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BIODYNAMIC ASSOCIATION INC
ALBANY, NY · EIN 141377504 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE K24Z · Food, Agriculture & Nutrition · Small ($100K-$1M) · biodynamics.com
revenue
$666K
expenses
$419K
net assets
$530K
employees
9
volunteers
10
program ratio
53%
mission · from form 990

THE BIODYNAMIC ALLIANCE AWAKENS AND ENLIVENS CO-CREATIVE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HUMANS AND THE EARTH, TRANSFORMING THE PRACTICE AND CULTURE OF AGRICULTURE TO RENEW THE VITALITY OF THE EARTH, THE INTEGRITY OF OUR FOOD, AND THE HEALTH AND WHOLENESS OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

profile · synthesized from sources

Biodynamic Association Inc promotes biodynamic agriculture through education, training, and outreach. The organization serves farmers, gardeners, and land stewards by offering hands-on training programs, online courses, conferences, and scholarship opportunities. It also publishes educational materials and maintains a network to support the biodynamic community across the United States.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $460K
    BIODYNAMIC EDUCATION AND TRAININGTHE BIODYNAMIC DEMETER ALLIANCE OFFERS HANDS-ON, HOLISTIC, AND INNOVATIVE FARMER TRAINING THROUGH THE BIODYNAMIC FOUNDATIONS TRAINING PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM COMBINES HANDS-ON, PRACTICAL WORK SUPPORTED BY INTEGRATED LEARNING ELEMENTS AND A COHORT-BASED CLASSROOM COMPONENT. THE PROGRAM IS OPEN TO ASPIRING AS WELL AS ESTABLISHED FARMERS, GARDENERS, TEACHERS, AND OTHER LAND STEWARDS. PARTICIPANTS MAY WORK WITH THEIR OWN SITE OR AT A MENTOR SITE.THE U.S. BIODYNAMIC CONFERENCE BRINGS TOGETHER FARMERS, GARDENERS, EDUCATORS, STUDENTS, ACTIVISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND OTHERS INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT BIODYNAMICS FROM ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND BEYOND FOR IN-PERSON OR ONLINE GATHERINGS. THE IN-PERSON EVENT INCLUDES INSPIRING SPEAKERS, WORKSHOPS, HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITIES, TASTINGS, EXHIBITS, COMMUNITY-BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES, AND MUCH MORE ALL SHOWCASING THE INTERRELATED CULTURAL, CERTIFICATION, AND MARKETPLACE ASPECTS THAT ENCOMPASS BIODYNAMIC AGRICULTURE IN THE U.S. TODAY.OUR ONLINE COURSES AND WEBINARS GIVE FARMERS AND GARDENERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM LEADING BIODYNAMIC EDUCATORS, DELVE DEEPLY INTO THE PRINCIPLES AND PHILOSOPHY OF BIODYNAMICS, AND BUILD COMMUNITIES OF SUPPORT AMONG PEERS.THE BIODYNAMIC SCHOLARSHIP FUND ALLOWS FARMERS, ASPIRING FARMERS, AND OTHERS WHO WANT TO LEARN ABOUT AND DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS IN BIODYNAMIC, BUT WHO LACK THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PARTICIPATE IN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THEY WISH TO PURSUE AND TO ACCESS HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION AND CONNECTIONS WITH THE BIODYNAMIC COMMUNITY.
  2. #2 $144K
    BIODYNAMIC COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH.THE BIODYNAMIC DEMETER ALLIANCE IS THE PRIMARY HUB FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH IN THE BIODYNAMIC MOVEMENT, HELPING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PRACTICING AND INTERESTED IN BIODYNAMICS TO CONNECT TO AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER. WE AIM TO COMMUNICATE THE POWERFUL VISION OF BIODYNAMICS AND THE POTENTIAL IT HOLDS FOR THE EARTH, AND TO GROW THE COMMUNITY OF BIODYNAMIC FARMERS, RANCHERS, GARDENERS, AND LAND STEWARDS. THE ALLIANCE PUBLISHES A BIANNUAL MEMBERSHIP JOURNAL, A REGULAR E-NEWSLETTER, ONLINE AND PRINT EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION, AND A BLOG; EXHIBITS AND PRESENTS AT ORGANIC AND REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE CONFERENCES; AND MAINTAINS ROBUST WEBSITES THAT RECEIVE OVER 10,000 VISITORS PER MONTH.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Biodynamic Communications and Outreach
Publication of a biannual journal, e-newsletter, blog, and educational materials; participation in conferences; and maintenance of online resources
Biodynamic Foundations Training Program
Hands-on, cohort-based training for aspiring and established farmers, gardeners, and land stewards, combining practical work with classroom learning
Biodynamic Scholarship Fund
Financial assistance program enabling farmers and aspiring farmers to access biodynamic education and training opportunities
Online Courses and Webinars
Virtual educational offerings that allow participants to learn from biodynamic educators and connect with peers
U.S. Biodynamic Conference
Annual in-person and online event featuring speakers, workshops, tastings, and community-building activities focused on biodynamic practices
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Agricultural Training and Education Programs 1 activity
    • Biodynamic education and training programs
      Offers comprehensive biodynamic education through the Biodynamic Foundations Training Program, a cohort-based program combining hands-on fieldwork with classroom learning for farmers, gardeners, teachers, and land stewards. Also provides webinars, online courses, recordings, and in-person multi-day events to teach biodynamic principles, philosophy, and practical skills.
  • Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
    • Community networking and regional engagement
      Maintains community networking pages, an activities calendar, and shares monthly e-news with updates and connection opportunities. Participates in local community boards, councils, and committees to support regional development and strengthen biodynamic networks.
  • Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 1 activity
    • Hosting biennial and anniversary conferences
      Organizes large-scale in-person and online gatherings including the U.S. Biodynamic Conference and special events such as the 100th anniversary celebration of biodynamics, featuring speakers, workshops, hands-on activities, tastings, exhibits, community-building, and daily readings from foundational texts like Agriculture and Karmic Relationships.
  • Agricultural Producer Education & Support Networks 1 activity
    • Publication of Biodynamics journal and educational materials
      Publishes the semi-annual Biodynamics journal, a leading publication on biodynamic agriculture continuously issued since 1941, and produces additional educational content including e-newsletters, blog posts, and online resources. Serves as the primary communications hub for the biodynamic movement with websites receiving over 10,000 monthly visitors.
  • Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
    • Scholarship funding for biodynamic education access
      Operates a scholarship fund that supports farmers and aspiring farmers who lack financial resources to participate in biodynamic education programs and connect with biodynamic communities.
  • Uncategorized 3 activities
    • Facilitation of peer-led knowledge sharing forums
      Hosts monthly online discussions called Practical Biodynamics in coordination with JPI Biodynamics, ongoing through December 2026, and facilitates a peer-led forum for farmers and gardeners to exchange practical biodynamic experiences and insights.
    • Leadership in biodynamic alliance formation and collaboration
      Co-founded and actively participates in the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations (ABO) to foster collaboration among key biodynamic groups in North America, having re-established independent legal and spiritual identity during the transformation from the Demeter Biodynamic Alliance to ABO.
    • Provision of biodynamic calendars and cosmic rhythm resources
      Develops and distributes biodynamic calendars based on Rudolf Steiner’s 1924 Agriculture Course lectures to support agricultural practices aligned with cosmic rhythms. These calendars are made available through collaboration with the Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics, Inc.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$666K
Contributions & grants$603K91%
Program service revenue$42K6%
Investment income$5660%
Other revenue$21K
expenses
Total expenses$419K
Program expenses53%
Admin / overhead37%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$251K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$627K
Cash$59K
Investments$26K
Liabilities$97K
Net assets$530K
Liquid reserves2.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +20.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 9
  • ARIZONA MUSE — DIRECTOR
  • BETH HOINACKI — DIRECTOR
  • CRAIG CAMP — DIRECTOR
  • DELMAR MCCOMB — DIRECTOR
  • JENNIFER CLIFFORD — DIRECTOR
  • JESSICA ROBERTS — SECRETARY
  • STEFFEN SCHNEIDER — TREASURER
  • TENASI RAMA — DIRECTOR
  • ZACH WOLF — DIRECTOR
relationships · 22

Who they work with

  • Demeter Association Network — Collaborates under the shared identity of the Biodynamic Demeter Alliance for education, outreach, and certification efforts in biodynamic agriculture.
  • Demeter International Government — Manages the global Demeter Biodynamic® Standard for certification
  • Demeter USA Partner — Collaborates through joint representation in the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations.
  • Demeter USA Partner — Manages biodynamic certification in the United States and uses USDA organic standards as a foundation with additional requirements
  • Demeter USA Partner — Member organization within the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations, collaborating with the Biodynamic Association.
  • Dr. Rudolf Steiner Government — Roots biodynamic practice in the philosophical and scientific work of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, particularly his 1924 lectures to farmers.
  • Fellowship of Preparation Makers Partner — Collaborates through joint representation in the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations.
  • Fellowship of Preparation Makers Partner — Member organization within the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations, collaborating with the Biodynamic Association.
  • Fred Kirschenmann Partner — Collaborated with or honored for contributions to the biodynamic and broader food and farming communities.
  • JPI Biodynamics Partner — Coordinates with the BDA to host Practical Biodynamics, an online discussion series on biodynamic topics.
  • Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics Partner — Collaborates on hosting the Farmer and Gardener's Forum.
  • Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics Partner — Collaborates through joint representation in the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations.
  • Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics Partner — Collaborates to produce and distribute biodynamic calendars.
  • Josephine Porter Institute for Applied Biodynamics Partner — Member organization within the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations, collaborating with the Biodynamic Association.
  • Land Clinic Partner — Provides legal expertise to draft documents securing future stewardship options for the next generation at S&S Homestead.
  • MysTech Partner — Collaborates with MysTech to host an annual conference on technology and spiritual science.
  • North American Agriculture Section Partner — Collaborates through joint representation in the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations.
  • North American Agriculture Section Partner — Member organization within the Alliance of Biodynamic Organizations, collaborating with the Biodynamic Association.
  • Southeastern Biodynamic Association Network — Collaborated in organizing and reporting on the Southeast Biodynamic Conference.
  • Spikenard Farm Partner — Collaborates on the Spikenard Biodynamic Beekeeping Training program.
  • Sun Heart Farm Partner — Co-hosts educational events and provides on-site facilities for programming
  • The Farmers Land Trust Partner — Collaborates to transition S&S Homestead into the San Juan Islands Farmland Commons with provisions for long-term biodynamic stewardship.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Cosmic Rhythm Alignment in Agriculture
    methodology: cosmic_rhythm_farming
    By aligning agricultural activities with lunar and cosmic rhythms using biodynamic calendars, the organization enhances plant and soil development because these rhythms are believed to influence biological processes through energetic and sensory connections between Earth and the cosmos.
  • Farm as a Living Organism Systems Approach
    methodology: living-farm-organism
    By managing farms as integrated, self-sustaining living organisms that balance plants, animals, soil, and people, the organization improves ecosystem resilience and sustainability because holistic interdependence mimics natural systems and reduces external input dependency.
  • Goethean Science for Perceiving Living Systems
    methodology: goethean_science
    By applying Goethean science—integrating natural observation with artistic perception and inner experience—the organization cultivates a deeper understanding of living systems because this method counters technological alienation and reveals qualitative, dynamic aspects of nature not accessible through mechanistic analysis.
  • Peer-Led Experiential Learning with Cohort Model
    methodology: experiential_learning_with_cohort_model
    By combining hands-on practice, cohort-based learning, and peer interaction in both in-person and online settings, the organization deepens understanding and retention of biodynamic practices because experiential engagement and community support foster transformative learning.
  • Spirit-Integrated Agricultural Practice
    methodology: spirit-based_stewardship
    By integrating spiritual intention and anthroposophic study into farming practices, the organization fosters a deeper ecological and ethical relationship with land and community because agriculture is viewed as a spiritual act that shapes both human consciousness and environmental health.