If you're unfamiliar with Certified Naturally Grown, it's the grassroots alternative to Certified Organic. It involves all of the same strict organic rules & regulations as Certified Organic, but without the hefty price tag. To become Certified Organic costs at least $1500 per year - to become Certified Naturally Grown costs... a donation. Why is it so much less expensive? Certified Naturally Grown is a nonprofit organization, run by people who believe in organic farming & want to support small family farms. (Alternatively, Certified Organic is run by the U.S. government).
I had to complete a lot of paperwork, sign a declaration of my intentions to farm organically, and have my farm inspected (just completed last weekend).
I'm so thankful organizations like this exist - helping small family farms is so important. To learn more about Certified Naturally Grown, you can visit their web site at http://www.naturallygrown.org/ .
Congrats!!!! What a great accomplishment. I've heard some say that the natural certification is "beyond organic" and opens doors for more sustainable practices for everyone without the price tag.
ReplyDeleteAgain- congrats on the certification.
Judy
Congrats!!!!
ReplyDeletePenny, That is terrific. We thought long and hard about going C.N.G. too, but since we are going to wholesale, we figured we needed to be certified organic. Makes total sense for you and your growing model. Congrats!
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