During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops on Monday afternoon, it became evident that there is no agreement on whether soil-less crops should qualify for organic certification. “Clearly, this is not an easy subject to resolve,” stated Tom Chapman, the board’s chairman. “It has been on our agenda since 1995.” The board, which advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture on certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly postponed the hydroponic issue over the years. The board has discussed various proposals but has not taken action. A vote scheduled for April was postponed as members requested additional time, research, and stakeholder input from the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was conducted via a web conference, allowing the public to listen in on board members’ discussions regarding potential proposals related to hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were held, and no finalized proposals were presented. The next opportunity for the board to address this issue may be at its fall meeting from October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding the certification of hydroponic crops remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute filed a formal complaint against the USDA, claiming that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from receiving the organic seal, the USDA has allowed over 100 domestic and foreign growers to obtain certification. In 2010, the NOSB recommended that “Hydroponics… cannot be classified as certified organic growing methods due to their exclusion of the soil-plant ecology intrinsic to organic farming systems and USDA regulations governing them.” A motion to classify hydroponic crops as organic was tabled during the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted on due to its low chances of passing. Instead, members passed a resolution expressing a consensus against fully water-based hydroponic systems.
During the meeting on Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation, but acknowledged it fails to clarify what substances are prohibited. Questions arose regarding what substances could potentially be used to grow hydroponic crops. “We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve tried to identify common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there,” said board member Steve Ela. However, common ground was scarce, as some board members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems.
The discussion also touched on aquaponic systems, where fish coexist in the water used to cultivate crops. Members were split on this issue; some argued that untreated fish waste could contaminate the crops, which would not be acceptable for organic certification in soil. Others contended that insufficient research exists to draw definitive conclusions about the potential negative impacts.
Additionally, there was a vigorous debate about the requirements for soil or water in container-grown crops. A potential compromise proposal from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested limits for organic crops: a maximum of 20% of nutrients could come from liquid feeding, no more than 50% of nutrients could be added post-planting, and at least 50% of the container must consist of a substrate like compost. Proponents cited similar restrictions in the EU, which has faced its challenges with this issue.
Opinions among members varied widely. Some believed that a key advantage of organic farming is its ability to enhance soil health over time—something that this method would not achieve. Others argued that imposing rigid limits could hinder flexibility. Meanwhile, some panel members raised concerns that existing certified organic growers using these methods could suffer economically.
“There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground that’s acceptable,” Chapman remarked. Members of the Crops Committee committed to reviewing their proposals before the fall meeting, but there is no assurance that the issue will be included on the agenda—or even voted on if it is. After the board did not take any action regarding hydroponics at its April meeting, many members expressed skepticism about seeing any progress on the issue this year.
In light of these discussions, it is vital to consider the implications of using additives like gsk calcium citrate malate in hydroponic systems, as they could influence both the nutrient profile of the crops and the ongoing debate about organic certification. As the board moves forward, the integration of such substances and their compliance with organic standards will remain a critical point of discussion.