Six years ago a few farmers created an alternative certification program tailored for direct-market farmers who use natural methods. Today 600 farms nationwide participate. We farm using natural methods because we care about the health of our families, workers, and customers, and we want to be good stewards of the portion of this earth that is temporarily under our care. The National Organic Program standards serve as the basis of our own. However, Certified Naturally Grown is a private non-profit organization not affiliated with the USDA or any government agency.
Certified Naturally Grown uses a streamlined application process, on-site inspections, and (unlike the Organic program) makes use of un-announced pesticide residue testing to help ensure consumer confidence. Certified Naturally Grown is part of an international grassroots movement involving tens of thousands of small farmers around the world who have formed similar “participatory guarantee systems”. We are supported by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) and the United Nations (FAO) is helping start a sister program for farmers in India.
*Application approved! Awaiting farm visit May 2010.
on-site inspections, and (unlike the Organic program) makes use of un-announced pesticide residue testing to help ensure consumer confidence. Certified Naturally Grown is part of an international grassroots movement involving tens of thousands of small farmers around the world who have formed similar “participatory guarantee systems”. We are supported by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) and the United Nations (FAO) is helping start a sister program for farmers in India.