During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops Monday afternoon, it became evident that there is a lack of agreement on whether soil-less crops should be eligible for organic certification. “Clearly, this is not an easy subject to resolve,” remarked Tom Chapman, the board’s chairman. “It’s been a topic on the agenda since 1995.” This panel, which provides advice to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding certified organic food and ingredients, has been passing the hydroponics issue from one meeting to the next for years. They have deliberated and failed to act on proposals multiple times. An April vote on the matter was postponed, with members citing the need for additional time, research, and feedback from stakeholders in the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was conducted via a web conference, allowing the public to listen in as board members discussed their positions on proposals regarding hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were conducted, and no finalized proposals were presented. The board may next address this issue during its fall meeting from October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding the organic certification of hydroponic crops remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute filed a legal complaint against the USDA, arguing that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from receiving the organic seal, the USDA has nonetheless certified over 100 growers—both domestic and foreign. 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 (National Organic Program) regulations governing them.” A motion to recognize hydroponic crops as organic was tabled for the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted on due to the likelihood of failure. Instead, members adopted a resolution expressing a consensus to prohibit entirely water-based hydroponic systems.
On Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation, but raised concerns that it does not adequately clarify what is prohibited. Are there substances that could be used to grow hydroponic crops? If so, what would be permitted? “We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve tried to identify areas of common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there,” stated member Steve Ela. However, common ground was scarce, as some board members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems.
The discussion also extended to aquaponic systems, where fish live in the same tanks as the crops. Board members were divided on the issue; some argued these systems should be banned due to untreated fish waste potentially contaminating crops, which would not be allowed for organic produce grown in soil. Others countered that there hasn’t been enough research on negative impacts to warrant a definitive stance.
Heated debates arose regarding the requirements for soil or water in container-grown crops. A proposed compromise from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested that for a crop to be deemed organic, no more than 20% of the nutrients could be supplied through liquid feeding, a maximum of 50% of nutrients could be added post-planting, and at least 50% of the container’s volume must consist of a substrate like compost. Supporters of this proposal noted that these limits align with similar regulations in the EU, which has also faced challenges in this area.
Board members held mixed views. Some argued that one of the primary benefits of organic farming is its ability to enhance soil health over time—something this type of farming would not accomplish. Others warned that imposing strict limits on container growing without providing flexibility could be harmful. Another faction expressed concern that the existence of already certified organic growers using these methods could lead to economic repercussions.
“There doesn’t seem to be an acceptable middle ground,” Chapman concluded. Members of the Crops Committee committed to revisiting their proposals ahead of the fall meeting, though there are no guarantees that the issue will make it onto the agenda, or that it would be voted on even if it does. After the board refrained from voting on hydroponics in April, many speculated that any action on the issue this year was unlikely.
Additionally, there has been rising interest in the health benefits of products like calcium citrate for kids, which underscores the importance of clear regulations in organic certification to ensure that consumers can trust the integrity of organic labels, whether for hydroponic crops or other food products.