Commemorations

By Evrett Lunquist (Demeter USA): It is a challenge to comprehend the impact Fred had and will continue to have on this world. His ability to distill things down to gems of truth and insight. The volume of his productivity and the number of people he connected with. His laugh and the twinkle in his eye. The diversity of his experience. A scholar, a mentor, a friend, a farmer, an educator, a theologian. His capacity to relate to people he met, whether it be for a moment or a lifelong relationship. One of a kind.

On the list of his innumerable accomplishments - Fred's North Dakota farm was the first Demeter certified Biodynamic farm in the United States (1981 - 2019) and he served of the Board of the Demeter Association for several years.

Fred’s farm was my first training to do Biodynamic farm inspections with Jim Fullmer. When I returned to the farm the next year to do the inspection on my own, Fred had a few words of advice for me and shared that he thought the best role model for a farm inspector was Columbo (from the TV series). I watched several reruns and reflected on this for some time. Columbo ever pursues the truth with the greatest of curiosity and wonder, proceeds in an unassuming and calm manner, appears to be somewhat inept, observes the small important details that reveal the reality, and is respectful and decent even when the mystery is solved. A small gesture on his part, but like I have heard so many say, the times I spent with him or listening to him speak left a lasting impression on me.

I will miss Fred and am grateful to have known him, all be it in a small way compared to many. My heart goes out to his family and close friends and colleagues for this great loss of a remarkable man.

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Remembering Fred Kirschenmann, 1935–2025, by Christine Grillo, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

Honoring Fred Kirschenmann, by Jessica Levy, Food Tank 

An Elder Statesman of Sustainable Ag Looks to the ‘Regenerative Generation’, by Lisa Held, Civil Eats

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