Black Dog Bees and Maple Trees, LLC Livestock Application

Application Date: 20210117

City: Lebanon, NH

Please briefly tell us why you are applying to be part of the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program: We produce eggs and poultry using natural methods. Our flock consists of Icelandic chickens only and we are dedicated to preserving this breed.

Are you currently third party certified for your livestock 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 raising livestock and marketing your livestock products?

How did you learn to raise livestock? What has prepared you to farm successfully according to CNG standards?

Total number of acres you wanted listed as CNG :

Total farm acreage to be used for pasture and feed crops: 2

Do you have other acreage in "Conventional" Agricultural Systems? No

How many acres are in conventional agriculture?

List what crops/products/livestock you are growing conventionally, and explain why they are excluded from certification.

Pasture: 2

Hay:

Grain:

Other:

If indicated, please specify how 'other' acres are used:

Specify Any Other Items:

Specify Other Markets:

Please list all livestock for which you seek certification by type/breed, and indicate how many of each are on the farm today. For animals that have not yet been stocked for the season (e.g. poultry or piglets) please estimate how many you expect to have on farm during the upcoming season. Only list livestock that are (or will be) managed according to CNG standards. Icelandic chickens - 18 currently. Up to 50 during summer season.

By typing my initials below, I affirm that all livestock listed on this application are raised according to Certified Naturally Grown standards. I further affirm that I will not represent ANY livestock products as Certified Naturally Grown if they have not been raised according to the standards required by Certified Naturally Grown. Any livestock treated with antibiotics or other prohibited substances will be quarantined and sold separately. All livestock are fed feed grown according to CNG standards - without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, and free of any genetically modified grains (GMOs). Yes

Have all the livestock been raised according to CNG standards since the last third of gestation or since hatching? Yes

List, for each type/breed for which you seek certification, the date since which all your livestock of that type have been managed according to CNG standards. For poultry, indicate whether they have been managed according to CNG standards since the second day of life.

By typing my initials below, I agree not to market as Certified Naturally Grown any livestock or livestock products that have not been under continuous CNG management for at least nine months (or in the case of dairy products, for at least six months). I understand that if in the future I want to market as Certified Naturally Grown any livestock not named in this application, I may do so if the livestock has been raised according to CNG standards since the last third of gestation or, for poultry, the second day of life. Otherwise I shall contact CNG to obtain a variance.

Give brief details of your rotation practice for each type and/or group of livestock. (E.g. heifers strip grazing behind electric fence moved daily, 28 day rotation, poultry rotated weekly - 3 pens). Poultry free ranged several times per week. Meat birds (hatched roosters) are kept in separate fenced pasture with shelter for summer months until culling.

Do your ruminant livestock obtain at least 30% of their dry matter intake from grazed forage during the growing season?

Do your poultry either (a) have a MINIMUM of five square feet per bird of natural, grassy outdoor space OR (b) do they have at least two square feet per bird AND get moved at least one time per day to fresh new pasture?

Do your livestock spend most of their time on pasture during the growing season? Yes

Is all feed grown according to CNG standards (without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or post-harvest fungal treatments)? Yes

For all livestock you seek to certify, please provide more information about the feed. Is it grown locally for you? Purchased in bulk at a mill? Bagged at the feed store? Is it Certified Organic? What brand, if any? We buy certified organic chicken feed at tractor supply.

Do you buy in some feed? Yes

Will you be sure to submit a Feed Form within two weeks?

Describe your primary livestock pest problems 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. Mites/lice. I use DT fairly regularly (approx. monthly) on coop and food. I also treat with Elector PSP (no egg withdrawal required) if needed.

Provide details of all livestock owned by you, or grazed on your land, that are treated and quarantined on your property We only have chickens (and bees), as described above.

Primary Tillage System: N/A

Do you use Cover Crops? No

List cover crops:

How do you prevent manure runoff in your fields, livestock housing areas, and pastures?

Do you use Compost? No

Note the general sources (on farm, purchased complete, local grass clippings, local dairy, etc.):

List application rates. Give a specific amount or range (for example: one to two tons per acre, ten wheelbarrow loads per 1,000 square feet, or 1-2 inches deep). Do not answer "varies".

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. N/A

Have any chemical fertilizers been applied to the fields you are seeking Certification for in the last three years (36 months)? No

As per the Certification regulations, it is acceptable to apply chelated chemical fertilizers to correct specific micronutrient imbalances as listed on a recent soil 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 3 years? No

Specify type and most recent application date:

Describe your primary weed problems and methods of control. If you indicate a name brand product, specify the product name, manufacturer, OMRI status, and how often it's used. N/A.

Describe your primary plant pest problems and methods of control. If you indicate a name brand product, specify the product name, manufacturer, OMRI status, and how often it's used. Slugs. Aphids. Chickens are primary control.

Please list the water source you use for crop irrigation. If source is public river, pond or lake, please note the name: N/A.

Are there any known contaminants in the irrigation water? No

Provide more details about the contaminants in the irrigation water.

Do you purchase or grow using any Genetically Modified seeds? No

Do you use any chemically treated seeds in your operation? No

List types of seeds, and note reason for purchasing treated seed.

By typing my initials below, I understand that the use of chemically treated seeds is not allowed under organic and Certified Naturally Grown guidelines. I will not label, or in any way lead consumers to believe produce grown from treated seeds are Certified Naturally Grown.

Is there any likelihood of Chemical/Spray drift contamination of your fields? No

Please state the source (conventional farm field, golf course, 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

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.

List at least one person who you could ask to conduct your farm's inspection.

I will not label, or in any way lead consumers to believe that produce not raised in accord with CNG standards is Certified Naturally Grown. Yes

I understand that I have to complete at least one (and hopefully more) Certification Inspection(s) of another farm in my area each year and will abide by the trading and repeat rules within the CNG Inspection Guidelines. Yes

I have reviewed the Certified Naturally Grown Livestock Standards, I understand them, and I will abide by them. I understand that if I have any questions I may contact CNG for clarification. Yes

You may use this space to tell us anything else you think we should know about your farm: N/A