At Whitsun Rudolf Steiner held eight lectures entitled "Spiritual foundations for the renewal of Agriculture" at Koberwitz, Silesia. The Experimental Circle of Anthroposophical Farmers immediately tested RS indications in daily farming practice. Three years later a Co-operative was formed to market Biodynamic produce

The Demeter Symbol was introduced, and the first standards for Demeter quality control are formulated. On a rugged Mexican mountain range, on the western slope of the Sierra Madre, Rodolfo and Walter Peters start the first Biodynamic Coffee Plantation on at Finca Irlanda in Chipas. Which is still farmed biodynamically today.

Chromatography, a method of visualizing the quality of food, was developed in Germany by Lily Kolisko and Ehrenfried Pfeiffer. The first official trials (in Berlin) demonstrate the effectiveness of the Biodynamic Preparations.

Approximately 1000 Biodynamic farms in existence.

Biodynamic Agriculture is also practiced in Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Sweden, Norway and the U. K.

In New Zealand the 'Bio-Dynamic Association' was founded. (Return to Top)

All Demeter-Organisations and the monthly magazine "Demeter" are forbidden in Germany through the NSDAP.

The 'Experimental Circle for Biodynamic farming methods' (formerly 'The Experimental Circle of Anthroposophical Farmers') is established and restructured. The first Introductory course takes place. (Return to Top)

The first issue of "Lebendige Erde" ("Living Earth") was published. Whilst in Darmstadt the 'Institute for Biodynamic Research' was founded.

Scientific research work began in partnership with German Universities, and other worldwide organizations.

Founding of 'Demeter Bund' in Germany. Demeter is a network of individual certification organizations. In 1997 Demeter-International was founded for closer co-operation in the legal, economic and spiritual spheres.

Presently Demeter International has eighteen (18) member organizations from Europe, United States of America, Demeter Trade Association. Africa and New Zealand. Demeter-International represents more than 3.500 Demeter producers in approximately forty(40) countries.

Demeter is the brand for products from Biodynamic Agriculture. It is a brand that is strictly controlled and there is a comprehensive verification process insures strict compliance with the International Demeter Production and Processing Standards, as well as applicable organic regulations in the various countries -- from agricultural production to processing and final product packaging.

Read the Demeter Wine Standards that producers must implement by December 31, 2008.

Beginning of the "Verarbeitung und Vertrieb von Demeter-Erzeugnissen" a German Co-operative for producers and processors of Demeter Products. (Return to Top)

Maria Thun reveals to the world her comprehensive work on the cosmic influences upon plants. And develops "The Star Calendar". A sowing calendar that has since been published yearly in an ever-growing number of languages.

The first dissertation on a theme of Biodynamics (by Ulf Abele) was received at the University of Giessen. The University of Hohenheim converts its trial grounds to Biodynamics.

A long-term trial comparing Bio-Dynamic/Conventional farming began in northern Germany, looking specifically at the build up of the humus layer through the use of the Preparations. (Return to Top)

Demeter is the first organic body to produce standards for food processing. The first Doctorate on a Biodynamic theme, (The rhythms of the moon) is written by Dr. Hartmut Spiess, a fellow worker at the Institute for Biodynamic research. Demeter is restructured in accord with the three fold social order, and this together with the importance of regional impulses, becomes the main focus of the work.

Demeter house on the outskirts of Darmstadt (Germany) becomes the home for all the regional Demeter Organizations and several Demeter activities.

19 independent Demeter organizations, with representatives from Austria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and United States of America come together to form Demeter International e.V.

The 75th anniversary of Bio-Dynamics, and important steps are being made on the way to a world-wide trade organization.

Demeter introduces a new logo.

The German Market Forum consisting of producers, processors, traders and consumers works on a marketing strategy of a variety of Demeter goods under one logo.

The Demeter Processing Standards are ratified world-wide, and more than 3,500 Demeter products are available in shops, from Italian antipasti & whole grain bread, first class wines & award winning ice-cream to clothes and toilet articles. Demeter is the biggest provider of organic goods world-wide. (Return to Top)

The Biodynamic association in Spain gains guest-member status.

The Biodynamic association AJDA in Slovenia gains guest-member status:

In 1985 Biodynamics started in Slovenia and in 1991 the first Biodynamic association was founded. In 1997 the first farms could be Demeter certified by Demeter International. Since the beginning, 200 lectures have been held by Biodynamic experts from abroad.

The International Biodynamic Association (IBDA) is founded on the 1st November 2002. Its tasks are similar to those of the Forschungsring in Germany plus ownership and protection of the trademark "Demeter" and "biodynamic" all over the world.

The Biodynamic association in India gains guest-member status.

Biodynamic nutrition offers additionally benefits over and above ordinary food - a scientific study concerning Biodynamic nutrition carried out by the Forschungsring in an German convent emphasizes major differences

The Biodynamic method has existed for 80 years. Celebrations of the 80th anniversary take place in various countries. At the moment there are nearly 100,000 ha certified with the Demeter trademark in 38 countries world-wide.

The Biodynamic association of Poland gains guest-member status.

The Biodynamic association in Argentina gains guest-member status. The Biodynamic Association of Argentina was officially founded in 2000, but the group had been active during the previous 18 years. They have developed a 4 week training course in Biodynamics following an example in Brazil.

Demeter International meets in North America Wisconsin to celebrate its 10th anniversary and to hold the annual conference, attracting member countries from around the globe.

Hungry gains guest-member status

The general assembly conference is held at the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in East Troy, WI, the leading center for teaching and research in Biodynamics for the USA, established in the 80s. Delegates are shown around the center, and then taken to several model farming enterprises in the vicinity which are showcasing both the Biodynamic method as well as innovative solutions for social and marketing questions.

Portugal gains guest-member status
Canada gains guest-member status (Return to Top)

References:

• Addendum - Section includes supplementary information which may be of interest or use to the reader. The use of the Addendum and the citations and references within kennuncorked.com
• Certifying Organizations for Sustainable, Organic, Biodynamic Agriculture - List of Organization researched by kennuncorked.com
• Retrieved July 11, 2009 from the Demeter website: http://www.demeter.net. History of the Biodynamic Movement
• Sustainable Agriculture: Definitions and Terms - Terms commonly associated with sustainable agricultural systems. Retrieved August 17, 2009 from the United States Department of Agriculture National Library website http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/terms/srb9902terms.shtml

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