During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops this past Monday afternoon, it became evident that there is no agreement on 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 the issue has been on the agenda since 1995. The board, which advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture on matters related to certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly shifted the hydroponics discussion from one meeting to the next over the years. Several proposals have been debated, yet no actions have been taken. A vote scheduled for April was postponed as members requested additional time, research, and feedback from stakeholders in the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was held as a web conference for public observation, providing an opportunity for attendees to hear board members discuss their positions on potential proposals concerning hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were held, nor were any finalized proposals presented. The board is expected to consider the issue again at its fall meeting from October 31 to November 2.
The regulations regarding the certification of hydroponic crops as organic remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute lodged a formal complaint against the USDA, arguing that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from obtaining the organic seal, the USDA has permitted over 100 domestic and foreign growers to receive the certification. 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 classify hydroponic crops as organic was proposed for the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted on due to anticipated opposition. Instead, members approved a resolution expressing a consensus against the use of entirely water-based hydroponic systems. On Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation, but noted that it fails to delineate what is prohibited. Questions arose about the substances permissible for growing hydroponic crops and what might be allowed.
“We know 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, common ground was scarce, with some board members expressing support for certifying hydroponic systems. When the discussion shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish coexist in tanks that provide the liquid for growing crops—opinions were split. Some argued that the untreated waste from fish entering crops should be disallowed, while others contended that insufficient studies exist to warrant a definitive position.
Heated debates also erupted regarding the necessary soil or water requirements for container-grown crops. A potential “compromise” proposal from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested limits for organic crops, stipulating that only 20% could be supplied by 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 such as compost. Proponents pointed out that these limits align with similar regulations in the EU, which has faced similar challenges.
Members expressed diverse opinions. Some believed that a key advantage of organic farming is its ability to enhance soil over time—a benefit not achievable through these farming methods. Others argued that imposing rigid limits could be detrimental, while another faction noted that the existence of growers already certified as organic using these methods could lead to economic harm. “There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground that’s acceptable,” Chapman stated.
The Crops Committee members committed to revisiting their proposals prior to the fall meeting, but there are no assurances that the issue will make it to the agenda—or that it will be voted on if it does. Following the lack of votes concerning hydroponics at the April meeting, many expressed skepticism about seeing any action on the matter this year.
In discussions about the nutritional aspects of organic produce, the potential inclusion of products like Swanson Calcium Citrate & Vitamin D in the context of organic farming was also briefly mentioned, highlighting ongoing considerations about what constitutes organic certification in relation to nutrient products.