By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator


Mary and the Giant Pumpkin

Moscow Food Co-op is not only part of our Guide to Exceptional Markets (GEMs), but they're a Business Ally of CNG, too! 

This Idaho co-op is a GEM because they clearly indicate which vendors or products are CNG-certified in its 46 year-old organization. If you're a local shopper, you'll notice CNG stickers on produce grown by local CNG farms!

We are really looking forward to having a presence at Moscow Food Co-op's annual Farmer Mixer this fall, where the co-op's farmer vendors are invited to come together and learn from one another.

As a Business Ally, Moscow Food Co-op has made a financial contribution to our grassroots organization to help keep CNG affordable for direct-market farmers. 

We wish we lived closer so we could swing by their exceptional deli hot food bar daily for lunch! Meantime, we spoke with Moscow Food Co-op's Market Manager, Alycia Rock, to learn about the co-op's rich history and how CNG makes a difference for both its vendors and eaters.

We are proud to have such a strong connection with this Exceptional Market!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

AgSquared is a farm management software company created by researchers who have dedicated their careers to making it easier to run a farm well.

Founders Jeff and Giulia were ahead of their time when their platform launched in 2011: they were working in cloud-based technology well before our tech lives all migrated up into the sky!

Since then, it's become an invaluable tool for farms all over the country. We spoke with co-founder Jeff Froikin-Gordon to learn what's new at AgSquared, how their tool helps CNG farms stay organized, and what's on the horizon for this multi-faceted platform.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Earth Tools was one of our first Business Allies, and an enthusiastic one, at that!

The Kentucky company is currently the only full-time power equipment dealership in the USA dedicated solely to walk-behind tractors. Plus, Earth Tools is currently the largest walk-behind tractor dealership in North America!

In fact, founder Joel Dufour has been selling and servicing walk-behind tractors since 1977. We caught up with him to learn more about the mission and history of his company, as well as what Certified Naturally Grown means to him.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

The Fertrell Company is one of the oldest organic fertilizer manufacturers in the United States, and a proud Certified Naturally Grown Business Ally!

The company has come a long way since it began in John Johnson's Maryland garage. We spoke with Casey Trinkaus, Marketing Manager, to learn more about Fertrell's rich past and commitment to sustainable agriculture and forward-thinking business structure.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Brooks Contractor is so much more than a compost company.

Sure, the North Carolina operation diverts massive amounts of food waste from landfill and creates top notch compost blends, but the business is deeply committed to supporting farmers (and eaters) at all points in the food system. We spoke with Amy Brooks Fulford, Brooks Contractor's Food Waste Collection Manager, to learn more about her mission in North Carolina and beyond.

Plus: do you live in North Carolina and want to learn more about hemp production? Be sure to register for the Industrial Hemp Workshop from 4–9 p.m. on Thursday, February 28 in Pittsboro. Amy will be presenting on growing hemp in poor NC soils! More details can be found here.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

Are you curious about new ways to control weeds this upcoming season?

WeedGuardPlus is a biodegradable and water permeable mulch made from cellulose fibers that suppresses weeds, sparing countless hours spent on weed management. We spoke with VP of Sales & Marketing Mike Gallagher to learn about paper innovations in the management of unwanted plants.

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator



Ohio Earth Food provides organic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and more for ecologically-minded growers. We spoke with Ted Stutz, Owner of Ohio Earth Food, to learn more about this great resource for CNG growers. Ohio and Wisconsin farmers, listen up! Ohio Earth Food offers assistance with soil testing, and can also deliver products to your farm!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

From animal feed to zinc oxide, Seven Springs Organic Farming Supplies has everything you need to prepare for a successful growing season.

The Virginia-based CSA farm and supply source caters to ecological operations of all sizes, and has long been an enthusiastic champion of our certification! We spoke with Crop Adviser Daniel Sweeney about how his work with Seven Springs Organic Farming Supplies supports our network of Certified Naturally Grown farmers. Thanks to the Seven Springs team for taking this all-staff photo exclusively for this blog post!

By Suzannah Schneider, Communications Manager and Certification Coordinator

It may be January, but June is never far from Certified Naturally Grown farmers' minds! Seed catalogs arrive in mailboxes this time of the year with an anticipated thud, each glossy booklet brimming with jewel-toned possibilities for the growing season ahead.

Harris Seeds Organic's catalog doesn't disappoint (just look at that constellation!), and we're proud to announce that they were among some of the first companies to sign on as a Business Ally of Certified Naturally Grown!

In this month of seed dreaming and crop plan scheming, we interviewed Brand Manager Daniel Eggert about how his work with Harris Seeds Organic supports the nationwide community of CNG growers.