We are working to bring together farmer and rancher voices on climate issues. As federal leaders discuss how to address greater weather extremes, agriculture needs to be part of the conversation. We urge you to join farmers from around the country as we call on members of Congress and USDA leaders support farmers and ranchers in addressing a changing climate.

"We the undersigned farmers and ranchers, write to express our deep concerns about climate change impacts on agriculture in the United States and to call for solutions that invest in our rural and agricultural communities."

Please take a moment to sign on here. 

Certified Naturally Grown is a proud member of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), which will use this letter in meetings with members of Congress, USDA program leaders, and other key decision-makers to urge effective policy action to combat climate change, and especially to help farmers and ranchers weather the storm and lead the way towards a more sustainable future.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Farming doesn't have to break your back, especially with the wonderful world of tools available in 2020.

Easy Digging Garden Tools offers a vast array of tough-working tools to help you get the job done, while supporting your health the whole way through. They are also a Business Ally of Certified Naturally Grown!

We interviewed Greg to learn more about his philosophies for tools, and how he supports direct-market farmers every day. Welcome to the CNG Business Allies community, Easy Digging Garden Tools!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

A beautiful day for a BCS at Dailey's Farm & Walk-Behind Tractors

Dailey's Farm & Walk-Behind Tractors is a Business Ally of Certified Naturally Grown that also happens to be the the second largest two-wheel tractor dealer in USA!

The Tennessee company offers lifetime support for the vast inventory they sell, plus deeply discounted everyday pricing. If you're local, you're also welcome to swing by the farm to try the equipment before you buy.

We spoke with Founder Richard Dailey to learn the story behind his work, and how he supports direct-market farmers every day. Welcome to the CNG Business Allies community, Dailey's Farm & Walk-Behind Tractors!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Kayla Clark, former apprentice with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), was all smiles on Oggún

You've likely heard of the tractor disrupting the industry: it's called "Oggún."

CleBer's Oggún Iron Horse tractor is an open-source, modern replica of the Allis G that's revolutionizing farming around the globe. The company is also a Business Ally of Certified Naturally Grown!

This modern cousin of the Allis Chalmers Model G incorporates new features such as hydrostatic transmission, 3-point hitch, zero-turn radius, and an optional PTO. It's great for bed preparation, mowing, transplanting, and cultivating.

The tractor is designed specifically for small-scale, direct-market farms. It can be built with off-the-shelf parts that can be purchased from multiple vendors. The tractor's Open System Manufacturing (OSM) model means the CleBer/Oggún gives the design and parts lists to all customers. The simple technology means that a mechanic with a basic understanding of tractor service can execute repairs.

We spoke with Founder Horace Clemmons to learn the story behind this innovative tractor, and what's ahead for the game-changing company. Welcome to the CNG Business Allies community, CleBer/Oggún!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

We're proud to share a brand new perk of the Certified Naturally Grown membership!

CNG farms can now post an unlimited number of jobs for free on Good Food Jobs.

With a unique-to-CNG offer code, CNG members will save at least $60 when posting on GFJ.

This special code is valid through February 16, 2021, but it's only available to CNG members.

If you're already certified and want to take advantage of this offer, drop a note to info@naturallygrown.org to get the secret code.

Note: if you're not ready to hire staff for your farm, Good Food Jobs also offers listings for:

- Internships/apprenticeships

- Summer jobs

- Educational opportunities

- Americorps

- Positions with non-monetary compensation, including college credit

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

We are overjoyed to announce that there are now over 100 markets listed in our Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs)!

In fact, the majority of states in the US now have markets listed in this highly selective roster!

We're proud to promote qualified GEMs markets around the country - including these five recently-added listings that helped us surpass 100:

GreenStar Cooperative in Ithaca, NY

Crossroads Farmers Market in Takoma Park, MD

Lake Saint Louis Farmers & Artists Market in Wentzville, MO

Memphis Farmers Market in Memphis, TN

Schenectady Greenmarket in Schenectady, NY

If you're new to the sparkling world of GEMs, let us introduce you: these are the farmers markets, coops, and independent grocers that have made a conscious effort to recognize and prefer the farmer vendors who verify their growing practices with a certification. In turn, Certified Naturally Grown qualifies, applauds, and rewards these markets that are building a better food system by encouraging ecological practices.

Find a listing of all the GEMs markets across the US and Canada here!

Our Guide has three tiers: Recognized, Preferred, and Required. Each tier offers exciting benefits for the markets that make the cut, including social media promotion, a free press release, a dedicated blog post, stacks of temporary tattoos, and more.

You're invited to check out the full benefits package. We're open and interested in other collaborations we can think up together!

Does your neighborhood market feature certified vendors?

If there's at least one CNG farmer, let us know!

We would be delighted if it qualifies, and will happily add it to our GEMs listing.

Farmers, you're especially invited to recommend your market for our GEMs guide! You'll be making sure your market gets as much promotion as possible with the help of the marketing perks that come with being listed in GEMs.

Just click the button below to #PitchYourMarket!

Upcoming GEMs Webinars

Want to learn more about our Guide to Exceptional Markets? Wondering if your market is a good fit?

Register for an upcoming GEMs webinar lead by CNG's Executive Director. The webinar will wrap up with a Q&A session.

Tuesday, February 11, 2020
1pm Eastern / noon Central / 10am Pacific
Click here to register

If this time don't work for you, register for future invitations here.

Top photo: Flowers from Whitton Farms at Memphis Farmers Market (L) and cabbage at Dodo Farms (top R) at Crossroads Farmers Market (bottom L) helped grow our GEMs guide to 100+ listings!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

We are so excited to share a fresh series of videos about the Certified Naturally Grown community!

With extraordinary editing and videography help from Steve Merkel of Vegetable Power Farm in Pennsylvania, along with a handful of other outstanding CNG producers, we've compiled videos of different lengths to share what Certified Naturally Grown is all about: peer-review certification, ecological practices, transparency, and advocacy.

They're a great resource to introduce your community to our grassroots group and share your pride to be a part of this participatory certification.

Can you help us share these clips throughout your network?

• Share the videos on Facebook to tell your community you're #CNGproud
  • Share the 8 minute video (our favorite!)
  • Share the 60 second video
  • Share the 30 second video
• Embed the videos on your website to introduce your customers and others to your certification
  • When watching on YouTube.com, click the SHARE button on the lower right side of the video screens then click Embed to copy and paste the code for your site. Email us if you have any questions about this process, as it's a bit high-tech (but very effective!). 
• Share the video links by email or text message with farmers who would be a good fit for the CNG community, or anyone else who's new to Certified Naturally Grown: your farmers market manager, your CSA members, your employees, your local faith leader, your mother-in-law, your barber...you get the idea!
  • 8 minute video link (again, it's our favorite!)
  • 60 second video link
  • 30 second video link
• Email us to receive the raw video files to share as Instagram posts

Endless thanks to the following producers who poured their time, energy, and enthusiasm into creating their community-sourced footage for these clips:
A Gardens Glory, FL
Bee Boys, HI
Caribe United Farm, GA
J and L Farm & Stables, GA
New Way Aquaponic Farms, TN
Tooth of the Lion Farm and Apothecary, PA
Valhalla Organics, OR
Vegetable Power Farm, PA

You can watch all of the videos after the jump.

Don't forget to share!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Jennie Love shows off her new Certified Naturally Grown Certificate

We are thrilled to welcome farmer-florist Jennie Love of Love 'n Fresh Flowers to the Certified Naturally Grown community! Love 'n Fresh Flowers is now the only full service florist offering 100% Certified Naturally Grown flowers.

For those uninitiated with this game changer, Jennie Love is known as a true leader and educator in the sustainable flower field. She is the President of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, as well as an instructor at the legendary Longwood Gardens. Jennie is renowned for her stunningly seasonal and often unconventional arrangements, as well as her thorough workshops for both the curious public and seasoned professionals.

Her teaching farm exists on five acres of preserved green space in Philadelphia, showcasing some of the city's best blooms and most innovative floral design - in an unexpected location. 

All of her groundbreaking work is dedicated to the health of the earth and her community. As Jennie puts it,

This Certificate speaks to our deeper commitment to growing in a truly sustainable manner, focused first on nurturing Nature and second on the production of crops. Turns out if you put Nature first, she helps you grow even better crops!

Jennie Love is building momentum toward a flower industry where passionate farmer-florists grow extraordinary blooms and thriving businesses without the use of synthetic chemicals, and with an unwavering commitment to seasonality for even the pickiest clients.

We are honored that Love 'n Fresh Flowers is now a dedicated member of the CNG community.

In fact, Jennie was so jazzed about gaining her certification that she published a blog on her website about what joining CNG means to her. In case you missed it during the holiday hubbub, we've decided share some highlights of the post with you below.

Do you know a flower farmer who would be a great fit for Certified Naturally Grown? Direct them to CNGfarming.org/flowers

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Sometimes, even the crops grown in the nourished soil of a Certified Naturally Grown farm need a boost.

Pacific Gro produces liquid fertilizer from fish, shrimp, and crab caught in, of course, the Pacific Ocean. Their bio-active fertilizer uses shrimp and crab shell in the fertilizer to increase yields. Plus, these shells are micronized in a liquid that will not clog fertigation emitters - an innovation unique to Pacific Gro.

We spoke with marketing director Warren Shoemaker to learn how the addition of shells can support soil health along with whole-farm health. Welcome to the CNG Business Allies community, Pacific Gro!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Hub City Farmers Market, Spartanburg, South Carolina

A highly selective group of farmers markets in this country have made a conscious effort to recognize and prefer the farmer vendors who verify their growing practices with a certification. Certified Naturally Grown is extending our work by actively recognizing and promoting these markets for their role in going the extra mile to help build a more sustainable food system by encouraging ecological practices.

Specifically, we vet these markets to confirm they qualify, and then feature them in our three-tiered Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs).

We're proud to promote qualified GEMs markets around the country - including these five newly-listed markets in Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Just click the button below to #PitchYourMarket!