Robinson Heritage Farm Produce & Flowers Application

Application Date:

City: Dawsonville, GA

Please briefly tell us why you are applying to be part of the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program:
Re-Certification for year 2 We are a small, multi generation family farm and are practicing regenerative farming techniques. We currently have and indoor vertical farm for microgreens, wheatgrass, micro herbs and edible flowers.

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?
Since 2020
How did you learn to farm? What has prepared you to farm successfully according to CNG standards?
I grew up on a family farm. I have been a Certified Master Gardener and Certified Georgia Naturalist for several years. I have taken many organic growing classes. We have always used natural methods in our growing because that is our philosophy as stewards of the earth. We are also hold a Permaculture Design certification.
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: 1
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: Wheatgrass, edible flowers
List any crops you grow that will not be listed as CNG, and explain why you’re not seeking to certify them.
We also have aeroponic towers that we grow on to determine if we can convert them to aquaponics. We are not requesting certification of these as it is our understanding that the current all natural nutrient solution we use does not qualify.

Specify other markets:

Farmland Management & Practices

Describe how you prepare your ground for planting.
We grow in an environmentally controlled 1,300 sq ft. indoor grow space at this time for our microgreens, wheatgrass, edible flowers, micro herbs. The plants are grown in 10 x 20 trays in organic professional potting mix.
Do you use Cover Crops? No
List the cover crop species you use:

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? 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. Gaia Green Organic 4-4-4 All Purpose Fertilizer
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 use only OMRI rated products.
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.
Microgreens grown in an indoor environment do not incur weeds. I a weed were to grow, we would hand pick it out
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.
Microgreens grown in an indoor environment do not routinely have insect challenges. Should one occur a natural method such as sticky traps or diatomaceous earth would be used.
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.
Microgreens grown in an environmentally controlled indoor environment do not typically have a disease challenge. Our seeds we purchase are triple tested for pathogens. Should mold occur, we use aqueous ozone or diluted SaniDate 5.0 Sanitizer/Disinfectant mixture (Aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid)
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. diluted SaniDate 5.0 Sanitizer/Disinfectant mixture (Aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid)
Please list the water source you use for crop irrigation. If source is public river, pond or lake, please note the name: Well Water, Tested yearly
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.)
Environmentally controlled 1,300 sq ft. indoor grow space with its on HVAC w/UV light; filtered, aqueous ozone water; commercial dehumidifier; full spectrum grow lights; NSF worktables, racks and sink; commercial refrigerator.
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. No
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.
Potting Soil: Pro Mix MP Organik OMRI Lambert LM-111 Organic OMRI
Describe the mats or other substrate you are using. Provide product names.

What type of trays are you using in your operation? Bootstrap Farmer trays food-grade, BPA-free plastic, heavy-duty trays for growing microgreens, 5 x 5, 10 x 20, 20 x 20
What is your general irrigation set-up? Does water recirculate? What is the source of the water?
We bottom water our microgreens from filtered well water that is run through a UV light from pump. Water is not recirculated.
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?
Pest: Sticky tape, fruit fly traps Disease: Clean environmental, proper watering, Ozone water, Sanidate Sanitizer Hydrogen Peroxide, dehumidifier, fans for continuous air circulation.
How do you dispose of spent soil? Do you compost?
Composted to outdoor space - not reused for indoor growing
Is your operation fully indoors? Yes
Are you growing any crops outside in the soil? No

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.
All seeds purchased are specifically listed for microgreens organic growing and are triple tested for pathogens. Sources: True Leaf Market, Mumms, High Mowing
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. pgr
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.
All product is grown indoors. We own 17 acreas and no spraying is done on or around our farm

Agreements