Steffen finished his agricultural university studies in Giessen, Germany, in 1982. He has been a biodynamic practitioner since 1983, first in Wisconsin, and since 1989 at Hawthorne Valley Farm. He loves working with the livestock, especially the dairy cows, and his passion for biodynamics continues to grow. He is convinced that a spiritually grounded agriculture is a major lever for societal transformation.
Steffen has given workshops and lectured at numerous national and international conferences. Through the Institute for Mindful Agriculture, he is currently engaged in food justice projects in the Hudson Valley of New York and supports food systems change in collaboration with several agricultural ventures, locally and nationally. Before joining the Demeter Board, and now the Alliance Board, Steffen served on the Board of the Biodynamic Association of North America for 10 years.
He lives with his partner Rachel in Columbia County, New York, and is grateful to be able to spend more time with his two sons and three granddaughters.