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 chairman. “It has been on our agenda since 1995.” The panel, which advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture on certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly postponed decision-making on hydroponics over the years, discussing various proposals without reaching a conclusion. A vote scheduled for April was deferred, with members expressing the need for further time, research, and input from the organic community.
The meeting was conducted as a web conference, allowing the public to listen in on members’ discussions regarding potential proposals related to hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were conducted, nor were any finalized proposals presented. The board may next address this issue at its fall meeting, scheduled for October 31 to November 2.
The regulations governing the organic certification of hydroponic crops remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute filed a formal complaint against the USDA, alleging that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from receiving the organic seal, the USDA has permitted over 100 domestic and foreign growers to obtain 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.”
At the fall NOSB meeting in 2016, a proposal to recognize hydroponic crops as organic was tabled but not voted on due to anticipated opposition. Instead, the board passed a resolution indicating a consensus against entirely water-based hydroponic systems. On Monday, Chapman expressed his likelihood of supporting the 2010 recommendation, but he noted that it does not adequately clarify what substances may be permissible for hydroponically grown crops. “Are there substances that can be utilized for growing more hydroponic crops? And if so, what would be allowed?” he inquired.
Member Steve Ela acknowledged the controversial nature of the topic and stated, “I have tried to identify common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there.” However, consensus was elusive, as some board members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems.
The discussion shifted to aquaponic systems, which involve fish living in the water used for crop growth. Opinions diverged, with some members advocating for prohibition due to untreated fish waste contaminating crops—a practice not permitted for soil-grown organic produce. Others argued that insufficient research exists to determine any negative consequences, leaving the board without a clear position on this matter.
A heated debate also unfolded over 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: only 20% could be derived 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 material such as compost. Supporters claimed this proposal mirrored similar limits set in the EU, which has faced its own challenges regarding this issue.
Opinions among members varied widely. Some argued that a primary benefit of organic farming is enhancing soil quality over time, which this method would not achieve. Conversely, others cautioned that imposing strict limits on container usage could prove detrimental, while another group highlighted that some growers using these methods are already certified organic, potentially causing economic harm.
“There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground that’s acceptable,” Chapman concluded. The Crops Committee members committed to revisiting their proposals before the fall meeting, but there are no guarantees that the issue will be included on the agenda or subjected to a vote, even if it is. After the board refrained from voting on hydroponics at its April meeting, many anticipated that no action would be taken on this matter during the remainder of the year.
In the context of organic practices, the discussion also touched upon the importance of nutritional supplements, such as those found in products like Vitamin Shoppe’s Calcium Citrate Plus Magnesium, which some argue could be beneficial for the health of crops grown in various systems. As the debate continues, the intersection of agriculture, nutrition, and organic standards remains a complex and unresolved issue.