Your cart is currently empty!
-
Foundations of Crop Production
Series sponsored by Like the soil beneath us forms the foundation for a healthy growing plant, so do crop management practices determine the success or failings of your farm. Join […]
-
I’m interested in certification for my mushroom and/or aquaponics operation. Can I join CNG?
Yes! We launched our aquaponic and mushroom certification programs in 2016. Be sure to review the standards and register for updates on our Mushroom and Aquaponics pages.
-
Who will conduct inspections? Are you hiring inspectors?
Certified Naturally Grown is a Participatory Guarantee System, or “PGS”, and as such relies on peer reviews instead of third-party inspections. We do not hire inspectors. With CNG, it’s other […]
-
Who decides whether the producer’s system is “designed to adequately to perform certain functions that are critical to the overall health of an aquaponic system” (e.g., bio filtration, removal of fish waste solids, water circulation, aeration, degassing), and why aren’t these standards more specific?
Since Certified Naturally Grown does not require any particular design or kind of system, it is not possible to set very specific standards for assessing whether a system is performing […]
-
You require producers employ practices that prevent fish disease. What factors impact fish health?
Factors impacting fish health include the following: handling, transport, and harvesting practices; temperature, pH, light levels and stocking densities; feed type and quantity; water quality, filtration and dissolved oxygen; biosecurity […]
-
Does CNG define any standards relating to fish feed?
We encourage producers to use feed that is organically grown, and feed that does not contain primary catch. However, because the organic fish feed market is in its early stages, […]
-
Are the plants, the fish, or both certified? Why?
Just the plants will be CNG certified. There is only a very small supply of fish feed that would meet CNG standards for livestock certification, and that supply of organic […]
-
Why do you allow but discourage vinyl? And EPDM?
We are aware of concerns about off gassing and leaching, but there isn’t conclusive scientific evidence that would justify prohibiting them. These materials may be prohibited in the future, pending […]
-
Why is recycled plastic not allowed?
Recycled plastics present an increased rate of degradation and risk of leaching compared to virgin plastic, and additional risks posed by chemicals that may be added to plastics shipped overseas […]
-
Do you allow the use of IBC totes?
In response to public comments, we made some changes to the draft standards. It is prohibited for IBC totes to be brought into an already CNG-certified operation. However, recognizing that […]
-
Do you allow soil, compost, or vermicompost in aquaponics systems?
In response to public comments, we updated the standards to allow for soil, compost, and vermicompost to be used in dead-end or non-recirculating sections of the system. These materials are […]