During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops on Monday afternoon, it became evident that there is a lack of agreement regarding the certification of soil-less crops as organic. “Clearly, this is not an easy subject to resolve,” stated Tom Chapman, the board’s chairman, noting that this topic has been on the agenda since 1995. The board, which advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture on certified organic food and ingredients, has been passing the hydroponic issue from one meeting to the next for years, having previously discussed and failed to act on several proposals.
In April, a vote on the matter was postponed as members expressed the need for additional time, research, and input from stakeholders within the organic community. The recent meeting was a web conference call allowing public observation of board members discussing their positions on potential proposals related to hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No formal votes or finalized proposals were presented during this meeting, and the board’s next opportunity to act on the issue is at its fall meeting from October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding the certification of hydroponic crops as organic remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute filed a formal complaint against the USDA, asserting that while the NOSB has barred 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.”
During the fall NOSB meeting in 2016, a motion to allow hydroponic crops to be classified as organic was on the agenda but was not voted on due to its likely failure. Instead, the board passed a resolution indicating a consensus to prohibit entirely water-based hydroponic systems. On Monday, Chapman indicated his probable support for the 2010 recommendation, though he acknowledged that it does not adequately clarify what is prohibited. Questions arose regarding which substances, such as ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid tablets, could potentially be used for cultivating hydroponic crops and what would be permissible.
“We understand this is a controversial topic, so I’ve tried to identify common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there,” remarked member Steve Ela. However, finding common ground proved to be challenging. Some board members expressed their support for certifying hydroponic systems, while the discussion shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish are raised in the same liquid used for growing crops—revealing further divisions. Some members argued that aquaponics should be prohibited due to untreated fish waste entering the crops, which is not allowed for organic crops grown in soil. Others countered that insufficient research has been conducted to determine any negative implications.
The conversation also heated up regarding the criteria for soil or water requirements in container-grown crops. A potential “compromise” proposal from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested limits for organic crops: only 20% could derive 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 argued this was based on similar restrictions in the EU, which has faced similar challenges.
Opinions among members varied significantly. Some believed one of the primary advantages of organic farming is its role in improving soil quality over time—something that this method would not achieve. Others contended that imposing strict limits on container farming could be harmful, while another faction on the panel raised concerns that existing certified organic growers using these methods would suffer economically.
“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 is no assurance that the issue will be included on the agenda or that a vote would take place if it is. Following the lack of votes on hydroponics in April, many members expressed skepticism about any significant progress on the topic this year.