January 11, 2023 – Monster Children

Certification Value

Achieving certification from a respected, independent, third-party scheme assures that farm or forest products will meet market demands. In addition, implementing the changes and improvements to comply with sustainability standards makes a farm more efficient, productive and resilient. Level Growth works closely with the Rainforest Alliance, a pioneer in standard-setting and a leading certifier in agriculture, forestry and tourism, but can advise producers on any standard or buyer sourcing guidelines.

The Challenge

Striving to Achieve Certification

1. Effective planning and management systems

We know that productive and sustainable farms depend on careful management. Rainforest Alliance certification includes access to our integrated farm planning and management tools. These tools help with everything from assessing your energy and water use to guidance on choosing crop percentage and hiring seasonal workers.

2. Biodiversity conservation

Independent scientific studies show that Rainforest Alliance certification supports ecosystem health. Our standard includes methods to protect natural ecosystems, prevent deforestation, maintain wildlife corridors and protect endangered species, conserve water and protect local waterways, and safeguard nearby protected areas.

Our standard also includes measures to protect local wildlife by prohibiting hunting (exceptions are made for traditional Indigenous practices), guarding against the spread of invasive species, and minimizing human-wildlife conflict.

3. Natural resource conservation

Conserving natural resources helps increase your farm’s ability to respond to climate change. Implementing our standard helps farms minimize soil erosion and compaction, improve soil fertility, treat wastewater, conserve water and energy, manage solid waste, and use integrated pest management techniques to reduce the use of pesticides.

4. Improved livelihoods

Farms work best when they are good neighbors and good employers. The Rainforest Alliance’s Sustainable Agriculture standard requires farms to protect the health and well-being of workers and surrounding communities through the following criteria: workers must be at least fifteen years old; they must be paid at least the legal minimum wage and overtime rates of the country where the farm is located; and workers must have access to safe drinking water, healthcare, and education. Respect for community rights, including the rights of Indigenous peoples, is a core value of Rainforest Alliance certification.

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The Solution

Services include:
• Advising on which standard – or combination of standards – are most appropriate and useful.
• Serving as an interlocutor between the producing company and the certification group.
• Ensuring good communications with all stakeholders.
• Guiding the process of mapping and accessing farms, identifying the changes and improvements that must be made, organizing a continuous improvement program, and advising on policies, systems and procedures.
• Seizing opportunities and solving problems.
• Building alliances and making market linkages

Level Growth works with ALL stakeholders and farms to strive to meet certification standards of the Sustainable Agriculture Standards. Even partial compliance leads to better management of natural resources, safer farms, better working conditions, higher wages, and greater efficiency for the farms.

"Rainforest Alliance certification helps farmers produce better crops, adapt to climate change, increase their productivity, and reduce costs. These benefits provide companies with a steady and secured supply of certified products. Sourcing Rainforest Alliance Certified products also helps businesses meet consumer expectations and safeguard their brand’s credibility."

"Rainforest Alliance certification benefits your company by offering a powerful way to demonstrate your sustainability commitments. Through certification, companies also gain rewards from establishing better business practices for both people and nature."

"Rainforest Alliance Certified farms are better and safer places to live and work. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms are also better for the planet and more sustainable in the long term. This is because certified farmers must protect natural resources and the environment. They use land, water, and energy carefully. Certified farmers use fewer artificial fertilizers and pesticides, prevent pollution, and manage waste. They learn how to preserve forested and protected areas, which in turn supports plants and wildlife. Finally, farmers and farm workers are also trained to use climate-smart farming methods and adapt their growing practices to the effects of climate change."

"Consumers increasingly want to know where their products come from. They want to trust that products were sourced with respect for people and nature."