Before moving to Italy, I would fall in love each time I visited—with the kind Italians and the country’s incredible food, culture, history, art…the list goes on! In America, I constantly struggled with food intolerances, gut problems, and skin issues, but in Italy, my symptoms would clear up drastically.

I quickly learned that Italy has a deeply-rooted tradition of sustainable farming practices and a longstanding commitment to chemical-free, organic agriculture. It is agriculturally one the most sustainable countries in the world, with a higher percentage of agricultural land dedicated to organic farming than the average of the European Union.  

When I moved from a big American city to the Italian countryside, I knew that I wanted to create a life in alignment with my holistic values. One piece of my journey that I treasure deeply is my acquisition of land in Umbria and transforming it into a biodynamic farm. 

Today, I want to talk about what biodynamic farming is and why it matters for our planet and our health.

What Is Biodynamic Farming & Why Does It Matter?

Rooted in Rudolph Steiner’s 1924 lectures, biodynamic farming is a holistic, sustainable, and ethical practice of nurturing a farm as an integrated, whole, and self-sustaining organism that enriches and regenerates itself without synthetic or external resources. Biodynamic farming enhances soil health, promotes biodiversity, and cultivates the harmonious natural and spiritual interconnectedness of plants, animals, soil, and people in the seasonal rhythms and cosmic phases of the earth, sun, moon, and stars.

Biodynamic farming follows the wisdom of Mother Nature instead of working against it to create an ecosystem that thrives within itself.

Key Differences Between Biodynamic & Organic Farming:

1. Biodynamic farming follows holistic principles and is a regenerative form of organic farming
2. Organic farming may still use some natural sprays.
3. Biodynamic farms integrate plants, animals, and cosmic cycles.

It’s more work, but it’s worth it to grow the best ingredients. Biodynamic farming not only produces food and wine that tastes better than anything I’ve ever tasted—organic or non-organic—it’s also better for the health of our planet and our bodies.

Wildly Organic, Nutritious, Biodiverse, & Fertile

Everything that grows from a biodynamic farm is organic, nutrient-rich, and free from chemicals, GMOs, and anything synthetic, including pesticides and herbicides. From food for people and feed for animals to biodynamic preparations for soil and plants, we grow it all here within the farm.

Natural Biodiversity In Plants, Animals, Insects, Soil, & Microorganisms

Conventional agriculture relies on farms that are often solely dedicated to a crop monoculture or single species of livestock. Biodynamics honors the natural interconnectedness and interdependent balance of different species of animals and plants. We treat animals with respect; chickens retain their beaks, and cows keep their horns, allowing them to maintain their natural functions.

Biodynamic farms do not till our soil. We listen to our land and develop biodiversity in our soil through nature’s rich and beautiful cycle. The animals digest organic, nutritious food that is grown from the farm’s organic, healthy soil, and then the healthy animal manure is added back into the soil. This biodynamic cycle creates organic, living soil that is naturally fertilized and enlivened by animal manure, plants, mulch, compost, microorganisms, and minerals from within the farm ecosystem. These are worked into the soil as the animals roam, move, and stomp freely across the biodynamic farm.

How Biodynamic Farming Supports Gut Health, Soil Biodiversity, & Nutrient Density

Biodynamic farming is a commitment to sustainability that matters more than ever, especially with the on-going depletion of American soil and the conventional use of chemicals that kill biodiversity in soil. Soil microbiologist Dr. Kristine Nichols says “all of our soils that are under chemical, conventional agriculture are almost completely devoid of microorganisms.” 

Biodynamic farming creates healthy, living soil that is rich in microorganisms and grows food of a nutritional quality that is not possible with chemical fertilizers. The vital connection between the health of our soil and the health of our human bodies is reflected in our gut microbiomes. Your gut contains trillions of microbes, and the balance of your gut microbiome is shaped by the quality of the food you eat and the environment you live in. Gut dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, can lead to digestive issues, skin issues, gut inflammation, and leaky gut. Biodiverse soil grows food that promotes gut microbiome balance and diversity in a healthy gut that supports optimal digestion, immunity, mental health, and hormonal balance.

Natural On-Farm Fertility: No Chemicals & No Tilling

Certified Professional Soil Scientist Ray Archuleta says “Modern agriculture is not designed for the betterment of soil quality”. Synthetic fertilizers are often processed from sewer sludge containing “forever chemicals” like PFAs.

Biodynamic farming creates on-farm fertility without the use of chemicals or resources from outside the farm. We fertilize with animal manure and practice composting, cover cropping and crop rotation. Our diversity of animals and plants provides a diverse balance of nutrients in the animal manure and plant compost, which in turn enhances the soil.

In the fall, we perform biodynamic preparation 500 (BD 500) by filling bullhorns with manure and burying them into the soil where they stay throughout the winter. We also spray crops with a mixture of the water and manure. 

To prevent soil erosion, biodynamic farms practice no-till farming and plant cover crops. Cover crops are not grown as food, but more specifically to add diversity to the farm ecosystem, protect the soil and plants, release nitrogen into the soil, and improve soil oxygenation. As cover crop roots grow deep into the soil, they break up clay and minerals which allows crop roots to grow deeper, resulting in richer soil biodiversity and more nutrient-dense crops. Cover crops also help prevent moisture evaporation from the soil, while contributing to the soil humus which provides natural resilience against crop diseases and pests.

Questions About Shayna’s Biodynamic Farm? Ask @ShaynaTereseTaylor On Instagram, Tiktok, & Youtube 

Not everyone has access to biodynamic foods and I hope that biodynamic farming becomes more widely adopted. The more I learn about biodynamic farming in Italy, the more I deeply cherish the power of food as medicine. Health as the ultimate wealth and every small step you take contributes to a more vibrant and healthier version of you. 

I created Shayna’s Kitchen to be the home of holistic wellness tips, recipes, and carefully sourced ingredients and tools designed to nourish your body and elevate your mind. I invite you to learn and grow with me in my masterclasses and Serene Soul Retreats which will teach you how to integrate practices and develop habits that will help you naturally heal and live a more holistic life.

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