The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) had a packed agenda for its meeting this week in Florida, but the hydroponic proposal was the item that captured significant attention. The board, which votes on recommendations that are then assessed by the USDA, has faced challenges with this issue for years. Previous plans to vote on it in November and April were postponed as members sought more information. An August public discussion also indicated a lack of consensus on the matter. The regulations regarding the certification of hydroponic crops as organic have been ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute filed a formal complaint against the USDA, arguing that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from receiving the organic seal, the USDA has allowed over 100 domestic and foreign growers to obtain the certification.
Before this week’s meeting, the only notable decision regarding hydroponic crops came in 2010, when 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,” in accordance with USDA regulations. Various interest groups have strong opinions on this topic. Organizations like the Cornucopia Institute argue that soil is essential for organic crops and that the legislative intent of the organic program did not encompass hydroponics.
In a petition to the NOSB, Cornucopia contends that allowing hydroponic cultivation “does not comply with the spirit and letter of the law,” and criticizes container growth—a compromise allowing some liquid feeding and a substrate like compost—as “a recipe for widespread cheating.” During this week’s meeting, board members also rejected a motion to limit organic container production to 20% liquid feeding and 50% substrate, with a narrow vote of 7-8. The petition states, “The current federal regulations require careful stewardship of the soil as a prerequisite for granting organic certification to farmers.” It emphasizes the mantra of pioneering organic farmers: “feed the soil, not the plant,” arguing that nutritionally superior food necessitates a diverse and healthy soil microbiome.
Traditionally, the Organic Trade Association has not supported hydroponics, although it has recently adjusted its definition of hydroponically grown crops. According to position papers and statements from a spokesperson, the association did not endorse the motion to prohibit hydroponics due to the significant changes in its definition. Companies like Plenty, which advocates for indoor vertical organic farming, have lobbied against the hydroponic ban. In their written testimony to the board, Plenty representatives highlighted the increasing demand for organic food and farming, viewing hydroponic crops as essential for adapting domestic organic growth to future needs.
Plenty’s statement reads, “We must take advantage of all available solutions to meet growing demand while remaining true to our identity as organic producers. We must also embrace U.S. innovation to maintain our industry leadership and foster solutions that will ultimately feed the world. For instance, Plenty’s organic growing system yields up to 350 times that of traditional systems and can be situated close to consumers, regardless of climate, geography, or economic status. We can deploy an organic field-scale farm within months, enabling us to scale U.S. organic production capacity rapidly to meet rising demand.”
Although votes have been cast, the hydroponics issue in organic agriculture remains unresolved. The NOSB lacks policymaking authority and will present its recommendations to the USDA, which has the power to modify organic program policies. Nonetheless, it is likely that these votes will influence future decisions. Most of the votes do not signify a change to the status quo, meaning no new government regulations would need to be established. Given the Trump administration’s aversion to regulations, these recommendations could be implemented relatively easily.
In this context, it is essential to remember that as we navigate the complexities of organic farming in the 21st century, the integration of innovations like 21st century calcium citrate plus D3 becomes increasingly important. Such advancements not only enhance crop yields but also align with the evolving standards of organic agriculture, ensuring we meet the growing demands of consumers while fostering sustainable practices.