Key Takeaways:
- Clean Green Certified® has introduced new certifications: Organically Managed, Best Practices, Regenerative Agriculture, and Vegan.
- The certification programs aim to address diverse farming practices and consumer needs while maintaining sustainability standards.
- Over 1,000 farms and processors in the U.S. and Canada carry the Clean Green Certified® label.
- A new “Verified Member” badge enhances consumer confidence in certified products.
- The program remains a trusted alternative to the USDA National Organic Program for environmentally conscious producers and consumers.
Meeting the Needs of Evolving Agriculture
Since its establishment 22 years ago, Clean Green Certified® has been a trusted name in agricultural certification, offering a rigorous alternative to the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). With a focus on sustainability and quality, the program evaluates every aspect of farming operations, from soil management to energy efficiency, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Recognizing the growing diversity of agricultural practices and consumer demands, Clean Green Certified® has introduced four new certification options in the past two years:
- Organically Managed Certification
- Best Practices Certified™ Program
- Regenerative Agriculture Certification
- Vegan Certification
These new certifications enable a wider range of farmers and processors to benefit from trusted third-party validation, enhancing consumer awareness and confidence.
New Clean Green Certified® Programs
Organically Managed Certification
The Organically Managed Certification is modeled on USDA NOP standards but is tailored to meet the needs of smaller farms focused on regional markets. While certified products cannot claim “organic” status under USDA guidelines, they can highlight their use of organic methods, offering a cost-effective solution for smaller operations.
Best Practices Certified™ Program
This certification allows limited use of synthetic fertilizers alongside organic methods but prohibits synthetic pesticides and herbicides. Founder Chris Van Hook emphasized that the program addresses key environmental concerns while ensuring farmers meet production demands sustainably.
Regenerative Agriculture Certification
As regenerative agriculture gains prominence for its role in improving soil health and biodiversity, this certification recognizes farms that implement practices to restore ecosystems. Certified farms actively rebuild soil, reduce carbon footprints, and promote wildlife habitats. “A mature regenerative farm can act as a carbon sink,” said Van Hook, highlighting its potential to combat climate change.
Vegan Certification
In response to rising consumer interest in veganism, this certification ensures products are grown without animal by-products. Instead, plant-based inputs like cover crops and food waste are used to enrich the soil. This program caters to the growing demand for animal-free products while helping farmers differentiate their offerings in a competitive market.
Strengthening Consumer Confidence
To further reinforce its reputation, Clean Green Certified® has introduced a new “Verified Member” badge, which will appear on the websites of certified members. This badge confirms adherence to the program’s rigorous standards and provides consumers with an additional layer of assurance when purchasing certified products.
“Clean Green Certified® is more than just a label; it’s a symbol of our members’ dedication to sustainability and quality,” stated Chris Van Hook, Executive Director of Clean Green Certified®.
