Certified Naturally Grown

It can be confusing when you are grocery shopping for your family and you see foods labeled organic, conventional, sustainable,  non-GMO, bio-dynamic, free range, etc..... It can be daunting to understand, but as consumers we are concerned about what we eat, and we want to know more about the farming practices of the farm growing our next meal.

 The label, Certified Organic, is one we may be familiar with and one we have come to trust as the gold standard for fruit, vegetable, and animal growing practices, but what many consumers may not realize is how expensive and time intensive it is to become Certified Organic. It is often these challenges rather than the organic practices that keep small farmers from achieving this standard.

 As an alternative to Certified Organic, a grassroots group called Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) was formed in 2002. It is a certification program specifically for small-scale farmers to inform and reassure their customers.  CNG members apply to the program by first  providing detailed information regarding their farming practices. Then, a fellow farmer completes an on-site inspection of the farm. This thorough evaluation is reviewed, and if accepted, is  posted onto the CNG website making it available for public viewing.  It is a rigorous process, but attainable by farms willing to put effort  into the paperwork and open their farms for inspection.

We are happy to let you know we recently received notification that Rising Fawn Gardens is officially a registered and active member in the Certified Naturally Grown program. You can visit our CNG Profile here.

So what does the CNG  label mean to you?

• It lets you know that there have been no synthetic chemical insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, or GMO seeds
• It means we protect the soil, water, and air with crop rotation, cover crops and buffer strips
• Raise free range livestock on open pasture
• Never use hormones or routine antibiotics on livestock
• Maintain open records of farming practices

For now, our farm is certified for produce and apiary assuring you of the quality farming and beekeeping practices we use. Each year we find our farm evolving, and taking this step to become Certified Naturally Grown is one we are proud to have taken. It gives us a standard to follow and a group of peer farmers to join in doing our part not only to grow the healthiest and most nutritious food, but to also take the best care of this beautiful piece of earth we are blessed to steward.

Most importantly, we are so glad to be growing food for you!