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Certified Organic, Certified Naturally Grown

What Is The Difference, Or Is There One?

Under Construction...

Certified Naturally Grown and Certified Organic crops are BOTH grown following the guidelines
in the NOP/National Organic Program Handbook.

There are MANY rumors and opinions about which organization has the strictest rules. The best method to learn what is correct is to do your own research. This can be a lengthy process, and most people don't have time to read ALL of the regulations for the certifying agencies and compare them. In addition, the regulations can change each year, so it's difficult to keep up to date.

Therefore, some reliance upon opinions can be a good place to begin before diving in. Lori found this post on a forum that seems to say many of the same things we see when we search for information. Rather than reinvent the wheel, this is a good start (again, it's an opinion, but a common one among farmers):

From a post at http://www.acleanlife.org : "Organic certification is really a barrier to entry for most small farmers. From the Wikipedia article, “To be Certified Organic (as opposed to Certified Naturally Grown) in the US, a grower must keep detailed records of planting, cultivation, fertilization, harvest, and storage, and must pay for both organization membership and periodic inspection. This process works well for large-scale commercial growers, but becomes onerous for small mixed-agriculture farms. Since only certified seeds may be used, the varieties available to be grown are limited, and sustainable practices such as seed-saving is not permitted, unless the farmer also applies to be certified as a seed supplier.

"Certified Naturally Grown farmers follow the USDA standards of the National Organic Program, but the record keeping and inspection process is tailored to accommodate the needs of small-scale mixed-agriculture farmers, and are not normally permitted to use the word “organic”. Farmers commit to act as inspectors. Farmer-Inspectors are uniquely qualified to observe and note whether their neighbors are sticking to the standards, and are encouraged to provide helpful feedback, which helps foster a sense of community and sharing. Inspection forms are posted on the Internet for anytime public access, and all farms are subject to random pesticide residue testing. All in all, the CNG procedure requires significantly less paperwork, yet arguably results in more transparency and fostering of better farming practices, than the Certified Organic process, which primarily depends on farmer declarations backed by copious paperwork, and which inspects the paperwork rather than the farm.”

"Support biodiversity, encourage the use of open pollinated seeds for seed saving and sharing. Remember nothing tastes better or is better for you than an heirloom fruit or vegetable!"

What Do They Have In Common?

Coming Soon...

How Are They Different?

Coming Soon...

How Does 2 Sisters Garlic Fit Into These Programs?

Regardless of whether a farm is USDA or CNG, it is still important for the consumer to "Know Your Farmer." Only honest farmers will truly adhere to the standards of either (or both) agencies 365 days per year. Yes, 2 Sisters (and the family/friends we work with) are honestly following the standards!

At the time of this writing (2010), we are certified with two agencies. So, we are USDA Certified Organic AND Certified Naturally Grown. Our procedures for caring for the garlic and our land follow the rules of both agencies, and we have chosen to certify our crop with both agencies.

From the beginning of our garlic endeavor, we hoped to educate other community members and encourage them to produce organically-grown crops and care for their land in a manner fitting with NOP standards. And we have succeeded!  :-) 

We now work with a couple of family friends that are CNG, but not USDA certified. However, they follow the same procedures as we do. Their crops are all grown in a manner that would be approved by both agencies. We have inspected their fields and their crops, and stay in touch frequently as we share ideas and knowledge. So why are they only CNG? They chose to not certify with USDA because it is cost prohibitive with their small-sized garlic fields. If we offer their garlic for sale, the shopping cart indicates whether each variety is USDA and/or CNG. But, we all follow the NOP Handbook and practice sustainable, organic methods that would also fit with both CNG and USDA certification.

Links:

Certified Naturally Grown: The History

USDA Organic Certification Program If this page is unavailable, click the link for Agriculture in the left column, and then the link for Organic Certification in the right-hand column.

NOP (National Organic Program) Handbook  If this page is unavailable, click the link for Agriculture in the left column, and then the link for Organic Certification in the right-hand column.

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