Our first ever Gathering of the Farmers was a big success. We've been dying to show you the photos for weeks now, but it's been such a busy spring (we bet that's something you can identify with!), it's taken us a few weeks to get them online.

Here's a little taste of An Agricultural Revival, CNG-style!

(Photo by Diane Elsom)

The amazing work of Scott and Nicole Tyson at 180 Degree Farm grew out of a very personal hardship. Their son was diagnosed with cancer at just 4 years old.

They decided they wanted to grow healthy food not just for their family, but for their whole community. Since starting the farm in 2009, Scott and Nicole have developed a partnership with the nearby Cancer Centers of America, regularly distribute food to church groups and food banks, and educate people on the connection between health and the foods we eat.  

A beautiful family with a beautiful story!

Are you as ready for spring as we are? 

This winter we've been busy reviewing a wave of new applications, connecting with new and old friends at winter conferences, and organizing our first-ever regional event: A Gathering of the Farmers. Read on to get the skinny.

Here's to another rewarding year of growth and community-building together. As always, feel free to get in touch with your ideas and feedback. We love to hear from you! 

Chris Brittenburg and Aeros Lillstrom Brittenburg found their way to farming through a shared love of the outdoors and good food. They've come a long way since their first season - Who Cooks for You is now in its fifth year!

In that time, they've learned some important lessons, and are committed to staying open to the many more nature has to teach with each new season. We're grateful that they found time - in between the seeding, bed prep, and child-chasing - to answer some of our questions. 

A Gathering of the Farmers
An Agricultural Revival
March 8, 2014
Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

It’s a real treat to be with all of you today. I spend a lot of hours thinking about CNG’s work – how we can do more for our members and have a greater impact. Most of these hours I spend alone, or with one other person. And sometimes that gets old. But there also are those brilliant moments when I see that I’m really not alone. I get a note from someone who tells me how much they value being a part of CNG, or shares how much they learned when they had their annual farm inspection. 

In a manner of speaking, Jesse Mattern's interest in farming sprouted from the soil. Monique Blais' passion for farming was sparked through a passion for good food.

They met in the middle, and haven't looked back. Bit by bit, they've been building their farm dream in central Pennsylvania, and growing their family. Their 3-month old son is the newest addition to the farm team at Grassroots Family Farm!

The weather is a perpetual source of joy and heartbreak for farmers - there's nothing better than the rain watering in seeds for you, but there is nothing worse than late frost killing half of your precious tomato seedlings.

Farmers Ken and Patti Cook, and their son Jason, are no strangers to the trials and travails that the can weather bring. For the folks at Spreading Oaks Farm in Dallas, Georgia (just west of Atlanta), it's the incredible support of their customers that keeps them going in the face of the ice and snow and storms and blazing sun.

Certified Naturally Grown's Response to the “Only Organic” Campaign 

We applaud the overall spirit of the new video campaign by Organic Voices taking aim at the misuse of “Natural” by processed food manufacturers. The Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) community is very concerned about how this word is used to peddle processed foods packed with genetically modified ingredients (GMO’s) and synthetic additives.

However, we can’t embrace the exclusionary and false conclusion of the Organic Voices video, nor will we join them in conceding yet another valuable word to big agribusiness. 

Things have been moving right along with our project to explore the possibility of launching new certification programs for aquaponics and hydroponics. We have lots of news to share!

Exploratory Committee: All-Star Cast
We're thrilled to announce the members of our Aquaponics/ Hydroponics Exploratory Committee -- 6 experts and practitioners from across the country with decades of experience between them. They are:

We're already looking forward to a year when even more local farmers and beekeepers will produce food in harmony with nature.

We envision vibrant grassroots networks of CNG producers sharing knowledge and supporting each other to help strengthen local food systems. 

And we envision that in more communities, people who seek good clean food, will look for Certified Naturally Grown.