Certified Organic and Certified Naturally Grown: What’s the Difference, and Why It Matters

Joshua Brock
Jul 1
10 min read

When it comes to sustainable farming, many consumers and farmers are familiar with the USDA Organic label—but it's not the only standard out there. Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) offers an alternative for small-scale, direct-market farmers who use organic practices but want a more accessible, community-based certification. This article explores the similarities and differences between Certified Naturally Grown and USDA Organic, helping you understand what each label means, how they’re regulated, and which might be the better fit for your farm or your food choices.

Certified Organic and Certified Naturally Grown

Topics In This Article

Before we go any further, let’s take a look at the list of the topics we’ll be discussing in the following paragraphs.

The Rise of Eco-Conscious Food Purchasing - the societal and governmental actions of the last half-century in agriculture and food production that brings us to today
USDA-NOP Organic and Certified Naturally Grown - you’ve seen the labels, what’s the story behind two of the most recognized food certification programs in the U.S.
Common Shopper Confusion - you’re not alone if you’re confused about food labels and certifications, some insights
What’s Different and What’s the Same - an “at a glance” table that compares the major elements of NOP organic and CNG side by side
Interested In Certification? Checklists To Help You Get There - a look at what it takes to get the stamp of approval as a food producer with these two certification programs
Shop According to Your Values - wrapping it up and tying up loose ends for our article

The Rise of Eco-Conscious Food Purchasing

The term “eco-conscious” finds its origins back in the early 1970s, specifically 1972 when it first appeared in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. A combination of the words “eco” (taken from “ecology” in reference to the environment) and “conscious” (meaning “aware” or “mindful”), the term found its way into the everyday lexicon as a way to describe individuals or actions that are aware of, and considerate of their impact on the environment.

Hand in hand, it was also when a surge of environmental legislation at the U.S. federal level took place, including:

1969: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is passed, requiring environmental impact assessments for federal projects
1970: The Clean Air Act is enacted, setting standards for air quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is also created to consolidate environmental responsibilities
1972: The Clean Water Act is passed, setting standards for water quality and regulating pollution
1973: The Endangered Species Act is enacted, protecting endangered and threatened species

Additionally, the 1970s also saw the passage of numerous other environmentally-centered laws, including the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the National Forest Management Act. It would then not come as a surprise that along with laws focused on protecting the environment, a key element would also be protecting the food we consume from the environment.

USDA-NOP Organic and Certified Naturally Grown

The National Organic Program (NOP) and Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) are two well-known certification systems that promote sustainable agriculture practices. They share several similarities but differ in their structure, oversight, and cost, among other aspects.

Most of us are familiar with the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP), which defined the use of the term “organic”, established in 2001. However, prior to the NOP coming into existence, there were a variety of other food certification programs that were largely either state-level initiatives or voluntary programs. These early systems differed in their requirements and scopes, often with variations across states.

Organizations such as the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), Oregon Tilth, Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO), and Rodale Press played a key role in developing and implementing organic certification programs. It was the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) that led to the creation of the NOP, which established the national standards and federal oversight here in the U.S., for organic production and labeling.

The NOP worked to create a more consistent and comprehensive system for organic certification, which has since led to the growth of the organic market and standardization of growing, processing, and marketing practices. Even after the NOP’s establishment, some state-level and private programs have continued to exist, such as Certified Naturally Grown (CNG). CNG, "The Grassroots Alternative to Certified Organic," was founded in 2002 by organic farmers Kate and Ron Khosla in the mid-Hudson Valley of New York as an alternative to the USDA's NOP certification. CNG aims to provide a simpler, less expensive way to certify produce, livestock, and apiaries for organic producers who sell locally and directly to their customers.

CNG operations follow the same NOP organic standards as USDA organic producers, however rather than utilizing a 3rd party inspection and verification process like NOP, CNG makes use of the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS). PGS is a certification approach where farmers and consumers collaborate to verify production practices against organic standards. This system emphasizes peer reviews, knowledge sharing, and community involvement, offering an alternative to third-party certification. Annual inspections are typically conducted by other farmers in the area, fostering knowledge exchange and a sense of community.

We’ll dive into the details here in just a bit, but as an overview, here are the other differences between NOP organic and CNG;

Active participation - farmers and consumers are actively involved in the certification process, building relationships and trust
Local focus - locally-focused, catering to the needs and resources of small-scale producers and direct-market farms
Affordability - compared to traditional certification, PGS is often more affordable and less reliant on paperwork, making it accessible to a wider range of producers
Knowledge sharing - encourages farmers to share knowledge and best practices, promoting continuous improvement in organic farming

Common Shopper Confusion

As we opened our article, in addition to organic, there are a number of other marketing terms used throughout our food system that can become very confusing to consumers.

The Labels

Consumers frequently face confusion when navigating food labels, particularly with terms like "organic," "natural," and "cage-free." There are a number of reasons for the confusion, for instance a lack of standardization of definitions. Certain terms, especially "natural" and "cage-free," lack a clear, government-mandated definition, allowing producers to use them in ways that may not align with consumer expectations.

This lack of standardization then leads to misinterpretation and somewhat of a marketing “free for all”. Companies may use terms like the ones mentioned, broadly or misleadingly to imply higher standards of animal welfare or environmental benefits, even when the reality falls short of consumer perceptions. For example, the term "natural" often leads consumers to believe the product offers health or environmental benefits, but this is often not the case.

Examples of Misleading Interpretations

"Natural": Consumers often associate this with healthier options or certain farming practices, but it generally only means that the product has no artificial ingredients or added color and is minimally processed.

"Organic": While the USDA organic seal is a good indicator of certain standards being met (e.g., no synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or growth hormones), it may not guarantee optimal animal welfare or that the animals are free from confinement. Some farms certified organic provide limited outdoor access for animals.

"Cage-free": This term simply means hens are not housed in cages, but they may still be in crowded indoor facilities with limited freedom to roam or access the outdoors.

"Free-range": The USDA regulates this term for poultry raised for meat, but it simply means the birds have outdoor access for a portion of their lives, without guaranteeing they actually use it or have ample space.

"Farm Fresh": This term lacks a strict definition and often doesn't guarantee organic or chemical-free production.

"Antibiotic-Free" and "No Hormones Added": Many meat and poultry products are already produced without added hormones, and stringent regulations regarding antibiotic withdrawal periods ensure food safety. These claims may not indicate significant differences in farming practices or animal welfare.

Confusion Affects the Bottom Line

In a February 2025 article from Fooddive.com, “Consumer confusion holds back sales of natural and organic products, research finds”, an Acosta Group report sheds light on this confusion and how it affects the bottom line of certain products,

“Even as people show robust interest in natural and organic products, there is confusion around what those labels mean. Forty percent of all shoppers think the terms mean the same thing, and that uncertainty leads almost a fifth of those who rely on conventional goods to avoid buying natural and organic products, Acosta found.

Concerns about cost also play a role in keeping people from buying natural or organic products, with more than 70% of consumers who favor conventional products pointing to affordability as the top reason why they did not buy natural or organic goods during the six months before the survey, per the report.”

It’s important to have confidence in a standard, to understand what’s involved in obtaining an accreditation, and that there are independent means to verify ongoing compliance to that standard. Organic and CNG are two such standards.

What’s Different and What’s the Same

To boil it down to the basics, there are many similarities in both the standards and practices of NOP organic and CNG, as well as the philosophies behind them.

Philosophically, NOP organic and CNG both prioritize sustainable and ecological farming methods, and both emphasize transparency and integrity in food production. In their standards and practices, neither allow synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, natural alternatives must be used. GMO seeds and inputs are prohibited in both systems, and both emphasize environmental stewardship in order to protect biodiversity and minimize pollution.

In the treatment of livestock under both systems, there is an emphasis on the humane treatment of animals. And finally on soil health, both focus on crop rotation, composting, and other practices that are sustainable or regenerative.

We’ve created an “at a glance” comparison chart to help highlight their differences;

Aspect	NOP Organic	Certified Naturally Grown (CNG)
Oversight	Managed by USDA	Grassroots, peer-reviewed
Certification Process	Formal, USDA-accredited inspectors	Peer inspections by other CNG farmers
Cost	Can be expensive (hundreds to thousands per year) *	Lower-cost, designed for small farms
Target Audience	Farms of all sizes, including large-scale operations	Primarily small-scale, family or independent local farmers
Market Recognition	Highly recognized nationally and internationally	Less recognized outside of local, CSA/farmers’ market circles
Labeling	Can use the USDA Organic seal	Uses CNG logo, not USDA-affiliated
Regulation	Federally mandated, legally enforced	Voluntary and not federally regulated

* “Cost-share” programs are available to help defray the cost of certification

Interested In Certification? Checklists To Help You Get There

For those seeking additional information on how to get started pursuing certification from each respective organization, we’ve collected some resources to share with you. To dive deeper, for the NOP Organic route, you can refer to the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to find an organic certification agency near you. For more information regarding the CNG route, you can reach out directly to the organization via email or phone.

Now for those checklists to get you started.

National Organic Program (NOP) Organic

To get started, it’s important to understand what “organic” means. Research and understand key concepts such as;
- Soil health and fertility management
- No use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs (termed, “prohibited substances”)
- Animal welfare standards if your farm includes livestock
- Farm recordkeeping and traceability
Second, we recommend starting small, for instance seeking to certify only one part of your operation first to get familiar with the process.
- Network with other farmers in your region that may already be certified organic as they’re often the best source of tips and support.
- Reach out to your local Cooperative Extension or state agricultural organizations for training opportunities.
- If you don’t already, we’d recommend tracking every input, sale, and production activity to make inspections smoother when the time comes. We know a great tool for that! (Farmbrite!)
Understand that there will most likely be a transition period as land used for organic production must be free from prohibited substances for three years. You’ll then need to reach out to and select a USDA-accredited certifier and develop and organic system plan, or OSP.
Your next steps will involve submitting your application and paying all fees. Each certifier sets their own application fee, usually based on farm size and type of operation. Expect to pay $750–$2,000, though cost-share programs can reimburse up to 75%. Apply for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) through your state ag department or local FSA office.
The final stage will be preparing for the actual inspection. An organic inspector will visit your farm to verify that your practices match your OSP. They’ll check records, look at fields/facilities, and ask about your practices. Please understand that inspectors are not adversaries—they want to help you succeed while upholding standards.

Certified Naturally Grown (CNG)

As we alluded to, the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program is a grassroots alternative to USDA Organic certification, especially well-suited for small-scale, direct-market farmers. It follows similar standards to the USDA's National Organic Program but is more farmer-focused, less bureaucratic, and more affordable. In the CNG realm, the steps are a bit more straightforward.

First, make sure you qualify, and by qualify we mean that CNG is primarily intended for:
- Farms that sell directly to customers (e.g., at farmers markets, CSAs, farm stands)
- Operations using natural, sustainable practices
- Those not already certified USDA Organic
If you're selling wholesale to large distributors or through national chains, CNG may not be a good fit. It's built on local trust and transparency.
Second, as with NOP organic, you need to learn the standards. Read the CNG standards carefully to ensure your practices align. They’re available for produce, livestock, mushrooms, aquaponics, and apiaries. The key principles include:
- No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or GMOs (i.e. “prohibited substances”)
- Emphasis on soil health, biodiversity, and humane livestock practices
- Minimal off-farm inputs
The next step is to create a free, online profile at www.cngfarming.org and start your application which will include questions about your farming practices, inputs, land management, and animal care (if applicable). The application also includes a pledge or declaration to uphold CNG standards, which must be reaffirmed annually. In regards to pricing, a $200 annual membership fee is standard, however can be adjusted based on farm size/income.
Fourth, when you’re ready, in a key departure from NOP organic, you will need to arrange a peer inspection. CNG uses a peer-review model rather than third-party auditors. You’ll need another CNG farmer or organic producer to inspect your farm and in return, you’re encouraged to inspect another farm when possible. Treat this as a community-building opportunity—don’t view it as an audit, but more as mutual learning and support. If no inspector is available nearby, CNG staff can help find one or suggest a remote/alternative option.
Assuming all goes well and you are granted your annual certification, you are encouraged to promote your success. You will automatically be listed in the CNG online directory and you will receive marketing materials (CNG signs, stickers, digital logos, etc.) to promote your CNG certification. Additionally as with the NOP organic program, you can display the Certified Naturally Grown seal on your products.

In a nutshell, a successful CNG application occurs when you stay transparent, engage locally, maintain good records, and work as an ambassador for the CNG standard. Use your CNG certification as a marketing tool—customers often see it as a trustworthy, community-based alternative to USDA Organic.

Shop According to Your Values

Thank you for taking the time to go with us through the Organic and Certified Naturally Grown definitions and steps to getting certified. We hope this has been helpful and given you some next steps on your path to understanding if those certifications are right for you. We wish you the best in your season and as always Happy Farming!