Demetria Ranch

Growing the Biodynamic Market in Brazil

Just as American consumers are able to purchase certified biodynamic wines, so too can consumers in Brazil purchase more certified biodynamic dairy products. This year, thanks to a grant from RSF, and the perseverance and dedication of local farm workers, a new dairy plant was successfully built at Demetria Ranch located in Botucatu, Brazil. This new facility makes it possible for the ranch to comply with the country’s production standards and sell them with the official Demeter biodynamic certified logo.

“The grant from RSF was vital in helping us complete our new facility,” says Paulo Cabrera, who has worked at the ranch for ten years. “Our funds had already come to an end when we got the news from RSF.”

Biodynamic principles emphasize the living soil, the farm as a holistic organism, and take into consideration both the visible and invisible forces that create a healthy ecosystem. The tradition pre-dates organic agriculture, and derives from Rudolf Steiner’s lectures in the early 1920’s on biodynamic farming.

“Before, I couldn’t understand how such rich and valuable food products weren’t available regularly at the store I went to every Saturday,” says Alex Baumann, a frequent customer. “Now, it gives me peace of mind knowing that when I go to the Demetria Ranch store I can bring home their Demeter certified butter and cream.”

“Today we sell one-half to two-thirds of our dairy products here at Demetria. The rest we supply to an organic market 143 miles away,” says Ronaldo Lempek, one of the individuals responsible for managing the ranch.

“Because of our increased capacity and certification, we are able to offer our milk, yogurt, and cheeses to more customers.”

All income from the sale of goods and products are reinvested in the ranch. Profits are used to run a tree nursery operation so more than two thousand trees a year can be planted to restore the environment for the next generation.

For more information, please contact demetria@demetria.com.br. To learn more about the Demeter certification process, visit www.demeter.net. To become a philanthropist or donor to support organizations promoting environmental, social, and economic sustainability, please go to our “Donor Advised Fund” page.

Photo of Mauro Tolazzi purchasing Demeter certified biodynamic milk at Demetria Ranch is by Ronaldo Lempek.

Friday, December 29th, 2006