By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

One of the main reasons farmers join Certified Naturally Grown is to highlight a commitment to producing food for the local community without synthetic chemicals or GMOs.

And one of the main ways we help them do that is by giving each CNG producer a free profile on our website!

Once farmers get certified, they instantly gain a profile on our searchable map!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

There's a very strong chance that you have at least one book from Chelsea Green Publishing on your shelf. There's an even better chance that that book or those books are dog-eared, underlined, collaged with sticky notes, and all but falling apart after years of reference and careful study.

The 100% employee-owned company has long produced essential books on ecological agriculture, publishing for both the practice and the politics of sustainability since its founding in 1984. From Eliot Coleman's classics to Leah Penniman's guide from her Certified Naturally Grown farm, Chelsea Green has made a big impact on CNG farmers and the public alike.

This publisher's books are deeply practical, and always put forth with the goal of cultural change.

We are truly thrilled to welcome this pioneering company to the CNG Business Ally community.

To learn more about the rich history and mission of this Vermont-based organization, you won't want to miss our interview with Marketing Director Sean Maher!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Kevin Prather of SCG Market Garden inspects Urban Roots Farm in Springfield, MO

We are thrilled to announce the first nine CNG inspections conducted with Community Observers!

Community Observers are those who participate in the CNG certification process by witnessing a farm's annual inspection. Just about anyone can serve as a Community Observer! From farmers market managers to school crossing guards, postmasters to pitmasters: if they want to have a healthier and more resilient local food system, they're a good candidate.

Community Observers all over the country are starting to join the CNG movement, connecting on a deeper level to their local food system and those who help it thrive.

Farmers are benefiting by developing stronger ties with local community members, while some gain flexibility around our "No repeat inspectors" rule.

Read on to hear from the pioneering cohort of growers welcoming Community Observers to their Certified Naturally Grown farms!

This fall we're calling on farmers markets and grocers to Level Up and get a higher ranking in our three-tier Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs).

Tier 1 market managers are encouraged to raise the bar for growing practices at your market and take steps to prefer vendors who hold a certification. You'll boost customer confidence when you encourage vendors to get certified and verify their claims about production practices.

Your market will get a boost too, by receiving a visibly higher ranking in our Guide to Exceptional Markets and all the standard perks awarded to Tier 2 markets:

• free banner design,
• free press release,
• free temporary tattoos of the Exceptional Market badge, and
• priority assistance involving your community stakeholders in CNG farm inspections as Observers.

Take the first step to level up and register here today. 

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

The full Farm2Door team

You've got to love a Business Ally that uses the words "farm" and "farmers" as proper nouns.

Barn2Door provides farmers with the marketing tools they need to succeed in today's online world. By creating e-commerce and mobile apps that prioritize farmers' unique needs, local chefs and consumers have increased access to food grown right in their communities.

We are so pleased to welcome this hardworking team into the CNG Business Ally community! Read on to see why see why farms become Farms in Barn2Door's book.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

We're announcing two new options based on feedback from our members. Some farmers and beekeepers have reported that they'd prefer to pay CNG dues during the growing season when there's more cash flow - not in February. And others suggested we streamline the annual requirement that members submit a signed Declaration.

We heard your requests, and we're taking action. First, we are offering a Fall Renewal option. Plus, the Declaration you sign annually can now be completed online. 

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

We're so proud to announce that we just sent out the third edition of our print newsletter, Growing Above and Beyond. We feel this issue is our best yet! It's chock-full of inspirational stories about the ecologically-focused farmers all around the country making a difference in their communities. 

We're trying to make 20 new friends by October 20. Can you pitch in? When you do, you'll receive a crisp copy of this issue ASAP!
Read on for a sneak peek of the articles...

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Seared cobia over indigo grits topped with lady pea salad finished with red pepper coulis at Georgia Sea Grill

We're proud to welcome Georgia Sea Grill as Certified Naturally Grown's very first restaurant Business Ally!

The establishment has been a pillar of Saint Simons Island since 1997, and in recent years the restaurant has honed in on sourcing ingredients as locally as possible. In fact, they even own a farm that has been Certified Naturally Grown since March of this year! Their Potlikker Farm on Blythe Island grows Southern staples like North Georgia Candy Roaster Squash, red peas, and peaches as well as tropical crops like bitter melon, dragonfruit, and turmeric.

Farmer Samuel McPherson, Chef Timothy Lensch, and owner Zack Gowen at Potlikker Farm

We are thrilled to welcome them into the CNG Business Ally community, and wish we could take a field trip to Saint Simons to savor some stunningly-plated CNG ingredients!

Read on to learn more about Georgia Sea Grille from owner Zack Gowen to explore the restaurant's history and mission.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Crescent City Farmers Market, New Orleans, Louisiana

Farmers markets are a feast for the senses, and so much more. They stimulate local economies, preserve farmland, promote rural resilience, and increase fresh food access. And members of our Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs) take it one step further by recognizing and preferring farms that verify their ecological practices.

We would be delighted to add your neighborhood market to our roster. The perks are plenty! Just click the button below, and #PitchYourMarket.

Learn more about markets across the country that recognize and prefer CNG in our Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs).