Fertile Ground USA...Celebrating the people behind the plow

Celebrate Earth Day the Organic Way
The Center for Rural Affairs by Julia Hudson
Organic farming has been growing by leaps and bounds, and that's terrific for farmers, consumers, and the planet. But as any farmer or rancher who has gone through the USDA's organic program knows, "Certified Organic" carries some upfront costs while the certification process is underway.

Even with more organic certification cost-share dollars now available through the farm bill, some smaller farmers and ranchers can't afford the fees. But there is an alternative market for these farmers and ranchers to consider. Wanting to make sure their customers know they follow strict growing practices, a group of farmers created a nonprofit alternative certification program called Certified Naturally Grown (CNG).

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