time for change

During these strange and turbulent times, I’ve found myself, as probably many have, slowing down and reflecting more. Maybe because, yes, we have a bit more time on our hands it seems, but more likely because situations like the current Coronavirus pandemic make it conducive to contemplate the global implications of our local practices. A butterfly flaps its wings... This brought me to how our lifestyles, results of human society and culture from a more brute period of development known as the Industrial Revolution, are illuminated by this little virus bringing economies, cultures, movements, ie Life, to a sudden and harsh stop. We are indeed in need of a new period of enlightenment, one where we as a species finally come to terms with the fact that our insatiable desire for “more” is not sustainable as is, and must develop and innovate ways to further growth in line with, not at the expense of, Earth’s rhythms and resources.

I argue that Biodynamic agriculture is in line with this philosophy, as would, I posit, anyone else involved with it. It could be argued (and I’m no medical professional nor immunologist) that if our species collectively ate more nutrient-dense and plant-rich foods, our collective immune systems would be less at risk to a virus like this one. Nor would we have created the kind of environment where a virus like this one could wreak such havoc.

Biodynamics intense dedication to soil health through the Biodynamic preparations for compost, its holistic view of a farm, rejection of monoculture, and synchronicities with the seasons (and even cosmological positions) is how Biodynamic agriculture separates itself from any other certification of quality for farm products. Soil Health = Plant Health = Human Health. The better our soil is, the better and more abundant plants we can grow to better feed our people, the better our immune systems would be (and therefore stronger against viruses, yes, even the coronavirus, just look at how children, with robust, “newer” immune systems, are largely unaffected by this virus). Just musing on this thought, chewing the cud, so to speak.

Of course, it's much harder for farms to become certified Biodynamic than any other designation (including Organic) but, in a way, shouldn’t it be? Shouldn’t we have high standards for the food we eat on a daily basis? I understand the argument that these higher quality foods are more expensive and therefore not viable on the larger scale. With all the technical and operational innovations we’ve seen over the last decade, and currently still evolving, I would argue that if we collectively demanded better food, we could get it at an affordable price across all demographics and social classes.

And there are small glimpses that there may be a shift beginning. The NYTimes has been reporting on young people shifting their gaze back towards the land, with reports on victory gardens, baby chickens selling out, and seed companies seeing sales skyrocket as people want to grow their own food again.

I’m grateful to have found Biodynamics. To us at Maison/Made, it is the most logical method of tending to plants and animals. We hope that it will become more widely adopted globally, which would have incredibly positive effects on a global scale, from climate change, to viral pandemics, to less strain on our health care systems. We are also grateful to be able to use our company to further this message and hope that during this period of isolation and confinement, people come to the same realization that our habits must change in order to continue having a prosperous life and species.

Be well and stay safe.

xo,

Carolina

Biodynamic Agriculture and Covid-19

time for change

“If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration.”

-Nikola Tesla