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).

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator


Rob Cain with a watermelon grown using SEA-90

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

SeaAgri produces SEA-90, a combination of minerals and trace elements from natural crystals produced multiple times per year from sea water trapped in retention ponds located in a pristine estuary on the Sea of Cortez in Mexico (also known as the Gulf of California) This combination can help stimulate, feed and enhance micro flora populations in soil for healthier and tastier harvests. 

We spoke with company president Rob Cain to learn all about how elements from the sea can support the land. Welcome to the CNG Business Allies community, SeaAgri!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Texas Eco Farms keeps cool with the help of a CNG hat

Farming is never an easy job, but when both the temperature and humidity approach 100, growing food can feel even more challenging.

Because there's a lot of wisdom out in those hot CNG fields, we polled our community to learn some of their best tips for staying cool, staying sane, and getting it all done.

If you're feeling a little sweaty and overwhelmed, fear not! Plenty of local CNG farmers are here to commiserate, and offer lots of ideas to get through August and beyond.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator


Some of the Southland Organics team at work

Southland Organics in Bogart, Georgia supports natural farmers with solutions for soil fertility, weeds, pest pressure, and more. They also offer products for home lawns, chickens, and waste.

They also run a farm, Soul Miner's Eden. "We strive to understand the challenges farmers face," says Sales and Marketing Specialist Brittany Kokalp. "We thought the best way to do that is to become one." 

We recently caught up with Brittany to explore the company's history, mission, and product lineup.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Clear Flow Aquaponic Systems at Nelson and Pade, Inc.®, Montello, WI

It's always a treat to speak with someone who truly adores what they do!

Nelson and Pade, Inc.'s passion for aquaponics really comes across in our conversation with co-founder and co-owner Rebecca Nelson. Her near essay on her company's origin story reflects Nelson and Pade's dynamic history and sustained enthusiasm for innovation.

Rebecca Nelson and John Pade serve on our Aquaponics Advisory Council, whose expertise helped us meticulously develop our Aquaponics Certification in 2016. They are longtime allies in the truest sense, so we're thrilled to welcome them in our esteemed community of Business Allies.

Read on to discover more about the company's long history, wide reach, and to learn what Rebecca would do if she had a magic agricultural wand!

With summer just around the corner, you'll want to get in on this offer:

All cap orders will come with 10 free CNG tattoos until July 31! 

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator


Lettuce trial field perfection at Osborne Quality Seeds in Mount Vernon, Washington

The seed is the start of it all.

At Certified Naturally Grown, we require that our farmers' seeds are free of GMOs, not chemically-treated in any way, and that they are Certified Naturally Grown or certified organic whenever they are commercially available. Because of our thorough requirements, we are always glad to link up with the folks who are working hard to produce such high-quality essentials for any produce farm.

So it's exciting for us to welcome Osborne Quality Seeds as Business Allies of CNG! With well over 200 certified organic seed varieties to choose from, this Skagit Valley company can help round out your seed stock for your fall crops this year and seasons to come.

We caught up with Osborne Quality Seeds' Ted Bartlett to learn all about the past, present, and future of this Business Ally.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator


BCS America's GM Larry Seymour breaking ground with the Rotary Plow attachment

If you're a Certified Naturally Grown farmer, you're probably already pretty well-versed in this Business Ally's work!

BCS America's two-wheel tractors bring tilling to a more human-sized scale for the direct-market farmer. The company's walk-behind tractors and myriad attachments help make essential farm tasks like breaking ground, clearing pathways, and throwing snow simpler and faster so you can "plow" through your to-do list at lightning speed. Plus, these lightweight and effective machines mean less compaction for better soil health.

We caught up with BCS America's General Manager Larry Seymour to learn all about the origins and mission of this essential small farm company. 

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator


Certified Naturally Grown bounty from the Victory Seed Company

We share this blog post with extra delight: not only is the Victory Seed Company a new Business Ally of Certified Naturally Grown, but the company's farm has been part of our community of certified producers since way back in 2006!

In fact, the Victory Seed Company in Molalla, Oregon is one of two CNG seed companies in the whole country!

You're encouraged to check out their CNG farm profile for some family history and farm ethos.

We caught up with Mike Dunton to chat about the Victory Seed Company's new status as members of our Business Allies community. Mike is a farmer through and through: he can trace his roots to New England in the early 1620s and every generation has farmed since, either exclusively or in conjunction with a trade. After learning that his grandmother had placed their multi-generation family farm on the market, Mike worked fast to quit his high-tech San Francisco job and move to the farm in Oregon to keep it thriving in the family.

The rest is history, and a robust one that that: The Victory Seed Company offers a whopping 480 varieties of Certified Naturally Grown Seeds!

The Victory Seeds Crew celebrating tomato season in 2018

Keep reading to learn more about the Victory Seed Company's dedication. And if you're a Certified Naturally Grown farmer, why not work with The Victory Seed Company the next time you're ordering seeds?

Plus, Mike is interested in generating a CNG Seed Cooperative. If that sounds up your alley, don't hesitate to reach out.

We are proud to have such a long lasting connection with this enthusiastic Business Ally!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Asparagus swinging pretty at The Amazing Heart Farm in Orrtanna, PA

Looking for ways to stand out at the farmer's market this season? Take a scroll through these Certified Naturally Grown packaging ideas, and don't be afraid to think outside the clamshell!

Plus, if you're a certified CNG farmer, do we have a deal for you: if you order twist ties between now and the end of June 2019, we'll throw in a free bumper sticker AND a free sign! Head on over to the CNG store to get twisting and add even more value to your produce!