Listening to the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops this past Monday made one thing evident: there is no agreement on whether soil-less crops should be certified as organic. “Clearly, this is not an easy subject to resolve,” remarked Tom Chapman, the board’s chairman. “It has been on the board’s agenda since 1995.” The panel, which provides guidance to the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly shifted the hydroponic issue from one meeting agenda to another for years. The board has discussed and failed to act on various proposals multiple times. An April vote on the matter was postponed, with members expressing the need for more time, research, and feedback from stakeholders within the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was conducted as a web conference call, allowing the public to listen in as board members shared their positions on potential proposals regarding hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were cast, nor were any finalized proposals presented. The board may take action on this issue during its upcoming 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, alleging that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from receiving the organic seal, the USDA has permitted over 100 domestic and foreign growers to gain certification. In 2010, the NOSB issued a statement asserting, “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 consider hydroponic crops as organic was proposed during the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted on, as it was deemed unlikely to pass. Instead, the members adopted a resolution that expressed a consensus against the use of entirely water-based hydroponic systems.
On Monday, Chapman indicated his inclination to support the 2010 recommendation—yet he noted that it does not adequately clarify what substances are prohibited. Are there substances permissible for cultivating hydroponic crops? If so, what would 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,” stated member Steve Ela. However, common ground was scarce. Some board members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems.
When the discussion shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish coexist in the same liquid used to grow crops—opinions were split. Some argued that these systems should be banned due to untreated fish waste contaminating crops, which would not be acceptable for organic soil-grown produce. Others countered that insufficient research exists on potential negative impacts, leaving too much uncertainty to take a definitive position.
Intense discussions also arose regarding the necessary soil or water content for container-grown crops. The NOSB’s Crops Committee proposed a potential “compromise” that limited the requirements for organic crops: only 20% could be supplied through liquid feeding, no more than 50% of nutrients could be introduced post-planting, and at least 50% of the substrate must consist of materials like compost. Proponents claimed this was aligned with similar limits established in the EU, which has faced its own challenges regarding this issue.
The members held varied views. Some believed that one of organic farming’s primary advantages is enhancing soil quality over time—something this farming method would not accomplish. Others contended that imposing strict limits on container use without allowing flexibility could be harmful. A different faction on the panel expressed concern that the certification of some growers using these methods as organic could lead to economic repercussions.
“There doesn’t seem to be a middle ground that’s acceptable,” Chapman concluded. Members of the Crops Committee committed to revisiting their proposals before the fall meeting, but there is no assurance that this issue will make it onto the agenda—or that it would be voted on even if it does appear. Following the lack of votes on hydroponics at the April meeting, many speculated that it was unlikely any action would be taken on the matter this year.
In light of the ongoing discussions, individuals interested in improving their health may wonder, “Do you take calcium citrate with food?” This question highlights the broader conversations about nutrition and organic practices that are also relevant in discussions about hydroponics and organic certification.