Innovation

Lightfoot & Wolfville, located in Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley, embraces biodynamic viticulture representing an innovative solution for addressing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and contributing to a better world.

Biodynamics has been around for several decades and is essentially the method that everyone farmed until the 1800s when synthetic chemical sprays were designed. The innovation emerged again in the 1920s when Austrian philosopher and scientist Dr. Rudolph Steiner turned farmers back on to these methods when he developed the system of agriculture he called Biodynamics to help improve soil health and quality.

In the words of Rachel Lightfoot, “You could think of Biodynamics as opposite to a monoculture – One of the most important facets of biodynamic agriculture, as identified by Rudolph Steiner, is the mixing of crops and livestock to enhance biodiversity. In keeping with this philosophy, we have added a collection of heritage breed livestock such as cattle and sheep to the farm, each species playing a slightly different role within the whole system, with the ultimate goal of enhancing soil vitality.”

Ultimately, Lightfoot & Wolfville's innovative solution lies in their adoption of Dr. Rudolph Steiner’s biodynamic farming principles. By following the natural rhythms of the earth, moon, and planets, in combination with integrating plants, livestock, and inhabitants of the property and investing in the soil, the vineyard fosters biodiversity and sustainability through a self-sustaining ecosystem.

Through this solution, Lightfoot and Wolfville address three main sustainable development goals; Goal eleven - sustainable cities and communities. Goal twelve - responsible consumption and production. By minimizing reliance on external inputs and maximizing resource efficiency, Lightfoot & Wolfville promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns. Thirdly, goal thirteen - climate action. Biodynamic farming practices, such as composting and soil health management, contribute to climate resilience and carbon sequestration.

Inspiration

Lightfoot and Wolfville’s founder, Mike Lightfoot, is a seventh-generation farmer in the Annapolis Valley and a third-generation on the current site. He grew up there learning from his grandmother, Evelyn, who farmed what would nowadays be considered “natural” farming (composting, mixing livestock and plants, no chemicals, timing harvesting/planting according to the lunar cycle, etc.). To her, it was just a common-sense way to care for your land and feed your family. Rachel Lightfoot also noted that Evelyn lived to 108 years of age, so it is hard to dispute her teachings.

When Mike Lightfoot discovered biodynamic farming later in life, it reminded him a lot of the way his grandmother taught him growing up, inspiring him to use the biodynamic framework to help transition the farm back to a form of more sustainable agriculture when the grapevines were planted in 2009.

In addition, motivations such as taste/quality and also the reduction of toxic residues are two main reasons that Lightfoot & Wolfville chose to grow and sell biodynamic wines. “As farmers, it is important to us to leave our land to future generations in a healthier state, our soils enriched and free from chemicals. And as winegrowers, we believe great wines are grown in the vineyard. Living soils grow healthy vines which bear balanced fruit and make quality wine.” Rachel Lightfoot explained.

Overall impact

Lightfoot and Wolfville's implementation of biodynamic strategies has allowed them to succeed in ways that other Nova Scotian wineries cannot due to their sustainable efforts.

Short-Term Effects:

• Requirement to implement specific vineyard management techniques

• Increase initial costs and investment

• Enhance soil health

• Small yield fluctuations

Long Term Effects:

• Soil regeneration/quality

• Increased biodiversity

• Enhanced product quality

• Brand loyalty

• Market positioning

• Resilience to climate change

Evidence that suggests this impact has occurred is recognized as Wine awards that indicate product quality, soil tests, wildlife sightings indicating increased biodiversity, and increased export market activity indicating market positioning.

Business benefit

Biodynamic practices set Lightfoot & Wolfville apart in two ways. Market differentiation and product quality. Biodynamic farming is one of their key brand differentiators creating a competitive advantage over other wineries in Nova Scotia and in Canada. This innovation enhances grape health, leading to higher quality wines that appeal to highly engaged and environmentally conscious consumers, leading to overall better brand loyalty.

Social and environmental benefit

Practicing biodynamics allows Lightfoot & Wolfville to possess a lower environmental impact than a conventionally farmed winery does, by reducing chemical inputs and promoting biodiversity and soil health.

As a society, the organization makes an impact through community engagement and educational opportunities. Practicing biodynamics allows unique opportunities to engage in the local community of Wolfville, promoting environmental stewardship, such as their 2023 partnership with Regeneration Canada's "Stories of Regeneration" Campaign, which included an on-farm community event. As biodynamics is not a common practice to those in North America like it is in places like Europe, it provides an opportunity to educate consumers and the community on sustainable agricultural practices.

Interview

Rachel Lightfoot, Manager