The Certified Naturally Grown Livestock Standards are based on the National Organic Program standards with a few significant modifications, as noted below. 

We clarified and strengthened the standards for living conditions and access to pasture. The organic rules were worded in such a way that agribusiness growers got away with their animals never actually going outside. If your animals are primarily pasture raised, then we'd love to hear from you. 

Another difference is in feed requirements.  The feed must be grown according to CNG standards - without synthetic fertililzers, pesticides, herbicides or GMO seeds - but it does not have to be certified. When you can find a local source that's growing according to these standards and will affirm their practices in a signed declaration, we think you should have the option to use that local source. 

Livestock Standards      Allowed and Prohibited Substances

Feed Declaration           Feed Suppliers 

Inspection Forms          Certification Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I certify some but not all the livestock on my farm? Yes, just be clear on your application about which animals you're wanting to get certified, and which will be excluded from certification. You will need to submit a feed declaration for each type of livestock for which you seek certification, and for each of your feed suppliers. 

Will my non-GMO feed meet CNG requirements? It is not sufficient for the feed to be non-GMO. That's important, but the feed ALSO must be grown without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides. If your feed is marketed as non-GMO, but not certified organic, then it very likely is grown with synthetic inputs.

How can I tell if my feed qualifies? If your feed is certified organic, then it meets CNG standards. If your livestock are pasture-raised and don't receive supplemental feed then you're probably good to go, so long as you don't add synthetic fertilizers to your own fields! If you buy from a local supplier, we recommend you show them the CNG Feed Declaration (required of all CNG livestock producers) and see if they can affirm those requirements are met. If you are having difficulty locating feed that meets CNG standards, you might get some leads from this preliminary list of feed suppliers.

Click here for more FAQs on our livestock certification program. 

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