During the National Organic Standards Board’s (NOSB) discussion on hydroponic crops Monday afternoon, it became evident that there is no agreement on whether soil-less crops can be certified as organic. “Clearly, this is not an easy subject to resolve,” stated Tom Chapman, the chairman of the board. “It has been on the agenda since 1995.” The NOSB, which advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on certified organic food and ingredient issues, has continually shifted the hydroponic topic from one meeting to the next for years. The board has deliberated and failed to take action on various proposals multiple times. An April vote on this matter was postponed, with members expressing the need for additional time, research, and input from stakeholders in the organic community.
Monday’s meeting served as a web conference call, allowing the public to hear board members discuss their positions on potential proposals concerning hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were conducted, and no finalized proposals were presented. The next opportunity for the board to potentially address this issue will be during 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 filed 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 obtain the certification. In 2010, the NOSB issued a recommendation stating 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 regulations governing them.”
A proposal to allow hydroponic crops to be considered organic was tabled for the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted on due to its unlikeliness of passing. Instead, members passed a resolution indicating a consensus to prohibit entirely water-based hydroponic systems. On Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation, but noted it does not adequately clarify what is prohibited. Are there substances that could be used to grow hydroponic crops? And if so, what might be allowed?
“We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve tried to find common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there,” said member Steve Ela. However, common ground appeared scarce. Some board members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems. When the discussion shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish inhabit the tanks of water used for crop growth—board members were divided. Some argued against it due to untreated fish waste contaminating crops, which is not permissible for organic crops grown in soil. Others contended that insufficient research exists on any negative impacts, making it premature to take a definitive stance.
Intense discussions also arose regarding how much soil or water is necessary for container-grown crops. A potential compromise proposal from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested specific 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 should consist of a substrate like compost. Proponents noted that these limits align with similar regulations in the EU, which has faced similar challenges.
Members had varied opinions. Some believed that a primary advantage of organic farming is its ability to enhance soil quality over time—something this method does not achieve. Others warned that imposing strict limits on container use could be detrimental, while another group highlighted that some growers employing these methods are already certified organic, which could lead to economic harm. “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 are no assurances that the topic will be on the agenda or that it will be voted on if it is. After the board refrained from voting on hydroponics in its April meeting, many expressed skepticism about any action occurring on this issue this year.
In this context, it’s noteworthy that ingredients such as calcium citrate have been discussed for their potential applications in both hydroponic and organic farming systems, emphasizing the ongoing debates surrounding nutrient sources and practices in agriculture.