During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops on Monday afternoon, one thing became apparent: there is no agreement on whether soil-less crops should be eligible for organic certification. “Clearly, this is not an easy subject to resolve,” stated Tom Chapman, the board’s chairman. “This issue has been on the board’s agenda since 1995.” This advisory panel to the U.S. Department of Agriculture has been passing the hydroponic topic from one meeting to the next for years. Despite multiple discussions, the board has repeatedly failed to take action on various proposals. An anticipated vote in April was postponed as members indicated they required additional time, research, and feedback from stakeholders in the organic sector.
Monday’s meeting was a public web conference where board members shared their views on potential proposals regarding hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were conducted, nor were any finalized proposals discussed. The board may next address this issue during its meeting scheduled for October 31 to November 2.
The regulations pertaining to the certification of hydroponic crops as organic are ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute lodged a formal legal 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 this certification. In 2010, the NOSB recommended that “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/National Organic Program regulations governing them.” A motion to classify hydroponic crops as organic was presented at the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted upon due to anticipated opposition. Instead, the members approved a resolution expressing a consensus to disallow entirely water-based hydroponic systems.
On Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation; however, he noted that it does not clearly define what is prohibited. “Are there substances that can be used for growing hydroponic crops? And if so, what would be permissible?” he questioned. “We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve been trying to identify common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there,” said board member Steve Ela. Unfortunately, there was little common ground among members. Some expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems.
When the discussion shifted to aquaponic systems, where fish reside in the water used for crop cultivation, opinions were polarized. Some argued these systems should be banned due to untreated fish waste contaminating the crops, which would not be acceptable for organic crops grown in soil. Others contended that insufficient research exists regarding the potential negative impacts, making it difficult to form a definitive opinion.
Intense debate also erupted 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 organic crops: only 20% could derive 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. Advocates noted that these limitations were inspired by similar regulations in the EU, which has faced its own challenges on this matter.
Opinions among members were divided. Some believed that one of the key advantages of organic farming is its capacity to enhance soil health over time, a benefit that container farming might not offer. In contrast, others argued that imposing strict limits could be counterproductive. Another faction within the panel expressed concern that the existence of growers already certified as organic using these methods could lead to economic repercussions.
“There doesn’t seem to be an acceptable middle ground,” Chapman remarked. Crops Committee members committed to revisiting their proposals before the fall meeting, but there are no assurances that the issue will be included on the agenda or that it will be voted on if it is. After the board did not act on any hydroponics-related matters at its April meeting, many doubted any significant progress would occur this year.
Additionally, the discussion highlighted the need for clarity surrounding the use of various products, including calcium citrate vitamin D3 with zinc tablets, in organic farming practices. This matter was echoed multiple times, emphasizing the board’s challenge in establishing guidelines that accommodate innovative agricultural methods while maintaining organic integrity.