What’s The Difference, Biodynamic Farming vs Organic?

What’s The Difference, Biodynamic Farming vs Organic?

Imagine walking through your local supermarket where every item is clearly labelled, not just with its ingredients, but with the truth about how it was grown. 

One label reads, “Grown with chemicals,” while another proudly states, “Naturally organic.” Which would you choose? 

The impact of this choice goes far beyond your kitchen; it touches the very soil beneath our feet and the health of our planet.

In recent decades, farming practices have shifted dramatically, often favouring convenience and short-term yields over long-term sustainability. 

The widespread use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides has led to the erosion of soil health, depletion of nutrients, and a decline in food quality. 

These changes can have profound effects on your hormonal well-being, especially as you navigate the hormonal roller coaster of menopause.

This post aims to demystify the terms “organic” and “biodynamic” farming, two approaches that offer a healthier alternative to conventional agriculture. 

I’ll explore the differences between these methods, highlighting why understanding them is crucial for making informed choices that benefit both your health and the environment. 

By the end, you’ll see how, with the power of your wallet and your voice, you can help drive a movement that supports sustainable farming practices, ultimately bringing down costs and making naturally organic food the norm, not the exception.

The Problem with Conventional Farming

The conventional farming model, driven by chemical inputs and short-term gains, has led to a cycle of soil degradation, declining food quality, and environmental harm. 

These issues not only threaten the health of our planet but also pose significant risks to our well-being, especially for women navigating the challenges of menopause. 

Understanding these problems is the first step toward making better choices that support both personal health and the future of our environment.

Chemical Overload

Conventional farming has become synonymous with the heavy use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides designed to maximise crop yields and reduce pests. 

While these chemicals have made farming more efficient, they’ve come at a steep cost to the health of our soil. 

Over time, the repeated application of these substances strips the soil of its natural nutrients, leading to degradation and a loss of fertility. 

Instead of being rich, living ecosystems, our farmlands are increasingly becoming lifeless and dependent on artificial inputs to produce food.

This chemical overload doesn’t just stay in the soil. It seeps into the water we drink and the air we breathe, creating a ripple effect of harm that extends far beyond the farm. 

As these chemicals accumulate in the environment, they disrupt ecosystems, killing beneficial insects and microorganisms essential for healthy soil. 

The result is a vicious cycle of degraded soil needing more chemicals to produce the same amount of food, leading to even more environmental damage.

Impact on Health

The degradation of soil health directly impacts the quality of the food we eat. 

Crops grown in nutrient-poor soil are less nutritious, containing lower levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants essential for our optimal health. 

Additionally, the residues of synthetic chemicals on fruits, vegetables, and grains can pose serious health risks. 

For menopausal women, who already face an increased risk of conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease, and hormonal imbalances, consuming food tainted with these chemicals can exacerbate these issues.

Many of these chemicals are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with hormone function. 

This is particularly concerning for women going through menopause when hormonal balance is already delicate. 

Exposure to these substances can worsen symptoms like hot flushes, mood swings, and fatigue, and may even contribute to long-term health problems like breast cancer or thyroid disorders.

Environmental Concerns

Beyond the immediate impacts on soil and health, conventional farming practices have far-reaching environmental consequences. 

The widespread use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides leads to runoff that contaminates our rivers, lakes, and oceans, creating dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive. 

This water contamination also affects the quality of our drinking water, with potentially harmful chemicals making their way into our taps.

The reliance on monoculture, the practice of growing the same crop year after year, further depletes the soil and contributes to a loss of biodiversity. 

When diverse plant life is replaced with vast expanses of a single crop, the natural balance of ecosystems is disrupted, leading to the decline of pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are crucial for the health of our food system.

Finally, conventional farming is a significant contributor to climate change. 

The production and application of synthetic fertilisers release large amounts of greenhouse gases, such as nitrous oxide, which is far more potent than carbon dioxide. 

Additionally, deforestation and land conversion for agriculture contribute to carbon emissions, further exacerbating global warming.

Organic Farming

The definition of Organic farming is a method of agriculture that prioritises the health of the soil, plants, animals, and people by avoiding synthetic chemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 

Instead of relying on artificial fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides, organic farmers use natural processes and materials to nourish the soil and protect crops. 

This approach is grounded in sustainable practices like crop rotation, composting, and using organic matter such as manure to maintain soil fertility. 

Organic farming is about working with nature, rather than against it, to produce food that is safe, nutritious, and environmentally friendly.

Organic farming offers numerous benefits, both for the environment and for our health;

• For Soil Health: One of the most significant advantages of organic farming is its positive impact on soil health. By avoiding chemical inputs and focusing on natural soil enrichment, organic farming helps to build and maintain rich, fertile soil teeming with beneficial microbes. This not only leads to healthier crops but also enhances the soil’s ability to retain water and resist erosion, making it more resilient to droughts and extreme weather.
• For Human Health: Organic food is free from synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, which means it’s less likely to contain harmful residues that could affect our health. For menopausal women avoiding environmental toxins and consuming organic food can be a better option. Additionally, organic farming often produces food that is richer in nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which are essential for maintaining overall health and well-being during menopause.
• For the Environment: Organic farming practices help protect the environment in several ways. By reducing or eliminating the use of synthetic chemicals, organic farms prevent the contamination of water supplies and protect biodiversity. Organic farms also tend to use less energy and produce lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional farms, making them a more sustainable choice in the fight against climate change.

Despite its many benefits, organic farming does have some challenges and limitations;

• Higher Costs: One of the most commonly cited drawbacks is the higher cost of organic products. Since organic farming relies on more labour-intensive practices and avoids synthetic inputs, the production costs can be higher. This often translates into higher prices for consumers, making organic food less accessible for some people.
• Limited Use of Certain Chemicals: Another limitation is that while organic farming avoids synthetic chemicals, it does allow the use of certain organic-approved substances for pest and weed control. While these substances are generally considered safer than their synthetic counterparts, they are not entirely without risk. Some organic-approved chemicals can still have negative effects on the environment or human health if not used properly.
• Challenges in Scaling: Organic farming also faces challenges in scaling up to meet the demands of a growing population. The yields from organic farms can be lower than those from conventional farms, which may require more land to produce the same amount of food. This can be a concern as the global population continues to rise and the demand for food increases.

While organic farming is a powerful tool for promoting soil health, human well-being, and environmental sustainability, it is not without its challenges. 

Biodynamic Farming

The definition of Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach to agriculture that builds on the principles of organic farming but goes even further in its commitment to sustainability and natural harmony. 

While organic farming focuses on avoiding synthetic chemicals, biodynamic farming treats the entire farm as a self-sustaining ecosystem. 

This means that every aspect of the farm, plant, animals, soil, and even the farmer is interconnected and works together in a balanced, natural way. 

The goal is not just to grow food without chemicals but to enhance the vitality and resilience of the farm as a living organism.

Key Principles

Biodynamic farming incorporates several unique practices that set it apart from other forms of agriculture:

• Crop Rotation: Like organic farming, biodynamic farming emphasises crop rotation, but with a focus on maintaining the health and fertility of the soil over the long term. By rotating different crops in a specific sequence, the soil is less likely to become depleted of nutrients, and pests are naturally managed without the need for chemical interventions.
• Composting: Composting is a central practice in biodynamic farming, where organic waste is transformed into rich compost that nourishes the soil. However, biodynamic farmers often take this a step further by using specially prepared herbal and mineral additives, known as biodynamic preparations, to enhance the compost’s effectiveness.
• Animal Integration: Animals play a vital role in biodynamic farming. They are not just raised for their products (like milk, eggs, or meat) but also contribute to the health of the farm by providing manure, which is composted and returned to the soil as a natural fertilizer. This creates a closed-loop system where waste is minimised, and the farm’s fertility is maintained naturally.
• Lunar and Cosmic Cycles: One of the most distinctive aspects of biodynamic farming is its attention to the rhythms of the moon, planets, and stars. Biodynamic farmers believe that these cosmic forces influence plant growth, and they plan their planting, harvesting, and other farming activities according to lunar cycles. This practice, rooted in ancient agricultural traditions, is believed to enhance the vitality of crops and the overall health of the farm.

Spiritual and Ethical Dimensions

Biodynamic farming also incorporates spiritual and ethical elements that resonate with those seeking a deeper connection to the earth. 

The philosophy behind biodynamics is based on the teachings of Rudolf Steiner, who emphasised the spiritual relationship between humans and nature. 

Biodynamic farming encourages a mindful and respectful approach to agriculture, where the farmer’s role is seen as a steward of the land, nurturing the soil, plants, and animals with care and intention. 

This spiritual dimension, combined with the ethical commitment to sustainability and harmony, makes biodynamic farming appealing to those who value a holistic, conscious lifestyle.

Biodynamic farming offers several benefits that can surpass those of organic farming, particularly in terms of soil health and food quality:

• Enhanced Soil Health: The holistic practices of biodynamic farming, such as crop rotation, composting, and the use of biodynamic preparations, can improve soil health even more effectively than organic methods. This leads to soil that is richer in nutrients, more fertile, and better able to retain moisture, resulting in healthier, more resilient crops.
• Nutrient-Rich Food: The focus on soil vitality in biodynamic farming translates into food that is not only free from synthetic chemicals but also richer in nutrients. Crops grown on biodynamic farms often have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a healthier choice for consumers.
• Sustainable Ecosystems: By treating the farm as a self-sustaining ecosystem, biodynamic farming minimizes waste and reduces the need for external inputs. This sustainable approach helps preserve biodiversity, protect natural resources, and reduce the farm’s carbon footprint, making it a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.

The Importance of Supporting Biodynamic and Organic Farming

Supporting biodynamic practices and organic farming is a powerful way to enhance personal health, influence economic trends, and contribute to a more sustainable future. 

By making informed choices and advocating for these practices, you help pave the way for a healthier, more vibrant world where the benefits of clean, nutrient-rich food are accessible to all.  Consider these benefits;

1. Health Impact; Choosing food grown without synthetic chemicals is especially beneficial for menopausal women. Organic and biodynamic farming practices avoid the use of harmful pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms, resulting in food that is free from potentially disruptive chemical residues. For women experiencing menopause, whose bodies are particularly sensitive to hormonal changes and environmental toxins, consuming food produced through these methods can help reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors and support overall health. By opting for organically and biodynamically grown food, you can enjoy higher nutrient levels, crucial for maintaining health and vitality during this transitional phase of life.
2. Economic Power; Your purchasing decisions hold significant power in shaping agricultural practices and market trends. By choosing products from biodynamic and organic farms, you invest in your health and contribute to a larger movement supporting sustainable agriculture. As consumer demand for organic and biodynamic products increases, it encourages more farmers to adopt these practices and helps drive prices down over time. Initially, organic and biodynamic products might cost more due to the labour-intensive methods and higher production standards. However, as these methods become more widespread and economies of scale come into play, the costs can become more affordable for everyone. Your support plays a critical role in making this shift happen, helping to create a more accessible and sustainable food system.
3. Long-Term Vision; Imagine a future where food grown with synthetic chemicals is the exception rather than the norm. This vision is not as far-fetched as it may seem. By collectively prioritizing and supporting biodynamic and organic farming, we can drive a transformation in our food system. Our long-term goal should be to make naturally organic food the standard, ensuring that all food is produced in ways that are safe for our health and the environment. This shift requires a concerted effort from consumers, farmers, and policymakers alike. As more people become aware of the benefits of organic and biodynamic farming, and as demand for such products continues to rise, we can work towards a future where chemical-laden food is no longer the norm, but a rare exception.

Your involvement is crucial in driving this change, and together, we can work towards a future where our food system is truly aligned with the health of people and the planet.

How Women Can Make a Difference

I truly believe the individual choices we make can have a compound effect over time.  

Here are just some of the ways;

Empowerment; Women hold a unique and influential position in today’s food system, particularly as primary food purchasers and household decision-makers. Your choices at the supermarket, farmers’ markets, and restaurants have a direct impact on what products are in demand and which farming practices are supported. By researching options in your local area and prioritising biodynamic and organic products, you not only invest in your health but also send a powerful message to producers and retailers about the growing demand for sustainable, chemical-free food. This shift in consumer preference can encourage more farmers to adopt these practices and contribute to a larger movement towards a healthier, more sustainable food system.

Community Engagement; Your influence extends beyond your personal choices to the broader community. Use your voice and network to spread awareness about the benefits of biodynamic and organic farming. Share information with friends, family, and social networks about why these practices matter and how they contribute to better health and environmental sustainability. Supporting local farms and participating in community events can amplify your impact. Consider hosting educational workshops or joining local groups that advocate for sustainable agriculture. By fostering a culture of awareness and support, you help build a stronger community commitment to sustainable farming practices.

Practical Tips; Transitioning to a diet that supports biodynamic and organic farming can be both empowering and manageable with a few practical steps:

• Shop at Farmers’ Markets: Farmers’ markets are excellent places to find fresh, locally grown organic and biodynamic produce. You can often talk directly to the farmers, learn about their practices, and support local businesses. This also helps you build a relationship with the people who grow your food and ensures that your purchases are supporting sustainable practices.
• Join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture): CSA programs allow you to buy a share of a farm’s harvest in advance. In return, you receive regular deliveries of fresh, seasonal produce. This not only supports local, sustainable farms but also introduces you to a variety of fruits and vegetables you might not find at conventional supermarkets.
• Start a Small Garden: Growing your own vegetables, herbs, and fruits is a rewarding way to take control of your food source. Even a small garden or a few potted herbs can provide fresh, organic produce and reduce your reliance on store-bought goods. It’s also a great way to learn about sustainable practices and connect with the food you eat.  Try creating your own compost heap and using this nutrient-dense compost in your garden.
• Advocate for Change: Support policies and initiatives that promote organic and biodynamic farming. Stay informed about local and national legislation related to agriculture and environmental sustainability, and lend your voice to campaigns that align with your values.

I am a member of The Soil Association, a British registered charity established in 1946 focused on the effect of agriculture on the environment.  You can follow their updates via social media too.  They are currently promoting a campaign Save Our Fruit & Veg supporting the production of British fruit and veg as many farmers are fearing they will go out of business within a year without support. Follow the highlighted link to sign the petition.

You can support your local farmers by buying direct or consider a delivery box scheme. Riverford is a company that grows, picks, packs, and delivers organic produce.  Anything they can’t grow or make themselves comes from a group of organic growers and producers.  You could start small with a fruit or vegetable box to start your support of local farmers.

Finding Your Passion & Purpose

In this blog post, we’ve explored the vital differences between biodynamic and organic farming, two approaches that offer a healthier alternative to conventional agriculture. 

Organic farming focuses on avoiding synthetic chemicals and GMOs while promoting sustainable practices like crop rotation and composting. Biodynamic farming takes this a step further by treating farms as self-sustaining ecosystems and incorporating cosmic rhythms into their practices. Both methods are designed to enhance soil health, improve food quality, and protect the environment.

However, supporting these farming methods is not just about understanding their principles, it’s about making informed choices that reflect your values and priorities.  

Exploring your values and how to find your purpose through menopause is something you can do with the FREE mini-program The Empowered Menopause Workshop.  

Many women coming into the Wild Woman archetype of peri-menopause or navigating their way post-menopause in the Wise Woman/Crone archetype of their life can feel as though the vibrant and purposeful part of their life is over, this is not the case, you still have so much more left to give, you just need to find your passion.

Now is the time to act. 

Use your voice and your wallet to support biodynamic and organic farming. 

Shop at farmers’ markets, join a CSA or consider starting a garden to take control of your food source.

Spread the word about the benefits of these practices within your community and advocate for policies that promote sustainable agriculture.

Your actions matter, and together, we can make a significant difference in the way our food is grown and consumed. 

If you would like to chat with me about your unique menopause transition, book a Wild Well-Being call and come away inspired and motivated to begin your journey to optimal health.

Alternatively, download any of my free resources to get on my email list and never miss a post.