Bio-Dynamic Sustainable Farming

I'm a huge fan of farmer's markets, especially when the produce comes from biodynamic farms and/or organic farms that offer 'shares' to community members.  It's a healthy and incredibly wonderful trend and I'm a huge proponent of healthy fruits and vegetables that have not been treated with pesticides, chemicals, and other growth stimulants artificially produced.

It is a fact that fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a good diet, but oftentimes, we do not realize how many chemicals, pesticides, waxes, and other synthetic ingredients are found on our fruit and vegetable choices at our grocery stores.  When possible, seek out local farms and markets.  Buy from farms that are sustainable and organic.  "Sustainable agriculture systems are designed to take maximum advantage of existing soil nutrient and water cycles, energy flows, beneficial soil organisms, and natural pest controls." ( http://eap.mcgill.ca/sustain.htm )

Biodynamic Farming is NOT new--it had its beginnings in the 1920's when issues began to arise on farms throughout the world and land did not produce the amount of crops it once did. "Essentially, biodynamic farming and gardening looks upon the soil and the farm as living organisms. It regards maintenance and furtherance of soil life as a basic necessity if the soil is to be preserved for generations, and it regards the farm as being true to its essential nature if it can be conceived of as a kind of individual entity in itself — a self-contained individuality. It begins with the ideal concept of the necessary self-containedness of the farm and works with furthering the life of the soil as a primary means by which a farm can become a kind of individuality that progresses and evolves."  ( http://biodynamics.com/  )

In Northern Colorado alone, there are several farms that use these practices and honor the earth with their work.  One is Happy Heart Farms ( don't you just love their name?? )
       http://www.happyheartfarmcsa.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=3  

Another is Grant Farms: http://www.grantfarms.com/home.php

One of my favorite organic farms in the country is in Oregon.  Through their website, you can order herbs, serums, and products that can be trusted for their purity and good health.  If interested, you can visit their website @: http://www.oregonswildharvest.com/whole_health/backyard_medicine_chest

This Sunday, check out your local farmer's markets and take a look and see which stands are featured from farms that are organic, sustainably farmed, and/or bio-dynamic farming.  Support these local farmers who have undergone strict and stringent regulations to meet these high standards of the bio-dynamic/organic process.

And for more information, check out the following websites and educate yourself about wonderfully healthy foods in your area.  You may even want to volunteer at one of the farms--you get a discount on the produce, learn the trade, and get some exercise in the outdoors!  Have good family fun this Sunday and go visit a great Farmer's Market!  Check out the following website to find a farmer's market near you! http://www.localharvest.org/
  and for MORE information, visit:

http://www.biodynamics.com/nabdap-announce

http://attra.ncat.org/organic.html

Even the Prince of Whales believes in Organic Gardening....shouldn't you??