Bugle Boy Farm Produce & Flowers Application

Application Date:

City: Summerfield, NC

Please briefly tell us why you are applying to be part of the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program:
We have been growing gourmet garlic naturally for the past two years and feel a CNG certification will help us as we are starting to ship nationwide this year.

Are you currently third-party-certified for your produce operation by any other organization (Organic, Biodynamic, etc.)?
No
If yes, please note which certification and agency:

Have you held any certification/s in the past that you don't currently hold?  No
Note which agencies and dates:

Have you ever been denied certification? No
If yes, please note which agencies, and reasons for denial:

How long have you been growing and selling your products?
This will be our third season.
How did you learn to farm? What has prepared you to farm successfully according to CNG standards?
Self taught during pandemic.
Total number of acres you want listed as CNG: 6
Do you have other acreage in "Conventional" Agricultural Systems? No
How many acres are in conventional agriculture?
List what you are growing conventionally and explain why these crops are excluded from certification.

General Listed Acreage Breakdown

Of the acreage that you want listed as CNG, list the number of acres you have in each crop category.

Vegetables: 5
Fruit: 1
Cut Flowers:
Hay:
Grains:
Dry Beans:
Sugarbush:
Other Acreage:

Specify other items:

Specify other primary crop:
Specify any other items you'd like listed as CNG: Gourmet Garlic and Blueberries
List any crops you grow that will not be listed as CNG, and explain why you’re not seeking to certify them.
Only grow gourmet garlic and blueberries for market.

Specify other markets:

Farmland Management & Practices

Describe how you prepare your ground for planting.
We till grass in early spring and apply one round gypsum and lime before that is done. We then plant buckwheat (green manure) and usually do up to three rounds per field per year with a few more applications of gypsum to break down the clay. In early fall we plant mustard and then till this in about 6-7 weeks before we plant garlic seed. We spray 4-5 rounds of foliar fish emulsion on crop during the spring. For blueberries we apply new pine chips every couple of years and do one a few rounds of fish emulsion early over the spring. We continue this cycle for two other fields and for all fields we plant winter rye to prevent erosion.
Do you use Cover Crops? Yes
List the cover crop species you use:
Buckwheat, Mustard, Winter rye, Kentucky 32
Do you use Compost? No

Describe your on-farm composting process.

Describe how you verify with your supplier that their compost is properly composted and does not contain prohibited ingredients like biosolids.
Describe your "other" source of compost.
List your compost application rates. Give a specific amount or range.
Do you use Manure? Yes
List your general manure sources: We raise a few cows every year and also have chickens and horses in fields. We do not have livestock in field for entire year before planting garlic in specified field.
Please list application rates. Give a specific amount or range. 1 ton per acre with cows being in field for about 3-4 months in each field per year. We spread with atv and drag Harrow.
What time of year do you apply the manure? Applied naturally when cattle are in pasture.
Do you apply any manure within 120 days of edible crop harvesting? No
Please list any other brought in fertility sources that you use (rock powders, lime, alfalfa meal, fertilizer mixes, etc.) For each product, list the full name, manufacturer, and OMRI status. GS Plant Food Fish and Kelp blend Allowed Categories NOP: Fish Products, Multi-ingredient Date Listed 9-Jul-2019 Product code efp-12634 Use Class Crop Fertilizers and Soil Amendments Expiration 1-Sep-2024 Soil Doctor Gypsum RULING BODY: NOP STATUS: Allowed PRODUCT CODE: olg-6589 USE CLASS: Crop Fertilizers and Soil Amendments CATEGORIES: Gypsum, mined source COMPANY: Oldcastle Lawn & Garden, Inc. DATE LISTED: 11-Apr-2016 EXPIRATION: 1-Jun-2024 Soil Doctor™ Pelletized Lawn Lime OMRI Listed®
How do you decide which inputs (fertilizers, pest/disease control products, etc.) to use on your farm? How will you determine if an input is allowed for use in CNG production? I make sure that all of my inputs are natural and OMRI certified.
Have any chemical fertilizers been applied to the fields you are seeking Certification for in the last three years (36 months)? No
According to CNG guidelines, it is acceptable to apply OMRI-listed, chelated synthetic fertilizers to correct specific micronutrient imbalances only if micronutrient deficiency is documented in a recent soil or tissue test. Does the application of this fertilizer meet those requirements?
Specify types, amounts and application dates:
Have any non-acceptable pesticides and/or herbicides been applied to these fields in the last three years?No
If yes, then please specify type and most recent application date:
Do you use Professional Soil Testing services? Yes
In detail, describe your primary weed problems AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual weed challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used.
Pigweed. I let it grow and till before seeds form.
In detail, describe your primary insect challenges AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual pest challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used.
Onion maggots. I make sure to plant garlic later (early December) and keep fields barren for at least 6 weeks before planting. I haven’t had any issues with blueberries.
In detail, describe your primary disease challenges AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual disease challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used.
Nematodes are the biggest threat to garlic so I make sure to test for bad nematodes every year and make sure to keep a three year crop rotation in between planting.
Please list any weed, pest, or disease products that you use (insecticidal soap, horticultural vinegar, copper, etc.). For each product, list the full name, manufacturer, and OMRI status. I do not use any insecticidal soap.
Please list the water source you use for crop irrigation. If source is public river, pond or lake, please note the name: Rain, and private farm well.
Are there any known contaminants in the irrigation water? No
If yes, please explain:

Microgreens & Sprouts

Please fill this out for your indoor operation only.

Provide a brief description of your operation. (square footage? in a greenhouse or other indoor setting? etc.)

Are any of your crops sprouted and/or grown without soil or substrate? Use the link below to view our guidance on sprouts vs. microgreens.
For sprouts, we require that all seeds are organic or CNG. If you grow or decide to grow sprouts, will you purchase only organic and/or CNG seed for your sprout crop?
What media are you using to grow your microgreens and/or sprouts? 

If you purchase potting mix or soilless media, list the product name, manufacturer, and OMRI status. If you make your own, list the ingredients.

Describe the mats or other substrate you are using. Provide product names.

What type of trays are you using in your operation?
What is your general irrigation set-up? Does water recirculate? What is the source of the water?

Although pests and disease are certainly less common for microgreens operations, there are still issues such as fungal gnats and damping off. What measures do you use to prevent pest and disease pressures?

How do you dispose of spent soil? Do you compost?

Is your operation fully indoors?
Are you growing any crops outside in the soil?

Maple

Are you a maple producer who seeks to certify your sugarbush?
Maple sap is considered a wild crop. CNG's Wild Crop Harvesting Standard states that wild crop must be harvested in a manner that ensures that such harvesting or gathering will not be destructive to the environment and will sustain the growth and production of the wild crop. Please briefly describe any steps you take to protect and ensure the sustainability of your sugarbush.

Do you use an organic de-foamer? custom_field:pf_dump_nearby$$
Over-tapping trees can stunt their growth. Do you (or will you) adhere to the Cornell Sugar Maple Research & Extension Program guidelines which state "trees 10-17 inches in diameter (31-53 inch circumference) should have no more than one tap. A tree 18-24 inches in diameter (57-75 inch circumference) should have no more than two taps. A tree larger than 25 inches in diameter (79-inch circumference) should have no more than three taps."
To maximize tree health and sap production, CNG supports Cornell's recommendation that all taps are 5/16" in diameter or smaller. Is this your practice, and if not, would you be willing to transition to 5/16" (or smaller) taps within the next three years? Please elaborate.

Seeds & Transplants

CNG certification requires the use of certified organic or CNG seeds whenever available. Please indicate the suppliers from which you source (or will source) your seeds. The CNG seed standard also applies to sweet potato slips, seed potatoes, day-neutral strawberry slips, and flower bulbs, corms, and tubers.
Filaree Farm is my source of garlic seed. It’s certified organic and non-gmo.
Please indicate, by typing your initials, that you will as a general rule purchase organically grown seeds, AND that you will only purchase conventional seed when the variety you wish to grow is not available in certified organic or CNG form. For each variety purchased in conventional form, you will identify (and keep records of) at least three commercial organic seed suppliers who do not carry that variety. CJH
Do you purchase or grow using any Genetically Modified seeds? No
Do you use any chemically treated seeds in your operation? No
If yes, please list types:
Please note reason for purchasing treated seed:

Do you grow your own transplants? No
Do you purchase potting soil, or do you mix your own on the farm? 
What ingredients does your potting mix contain? If you purchase a mix, please also indicate which product.

Are all of your transplants grown according to CNG standards, without synthetic fertilizers or wetting agents? 
If any transplants are not grown according to CNG standards, please list them here. These products may not be marketed as CNG.

Do you source any transplants from off your farm? No
From which suppliers do you source transplants?

How have you confirmed with your supplier that the transplants are grown without synthetic fertilizers or wetting agents?
Please list any bought-in transplants not grown according to CNG standards. This produce may not be sold as Certified Naturally Grown (except, in the case of perennials, after twelve months of CNG cultivation).

Chemical/Spray Drift and Buffers:

Is there any likelihood of Chemical/Spray drift contamination of your fields? No
If yes, please state the source (conventional farm field, golf course, neighbor's lawn, etc.) and any details you can provide (type of pesticide, fertilizer, herbicide used and/or what used for).

Do you have an adequate buffer to protect yourself from potential contamination? Yes
Please refer to the CNG Buffer FAQ below and explain why your buffers are not adequate.
Please describe your buffer. Be as specific as possible and include buffer widths. On all sides, how far is it from your crops to the next closest use (road, conventional crop, residential yard)? Be sure to specify what is grown on neighboring land that is in agricultural use. For example: To the north and east, a wooded area of at least 100 yards separates us from the neighbor's corn fields, to the south is a fallow field at least 100 yards deep separating us from the road, and to the west about 60 feet separates our crops from a field where conventional corn and soybeans are grown.
28 feet east of the field is a neighborhood home backyard that is separated by our farm fence. 64 feet to the south of field is Wyatt Drive, a neighborhood road. 30-66ft west is our driveway and beyond that is our field where we keep horses. To the north of field is a gravel road on our farm and to the north of that is a field we use for garlic rotation. We are not interested in certifying our livestock.

Agreements