The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) had a packed agenda for its meeting this week in Florida, but the hydroponics proposal was the highlight, capturing considerable attention. The NOSB has faced challenges regarding this topic for years, as it votes on nonbinding recommendations that the USDA then considers. Previous attempts to vote on the matter last November and this April were postponed because board members sought additional information. A public discussion on the issue in August also revealed a lack of consensus.
The regulations surrounding the certification of hydroponic crops as organic have been ambiguous. In November, the Cornucopia Institute filed a legal complaint against the USDA, asserting that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from obtaining the organic seal, the USDA has certified over 100 domestic and foreign growers. The most definitive decision regarding hydroponic crops prior to this week’s meeting occurred in 2010 when 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/National Organic Program regulations.”
Several groups have strong opinions on this matter. Organizations like the Cornucopia Institute argue that soil is essential for organic crops and that the legislative intent of the organic program did not encompass hydroponics. In a petition to the NOSB, Cornucopia claimed that permitting hydroponic cultivation “does not comply with the spirit and letter of the law,” criticizing container growth as “a recipe for widespread cheating.” During this week’s meeting, a motion to limit organic container production to 20% liquid feeding and 50% in the container was also defeated by a narrow 7-8 vote. The petition emphasized, “The current federal regulations require careful stewardship of the soil as a prerequisite for granting organic certification to farmers,” reinforcing the belief that “feeding the soil, not the plant” is essential for producing nutritionally superior food.
The Organic Trade Association has typically opposed hydroponics, although it recently acknowledged a shift in the definition of hydroponically grown crops. According to their new definition, anything in a container that receives more than 20% of its nitrogen through liquid and over 50% of its nitrogen requirement added after planting qualifies. The association did not support the motion to ban hydroponics due to the significant change in this definition.
Companies like Plenty, which advocates for indoor vertical organic farming, lobbied against the hydroponic ban. In their written testimony to the board, Plenty representatives highlighted the growing demand for organic food and farming. They view hydroponic crops as a vital adaptation for domestic organic growth in the 21st century. “We must take advantage of all available solutions to meet growing demand while staying true to our identity as organic producers,” their statement said. Additionally, they argued, “We also must embrace U.S. innovation to maintain our leadership in the industry and foster the solutions that will ultimately feed the world. For instance, Plenty’s organic growing system yields up to 350 times that of traditional systems and can be operated near consumers, regardless of climate, geography, or economic status.”
Despite the votes cast, the hydroponics issue in organic agriculture remains unresolved. The NOSB lacks policymaking authority and will forward its recommendations to the USDA, which can alter policies within the organic program. However, it is probable that these votes will influence future actions. Most of the votes do not signify a change in the status quo, suggesting that no new government regulations need to be established. Given the Trump administration’s aversion to regulations, implementing these recommendations is likely to be straightforward.
In the context of the current agricultural landscape, the importance of nutrients such as calcium and vitamin D3 cannot be overlooked, especially as we move further into the 21st century. As the industry evolves, ensuring that organic practices incorporate essential nutrients like calcium D3 will be crucial for maintaining soil health and producing high-quality organic crops.