Produce & Flowers

Dodo Farms

Owner: Olaniyi Balogun

Address:
Brookeville, MD

Web site: http://dodofarmsmd.com/

Application Date: 2019-04-09

Applicant Details

Please briefly tell us why you are applying to be part of the Certified Naturally Grown program: *
I will like a validation that customers can trust. My farm is quite small so getting the USDA organic certification is quite an expensive process I cannot afford to pursue now. I however use all natural, chemical free and non GMO processes. I will like my customers to know and trust my produce.
Are you currently third party Certified for your produce operation by any other organization (Organic, Biodynamic, etc)? *
no
Have you ever been certified in the past? *
no
Have you ever been denied certification? *
no
How did you hear about Certified Naturally Grown? *
I learnt about you from one of my mentors and colleagues in Montgomery County Maryland - Mike Proteas (One Acre Farm.)
How did you learn to farm, and for how long have you been farming for market? What has prepared you to farm successfully according to CNG standards? *
I have been farming for over 15 years. I farmed commercially in Nigeria for 10 years before relocating to the U.S. to continue farming in 2017. I have done trainings such as the Beginning Farmer Training program (Future Harvest) and also interned with two farms prior to setting up mine in April 2018.

General Farm Information

Farm Acreage you want listed as Certified Naturally GrownTM:
Total Farm Acreage you actually GROW on: *
5
Number of above acreage that you own: *
0
Number of above acreage that you lease: *
5
Do you have other acreage in "Conventional" Agricultural Systems? *
no
General Listed Acreage Breakdown
Veg Crops:
1
Fruit Crops:
Hay:
Grains/Beans:
Sugarbush:
Other Acreage:
Please check all items you grow and will market as Certified Naturally GrownTM *











Please Specify Any Other Items:
Potatoes
Please check all markets you grow for (this will be displayed on your farm profile to help potential buyers find you). *











Please Specify Other Markets:
Food assistance organizations such as MANNA and bulk purchasers such as Dreaming Out Loud and Fresh farm Food Hub.

Farmland Management and Practices

Primary Tillage System: *
I use a rotoscoped tiller machine.
Do you use Cover Crops? *
yes
If yes, please list: *
Buck wheat for summer, and winter rye for the winter.
Do you use Compost? *
yes
If yes, please note general sources (on farm, purchased complete, local grass clippings, local dairy, etc.): *
Purchased (leaf grow)
Please list application rates. Give a specific amount or range (for example: one to two tons per acre, ten wheelbarrow loads per 1,000 square feet, or 1-2 inches deep). Do not answer "varies". *
10 yards per acre
Do you use Manure? *
yes
If yes, please note general sources (local dairy, horse farm, etc.): *
Cow and leaf compost manure
Please list application rates. Give a specific amount or range (for example: one to two tons per acre, ten wheelbarrow loads per 1,000 square feet, or 1-2 inches deep). Do not answer "varies". *
10 yards per 1 acre
What time of year do you apply the manure? *
April
Do you apply any non-composted Manure within 120 days of veg-crop harvesting? *
no
Please list any other brought in fertility sources that you use (specific rock powders, lime, soybean / alfalfa meal, specific purchased pre-mixes, etc)and how often it's used. If you indicate a name brand product, please also specify the ingredient/s. *
None
Have any chemical fertilizers been applied to the fields you are seeking Certification for in the last three years (36 months)? *
no
Have any non-acceptable pesticides and/or herbicides been applied to these fields in the last 3 years? *
no
Do you use Professional Soil Testing services? *
yes
Describe your primary weed problems AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual weed challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used. *
I control weed by manual cultivation.
Describe your primary insect challenges AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual pest challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used. *
I use row cover to control insect challenges. The primary insect challenges I have are flea beatles.
Describe your primary disease challenges AND methods of control. Do not answer "none". You MUST indicate either actual disease challenges and/or LIKELY challenges, and you must ALSO indicate how you manage (or would manage) them. If you indicate a product, also specify how often it's used. *
I do not have disease challenge.
Please list the water source you use for crop irrigation. If source is public river, pond or lake, please note the name: *
I use a well on the property.
Are there any known contaminants in the irrigation water? *
no
Are you a maple producer who seeks to certify your sugarbush? *
no

Seeds, Transplants and Buffers

How do you select your seeds? CNG standards call for growers to make a good faith effort to locate organically grown seeds by contacting at least 3 major suppliers. *
I buy my organically grown seeds from Johnnys, High Mowing and Baker Creek. All are reputable and known for selling organically grown seeds.
Do you purchase or grow using any Genetically Modified seeds? *
no
Do you use any chemically treated seeds in your operation? *
no
Do you grow your own transplants? *
no
Do you purchase any transplants from outside sources? *
yes
From which sources do you buy transplants? *
I purchase from Sharp Farm in Howard County. Our seeds are given to them, all seeds are from Johnny seeds or Baker Creek. Their farming practices are natural and they are well known.
How have you confirmed with your supplier that the transplants are grown without synthetic fertilizers or wetting agents? *
yes
Please list any bought-in transplants not grown according to CNG standards. This produce may not be sold as Certified Naturally Grown (except, in the case of perennials, after twelve months of CNG cultivation). *
None
Chemical/Spray Drift and Buffers:
Is there any likelihood of Chemical/Spray drift contamination of your fields? *
no
Do you have an adequate buffer to protect yourself from potential contamination? *
yes
Please describe your buffer. Be as specific as possible. On all sides, how far is it from your crops to the next closest use (road, conventional crop, residential yard)? Be sure to specify what is grown on neighboring land that is in agricultural use. For example: To the north and east, a wooded area of at least 100 yards separates us from the neighbor's corn fields, to the south is a fallow field at least 100 yards deep separating us from the road, and to the west about 60 feet separates our crops from a field where conventional corn and soybeans are grown. *
There is no risk of contamination within reasonable distance of the farm. The farm is surrounded by woods and a residential building. The land use within 50 feet to the south of the farm is a hay farm, I asked the farmer what he uses if any, and he said he only applies nitrogen p k. There is a road separating my farm and his. The other sides of the farm include woods, a lawn and farm barns.

Agreements

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements by checking the boxes.
I will not label, or in any way lead consumers to believe that produce not raised in accord with CNG standards is Certified Naturally GrownTM. *
I understand that I have to complete at least one (and hopefully more) Certification Inspection(s) of another farm in my area each year, and that the inspection will NOT be of the same farmer that inspected me. *
I have reviewed the Certified Naturally Grown certification standards, I understand them, and I will abide by them. I understand that if I have any questions I may contact CNG for clarification. *
You may use this space to tell us anything else you think we should know about your farm: