During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops on Monday afternoon, it became evident that there is no agreement on whether soil-less crops should be certified organic. “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 panel, which advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture on certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly deferred the hydroponic issue from one meeting to the next. They have discussed various proposals multiple times without reaching a decision. In April, a vote on the matter was postponed, as members expressed the need for additional time, research, and feedback from the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was a web conference that allowed the public to listen to board members as they shared their views on potential proposals regarding hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were conducted, nor were finalized proposals presented. The board may address the issue again at its fall meeting scheduled for October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding whether hydroponic crops can be certified organic remain 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 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 the USDA’s National Organic Program regulations governing them.”
A motion to allow hydroponic crops to be considered organic was proposed for the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted on due to its low likelihood of passing. Instead, the members passed a resolution indicating a consensus against fully water-based hydroponic systems. On Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation; however, he noted it does not adequately define what is prohibited. Are there substances that can be utilized for hydroponic crop production? If so, what would be permissible?
“We understand this is a contentious topic, so I’ve sought common ground for the entire NOSB and aimed to build from there,” said member Steve Ela. However, common ground was scarce. Some board members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems. When the topic shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish live in the same liquid used to grow crops—opinions were split. Some argued that untreated fish waste entering the crops should be prohibited for organic certification, while others noted that insufficient research exists to form a definitive stance.
Additionally, there were intense discussions about the necessary soil or water content for container-grown crops. A potential compromise proposed by the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested that for an organic crop, only 20% could be derived from liquid feeding, no more than 50% of nutrients could be added after planting, and at least 50% of the container must consist of a substrate like compost. Proponents cited similar limits established in the EU, which has also faced challenges with this issue.
Board members held varied opinions. Some believed that a primary advantage of organic farming is its ability to enhance soil quality over time, which this type of farming might undermine. Others argued that imposing strict limits on container use without allowing flexibility could be harmful. Additionally, some panel members expressed concern that many growers using these methods are already certified organic, which could result in economic repercussions.
“There doesn’t seem to be an acceptable middle ground,” Chapman concluded. Members of the Crops Committee committed to revisiting their proposals ahead of the fall meeting, but there are no assurances that the issue will be included on the agenda or that it will be voted on even if it is. After the board refrained from voting on hydroponics during its April meeting, many speculated that significant action on the subject this year is unlikely, despite the ongoing discussions about practices such as using calcio citrate in hydroponic systems.