Meet the Ystwyth valley farmer taking biodynamic farming principles up the pecking order

Meet the farmer taking biodynamic farming principles up the pecking order

As people adopt increasingly greener, more sustainable lifestyles, conversations around organic groceries and shopping more ethically are more significant than ever; from helping to curb insect decline to reducing their impact on the planet. With this shift in focus towards provenance and sustainably-sourced produce, organic grocer Abel & Cole reveals how one of its farmers is taking organic practices one step further with their natural biodynamic approach to farming.

For over 30 years, Abel & Cole has been at the forefront of innovations in organic food, and while biodynamic farming is not an entirely new concept – it was first introduced in the 1920s – it’s not a commonly known practice to many. So what is ‘biodynamic’ farming?

Ilyas Wouda-Deshmukh, of Abel & Cole, explains:

“Biodynamic agriculture is a form of alternative agriculture which is very similar to organic farming; in fact to be classed as biodynamic, a farm must already be certified organic. It treats soil fertility, plant growth, livestock and insect care as ecologically interrelated tasks and is ideally self-sufficient. Farmers follow a holistic approach to tending to the land, where all the individual elements on a farm – the livestock, the soil, the flora and the wildlife – work together in harmony as one living entity and self-sustaining ecosystem.

“The goal for any biodynamic farm is to minimise external inputs – not stretching the land beyond its natural capacity and for human activity to put back more than is taken out. The aim is resilience and regeneration which we’re very proud to support.”

One of Britain’s biodynamic champions is Liz Findlay of Nantclyd Farm in the Ystwyth valley of west Wales. The family-run farm, which is nestled away in 50 acres of rolling hills, has previously been awarded the Loraine Award for conservation and True Taste awards for their eggs. The farm has laying hens, cattle and sheep, and grows fruit and vegetables. Farmers like Liz look at their land as an entire living ecosystem, and replenish the nutrients in the soil with natural compost made on site. Based on the effects of light, warmth, earth and water, these natural cycles dictate the best times to sow seeds and the best times to harvest. Nantclyd Farm’s biodynamic eggs are produced by laying hens that are fed home-grown oats, peas and wheat along with anything they find foraging through the thistles and nettles.

Owner of Nantclyd Farm Liz Findlay, whose biodynamic eggs are now available to Abel & Cole customers, said:

“Everyone enjoys seeing something grow out of the earth and we are very passionate about doing so in a self-sufficient way, working with nature rather than against it. Central to this is the importance of a truly harmonious connection between farmer and land, and farmer and animals. We’re really excited to be sharing our love for this way of farming with Abel & Cole and their customers.”

Abel & Cole’s biodynamic eggs can be found here. Click here to find out more about Liz’s biodynamic journey, and visit www.abelandcole.co.uk to discover the very best in seasonal, organic products.