Compost tea is a common input on CNG farms, but a few considerations should be made when brewing and applying. If the tea is made with finished compost and/or vermicompost and contains no additives, it can be applied without restriction.…
Rooting hormones are not allowed in CNG production. These hormones are synthetically derived and are not in line with the National Organic Program either. CNG farmers need to stay away from rooting hormones and compounds unless they are OMRI-listed. There are…
CNG requires that producers use organically grown seeds whenever available. (This applies to all seeds used in the CNG operation including cover crop and pasture seed). The standards grant exceptions for conventionally grown seeds to be used in some cases…
Synthetic micronutrients may only be used for fertility, they must be OMRI-listed, and there must be a documented deficiency in the form of a soil or tissue test. Remember to ask: Is this micronutrient… …being applied for crop/soil fertility? …OMRI-listed?…
CNG does not require that compost be OMRI-listed, we just ask farmers to verify with their supplier that the compost is: --properly composted (i.e. they are monitoring the C:N ratio, temperatures, and turning schedule) --not made from biosolids --free from…
Like our compost standards, CNG's manure requirements are based on National Organic Program, EPA, and FDA guidelines for food safety. For applications of manure, we require the following intervals between manure application and crop harvest: --120 day interval for crops in which…
CNG's compost standards are based on National Organic Program, EPA, and FDA guidelines for food safety. If a farmer wants to apply farm-produced compost that includes manure, they'll need to monitor the initial C:N ratio, take temperature readings, and turn the pile…
CNG requires that growers have one year of experience producing and selling their products before applying for certification. We look for practices to be tried and tested to ensure that growing methods are successful and sustainable. Let us know that you're interested in certification; we'd…
In order to determine if an input is allowed for use in your CNG operation, go through the following steps. Is the product OMRI-listed? If yes, you're good to go! (Note that we do not allow rotenone or synthetic hydroponic…
Generally, CNG producers must use seed that is organically grown, whether CNG, Certified Organic, or uncertified whenever they are available. But, if a producer is unable to find the variety they need in organically grown form after checking with at least…