From 31 August to 4 September 2025, 185 participants from 28 countries gathered at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester to present current research results and discuss questions in biodynamic research. Among them were representatives from science, practice, business, advisory services, and education. A total of 67 contributions were presented – a diverse program that impressively reflected the breadth of disciplines and approaches.
The atmosphere was consistently positive, festive, and inspired by pioneering spirit. Thanks to excellent organization, everything ran smoothly, allowing participants to focus fully on substantive exchange. Interaction was respectful, open, and constructive. Even where potential for conflict existed – for example, in the debate on how to deal with hybrid seed – a productive dialogue unfolded. The level of conversation was high, marked by personal dedication and objectivity both in presenting and in listening.
The conference made it clear that biodynamic research is by no means lagging behind. On the contrary, it plays a pioneering role – especially with regard to transdisciplinarity and diversity. Today, biodynamic research is both internationally connected and thematically wide-ranging.
Four main themes shaped the conference and reflected the pulse of the times: microbiome research – especially in connection with the preparations, contributions from the social sciences, the timeless question of biodynamic quality, and engagement with diverse research methods. Cyrill Rigolot, researcher at the Institut du Vivant et des Communs in France, put it succinctly: “The way we proceed methodologically will determine the future of agriculture.”
We can look back on a successful conference that fostered international networking and respectful dialogue across disciplines and approaches. The Third International Biodynamic Research Conference – jointly organized by the Forschungsring, the Biodynamic Federation Demeter International, the Biodynamic Association UK, and the Section for Agriculture at the Goetheanum – showed clearly: biodynamic research is today setting important impulses for the agriculture of the future.
In brief. A more detailed review as well as insights into the various contributions to the conference will follow in the next issue of Living Farms, the magazine of the Section for Agriculture.
