Organic and Biodynamic Farming

What is "Organic"?
The organisation of a natural ecosystem is the inspiration for organic farming, and by this definition, organics is an all encompassing philosophy of life. It includes complex relationships such as beneficial insects balancing pests... Plants and microorganisms building soil... Trees protecting crop and animals and providing microclimate... More wildlife and birds... Low energy buildings of earth materials... Grower cooperation and community...

When was organic farming "invented"?
It was in response to the development of modern artificial fertilisers by Leipzig in the 19th century, and of synthetic pesticides and herbicides in the 20th century, that the concept of “organic” farming and “organic wine” was born.

The pioneers of organic farming included Sir Albert Howard (“The Agricultural Testament” 1940) and Lady Evelyn Barbara Balfour (“The Living Soil" 1943), who used natural ecosystems as models for agriculture. The German contemporary of Howards was Rudolph Steiner, who gave his famous anthroposophic "Lectures" to farmers in Germany in 1924. The resulting biodynamic farming movement was led by Ehrenfried Pfeiffer, Lili Kollisko and Maria Thunn.

By the 1970s organic agriculture was boosted by the publication of Rachel Carson's "Silent Spring" (1962). This was also a time of new ideas, sociological transformations, protest movements and the proliferation of alternative lifestyles. In England the Soil Association created a logo and in parallel introduced the notion of legally formulated specifications and quality controls that gave a legally binding guarantee for the consumer, known as Standards.

What is "Biodynamic" farming?
Organic farmers are also often "Biodynamic" - meaning they apply the science of Rudolph Steiner as developed over the last 80 years by the Biodynamic movement worldwide. Several growers at RROF apply the biodynamic preparations and follow the calendar, guided by Biodynamic Agriculture Australia, formerly the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association. Much of the application is done by Margie Crowther, using specialised equipment built by the Stathams, who began in 1997.

Certification
In Australia, there are six government-accredited organic certifiers. Rosnay is certified by Australian Certified Organic, the certification wing of the Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA), the largest organic farming organisation in Australia. The BFA Organic Standard complies with the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce. BFA is also accredited by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM). See www.bfa.com.au

How can wine be organic?
Organic wine is a processed product made from organically grown grapes. Certified organic wine is made in from certified organic grapes in a certified procesing facility - giving a 100% guarantee of the integrity of the product.

Organic wine arose within the organic farming movement, with the first organic vineyard in Australia being developed by Gil Wahlquist at “Botobolar”, Mudgee, New South Wales, in 1971. Many vineyards in France have long used organic and biodynamic methods, without being formally certified organic, or even claiming to be so.