Organic and Biodynamic methods of food production seek to minimize damage to ecosystems and create a stable agriculture into perpetuity. They respect the land and believe that the fauna and flora living in untreated soil are crucial to quality and healthy food production. Pesticides, herbicides, and artificial fertilizers are thought to disturb the natural balance of the soil.

What is organic farming and agriculture?
Organic farming is a system of agricultural techniques popularized and named by farmer and publisher J. I. Rodale in 1946. The word has several meanings, including "a whole system of interdependent parts," "decomposed plant material," and in chemistry: "chemical compounds which contain carbon." Rodale established a demonstration farm in Pennsylvania and founded Rodale Press which publishes Organic Gardening magazine and many books.

Rodale was influenced by Sir Albert Howardfs work in India with composting. Cover cropping and composting are used to build organic matter in the soil, and synthetic inputs are discouraged. Organic farming emphasizes building soil fertility on the premise that a healthy, living soil produces healthy plants that are more resistant to pests and disease and have higher nutritional value. With the passage of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), organic farms and vineyards in the United States can now achieve certified organic status with a rigorous yearly inspection from a USDA-certified inspection agency such as Stellar Certification Services. Generally a vineyard must be pesticide and herbicide-free for three years before its wines may be labeled "organic." The European Union has slightly different standards for organic labeling.

What is Biodynamic farming?
Biodynamic farming is sort of super-organic farming; it encompasses everything organic, then takes it further. It is actually the oldest system of organic agriculture, for it was started in 1924 by German philosopher Rudolph Steiner. Biodynamic farms strive to be self-sustaining within the surrounding ecosystem. The name comes from the Greek "bio" which means life-energy. The worldwide Demeter Organization certifies Biodynamic farms. Demeter standards are generally stricter than organic standards and emphasize farm animals, soil and plant sprays, and specific compost preparations thought to enhance and regulate plant growth and fertility.

Biodynamic philosophy is controversial, and some of its tenets are downright weird to the modern, scientific mind! For example, its adherents plant and harvest according to lunar cycles. Steiner's instructions were occult, dogmatic, and cannot be proven scientifically. (For example, how do you show that you have harnessed "cosmic forces?") And what is one to make of instructions to fill the horn of a cow with cow manure and bury it in the ground (40–60 cm below the surface) in the autumn. It is then left to decompose during the winter and recovered for use the following spring when this tiny amount is mixed with a lot of water and sprayed over the vineyard. Likewise crushed powdered quartz is stuffed it into a cow horn and buried in the ground in spring and taken out in autumn. One tablespoon is then mixed with nearly 60 gallons of water and sprayed on the crops to prevent fungal disease. As with homeopathy, there is no scientific evidence that such dilute preparations have any efficacy.

What is sustainable agriculture?
Many vineyards and other farms claim that they employ sustainable agriculture. Unfortunately, this term has no legal definition and anyone can use it. Generally sustainable agriculture implies that pesticides and herbicides are avoided if possible and that attempts are made to be "green," but there is no enforcement of any kind.