In 2002, when the National Organic Program took effect, farmers in New York’s Hudson River Valley laid the groundwork for their own grassroots certification. What started as a regional program appealed to farmers across the country, so it quickly grew. The organization was completely managed by farmers for the first five years.
Fun Facts from their site:
• Georgia has more Certified Naturally Grown producers than any other state, and 15% of CNG’s membership. For years, Georgia growers have been enthusiastic leaders in our movement. Several farmer’s markets and grocery co-ops prefer or even require their producers are either CNG or organic, such as the Peachtree Road Farmer’s Market, Grant Park Farmer’s Market, and the Daily Grocery Co-op, (check out our Market Directory to find out if there are any such markets near you). Our strength in Georgia is partly due to early adopters like Rashid Nuri, the figurehead of urban agriculture in Atlanta at Truly Living Well, and Lynn Pugh, educator of many new farmers, at Cane Creek Farm. Let’s see if Pennsylvania – the state with the next-most CNG farms – can catch up to Georgia in 2017!
• Last year we launched the nation’s first certification for all-natural aquaponics systems, and we added a certification for mushroom growers too. Know any mushroom or aquaponics producers? Please help spread the word. We’re eager to grow our membership in these areas.
Helping Public Markets Grow 