Glynwood’s vegetable operation follows all of the National Organic Program standards, and has been accepted in the Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) program. CNG is a non-profit alternative certification program tailored for small-scale, direct-market farmers using natural methods. We are happy to be part of the program, but maintain that transparency, honesty and open communication are better than any promise a certificate implies. We have a loyal customer base that is free to visit our farm, see production methods first hand, and directly convey questions or concerns to our farmers.

Glynwood’s livestock operation is pasture based. This means that all livestock are moved frequently to fresh, well-managed pasture during the grass growing season which runs from about mid-April through November. During the winter months, we feed our livestock on hay, which we farm ourselves. A pastured livestock operation is in line with organic practices. Our cattle, sheep, and goats can thrive on only grass and hay; our pigs and chickens, however, can obtain only about 30 percent of their nutritional requirements from pasture so they need supplemental grain. That grain comes from a farmer in Columbia County who uses sustainable practices to raise his corn and soybeans but is not certified organic. In our livestock operation – as with our vegetable operation – Glynwood chooses to invest in organic farming methods while foregoing the onerous paperwork associated with obtaining certification.

There is a growing body of evidence which shows that meat, milk and eggs from animals raised on pasture are much healthier for human consumption than industrially produced animal products. Pastured based systems are inherently much more humane than factory animal production systems, and are environmentally friendly as well. To learn more about the benefits of pasture raised meats, visit www.eatwild.com.