Biodynamic pioneers introduced biodynamic farming to Brazil, Mexico, and the United States as early as 1924. How has the movement developed across North and South America since then, and where does it stand today? This is a tour d'horizon of a continent and 100 years of history.
Rudolf Steiner’s Agriculture Course marked a turning point in the history of farming, signalling the beginning of a new era. In 1924, at a time when the relationship with nature had shrunk to purely economic and utilitarian terms, Steiner offered an alternative based on a spiritual and holistic connection between humans and the Earth. He presented participants with new ideas and images, demonstrating that harmonious interaction between humans and nature is possible in agriculture. The key message was: the Earth needs us just as much as we need the Earth. Farms can be harmonious wholes, where humans, animals, plants, and the soil are closely intertwined.
The idea spreads worldwide
These concepts were embraced not only by farmers but also by scientists, doctors, and priests who had travelled from far and wide, and who went on to spread biodynamic principles around the world. In 1924, pioneers brought biodynamic farming to Brazil, Mexico, and the United States, laying the foundation for the biodynamic movement in the Americas, which developed alongside the movement in Europe. A strong network soon emerged, spanning both sides of the Atlantic.
Ehrenfried Pfeiffer: chemist, researcher, inspirer
The history of biodynamic farming in the U.S. is closely tied to Ehrenfried Pfeiffer. In the 1930s, he began teaching biodynamic principles in the Chestnut Ridge area of New York, inspiring many American farmers to study and adopt these methods. Under his influence, numerous farms across the US embraced biodynamics.
In 1938, the “Biodynamic Association” was founded in the US, and it continues to play a central role in promoting and spreading biodynamic farming. Later, the “Pfeiffer Centre” was established to further biodynamic research and practice. In 2023, the Biodynamic Association celebrated the 100th anniversary of biodynamic agriculture with a gathering in Colorado.
Pioneering work in Latin America
In South America, biodynamic farming took off thanks to the efforts of several German families. The first biodynamic farms were established in Brazil in the 1930s, followed by initiatives in Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and other countries. In 1986, the first South American biodynamic conference was held in Argentina, laying the foundation for a strong network of biodynamic farms across the continent.
Today, biodynamic farming is practised in many South American countries, and the movement continues to grow. In 2018, the first pan-American conference took place in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, bringing participants from Canada to Chile. In 2023, during the Michaelmas festival, 190 representatives from Central and South America gathered for the 37th Latin American biodynamic farming meeting near Buenos Aires, Argentina, to discuss how the Latin American movement can contribute to the renewal of biodynamics.
Crisis demands creativity
While Rudolf Steiner championed a holistic form of agriculture that included a spiritual dimension, materialism has developed in parallel, shaping society to this day. This tension presents significant challenges for the biodynamic movement—both in Europe and across the Americas. Many biodynamic farms and associations face threats from modern agricultural demands and must find creative ways to continue their work. Global agricultural shifts, combined with the increasing industrialisation and technologisation of food production, make it essential for biodynamic farmers to rely on their perception and spiritual insights.
Great potential
Despite the challenges, the American continent remains an area with immense potential for the application and further development of biodynamic farming. In recent years, many new initiatives, study groups, and farms have emerged across the English- and Spanish-speaking world, paving the way for the future. These new impulses extend to other fields as well, such as special education, anthroposophical medicine, and the natural sciences. The experiences of the past 100 years provide the knowledge and inspiration necessary to continue advancing biodynamic farming worldwide, while addressing the challenges of the 21st century.
You can find this and other articles in the second issue of our magazine "Living Farms" on the topic of ‘100 years of biodynamics worldwide’.
