What Can Be Certified

Since Biodynamic farming principally views the farm as a self- contained organism only an entire farm will be considered for certification.  Individual fields or crops cannot be certified.  More than one farm may be counted as a single certification unit under certain conditions.

Each farm is considered a unique individuality- with its own beginning point and inherited environmental and social conditions.  What is critical is that a farm evolves towards its maximum potential as a self-contained individuality.  Some applicants’ farms may enter this program very close to this maximum potential.  Others will require an evolution towards it.  While Demeter is here to provide assurance that the Farm and Processing Standards are met, it is also here to nurture farmers and their farms towards this ideal. 

Prerequisites

The land to be certified must meet the National Organic Program (NOP) standard as a base and managed to the Demeter Biodynamic® Farm Standard for one year, either concurrently with the final NOP transition year or an additional year after the NOP standard has been met.  No prohibited chemicals may have been applied for a full 36 months.  Demeter may request residue tests for prohibited materials.

Any processing and/or packaging facilities on the farm or contracted by the grower must be included in the farm certification process and an additional questionnaire and an inspection of the facilities will be required. 

Exemptions to whole-farm certification

If any crops or land belonging economically to a farm cannot be farmed according to the Farm Standard because of serious technical considerations, then exceptions of particular fields, animals or products need the written consent of Demeter.  Such not-fully-converted products must be clearly separated from the converted fields, animals, or products, and no interchange should be possible.  Such crops, animals and products have to be specifically indicated on the application for certification and specified on the certificate.  They must be clearly labeled and easily distinguished in farm sales, whether direct or through distributors.  Parallel production is not possible underthe same farm identity.

Newly Acquired Property

When a Demeter certified Biodynamic® farm leases or purchases land that has been managed conventionally or organically, these acres must also be converted. Existing farm certification is not forfeited, but crops from the transitional areas are to be of a different variety, demonstrably separated in storage, and designated under another name and sold as non-certified.