I WAS saddened to read the November 4 letter which brushed biodynamic agriculture aside as ‘nonsense’, with no evidence for such unfounded assertions.

Demeter, the biodynamic standard, is recognised around the world.

In 1997, Demeter became the first, and today is still the only, worldwide organic standard.

There are some 8,500 farms operating biodynamically around the world covering some 294,000 hectares of land.

The Sekem farms in Egypt are a global exemplar for sustainability.

Biodynamic farming is widely respected for its robust care for the land, soil fertility, water retention, and respect for plants and animals.

Biodynamic methods are proven to develop better soil humus, resilience to pests and disease, and terroir (taste of crop adapted to the locality – eg in wine growing, hence the award winning biodynamic wines. Just try the La Vialla biodynamic wines from Italy, for example!).

A large scientific trial of farming methods found that: “In the biodynamic system, soil organic matter (humus) content remained stable for the first 21 years of the trial while it declined in all other systems.

"Differences in this respect between the biodynamic and the purely mineral system are significant.”

See bit.ly/1MpEGJO.

People who want to find out more about biodynamic growing in the Stroud area will be interested in Stroud Community Agriculture which farms at Hawkwood and Brookthorpe, delivers veg boxes and is a thriving co-op of 290 members.

The Biodynamic Land Trust, an open membership democratic co-op, has nearly completed the purchase (to lease to Stroud Community Agriculture) of 41 acres of Lot 3 of Hammonds Farm, which is located between Hawkwood College and Stroud.

Thanks to 190 generous local people and organisations, we have raised so far an amazing £360,000 of the £390,000 needed.

And, stop press! A member has pledged to match fund any new gifts and community shares invested as we have only £30,000 more to raise.

So please do give or invest to protect this farmland for a Starter Farm for young farmers, horticulture and a microdairy.

See biodynamiclandtrust.org.uk.

There was a meeting of the land workshop on Sunday, November 15, with agro-ecology MSc course leader Dr Isis Brook.

Please do come on our farm walk on World Soil Saturday at 10am on Saturday, December 5, at Hawkwood College (hawkwoodcollege.co.uk).

The positive impact of biodynamic agriculture is of particular interest to anyone concerned about how industrial farming is jeopardising food security through the destruction of soils, destruction of wildlife such as bees, and the poisoning of water courses.

See biodynamic.org.uk.

Lastly, the people of Stroud and the five valleys are a tolerant, creative, entrepreneurial, inclusive, outward looking and dynamic community that thrives on diversity.

Martin Large

Biodynamic Land Trust

Stroud