The Biodynamic Seed Development Project has been set up to establish a sustainable on-farm plant breeding programme involving a network of farmers and gardeners in the development and maintenance of Demeter certified organic plant varieties, to supply the growing organic seed market with high quality biodynamically grown and certified seeds and to increase public awareness for their importance.
The Seed Development Fund aims to support biodynamic seed development work across the country. It is contributing towards maintaining a Fieldsperson, encouraging the involvement of gardeners and farmers in growing and maintaining high quality seeds and supporting the establishment of a biodynamic plant breeding programme in this country. This is intended eventually to include all kinds of farm crops, cereals and forage as well as vegetables, herbs and flowers.
In contrast to the modern laboratory techniques used in the production of hybrid varieties, biodynamic plant breeders work with the open pollinated (non-hybrid) varieties which propagate themselves freely under natural conditions and whose seed can be saved and grown on by farmers and gardeners year after year. Maintaining them and developing new strains requires skill and perseverance. This is especially important if they are to be sold on through the catalogue and be used by farmers and growers to grow reliable crops.
Completely new varieties suited to specific organic and biodynamic growing conditions or with improved flavour and vitality are often required too. Biodynamic plant breeding pioneered for many years in Germany, Switzerland and elsewhere offers unique possibilities in this regard. In addition to careful selection, essential for any form of plant breeding, desired characteristics (flavour, vitality, disease resistance etc) can be enhanced and developed further by making use of a number of simple measures. Based on an exact and careful observation of plant growth, growth patterns within individual species and the influences impressed on them by their environment, biodynamic plant breeders are able to work with what is natural and intrinsic to plant nature.
Making use of differing climatic and soil conditions, intensive applications of the biodynamic Preparations, planting and cultivating according to certain specific lunar and planetary constellations as well as selective soil and composting treatments, are all essential tools for the biodynamic plant breeder. For seeds that are to achieve enhanced vitality and produce food of high quality, it is crucial that they evolve and develop in the context of a whole farm organism. Practising biodynamic farmers and gardeners must therefore be party to and fully involved with plant breeding. A strain of carrot bred and maintained for many years on a well established biodynamic farm in Germany has recently been officially registered as a distinct new European variety. In this way seed production and plant breeding become an integral part of land culture and do not become separated off from life in artificial laboratory conditions.
The project primarily involves training and advising farmers and growers in how to produce seed crops, select plant stock and maintain chosen plant varieties. It requires regular farm visits, individual coaching and the arrangement of informative workshops and other events to promote the work. The establishment of an ongoing plant breeding programme is a core intention requiring regular inputs from skilled plant breeders both here and abroad. Increased involvement in this plant breeding programme will serve as an indication of the level of its success as will the increase in numbers of farmers and growers producing Demeter certified seed crops. Experiences and outcomes are shared and made available to others via the Associations publications and website.
The project aims to compliment the work already being undertaken by organisations in the organic sector such as the Henry Doubleday Research Association (HDRA) with its seed saving work and the Elm Farm Research Centre as well as with agricultural and horticultural research establishments around the country concerned with organic production.
Progress report 2002-2003 Biodynamic Seed Development Project 
Biodynamic Seed Development Project Progress report 2001-2002 
Food Plant diversity, Sustainable Plant Breeding Seminars 2001
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