What is Certified Naturally Grown?

Short answer: Certified Naturally Grown was created by a group of farmers as the grassroots alternative to being Certified Organic, specifically for small, diversified family farms for whom the organic certification process is cost prohibitive.

CNG farms are organically operated with an emphasis on biological diversity and ecological balance – we must follow the National Organic Program, same as Certified Organic farmers – no synthetic chemicals, synthetic pesticides, or GMOs!

The CNG program is no less strict than the USDA’s Certified Organic program – both require farmers to follow the organic standards for three years prior to being admitted to either program – and without earning organic premiums.

However, CNG farmers go through an alternate certification process that focuses on small-scale operations and family farms, “not corporate conglomerates” and Big Ag.

CNG farms are inspected by other organic farmers, growers, and even customers, who appreciate the Certified Naturally Grown program being rooted in community with a focus on networking, transparency, and local accountability.

How much Certified Organic food sold in the US is produced overseas, where oversight and verification has proved to be lacking? All the more reason why it’s so important to support your neighborhood farmers, and really know who is growing your food!

CNG farms are ALL here in the US, with annual inspections and strict oversight from the program coordinators, who follow up on each participating farm to ensure anyone in the program is following the rules to a T.

One of the things my husband and I really appreciated when we compared becoming CNG instead of Certified Organic? CNG requires 50ft buffers around your property to keep your certified produce or livestock as far away as possible from your conventional neighbors, and their possible spray drift contaminating your livelihood.

The Certified Organic program only requires 25 ft… and as so many of us organic operators share borders with large-scale conventional farmers, CNG realizes farmers must be diligent in preserving as much space as possible, which is why we maintain a thick fencerow of trees and bushes. 50ft is even necessary insurance against a spray happy, irresponsible neighbor who seeks to eradicate dandelions from the face of the planet.

Out of our 21 acres, we’ve had to take almost 2 full acres out of production so our 50 ft buffers would compensate for the possible contamination we hope to never receive from our neighbors… when you make your living from your land, a 10% loss of available crop ground is massively impactful. We use those buffers for pollinators, wildlife habit and hay for our horses.

We love the inspection process – the questions engage the inspector and farmer to take a thorough look at all the good, as well as how to improve, in both the short and long term. The focus on the positive impact we must have on our immediate and extended environment is so refreshing!

Inspections are something we look forward to every year, knowing we’ll meet a new set of inspectors who’ll come with fresh eyes, understanding our hard work and sharing their own experiences and suggestions for our next year of this farming adventure!

CNG’s peer-reviewed inspections seek to drive producers to surpass the current expectations, for the sake of food safety and transparency, as the goal is to provide a healthy, happy, sustainable food system.