An Introduction To Biodynamic Winegrowing In California. Glenn McGourty, UCCE Mendocino and Lake Counties

Transcription

1 An Introduction To Biodynamic Winegrowing In California Glenn McGourty, UCCE Mendocino and Lake Counties

2 All Organic farmers are not created equal! Modern Organic Heritage Organic Biodynamic

3 Biodynamic Farming Today There are nearly 1000 Demeter Certified (biodynamic) acres in California Mendocino and Lake Counties has nearly 600 acres There are 60 wineries and growers that are BD certified in the country

4 What is Biodynamic Agriculture Founded by Rudolf Steiner Austrian Scientist, Philosopher, Educator. Founder of Waldorf Education and Anthroposophy. It is an approach that uses basic principles and forces of nature. Proposed to use interconnectedness of Earth, Sky & living matter. Growers may not be able to back it up with science, but many would swear The Improvements are proof enough Commitment to place and high quality,

5 Some Components of Biodynamic Winegrowing Viewing a vineyard as an ecosystem Trying to make the vineyard a closed system with few off farm inputs Use nature to keep farmland and crops healthy and fertile

6 Similarities Between Organic and Biodynamic Winegrowing: Use of compost, cover crops for soil fertility Prohibition of synthetic fertilizers, crop protectants, growth regulators and GMO s Third party certification Strong conservation ethic and interest in environmental health, food safety Most winegrowers co-certify organic and biodynamic

7 Ideas Unique to Biodynamic Farming Plant and animal biology respond not only to sun cycle (day and seasons), but also to 3 lunar cycles and the sidereal (fixed constellations) cycle. Some on farm activities should be scheduled at certain celestial positions for optimum effects Plants and animals should be integrated in the farming systems, as they compliment each other, and assist in health and fertility of both Increasing biodiversity is important for system health Most of these concepts have not been validated by conventional reductionist science

8 More Ideas Unique to Biodynamic Farming Biodynamic preparations or bioregulators are used in small amounts for making compost, improving soil, and affecting foliar and fruit growth Preps 500, 501 used, 4 applications total/year

9

10

11

12

13 Conventional Farming System Importing Inputs Fertility Pest & Insects Control Disease Weed Control Farm Products

14 Biodynamics: Self Regulating Closed Farm System Fertility Pest & Insects Control Farm Products Disease Weed Control

15 Biodynamic Farming Crop Rotation Composting Plant Diversity Farm Unit Homeopathic Solutions Life Forces Animal Life

16 Plant Diversity Farm Ecosystem Utilize & Emulate Nature Integrate Habitat Corridors

17 Crop Rotation Soil Enrichment Provides Natural Habitat Encourages Beneficial Insects Reduces Compaction Recycles Nutrients

18 Homeopathic Blend 500 Helps Create Life in the Soil 500 Promotes root activity. Stimulates soil micro-life & increases beneficial bacteria growth.

19 BD Prep 500 Application

20 Homeopathic Blend 501 Enhances Photosynthesis & Brings Light into the Vine 501 Enhances light. Stimulates photosynthesis & formation of chlorophyll. Influences color, aroma, flavor & keeping qualities of crops.

21 Life Forces It is impossible to understand plant life without taking into account the fact that everything on Earth is actually only a reflection of what is taking place in the cosmos. Racking Wine Cutting Trees Swimming up River Rudolf Steiner

22 Stirring Machine

23 Flow Forms

24 Composting Focus on Soil Quality Growth Promoting Utilizing Natural Enrichments

25 Animal Life Soil Enrichment.Sheep/Compost Pest Control.Chickens/Compost Diversity.Wild Life Provides Food

26 Cultural Practices Allows Light and Air in the Vine Controls Vine Growth Provides Clean & High Quality Fruit Minimizes Applications

27 Wine & Food Lifestyle

28 Certification: Organic farms are certified in compliance with the USDA National Organic Program. Each state has different options Biodynamic farms are not recognized legally by the USDA. They are certified by the Demeter Association. Demeter can cocertify organic under the Stellar program.

29 Thanks for your attention!