeter Association December Newsletter

Is this email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

Demeter Newsletter -- December 2025

Greetings from Demeter!

In this issue:
+ Certification News - ECERT Client Portal

+ Biodynamic Directory Spotlight - Seeds

+ Advancing Biodynamic Practices Webinar Series

+ Biodynamic Economic Working Group Survey Results
+ Soil Protocol Webinar

+ Staff Corner: Demeter Booth at Acres USA

+ Biodynamic in the News - Troon Vineyard, Holistic Roasters, and Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee

+ Biodynamic Association Announcements

+ Demeter Calendar

Please send newsletter content suggestions or

questions to: [email protected]

Visit us at these upcoming conferences!

January 21-24, 2026,

Pacific Grove, CA

Booth #104

March 3-6, 2026,

Anaheim, CA

Booth #1301

Certification News

The Demeter Online Client Portal is Live!

We’re excited to remind you that the Demeter Online Client Portal launched a few weeks ago, and it’s ready for you to continue exploring!

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

Your certificates
Assigned inspector details
Downloadable files
Approved input list
Upcoming inspection checklist
Current crops, acres, fields, and livestock
Current and past findings

Getting Started

If you haven’t already, be sure to check your inbox for an email from INTACT with your login credentials and instructions. Simply follow the link to log in and start managing your certification easily.

We’re Here to Support You

If you have any questions or would like a refresher on how to use the portal, feel free to reach out to:

Sarah Rhynalds
[email protected] ~ 541-929-7148

Sarah is happy to assist or schedule a Zoom session to walk you through any features you’d like to explore.

Thank You!

We appreciate your continued commitment to Demeter Biodynamic® Certification. We’re excited to offer this tool to help you manage your certification more efficiently. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any support!

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

~ Seeds ~

--------

Meadowlark

Hearth

Seeds are Alive at Meadowlark Hearth Farm!

Demeter Certified Biodynamic, One Cert Organic and Real Organic Project, Meadowlark Hearth is located in western Nebraska’s high plains, 3 hours north of Denver.

Arising out of a whole farm approach with ¼ of the 540 acres kept in wildlands, Meadowlark Hearth’s vegetable, flower, herb, farm, and garlic seeds are enriched by composted manure from our grass fed beef herd, as they thoughtfully graze our pastures.

This fourth-generation family farm is being freed from commoditizing, allowing this abundant broken treaty beautiful Lakota land to be available for future farmers striving to provide open pollinated invigorated seed SELECTED for flavor and form.

Meet the Team!

Nathan Seedsman, trained at Swiss Sativa Biodynamic Company. He is also a state-trained Master Naturalist, and organizes our annual summer Ancestral Skills Gathering camp, featuring native plants, basketry, cordage, friction fire and more.

Matt, Farm Manager, is a biology graduate from Denver’s Regis University. He attends to land and cattle care, machinery, seed cultivation, cleaning, and farm innovation.

Beth arranges seed distribution through Meadowlark Hearth’s website etc.

Camping on-farm is available any time through Hipcamp. In fall, at Meadowlark Hearth’s yearly Seed Festival camp, we share hands-on seed growing, harvesting and processing experiences with live music. We invite you!

Website: meadowlarkhearth.org
Email: [email protected]
308-632-3399
308-631-5877
Biodynamic Directory Listing

Turtle Tree

Seed

A pioneer of seed source transparency!

Turtle Tree Biodynamic Seed grows, breeds and sells 100% Biodynamic®, organic, heirloom, open-pollinated vegetable, herb, flower and farm seeds.

We grow the majority of our seeds here in Camphill Village in Copake, NY, and also source some seeds from other biodynamic growers across the country.

We are committed to stewarding the highest quality seeds for home, market, CSA and commercial growers, and to contributing to the health of the Earth through Biodynamic stewardship. Our mission includes helping people to learn about the importance of seed saving and to help those who wish to become responsible and successful seed stewards.

Camphill Village

Our home since 1998 is Camphill Village, where people with developmental differences live with dignity, equality and purpose, caring for each other and the Earth. Camphill Village creates a framework of mutual support and joy through purposeful activities such as caring for the land, fine crafts, a lively social and cultural life, and by cultivating a warm and welcoming environment. Our team includes people of diverse abilities and backgrounds.

Website: turtletreeseed.org
Email: [email protected]
518-329-3038 for general business
518-329-3037 printed catalog request line
800-930-7009 for orders (M-F 9-12 & 2:30-4:30, EST)
Biodynamic Directory Listing

Demeter Webinar Series ~ a Resource for Growers

🌱 Biodynamic® Webinar Series Update
Advancing Your Biodynamic Practices | Hosted by Demeter USA

Demeter USA is pleased to continue its free 6-part monthly Biodynamic® Webinar Series, designed to deepen Biodynamic understanding and strengthen connections within the Demeter-certified community.

-----

A Huge Thank You to Lloyd Nelson
We sincerely thank Lloyd Nelson for generously sharing his expertise and practical insights, laying a strong foundation for both new and experienced Biodynamic practitioners.

-----

Looking Back: Session #1

In October, Lloyd presented on the topic BD 500: Purpose, application timing, and practical outcomes.

👉 Watch the recording: Advancing Your Biodynamic Practices Webinar Series

-----

Looking Back: Session #2

In November, we explored BD 501 & 508, focusing on how these preparations support plant sensitivity and vitality while helping reduce reliance on sulfur or fungicide inputs.
👉 Watch the recording: Advancing Your Biodynamic Practices Webinar Series

-----

Looking Back: Session #3

In December, we highlighted BD 502–507 Compost Preparations, this session dove 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.

👉 Watch the recording: Advancing Your Biodynamic Practices Webinar Series

-----

What’s Ahead: Sessions 4–6

With Jim Fullmer, the series shifts into practical, farm-level guidance:

• Jan 13: Demeter Farm Standard — Key requirements related to Biodynamic preparations
• Feb 10: Stirring & Application — Practical considerations for field sprays
• Mar 10: Making Preparations On-Farm — Techniques for farmer-led preparation creation

These sessions build on the foundation established with Lloyd Nelson, supporting continued learning and confidence in on-farm Biodynamic practices.

Register Now

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

👉 Click here to register

Demeter, Marketing & the Biodynamic Movement:

Feedback from the Community

In the last half of 2025, the Biodynamic Economic Working Group asked members of the community about their challenges and successes, their opinions on Demeter®, the potential of biodynamic farming, and their views on marketing and organizational strategy. The results give voice to the diversity of experiences and needs in the biodynamic community, and will help ground the work by the economic group in greater understanding and empathy. An anonymized, summary version of the research findings is available here. If you participated in this research - thank you! If you have feedback, questions or ideas related to this research report, please feel free to contact the Economic Working Group directly at [email protected].

The Biodynamic Economic Working Group is an independent group of volunteer-professionals, including farmers, farm advisors and consultants, supply chain brokers, and processors. With endorsement from Demeter USA and the Biodynamic Association, the group was formed in order to develop a marketing function for biodynamic products in the USA. Their goal is to establish a productive trade organization and a supportive marketplace for the benefit of biodynamic professionals and community members alike.

🌱 New Soil Monitoring Protocol — Webinar Update

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the walkthrough webinar on the new Demeter Soil Monitoring Protocol. This protocol builds on Demeter’s work since 2018 to track soil organic matter on certified farms, and we appreciate the thoughtful questions and engagement from the community.

If you weren’t able to attend live—or would like to review the material again—you can access the webinar recording here: 👉Demeter Soil Monitoring Webinar

Webinar Highlights Included:
• Why the protocol matters for certification
• How to take and submit your soil test
• What to include with your worksheet
• Live Q&A with participants

Key Reminders
Participation—including a soil test—is required at least once every three years during your soil’s most biologically active period.

For the 2025 Inspection/Review year, both a current Soil Test and Self-Assessment Worksheet are required. If these materials have not yet been submitted, you’ll see a reminder note in your Findings Report.

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

Helpful Resources
• Guidance for Implementation of the Soil Monitoring Protocol
• Soil Monitoring Program Protocol (full instructions and worksheet)

Thank you for your continued commitment to the Demeter Certified Biodynamic® movement. A special thanks as well to Dr. Will Brinton of Woods End Lab for his support in developing this farmer-friendly protocol.

- Staff Corner -

Evrett Lunquist

Director of Certification

Visiting Churchtown Dairy with Jennie and Jean-David.

Biodynamic Farming Featured at Acres USA

We recently wrapped up Demeter USA's exhibiting at the 50th anniversary Acres USA Eco-Ag Conference. Over 1,000 people attended and our booth was on the main path between the workshops and the keynote presentations. I was joined at the Demeter booth by Mark Voss of Voss Organics, an urban farm and nursery in Madison, WI.

During the course of the conference, we shared with many interested folks about certified Biodynamic farming and processing and worked to spread the word about all that Biodynamic has to offer. Over three days, we engaged in approximately 80 in-depth conversations, and received positive feedback about Demeter's presence at Acres USA, holding the Biodynamic space. My voice was a bit hoarse by the end of the conference!

The conference agenda featured several biodynamic practitioners. Stewart Lundy [second photo, below] of Perennial Roots Farm and the director of JPI, presented an introductory session on biodynamics for the curious. Jeff Poppen [third photo, below] from Long Hungry Creek Farm in Tennessee was also a presenter, digging into his practice of biodynamics on his farm. Numerous people stopped at Demeter’s booth to talk about Biodynamic practices after each presentation.

A shout out to a few certified Biodynamic purveyors who stopped by the Demeter booth during the conference: Zen Nishimura from Zenbunni Coffee, Pam Buresh from Oregon Wild Harvest, and Brian Wickert from EZ Farming.

Looking ahead, you can visit the Demeter exhibit at the EcoFarm Conference in January and at the Natural Products Expo West in March, both in California. Demeter will be collaborating with the Biodynamic Economic Working Group at both events, and working to bring awareness about Biodynamic farming and certification to a wider audience.

Biodynamic Producers In the News

Troon Vineyard's Biodynamic Methods Improve Soil Health

A recent article published in the Statesman Journal dug into the farming methods practiced at Troon Vineyard in Oregon, in particular their benefit to soils.

The article quotes Troon's director of sales, Nate Winters: "Since investing in the soil, organic matter on most of the farm has increased by nearly 3%."

-------

Holistic Roasters and Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee

Team Up to Produce Demeter-certified Decaf Coffee

Holistic Roasters, a Biodynamic® coffee roaster based in Canada has joined forces with the newly Demeter-certified company Swiss Water Decaffeinated Coffee, Inc. to produce the world’s first Biodynamic® Decaf Coffee. You can read more about their partnership and product launch in this article in the Financial Post.

The article notes that, “ The Swiss Water® Process uses only water, temperature, and time to remove 99.9% of the caffeine gently and safely, making it the best chemical-free method for the highest-quality Biodynamic green coffee beans.”

Biodynamic Association Updates --

New Online Opportunity

Are you new to biodynamics, or have you been practicing for years? Join us for online discussion.

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.