It all starts with the soil structure. Compost, green manure made from multiple plant species, and biodynamic preparations help the soil build up a rich layer of humus over time. This structure acts like a sponge: it absorbs water when it’s available, retains it, and releases it gradually, making it available to plants during drier periods. According to Demeter, the biodynamic certification label, soil managed in this way can retain up to 20 times more water than soil low in organic matter.
Decades of supporting data
This finding has been confirmed by more than 45 years of research. In Switzerland, the FiBL and Agroscope institutes have been conducting the so-called DOK Trial since 1978—a long-term comparison of biodynamic, organic, and conventional farming methods that has resulted in more than 130 scientific publications. The results show that biodynamic soils develop more stable aggregates, more organic carbon, and greater microbial activity—all factors that promote water infiltration and conservation. In addition, an 18-year monitoring study by the University of Geisenheim in Germany found that, during the hottest and driest years, biodynamic vineyards demonstrated greater resilience than conventional systems.
Deep roots, natural shade, less plowing
The biodynamic method works on multiple fronts simultaneously. Specific preparations and balanced soil management—which limits plowing and promotes mulching—encourage roots to grow deep into the soil, where water reserves are greatest. Mulching, macerates, and plant extracts, on the other hand, protect plants from heat stress at the surface. Over time, these practices build an agricultural ecosystem capable of coping with climate variability without having to resort to external chemical inputs.
The Voice of Those Who Work the Land
“The heat we’ve been experiencing these past few days isn’t an isolated emergency: it’s a sign of a structural shift in the climate that agriculture will have to deal with more and more,” explains Enrico Amico, president of Demeter Italia. “Those who work the land using biodynamic methods have known this for decades: caring for the soil is not a romantic practice; it is the most effective and lasting response to drought, extreme heat, and loss of fertility.” Amico calls on agricultural policymakers to be more courageous and capable of supporting this model on a larger scale.
Paolo Fontanabona, a biodynamic farmer and Demeter advisor responsible for supply chains and certification, confirms the method’s effectiveness in the field: “The presence of trees, hedges, and groves creates veritable islands of coolness. Added to this is soil care: we try never to leave the soil bare, using green manure and cover crops that prevent overheating and cool the air through the evaporation of plant matter.” Allowing grass to grow in orchards, he adds, serves the same purpose: maintaining vegetation directly and measurably reduces the impact of heat.
For Demeter Italia, the message is clear: in the face of increasingly extreme weather, the most effective solution lies right beneath our feet.
