Episode 14: Demeter USA Evrett Lunquist - What Is Biodynamic Agriculture?

Evrett Lunquist is the Director of Certification at Demeter USA, part of the Biodynamic Demeter Alliance.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Evrett Lunquist discovered his love of agriculture in college. He went on to complete a self-designed bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in Sustainable Food and Agriculture Systems where he studied food science, agronomy, and infrastructures and cultural dynamics involved with the field to table journey of food. He first encountered Biodynamics in 1992 while studying a Wisconsin produce farm inspired by Camphill Communities. He ended up returning to that farm and lived there for two years and followed his Biodynamic interest with an intensive two-week training at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute. Then, in 1996, Evrett Lunquist founded with his wife and kids a diverse Biodynamic produce farm integrated with livestock in southeast Nebraska. He has made all the Biodynamic preparations over the years with the guidance of many individuals at Biodynamic conferences and personal interactions. Expanding the scope of his involvement with Biodynamics, Evrett began inspecting farms and processors for Demeter USA in 2001. Evrett has also inspected for numerous organic certifiers, has extensive inspection training from the International Organic Inspectors Association and has worked as a certification reviewer for several certification agencies. Evrett comes to Demeter USA with a passion for farming, high quality food and its preparation, and educating others about organic and Biodynamic practices.

Demeter Association, Inc. is the United States' representative of Demeter International. It is a not-for-profit incorporated in 1985 with the mission to enable people to farm successfully, in accordance with Biodynamic practices and principles. Demeter's vision is to heal the planet through agriculture.

TOPICS EXPLORED

0:00 – 2:31 – Introduction

2:31 – 3:26 – What is Demeter USA and what type of work does it do?

3:26 – 4:58 – What is the Biodynamic Demeter Alliance and what types of organizations does it encompass?

4:58 – 7:56 – How did you become interested in biodynamic agriculture?

7:56 – 13:25 – Can you tell me about the history of biodynamic agriculture and its founder, Rudolf Steiner?

13:25 – 18:05 – What were some of Rudolf Steiner's core observations?

18:05 – 26:27 – Can you share a bit about Rudolf Steiner's emphasis on the spiritual side of nature? How does that factor into some of the fundamental teachings of biodynamics?

26:27 – 30:30 – In addition to Rudolf Steiner, who were some of the other key figures in the early biodynamics movement?

30:30 – 32:57 – When and where did biodynamic certification first begin?

32:57 – 39:26 – How is Biodynamic Certification similar or different from USDA Certified Organic?

39:26 – 42:43 – Are there any principles of biodynamic certification that you think are important to share?

42:43 – 44:59 – How does a farm become Biodynamic Certified?

44:59 – 47:18 – How many biodynamic certified farms are there and how can people find them?

47:18 – 50:27 – You shared with me that the founding lectures related to biodynamic agriculture occurred in June 1924, making this the 100th year globally for biodynamics. What are some exciting things that are happening this year to celebrate 100 years globally for biodynamics?

50:27 – 55:10 – Things to share and wrap up

DEMETER USA INFORMATION

Demeter USA: https://www.demeter-usa.org/

Biodynamic Demeter Alliance: https://biodynamicdemeteralliance.org/

RESOURCES

Biodynamic Certification Information: https://www.demeter-usa.org/for-farmers/certification.asp

Biodynamic Database: https://www.biodynamicfood.org/

FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION

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Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet

TAGS

Food

Environment

Health

Podcast

Sustainability

Biodynamic

Biodynamic Agriculture

Biodynamic Certified

Biodiversity

Conservation