BIODYNAMIC FARMS PROVE LONG TERM SUSTAINABLITY IN ORGANIC INDUSTRY AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

One of the highlights of the recent Inaugural National Organic Conference, at the Convention Centre at Darling Harbour, Sydney, was the presentation of the first ever Organic Federation of Australia National Awards for Excellence.

The awards in various categories, such as Best Organic Producer for more than five years certified, Best Organic Product, Best Organic Independent retailer, and Best Organic Education Award, Biodynamic farms came up amongst the winners five out of the seven categories.

This shows the long-term proof of true economic, ecological and social viability of Biodynamic Agriculture and its importance in the market place of the Organic Industry and long term benefits to the land.

Biodynamics is an enhanced form of organic agriculture, based on organic methods of soil restoration plus the use of the unique Biodynamic preparations that stimulate soil micro-life activity and atmospheric balance.

When Biodynamic principles are successfully applied to any form of agriculture or horticulture, the whole farm is treated as a single, vital entity and the farmer's efforts are directed towards achieving a balance and harmony between all the various elements involved.

Best Organic Producer more than five years runner up was John and Dorothy Priestley, of Paterson, Hunter Valley, NSW, citrus growers working biodynamically for the past 25 years. Johns' whole crop of over 6000 citrus trees, mandarins and oranges, are presold each year, due to the continuing high quality and taste and keeping quality.

John also runs many field days and demonstrations on his farm, often working with local research facilities and Universities as they research his unique methods and biodiversity.

Tom and Marg Hackett, at " Kiwi Down Under", near Coffs Harbour, mid north coast, NSW, won the Best Organic Independent Retailer. Their Tropical Fruit Farm, has been Biodynamic Certified with BFA for 11 years. They grow kiwi fruit and macadamia nuts and bananas, and it is also an eco-tourism facility, as they have a Tea House and fresh organic vegetable retail sales open to the public. Tom takes visitors on Farm Tours, explaining how he works the farm using biodynamic methods and then they all enjoy the organic goodies for afternoon teas and lunches.

They also have visits from the local TAFE students doing the Organic Course, who come to learn how to make composts and how to work biodynamically.

In South Australia, Deb Cantrill and Quentin Jones at "Nirvana" in the Adelaide Hills, at Heathfield, received the top award in the "Best Organic Education Project". They grow chestnuts and raspberries, vegetables and poultry and many other crops on their small farm.

Deb and Quentin have been involved with education in biodynamic principles and methods since 1988. Some of the activities on their farm include farm tours for schools, garden groups, community groups and families, field days for demonstrating Biodynamic methods, training of NASAA Inspectors in Biodynamic and being involved in the "Open Garden Scheme" with over 2,500 visitors over four weekends.

They have also been involved with developing the Central Hills Soil Board's land management training program and the Mt.Barker Waldorf School with support in the garden and training and work experience students.

Lloyds Vineyards at Nyah in Victoria have been producing Biodynamic grape juice for over 25 years. This is a second generation farm, and Peter Lloyd gave grateful thanks to the work of his father in setting up the vineyards and his development of the biodynamic methods on their farm. Their prize of Best Organic Product was for their famous grape juice that has been available for consumers in independent health food retailers as well as in the supermarkets.

Robyn Neeson and Tobias Koenig took out runner up in Best Organic Education Project, for the Demonstration Vegetable growing unit at Yanco, run by NSW Agriculture with funding from the Natural Heritage Trust. Tobias uses a mixture of Biodynamic and organic methods, and has built the soil up and shown increased production over the past three years to make it a wonderful example of how these methods work. Field days and research work is carried out on this land, and many come to see and learn of the ways to grow without chemical fertilisers and weedicides.

For farmers wishing to learn more of these Biodynamic methods, the Biodynamic Farming & Gardening Association in Aust.Inc. is running a number of FarmBis supported workshops in Victoria, 16th (Beginners) 17th and 18th (Advanced),

In SA at Meadows, at B-D Farm Paris Creek on 19th September, in Koonunga 20th September, in Perth at Kervella Farm in Gidgegannup on 27th and 28th.

Peter Proctor, International Biodynamic Adviser and author of the Biodynamic text "Grasp the Nettle" will be talking at these workshops, with the Associations facilitator Hamish Mackay. For further information and bookings, contact Cheryl Kemp on Ph 02 6655 0566.