Demeter Schweiz

Demeter Schweiz is the Swiss branch of the international Demeter movement, which promotes biodynamic farming as one of the most holistic and ecologically ambitious approaches to agriculture. Based in Arlesheim, the organization supports and certifies farms that practice biodynamic methods rooted in the principles developed by Rudolf Steiner in 1924. Biodynamic farming treats the farm as a self-sustaining organism, integrating crop production, livestock management, and ecological stewardship within a unified system guided by natural cycles and rhythms. Demeter Schweiz enforces strict certification standards that go beyond organic requirements, including the use of biodynamic preparations to enhance soil vitality and plant health, the maintenance of biodiversity, and the avoidance of synthetic inputs. Certified farms must demonstrate commitment to soil fertility, animal welfare, and ecological balance. The association supports its members through training, knowledge exchange, and access to the Demeter certification mark, which carries strong recognition in premium food markets. Demeter Schweiz collaborates with the international Demeter organization and with other Swiss agricultural bodies to advance holistic and sustainable land-use practices. Its work contributes to the development of resilient, biologically diverse farming systems that support both environmental health and the long-term viability of Swiss agriculture.