Our biodynamic farming practices are what makes Under the Nile products different from any other organic cotton baby brand.
People often associate the word “organic” with being pure. That is true.
But what if I told you that there is a type of organic farming that is superior?
Organic in its purest form is called “Biodynamic” farming.
This is a type of farming that incorporates a holistic, ecological, and ethical approach to farming. It is a farm that brings humans, animals, soil, and plants together in harmony to sustain the health of the farm and create balance.
This is how that Under the Nile farms our cotton. Biodynamically.
10 Reasons why Biodynamic Farming makes a Healthier Crop
- SELF-SUSTAINING
Very little from the outside is brought inside. Everything needed to sustain the farm is within the farm and uses different principles that add vitality to the plant, soil and livestock. For example, beet fields are grown so that the leaves can be used to feed the animals.
2. SOIL PREPARATION
A fundamental process of biodynamic farming is soil preparation using Horn Manure and Horn Silica. Crops sprayed with Horn Manure and Horn Silica are more disease-resistant; have enhanced aroma, color, flavor, and nutritional qualities.
Horn Manure is cow manure that has been fermented in the soil over winter inside a cow horn. Horn Silica is finely ground quartz meal that spends the summer in the soil embedded inside a cow horn and is sprayed directly on the growing plant early in the morning. The Horn Manure and Horn Silica is then dug up and small amounts of the preparation is dissolved in water and then used as a spray prior to sowing and planting. Horn Manure is a powerful means to stimulate healthy root growth, vitalizes the soil, improves absorption and retention of water, and helps the plant find what it needs from the soil. It helps to stabilize plant metabolism and enhance the development of the crop. Horn Silica influences the parts that are visible to us once the crop is growing. It will regulate what the crop will taste like, and how ripe it will be.
3.WORKS IN RHYTHM WITH EARTH AND COSMOS
When planting, farmers observe the rhythms and cycles of the earth, sun, moon, stars, and planets. By planting in specific times, vegetables, fruits and flowers grow bigger and taste more flavorful.
4. FARM BIODIVERSITY
By planting a diverse array of annual and perennial vegetables, herbs, flowers, berries, fruits, and grains – they all contribute to the plant diversity adding to the health and resilience of the farm.
5. GMO FREE organic seeds & seedlings
Biodynamic farms use GMO and pesticides free seed and seedlings in addition to heirloom seeds, which enables the farmers to produce their own seeds and not be dependent on multi international seed companies.
6. NATURAL PEST REMEDIES
When a biodynamic farm implements animal and plant diversity, pests and diseases have few places to thrive. But when they do, we make natural remedies ourselves like using the extract from our neem trees to stop the growth of cankers. Or like planting onions before our cotton seeds are put down to repel insects and applying pheromone traps to catch insects that damage our crops.
7. COMPOSTING
By making our own compost to fertilize our crops, we’re keeping nutrients within our farm. Our compost is made up of manure from our sheep, cows, pigeons, plants, and compostable food products from our 5 cafeterias as well as decomposing fruit that has fallen to the ground.
8. NATURAL AND WILDLIFE HABITATS
Biodynamic farms focus on the enhancement of the environment. To keep the natural balance around the farm, animal wildlife diversity needs be realized through opportunities for nesting and living. Building habitat for wildlife around the farm is incorporated to ensure balance.
9. RESPECTING LIFE
A biodynamic farm houses many kinds of animals that play a crucial role in the balance of all ecosystems. They are capable of different patterns of behavior and even show emotional life. Like human beings, they are sensitive to pain. Treating animals in a species-appropriate way means respectfully dealing with life itself.
10. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
Animals live on wide-open pastures full of grass where they can graze freely in a stress-free environment. Covered shaded spaces are accessible for shade and care for animals happens in a clean way that never requires the use of antibiotics. Feed comes from everything grown on the farm which include corn, clover, straw, and fodder beats.
Meet Farmer El-Seddick Rashad. One of our biodynamic cotton farmers.
These are just 10 ways that Under the Nile’s organic cotton is set apart and why biodynamic farming practices are superior.
What’s your favorite aspect of biodynamic farming?