Mushroom Certification

Mushrooms are not grown in soil and behave differently than plants. Separate standards were needed to provide more meaningful guidance for production of this distinct type of crop.

You’ll want to be very careful about your choice of substrate; it can’t include byproducts of genetically engineered agricultural crops (like most cottonseed hulls and soy meal). You’ll need to have a clean water source, too. Review the standards to see if they’re a good fit with your practices, and get in touch if you have any questions. 

Yes! We launched our aquaponic and mushroom certification programs in 2016. Be sure to review the standards and register for updates on our Mushroom and Aquaponics pages.

In order to determine if an input is allowed for use in your CNG operation, go through the following steps.

1. Is the product OMRI-listed?
   • If yes, you’re good to go! (Note that we do not allow rotenone or synthetic hydroponic fertilizer solutions, even though they are OMRI-listed).
   • If no, move onto the next step.
2. Obtain the ingredient list and check that each ingredient is OMRI-listed and/or on the CNG Allowed & Prohibited Substances list. 
3. .If each ingredient is listed, you’re all good!
   • If one or more of the ingredients is not listed or on the prohibited list the product is not allowed.

You can always reach out to the CNG certification specialist if you need help: certification@naturallygrown.org

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 love to help support you in your first year of production! Email certifications@naturallygrown.org