Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) is a grass-roots, third-party certification program that offers small-scale farmers an alternative to the hefty fees and paperwork associated with Organic Certification.   Farmers who are Certified Naturally Grown grow in accordance with organic methods and quite often exceed organic methods required by the National [..]

Conventional farming refers to farming practices considered standard in the farming industry.   Customarily, this includes the use of antibiotics, hormones, synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and mono-cropping.   Conventional farming can include the use of genetically modified organisms.

Biodynamic farming refers to a method of farming put forth by Rudolph Steiner of Waldorf and Anthroposophy fame.   Bidynamic farming regards the farm holistically – as one living organism rather than as a combination of isolated crops. While biodynamic farming includes organic farming methods, it also relies on the use of special composts and field [..]

Dry farming techniques include the use of special tilling that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation.

Heirloom refers to plant varietals that are a minimum of 50 years old and that have been developed by farmers for their special traits.   They are most often sold through direct marketing at farmstands and farmers markets.

Transitional refers to farms that are seeking Organic Certification which requires that fields be free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides for a minimum of three years.   These years and the produce grown during these years are refered to as transitional.

Conventional, in reference to meats and animal foods, means that the animals were raised according to the standard practice in the industry.   This standard of practice often includes the use of feed lots, battery cages, antibiotics, hormones and unnatural diet.

While similar to “pastured” or “meadow-raised,” free range refers to animals that are not confined; however, this customarily means that animals are given access to the outdoors for an unspecified amount of time each day.

Heritage breeds refer to animals that have been bred over a long period of time and are well-adapted to the local environment and often resistant to disease.   These animals retain historical characteristics that are absent from breeds customarily used in conventional farming.

A handful of states including California, Texas and Nevada certify farmers markets.   The certification process ensures that vendors at certified farmers markets actually produce what they sell and thus minimize peddling or brokering.