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The Biodynamic Association's mission is to "awaken and enliven 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." In order to fulfill this mission, we believe the BDA must recognize and play a key role in addressing the historical and contemporary injustices faced by both humans and the earth. We are active in our inquiry into the sources of and solutions to injustice, as part of our work and relationship to life and the earth.
We see richness in the biodynamic movement through diversity, and we are committed to building greater equity and inclusion within BDA membership, Board of Directors, staff, and the work we do. Just as diversity in our agricultural fields does not happen on its own, but needs to be planted, cultivated, and nurtured by the stewards of the land, so it is our responsibility to actively plant, cultivate, and nurture diversity, equity, inclusion, and right relationships in the BDA and the biodynamic movement through our organizational culture, programs, and partnerships. We fundamentally value and respect experiences that are different from our own. We strive to provide equal opportunity to people of all races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, incomes, marital statuses, ages, geographic locations, experiences, political affiliations, and philosophies to participate in all levels of our Association.
We recognize that the land which is now known as the United States of America was stewarded by Indigenous people since time immemorial, and acknowledge that within Indigenous land-based communities exist longstanding practices that closely align with biodynamics. We recognize the people of these communities and their agricultural practices as partners of the biodynamic movement. We recognize that colonialism has inflicted widespread exploitation and destruction upon land, plants, animals, and humans.
Although the United States Declaration of Independence uses the language "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness", we recognize that racism and patriarchy were pervasive in the cultures of those who colonized and settled the US and in the founding of this country. We recognize that the agricultural economy of the US was built through slavery, and that the legacy of slavery and the continued perpetuation of many forms of oppression have profound effects on our society and agriculture today. We seek to foster social justice and address and dismantle racism, patriarchy, and all forms of oppression through our work. We seek to stand in solidarity with people who have been and continue to be systematically excluded from access to land, water, capital, education, organizational and political leadership, and the founding unalienable rights of the United States.
Biodynamics at its core seeks to respect the spirit, dignity, and freedom of every living being, and we aim to embody this deep respect in every aspect of the work of the Biodynamic Association. We commit to continually listening, learning, and deepening our understanding of social justice, equity, and inclusion. We commit to engaging in open dialogue and collaboration. We commit to actively establishing and nurturing authentic relationships with people and communities practicing biodynamic, Indigenous, and traditional agriculture and land stewardship throughout the world.