During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops this past 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,” remarked Tom Chapman, the board’s chairman. “It’s been on the agenda since 1995.” The board, which provides advice to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding certified organic food and ingredients, has passed the hydroponic issue from one meeting to the next for many years. The panel has repeatedly discussed proposals without reaching a decision. A vote scheduled for April was postponed as members indicated they required additional time, research, and input from the organic community.
Monday’s meeting functioned as a web conference, allowing the public to listen to board members share their perspectives on potential proposals regarding hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were conducted, nor were any finalized proposals presented. The board may revisit the issue at its upcoming fall meeting, scheduled for October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding the certification of hydroponic crops as organic remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute lodged a formal legal complaint against the USDA, asserting that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from carrying the organic label, the USDA has permitted over 100 domestic and foreign growers to receive such certification. In 2010, the NOSB recommended that “Hydroponics… certainly cannot be classified as certified organic growing methods due to their exclusion of the soil-plant ecology intrinsic to organic farming systems and USDA/(National Organic Program) 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, as its approval was deemed unlikely. Instead, board members passed a resolution indicating a consensus to prohibit completely water-based hydroponic systems. On Monday, Chapman expressed his likely support for the 2010 recommendation, but he acknowledged that it fails to clarify what is prohibited. Are there substances that could be utilized for growing hydroponic crops? If so, which ones would be permitted?
Recognizing the controversy surrounding this topic, member Steve Ela attempted to identify common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there. However, consensus was elusive. Some board members indicated their support for certifying hydroponic systems. The discussion shifted to aquaponic systems, where fish inhabit the tanks containing the liquid used for crop growth. Opinions were divided; some argued that these systems should be banned due to the untreated fish waste contaminating the crops, which would not be acceptable for organic soil-grown produce. Others contended that insufficient research has been conducted on potential negative impacts, leaving too much uncertainty to take a definitive stance.
Debate also arose regarding the necessary amounts of soil or water for container-grown crops. A proposed “compromise” from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested limits for organic crops: only 20% could be supplied through 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 argued that these limits align with similar regulations in the EU, which has also grappled with this issue.
Members expressed mixed opinions. Some believed that a primary advantage of organic farming is its capacity to enhance soil health over time—something that this particular farming method would not achieve. Conversely, others argued that imposing strict limits on container usage without allowing flexibility could be detrimental. Another faction of the panel raised concerns that the existence of growers already certified as organic using these methods could lead to economic repercussions.
“There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground that’s acceptable,” Chapman noted. Members of the Crops Committee committed to reviewing their proposals before the fall meeting, but there are no assurances that the issue will appear on the agenda—or that it would be voted on even if it did. Following the board’s lack of action regarding hydroponics at its April meeting, many expressed skepticism about any movement on the topic this year.
In the midst of these discussions, it’s worth noting that understanding the uses of calcium citrate tablets 500mg in Hindi may provide insights into nutrient supplementation that could be relevant for organic farming practices, particularly in hydroponic systems. The necessity of maintaining the balance of nutrients, including calcium, is crucial for the health of plants grown in non-soil mediums. As the board grapples with these complex issues, the interplay between nutrient management and organic certification remains a critical point of consideration.