Elm Street Urban Farm Produce & Flowers Application

Application Date:

City: Atlanta, GA

Please briefly tell us why you are applying to be part of the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program:
Historic Westside Gardens has been growing food in various community spaces; we use organic practices, compost from the Truly Living Well compost lab and soil from Super Sod Big Yellow Bag. We teach our growers not to use commercial pesticides or fertilizers. We keep our soil healthy through crop rotation and cover crops. We feel that it is an honor to be Certified Naturally Grown. People will be more willing to purchase produce from the Elm Street Urban Farm if they know we are using best practices in farming. We also want to be part of a community of growers and expand our learning so we can teach others about growing healthy food.

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?  Yes
Note which agencies and dates:
We were CNG at another location but during COVID19 we did not pursue recertification at 100 Vine st NW Atlanta 30314. We are adding a new location 380 Elm street NW, Atlanta, GA 30314.
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 have been selling produce for about 7 years. The market is the Westside Growers Market. We are part of the Wholesome Wave GA program and have been certified to accept food stamps since the beginning of our market days.
How did you learn to farm? What has prepared you to farm successfully according to CNG standards?
Rosario Hernandez trained with Truly Living Well and Khari Diop trained with HABESHA as did three other members of our staff. The CNG standards are the reason why we want to be certified. We take care of our soil and chose not to use pesticides that can harm our pollinators. We also contract staff that understand our best practices, attend conferences and continue to learn how to improve our soil and environment naturally.
Total number of acres you want listed as CNG: 1
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:
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: tomatoes, cucumbers, collards, kale, beets, beans, carrots, herbs, squashes, leafy greens, salad greens, peppers
List any crops you grow that will not be listed as CNG, and explain why you’re not seeking to certify them.
figs

Specify other markets:

Farmland Management & Practices

Describe how you prepare your ground for planting.
We use a broad fork to aerate the soil and add compost. We begin many of our plants in trays and transplant when they have true leaves. We direct plant out root vegetables, garlic and onions. Our farm is small so everything is done by hand.
Do you use Cover Crops? Yes
List the cover crop species you use:
We use clover. This year we will also try buckwheat.
Do you use Compost? Yes

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. We get our compost from Truly Living Wells Compost lab. We partnered with them on a Drawdown GA grant to develop the Westside Compost Project. We collect food scraps around our community and take it to TLW; each month we drop off over 1000 pound over food scraps and in exchange we receive compost that is ready to use in our beds.
List your compost application rates. Give a specific amount or range. 1 wheel barrel in every 20' x 3' growing bed
Do you use Manure? No
List your general manure sources:
Please list application rates. Give a specific amount or range.
What time of year do you apply the manure?
Do you apply any manure within 120 days of edible crop harvesting?
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. none
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? We have Good Samaritan Farm as a mentor and also Fred Conrad from Tapestry Farm that we can reach out to if we have any questions or concerns. What is important to the Elm Street Farm is for everyone to communicate and agree that we will not use herbicides and that we can only use pesticides that will not harm our bees and is acceptable to CNG.
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.
We do have weed challenges. We pull our weeds by hand or use a stirup hoe to disturb their root system.
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.
Cabbage loopers and aphids are the main problem. Aphids are sprayed with insecticidal soap solution and washed off after an hour and the cabbage looper are pulled off by hand and dropped into soapy water. We know that occasionally we will have some lost in produce because of the aphids but we try to stay aware of what' s going on in the field.
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.
Mildew on squashes and cucumbers, we spray the leaves with a solution of a little baking soda and water.
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 make insecticidal soap with Bronner organic peppermint castile soap and few drops of organic neem oil. We use this of plants with aphids. We pay attention to OMRI products that we can purchase on Amazon.
Please list the water source you use for crop irrigation. If source is public river, pond or lake, please note the name: We are using city water. Atlanta, GA
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 buy our seeds from Baker's Heirloom, Harris seeds and Johnny's seeds and organic seeds at Pike's Market.
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. RIH
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? Yes
Do you purchase potting soil, or do you mix your own on the farm? mix our own
What ingredients does your potting mix contain? If you purchase a mix, please also indicate which product.
1 part coco koir, 1 part finely sifted compost, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part garden soil
Are all of your transplants grown according to CNG standards, without synthetic fertilizers or wetting agents? Yes
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? Yes
From which suppliers do you source transplants?
Love is Love Farm , certified organic
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? No
Please refer to the CNG Buffer FAQ below and explain why your buffers are not adequate. I did not know that this is something we need to have. I will reach out to our mentors to see how we can add these buffers.
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.
And to the west is 20' between growing beds and sidewalk. To the north is a 40' community garden space that we lease. To the east we have a 13' buffer between some growing plots and a 20' wooded right away abutting our nrighbors back yard To the south we've got a 30' buffer between the farm and a house.

Agreements