Farrahs Farm, LLC Produce & Flowers Application

Application Date:

City: Round Hill, VA

Please briefly tell us why you are applying to be part of the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program:
We began our farm in June 2021. It was our desire to become certified as soon as possible but because we were unsure of the land prior to beginning our farm, we delayed applying until this year. We believe having a certified farm helps consumers make informed decisions on what foods they put into their bodies. We have followed the CNG procedures since we began and know this is the only way to sustain available resources.

Are you currently third-party-certified for your produce operation by any other organization (Organic, Biodynamic, etc.)?
No
If yes, please note which certification and agency:

Have you held any certification/s in the past that you don't currently hold?  No
Note which agencies and dates:

Have you ever been denied certification? No
If yes, please note which agencies, and reasons for denial:

How long have you been growing and selling your products?
WE started our farm in 2021. This will be our third year growing and selling products.
How did you learn to farm? What has prepared you to farm successfully according to CNG standards?
I grew up in WV and was raised on a family farm (not selling but for personal consumption). I wasn't old enough at the time to understand why my dad planted different crops in different places each year. Now as an adult, I have read many articles on farming and the best practices. I am not an expert, but I have a good understanding of the important of crop rotations, cover crops, amendments, and pest control. Now we have our own garden and have grown and sold products for two years. Our third planting was completed in November 2023.
Total number of acres you want listed as CNG: 2
Do you have other acreage in "Conventional" Agricultural Systems? No
How many acres are in conventional agriculture?
List what you are growing conventionally and explain why these crops are excluded from certification.

General Listed Acreage Breakdown

Of the acreage that you want listed as CNG, list the number of acres you have in each crop category.

Vegetables: 2
Fruit:
Cut Flowers:
Hay:
Grains:
Dry Beans:
Sugarbush:
Other Acreage:

Specify other items:

Specify other primary crop:
Specify any other items you'd like listed as CNG: We are a garlic farm. We only grow garlic. We currently have 8 varieties of garlic planted and plan to expand our varieties over the coming years.
List any crops you grow that will not be listed as CNG, and explain why you’re not seeking to certify them.

Specify other markets:

Farmland Management & Practices

Describe how you prepare your ground for planting.
Our garlic is harvested in early July. Soon after harvest, we spread a cover crop of clover, buckwheat, and cowpeas over the fields. We allow these to grow for 45-60 days (or until flowers bloom). This is disced into the fields, allowed to set for 2-3 weeks, and then fresh horse manure and straw is spread over the soil. Our garlic is planted around the end of October. We rototill the fields and make "raised" beds/rows for planting the garlic. Straw and leaves are spread over the planted cloves. We take soil samples in February of each year to ensure we have the right amount of nutrients in the soil.
Do you use Cover Crops? Yes
List the cover crop species you use:
clover cowpeas buckwheat
Do you use Compost? No

Describe your on-farm composting process.

Describe how you verify with your supplier that their compost is properly composted and does not contain prohibited ingredients like biosolids.
Describe your "other" source of compost.
List your compost application rates. Give a specific amount or range.
Do you use Manure? Yes
List your general manure sources: local horse farm
Please list application rates. Give a specific amount or range. This fall, we applied 6 tons per acre.
What time of year do you apply the manure? Fall. This year, we may apply some in the spring.
Do you apply any manure within 120 days of edible crop harvesting? No
Please list any other brought in fertility sources that you use (rock powders, lime, alfalfa meal, fertilizer mixes, etc.) For each product, list the full name, manufacturer, and OMRI status. Nutrasoft OP Gypsum 14484MB - The Anderson's, Inc. Maunee, OH - OMRI listed
How do you decide which inputs (fertilizers, pest/disease control products, etc.) to use on your farm? How will you determine if an input is allowed for use in CNG production? Soil tests provide the best means of knowing what the soil needs. We add gypsum because it contains sulfur that garlic uses to produce stronger flavor and colors. For weeds, we mostly hand pull between rows but last fall I purchased a cultivator that I hope will make it easier to weed. We also mow between rows. This year we may need to use BT to protect against the Leek moth that is making its way down the eastern US. It has been reported as close by and Pennsylvania and Maryland. If we need to add anything to our farm, the first resource is to visit the OMRI website to determine what solutions are allowed on the farm.
Have any chemical fertilizers been applied to the fields you are seeking Certification for in the last three years (36 months)? No
According to CNG guidelines, it is acceptable to apply OMRI-listed, chelated synthetic fertilizers to correct specific micronutrient imbalances only if micronutrient deficiency is documented in a recent soil or tissue test. Does the application of this fertilizer meet those requirements?
Specify types, amounts and application dates:
Have any non-acceptable pesticides and/or herbicides been applied to these fields in the last three years?No
If yes, then please specify type and most recent application date:
Do you use Professional Soil Testing services? Yes
In detail, describe your primary weed problems AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual weed challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used.
Our fields were "hay fields" prior to converting them into crop production. We have hay (sorry, I don't know the names of the grass) that still tries to grow in the fields. For weeds, we mostly hand pull between rows but last fall I purchased a cultivator that I hope will make it easier to weed. We also mow between rows. Additionally, we use straw as mulch over the planted garlic.
In detail, describe your primary insect challenges AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual pest challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used.
Luckily, not many things like garlic. There are allium specific pests like the onion maggot and leek moth but we have not had any issues, yet. A garlic friend nearby mentioned he had a bout of onion maggot last year and northern farmers are seeing leek moths in their fields. To prepare, we are looking to use Bt (an OMRi approved product), or the "little bees" that you put in the fields that attack the larvae. From my research, the leek moth comes in waves beginning in May. We would treat our plants by spraying the leaves with Bt every two weeks until harvest.
In detail, describe your primary disease challenges AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual disease challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used.
We are pretty new in the garlic business and haven't had any diseases of our crops (only two harvests under our belts). However, there are several diseases that attack garlic. The worst disease is "white rot" which can remain in the soil for decades. Another disease is bloat nematodes. The best methods to prevent these diseases is to rotate crops, only plant healthy cloves, culling stunted looking plants, and never compost garlic debris. Finally, incorporating mustard into the cover crop since it is a biofumigant.
Please list any weed, pest, or disease products that you use (insecticidal soap, horticultural vinegar, copper, etc.). For each product, list the full name, manufacturer, and OMRI status. We have not attempted to use and weed product on our farm.
Please list the water source you use for crop irrigation. If source is public river, pond or lake, please note the name: We rely on rain water for irrigation.
Are there any known contaminants in the irrigation water? No
If yes, please explain:

Microgreens & Sprouts

Please fill this out for your indoor operation only.

Provide a brief description of your operation. (square footage? in a greenhouse or other indoor setting? etc.)

Are any of your crops sprouted and/or grown without soil or substrate? Use the link below to view our guidance on sprouts vs. microgreens.
For sprouts, we require that all seeds are organic or CNG. If you grow or decide to grow sprouts, will you purchase only organic and/or CNG seed for your sprout crop?
What media are you using to grow your microgreens and/or sprouts? 

If you purchase potting mix or soilless media, list the product name, manufacturer, and OMRI status. If you make your own, list the ingredients.

Describe the mats or other substrate you are using. Provide product names.

What type of trays are you using in your operation?
What is your general irrigation set-up? Does water recirculate? What is the source of the water?

Although pests and disease are certainly less common for microgreens operations, there are still issues such as fungal gnats and damping off. What measures do you use to prevent pest and disease pressures?

How do you dispose of spent soil? Do you compost?

Is your operation fully indoors?
Are you growing any crops outside in the soil?

Maple

Are you a maple producer who seeks to certify your sugarbush?
Maple sap is considered a wild crop. CNG's Wild Crop Harvesting Standard states that wild crop must be harvested in a manner that ensures that such harvesting or gathering will not be destructive to the environment and will sustain the growth and production of the wild crop. Please briefly describe any steps you take to protect and ensure the sustainability of your sugarbush.

Do you use an organic de-foamer? custom_field:pf_dump_nearby$$
Over-tapping trees can stunt their growth. Do you (or will you) adhere to the Cornell Sugar Maple Research & Extension Program guidelines which state "trees 10-17 inches in diameter (31-53 inch circumference) should have no more than one tap. A tree 18-24 inches in diameter (57-75 inch circumference) should have no more than two taps. A tree larger than 25 inches in diameter (79-inch circumference) should have no more than three taps."
To maximize tree health and sap production, CNG supports Cornell's recommendation that all taps are 5/16" in diameter or smaller. Is this your practice, and if not, would you be willing to transition to 5/16" (or smaller) taps within the next three years? Please elaborate.

Seeds & Transplants

CNG certification requires the use of certified organic or CNG seeds whenever available. Please indicate the suppliers from which you source (or will source) your seeds. The CNG seed standard also applies to sweet potato slips, seed potatoes, day-neutral strawberry slips, and flower bulbs, corms, and tubers.
We save about 15% of our bulbs as "seeds" for the next season. Since this comes from our own fields, these could be considered certified seeds.
Please indicate, by typing your initials, that you will as a general rule purchase organically grown seeds, AND that you will only purchase conventional seed when the variety you wish to grow is not available in certified organic or CNG form. For each variety purchased in conventional form, you will identify (and keep records of) at least three commercial organic seed suppliers who do not carry that variety. RDJ
Do you purchase or grow using any Genetically Modified seeds? No
Do you use any chemically treated seeds in your operation? No
If yes, please list types:
Please note reason for purchasing treated seed:

Do you grow your own transplants? No
Do you purchase potting soil, or do you mix your own on the farm? 
What ingredients does your potting mix contain? If you purchase a mix, please also indicate which product.

Are all of your transplants grown according to CNG standards, without synthetic fertilizers or wetting agents? 
If any transplants are not grown according to CNG standards, please list them here. These products may not be marketed as CNG.

Do you source any transplants from off your farm? No
From which suppliers do you source transplants?

How have you confirmed with your supplier that the transplants are grown without synthetic fertilizers or wetting agents?
Please list any bought-in transplants not grown according to CNG standards. This produce may not be sold as Certified Naturally Grown (except, in the case of perennials, after twelve months of CNG cultivation).

Chemical/Spray Drift and Buffers:

Is there any likelihood of Chemical/Spray drift contamination of your fields? No
If yes, please state the source (conventional farm field, golf course, neighbor's lawn, etc.) and any details you can provide (type of pesticide, fertilizer, herbicide used and/or what used for).

Do you have an adequate buffer to protect yourself from potential contamination? Yes
Please refer to the CNG Buffer FAQ below and explain why your buffers are not adequate.
Please describe your buffer. Be as specific as possible and include buffer widths. On all sides, how far is it from your crops to the next closest use (road, conventional crop, residential yard)? Be sure to specify what is grown on neighboring land that is in agricultural use. For example: To the north and east, a wooded area of at least 100 yards separates us from the neighbor's corn fields, to the south is a fallow field at least 100 yards deep separating us from the road, and to the west about 60 feet separates our crops from a field where conventional corn and soybeans are grown.
Our garlic farm is part of a 10 acre farm in Round Hill. Our eastern neighbor has horses on their property. The neighbor across the road (south) does not practice any agriculture. To the north is a horse field and to the west is hay field. To the north and east is horse lots. We are 100 yards from each of these properties. We are 30-40 feet from the road along the south side of the property and there is a line of trees and brush between the road and our field. The hay fields to the west are 200-300 yards away and there is a wildlife sanctuary area (wilding area) approximately 50 yards wide.

Agreements