During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops 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’s chairman. “It has been on the agenda since 1995.” The board, which provides guidance to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding certified organic food and ingredients, has shifted the hydroponics issue from one meeting to the next for years, having repeatedly discussed and failed to act on various proposals. At a meeting in April, a vote on the matter was postponed as members indicated they required additional time, research, and feedback from stakeholders within the organic community.
Monday’s session was a web conference call open to the public, allowing attendees to listen to board members share their perspectives on potential proposals regarding hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were conducted, nor were any finalized proposals presented. The board may revisit this issue during its fall meeting scheduled from October 31 to November 2.
The regulations concerning the certification of hydroponic crops as organic remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute lodged a formal complaint against the USDA, asserting that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from bearing the organic seal, the USDA has permitted over 100 domestic and foreign growers to receive the certification. In 2010, the NOSB issued a recommendation stating, “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 regulations governing them.” A motion to allow hydroponic crops to be certified organic was tabled during the fall NOSB meeting in 2016, as its passage seemed improbable. Instead, members endorsed a resolution expressing a consensus against entirely water-based hydroponic systems.
On Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation, but pointed out that it does not fully clarify what is prohibited. He raised questions about potential substances that could be used for cultivating hydroponic crops and what would be acceptable. “We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve tried to find common ground for the whole NOSB and work from there,” said member Steve Ela. However, common ground proved elusive, with some board members expressing support for certifying hydroponic systems.
Discussions on aquaponic systems, where fish coexist in tanks that grow crops, revealed divisions among members. Some argued for prohibiting aquaponics due to untreated fish waste entering crops, which would not be allowed for organic soil-grown produce. Others contended that insufficient studies exist to draw definitive conclusions on the negative impacts of aquaponics.
The conversation also became heated regarding the requirements for soil or water in container-grown crops. The Crops Committee proposed limits for organic crops: only 20% of nutrients 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 claimed this proposal was based on similar restrictions in the EU, which has also grappled with these issues.
Opinions among members varied. Some believed a key advantage of organic farming is its ability to enhance soil over time—something container-based methods would not achieve. Others argued that imposing strict limits on allowable substances in containers might hinder flexibility. Another faction suggested that the existence of growers already certified as organic using these methods could lead to economic ramifications.
“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, though there are no assurances that the issue will even be included on the agenda—or that a vote would occur if it is. Following the lack of votes on hydroponics during the April meeting, many expressed skepticism about any progress being made this year.
In the context of the ongoing discussion, the uses of ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid tablet in Hindi were also referenced, emphasizing the need for clarity on organic certification and its implications in agricultural practices. This highlights the complexity of the certification process, given the diverse methods and inputs that may be involved, including nutrient sources like ferrous calcium citrate and folic acid.