During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops this past Monday afternoon, one thing became evident: there is no 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 has been on the agenda since 1995.” This advisory panel for the U.S. Department of Agriculture has repeatedly shifted the hydroponic issue from one meeting agenda to the next over the years. They have discussed multiple proposals but have yet to take definitive action. A vote scheduled for April was postponed as members expressed the need for additional time, research, and feedback from the organic community.
The meeting was conducted as a web conference, allowing the public to listen in on the board members’ discussions regarding potential proposals related to hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No decisions were made, and no finalized proposals were presented. The board is expected to revisit the matter during 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 prohibited hydroponics from receiving the organic seal, the USDA has permitted over 100 domestic and foreign growers to obtain this certification. In 2010, the NOSB recommended that “Hydroponics… cannot be classified as certified organic growing methods, as they exclude the soil-plant ecology integral to organic farming systems and USDA regulations governing them.” A motion to classify hydroponic crops as organic was presented at the fall NOSB meeting in 2016, but it was not voted on due to its unlikelihood of passing. Instead, a resolution was adopted that reflected a consensus among members to prohibit entirely water-based hydroponic systems.
On Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation. However, he noted that it does not adequately address what is forbidden. Are there substances that could be used to cultivate more hydroponic crops? If so, what would be permissible? “We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve tried to identify common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there,” stated member Steve Ela. Unfortunately, there was not much common ground to be found. Some board members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems.
When the conversation shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish live in tanks of water used to grow crops—opinions became polarized. Some members argued that they should be banned due to the untreated waste from fish entering the crops, which would not comply with organic standards for soil-grown produce. Conversely, others contended that the lack of research into negative impacts makes it difficult to form a definitive position on the issue.
Intense discussions also arose regarding the necessary amounts of soil or water for container-grown crops. A potential “compromise” proposal from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested limits for what would classify as an organic crop: only 20% could come 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 that this approach is modeled after similar regulations in the EU, which has faced its own challenges with this issue.
Board members held mixed views. Some argued that one of the primary benefits of organic farming is its ability to enhance soil quality over time, a benefit that this method would not provide. Others cautioned that imposing strict limits on container inputs might hinder flexibility. Another faction on the panel warned that allowing some growers using these methods to remain certified organic could lead to economic damage.
“There doesn’t appear to be an acceptable middle ground,” Chapman concluded. The Crops Committee members committed to reevaluating their proposals ahead of the fall meeting, but there are no assurances that the issue will make it onto the agenda or that it will be voted upon if it does. After the board’s failure to address hydroponics at its April meeting, many members expressed skepticism about any progress on the matter this year. The ongoing discussions highlight the complexities of organic certification, especially concerning the use of essential nutrients, such as calcium 315 mg, in hydroponic and container-grown systems.