Railrose Garden Farm Produce & Flowers Application

Application Date:

City: Como, Mississippi

Please briefly tell us why you are applying to be part of the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program:
Here at Railrose Garden Farm, we grow cut-flowers, pumpkins and watermelons, and Native nursery plants. We do not use any chemicals at all. We use insect netting for pest control, cotton-bur compost, organic fertilizer and fish fertilizer. We have honey bees to protect on our micro-farm, and care about the ecological health of our place, and the world at large! We would like to be certified in order to display our farming convictions and encourage others to consider the importance of growing naturally!

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 have been growing naturally, and selling our products for five years. This will be our first year to sell at a Farmer's Market. Until recently, our customers have been through word of mouth.
How did you learn to farm? What has prepared you to farm successfully according to CNG standards?
My husband and I grew up in a farming and gardening family. Growing has always been a part of our lives in some form or another. We began growing produce and flowers seriously six years ago when we began to homestead on a small farm. We have learned from family members, and much trial and error! We are prepared to successfully farm according to CNG standards because we have successfully done so for several years! When organic sprays were not very effective on our farm, and seemed to do more harm than good to the beneficial insects that lived there, we began the search for alternative methods. We now use insect netting and Permaculture and Regenerative principles on a Market Garden scale.
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: 1
Fruit: 0
Cut Flowers: 1
Hay:
Grains:
Dry Beans:
Sugarbush:
Other Acreage:

Specify other items: Native and old-fashioned wildflowers, trees and shrubs

Specify other primary crop: Native and old-fashioned wildflowers, trees and shrubs
Specify any other items you'd like listed as CNG: n/a
List any crops you grow that will not be listed as CNG, and explain why you’re not seeking to certify them.
none

Specify other markets:

Farmland Management & Practices

Describe how you prepare your ground for planting.
We prepare our ground for planting using this method: Destroy sod with tarping. We then do one large till with a rented tractor. After the one till, we dig 100 ft market rows, 30" wide with an 18" footpath between. We grow cover crops on the rows to help with natural fertility. We then cut the cover crop, and tarp the rows for the winter season. In Spring, we lightly till the market rows with our BCS tractor. Next, we spread local cotton bur compost, and organic chicken-based fertilizer over the rows. We then cover the footpaths with spent, un-sprayed hay left over from our dairy goats. After planting, we cover our rows with a light-weight insect cloth, stretched over electrical conduit piping. We keep the insect covers over the plants until they flower, then remove. We fertilize with an additional organic fish fertilizer sprayed on the foliage.
Do you use Cover Crops? Yes
List the cover crop species you use:
We use a cover crop designed for our locale and soil type--Rye, Oats and Vetch.
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. We live in an agricultural area that grows much cotton. We buy our compost from a locally owned nursery nearby. They compost the left-over cotton plant parts (locally called 'gin trash'). The plant parts break down and become a very rich fertilizer popularly used in the South. No biosolids are used in the process.
Describe your "other" source of compost.
List your compost application rates. Give a specific amount or range. 1-2 inches deep on each market row
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. We use Moorganite by Earth Science all-natural fertilizer. It's OMRI status is unlisted. We also use Neptune's Harvest Fish Fertilizer by Ocean Crest Seafood. It's OMRI status is "allowed."
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 only use 4 inputs on our farm: cotton bur compost, Moorganite fertilizer, fish fertilizer and old, unsprayed hay. We will continue to use these inputs unless CNG reviews recommend something different for use!
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? No
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 primary weed problems include Bermuda grass and wild Amaranth (Pigweed). We take care of both using tarps during the winter months. We also hand-pull, or use a hoe. We actually allowed the Amaranth to grow, but not seed, last year because it worked wonderfully as a trap crop for Cucumber Beetles. We suppress weeds using spent hay. We also grow bio-intensively, which suppresses weeds. Any others that pop up are hand-pulled.
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.
Our primary insect challenges are from Flea Beetles, Cucumber Beetles, Japanese Beetles, Squash Bugs and Vine Borers. The insect netting helps tremendously with all of these insect pests. The numerous Starlings in our area seem to take care of the Japanese Beetles. We also put up Bluebird and Wren houses to take care of these. We grow a large wildflower Insectary adjacent to the garden to encourage Beneficial insects and wasps. We also rotate crops, and try not to grow crops that will not succeed well! A new insect pest, the Kudzu Beetle, arrived in our area last September. We will have to experiment with it this year to figure out what works best! We do not use any sprays.
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.
Our primary disease challenges are from Powdery Mildew and Mosaic Virus from Squash Bugs. We manage these with careful watering practices--deep drenches not more than once a week, early in the morning. We receive a lot of rain, so do not need to water more frequently. We water early in the morning to allow the foliage on the various plants to dry quickly. This helps with the powdery mildew. We try to prevent the Mosaic virus by limiting the Squash Bugs in the garden!
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 do not use any weed, pest or disease products. Our space is relatively small, so we have managed to not rely on sprays, and take care of problems by hand!
Please list the water source you use for crop irrigation. If source is public river, pond or lake, please note the name: We use rural city water for our crop irrigation. It is primarily rain water collected in water towers.
Are there any known contaminants in the irrigation water?
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 purchase our seeds from Johnny's Selected Seeds, Pinetree Seeds, Baker's Creek Seeds, Seed Savers Seeds, and True Leaf Seeds. We also save our own seeds each year and use as many of those as possible.
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. SO
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? We purchase potting soil.
What ingredients does your potting mix contain? If you purchase a mix, please also indicate which product.
Our potting mix is Jolly Gardener Pro-Line Custom Growing Mix. The ingredients are Canadian Sphagnum Peat, pine bark fines, coarse perlite and medium vermiculite.
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.
none
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 small farm is located within the city limits of Como, MS. Our property is separated from our neighbors by a tree and shrub hedge 10 ft thick on the N, S and W sides. The E side of our property is where our house sits. The garden is on the back acre of the property, far from the road in front of our home. The road in front of our home gets very little traffic due the very small size of our town. Our town is directly surrounded by hay fields, wood lots and cow pasture.

Agreements