Lisa Hill

It was in January this year when the local small farmer Michael Torbett of Terra Vita Farm reached out to me with the request to become “Certified Naturally Grown.” I had never heard of this certification or organization, so set about to do my homework. Know your farmer, know your food; I am an advocate of any certification tailored for small-scale, direct-market farmers using natural methods for production.

There are often claims attached to food products. How do consumers know which ones are valid and which ones are “greenwashing,” claims that do not mean anything but are meant to appeal to consumers? Voluntary, independent third-party certification allows producers to address these consumer concerns.

NC State University Farm School says “benefits to become certified include validation and more universal recognition of a farmer’s efforts, and authentication of claims. A certification label may be used as a marketing strategy to appeal to a certain market segment; products may also claim a higher price. Some farmers may choose to get their products certified to publicly share their values. The market segment to which most certifications will appeal is focused on health and fitness, the environment, personal development, sustainable living, and social justice. This market segment represents about 1 in 4 Americans and has been growing steadily.

Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) is a nonprofit organization offering certification for farmers and beekeepers using natural methods, very similar to the methods required for organic certification. A less expensive alternative to USDA Organic certification, it requires a farm operation to use practices like USDA organic plus some additional features. The program includes an online application process, farm inspections by peer farmers, random pesticide residue testing, an annual membership fee and some record keeping. (https://www.cngfarming.org/)

CNG encourages weed, pest, and disease management practices that are: 1) preventative, such as cultural practices, variety selection, companion planting, crop rotation, and sanitation 2) mechanical and physical practices, such exclusion, mulching, flaming, pruning, hand removal, lures and traps, and 3) biological, botanical, or mineral, such as bacteria that target pest insects, some botanical extracts and protective clays, among others. Inputs containing synthetic materials are not allowed unless a specific variance is granted.

Soil practices encouraged include crop-rotation, rest/fallow periods, annual or perennial cover crops, use of compost, minimize bare soil, maintain surface plant residue, contour plowing, permanent bed system (no till), and tillage practices designed to reduce compaction.

The program also encourages the farmer to set goals in several areas. For soil, preventing erosion and runoff, building organic matter, cover cropping, reducing compaction. For water, practices focus on efficient use, rainwater capture, run-off prevention, and protecting wetlands and waterways. All inputs are to be used efficiently, with reduced use of products after preventative practices are implemented. The goal of biodiversity for a farm should include protecting and providing habitat for wildlife, buffering wild areas, and supporting biological cycles with habitat for pollinators and beneficial insects. Energy goals promote efficiency and renewable sources. The waste mantra is reduce, reuse and recycle. Since a CNG farm is a business, the goal of economic viability is to maintain and improve the bottom line and pay yourself and staff fair wages. And lastly, the program encourages the goal of engaging the community to educate the public and increase food access for all.

I was honored to conduct the “Certified Naturally Grown” inspection for Michael’s operation in Castle Hayne in February. Terra Vita passed with flying colors, and I can attest to his commitment to the protection of the air, soils, waters, and biodiversity of the surrounding land. You can find Terra Vita products each Saturday morning at the Wilmington Farmers Market at Tidal Creek. 

Lloyd Singleton serves as the director for NC Cooperative Extension, New Hanover County center at the Arboretum. The grounds are free to visitors and open daily from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Lloyd can be reached at 910-798-7660 or lsingleton@nhcgov.com.

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Farming started as more of a passion project for SolFed Farm owner Liz Strohmayer.

“We started with a few raised beds which quickly turned into a lot. It was ideally, it was supposed to be our way of being more self sustainable, and living a more self sustainable lifestyle,” Strohmayer said.

But then Strohmayer decided to share that with the local community, giving them a place for more locally sustainable produce.

“We’re planning on about 45 different crops, 45 different types of fruits and vegetables. We care a lot about the environment and the environmental impact that with what our farm does or doesn’t do for the environment. so we really focus on soil health,” Strohmayer said.

Which led to SolFed Farm recently being recognized as Certified Naturally Grown by a grassroots organization made up of farming peers.

“It’s a way for small farms to be able to stand out amongst all of the medium and large farmers that have maybe the funding backing them to be able to do it or even the labor,” Strohmayer said.

SolFed Farm is the only farm in Minnesota to receive this distinction.

“I think it’s a huge honor but I also really want other farmers that are following some of the practices to be able to get their own certification as well,” Strohmayer added.

Now Strohmayer is looking forward to a busy summer with produce being ready by mid-June, while sharing her passion with anyone who stops by SolFed Farm.

“July is usually my favorite part because that’s when everything’s in the ground, everything is planted and things are looking beautiful. It’s amazing to be able to come out and pick what we’re going to eat for dinner, and go back in the house. I grew up with a garden when I was a kid and that helped me learn the work ethic that I have now. And it’s extremely rewarding to be able to say that our meal tonight came from the land that we own,” Strohmayer said.

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It All Starts with Certification…

In 2002 – twelve years after the establishment of the National Organic Program (NOP) – the new laws regulating the organic industry took effect. The program has turned out to be very effective for medium and large-sized growers who can afford the fees and have a large enough staff to handle the paperwork requirements. But, for the smaller grower the costs associated with the Program are simply too expensive. By law, the NOP is clear that only farmers certified by its program may use the Certified Organic label to signify they’ve met the required standards. So, even if you’re growing or producing food that uses strictly organic practices, but you’re not certified, you do not have the advantage of being able to promote or label your products as organic.

So… What IS Certified Naturally Grown?

Fortunately, the same year the new Organic Standards took effect, a grassroots alternative to Certified Organic was founded by farmers Kate and Ron Khosla. It became known as Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) and is easier to administer and a less expensive alternative to the USDA’s National Organic Program. CNG operates in the U.S. and Canada and is primarily used by small-scale farmers who typically sell directly in their local communities.

What Does that Mean for us?

At Mother Earth Food, we work with the CNG label as many of our food producing partners are smaller scale operations and this certification is more appropriate for their size. But don’t think that because it’s not officially labeled as certified organic, that you’re getting products that are of a lesser quality then certified organic. That’s not the case!  The only difference between certified organic and certified natural is the cost and paperwork requirements. The standards employed by both certifications are the same (as a matter of fact, the CNG Standards and growing requirements are based on the USDA National Organic Program rules) – no synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, added hormones, or genetically modified organisms.

While the USDA’s organic program is reviewed by third party certifiers, CNG is peer-reviewed. To ensure that farmers are following their standards, CNG utilizes what is called a “participatory guarantee system” model in which inspections are carried out by other farmers. All CNG records are openly available online. Growers must clearly state their growing practices and sign a statement that they are abiding by all the CNG regulations (which are essentially the same as certified organic). The biggest difference in organic certification versus CNG certification (besides cost and paperwork) is that the auditors are other farmers who are allowed to offer advice as they walk the fields, talk to the grower, and evaluate the farm. USDA certifiers, on the other hand, are not allowed to offer any suggestions during an audit. To avoid any conflict of interest, you are not allowed to audit the farmer who audited you.  Additionally, every year, CNG randomly selects farms for pesticide residue testing, at no cost to the farmer.

CNG is a true alternative to the USDA’s Organic Certification Program, which typically costs thousands of dollars as opposed to the $200 to become Certified Naturally Grown. When you see the CNG label, please know that Mother Earth Food will always source food at the highest level, and we support all local efforts that encourage and enhance our smaller community farmers and food artisans as they seek to produce the safest food, both for the health and well-being of our land and for our local citizens.

Read the original article on Mother Earth Food: https://motherearthfood.com/certified-naturally-grown/