Why is this program necessary? Why can't farmers growing without chemicals just call themselves "Organic" like they have for decades?

Congress declared that after October 21, 2002, any farmer selling over $5,000 worth of produce may NOT refer to their produce or growing methods as "Organic" unless they have been certified by a USDA accredited certification agency. Failure to comply with this order is punishable with fines up to $10,000 per violation per day. [NOP Final Rule: 205.100]

While the newly created certification process is affordable and pleasing to larger farming operations, especially those that specialize in growing only a few varieties of vegetable, it's not such a good fit for the thousands of small, diversified family farms using natural methods and growing many different varieties of crops (a necessary and recommended practice for disease and insect control).

Diverse crops mean significant record-keeping burdens, as each crop requires a paper-trail from purchase of seed to sale of every pound of produce. Extensive paperwork, plus high certification fees, make it unlikely if not impossible for many small farms to become certified organic. Some of the nation's best organic farmers are ironically no longer able to call themselves "organic" anymore!

Certified Naturally Grown provides these small, local growers with an alternative label and certification system that consumers can quickly come to trust and understand.

After I go through your certification process can I use the word organic to describe my farming operation and products?

Only if you also go through the organic certification process or if your sales fall below the $5,000 threshold. Certification through our program gives you permission to use the CNG name and logo. Certified Naturally Grown has no affiliation with the USDA's National Organic Program. (About 10 percent of Certified Naturally Grown farms are also certified organic.)  Certified Naturally Grown is a private, 501(c)6 non-profit organization incorporated in New York State.

Does this mean I shouldn't trust Certified Organic food anymore?

Certified Naturally Grown wasn't created to discourage people from buying USDA Organic produce, rather, it was created to ENCOURAGE people to purchase from the small diversified farmers that make up their local landscape.

We don't mean to discredit the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). Some very worthy organic farms participate in the NOP. But it is really designed to serve larger farming operations. Most organic food you buy in a grocery store is produced by corporations that are more interested in earning profits than producing safe, sustainably grown food for their local community. The biggest organic food companies are now owned by Dole, Kraft, General Mills, Unilever and even Coca Cola!

This can be seen as either encouraging or depressing, depending on how you want to look at it. There are still many wonderful Certified Organic farmers out there, and thousands of acres of agricultural land have been taken out of conventional production thanks to the creation of the NOP. But buying decisions should be made based on more than certification status. Know your farmers and how they produce the food you're eating.

As a consumer, how do I know I can trust that a farm that claims to be Certified Naturally Grown actually grows using ecologically sensitive methods, free of chemicals and GMOs?

Every aspect of the Certified Naturally Grown certification process is transparently open for the public to see and investigate - you will find every farmer's complete certification application on-line. Public access to scanned copies of Inspection Reports goes even further to ensure consumer confidence in this grassroots movement. Even the USDA program doesn't allow for this kind of public scrutiny.

The truth is, though, that farming is a solitary profession and no one can ever really know what may or may not be happening on an isolated farm at 5AM on a Sunday morning. No amount of paperwork can catch the farmer who WANTS to cheat. CNG farmers agree to submit to random tissue sampling and laboratory testing for pesticide residues in their produce. The cost for such testing is paid for by CNG, not the farmer. Although not every farmer is tested every year, the possibility of testing is an additional deterrent and helps to maintain the legitimacy of the Certified Naturally Grown program.

The best way to ensure the food you eat is grown the way you want is to shop locally from farmers you can see, meet and feel comfortable with.

What do you do when you get a report of someone "cheating?"

A member of the Farmers Advisory Board verbally contacts the farmer and their original inspector(s). Generally, a second inspection with a new farm-inspector is required and the Farmers Advisory Board votes on whether or not to remove the farmer from the program, which basically means rescinding the license to use the Certified Naturally Grown trademark and de-listing them from the website.

Who runs Certified Naturally Grown?

The program is administered by an executive director and a Farmers Advisory Committee made up of natural, sustainable farmers from around the country. FAC members have extensive experience in natural, sustainable agriculture and some have considerable experience administering or serving on the boards of other Certification agencies. Many CNG farmers besides those on the Farmers Advisory Committee are regularly involved in program administration and are key parts of the CNG operation

I'm a farmer and this all sounds pretty good to me. How do I get started?

Review the Program Requirements and Certification Standards, then submit an online application today. You can expect to hear back from us within four weeks, often sooner, depending on the season.

How much does it cost to be a Certified Naturally Grown farmer?

Participating farmers and beekeepers are required to support CNG financially. We strongly encourage contributions of $50 - $175 but leave it up to each member to determine the exact amount.