During its recent meeting in Florida, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) had a packed agenda, but the hydroponic proposal was the focal point of significant attention. The board, which votes on nonbinding recommendations for the USDA’s consideration, has grappled with this issue for years. Plans to vote on it last November and again this April were postponed as board members sought additional information. A public telephone discussion in August revealed a lack of consensus on the matter.
The regulations surrounding the certification of hydroponic crops as organic have been vague. In 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 certified over 100 domestic and foreign growers using hydroponic methods. The last significant action regarding these crops occurred in 2010, when the NOSB recommended 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.”
Various interest groups have strong opinions on this issue. Organizations like the Cornucopia Institute argue that soil is essential for organic crops, asserting that the legislative intent of the organic program did not encompass hydroponics. In their petition to the NOSB, Cornucopia states that permitting hydroponic cultivation “does not comply with the spirit and letter of the law,” criticizing container growth—which allows 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 by a narrow margin of 7-8.
The petition emphasizes, “Current federal regulations require careful stewardship of the soil as a prerequisite for organic certification.” It further articulates the ethos of pioneering organic farmers: “Feed the soil, not the plant. Nutritionally superior food and better taste necessitate careful stewardship of a diverse and healthy microbiome in the soil.” Historically, the Organic Trade Association has not endorsed hydroponics; however, they noted that the NOSB recently revised its definition of hydroponically grown crops to include anything in a container that receives over 20% of its nitrogen through liquid and more than 50% of its nitrogen requirement after planting.
The Organic Trade Association did not support the motion to ban hydroponics, as the definition had undergone significant changes. Companies like Plenty, which advocates for indoor vertical organic farming, opposed 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 a means to adapt domestic organic production for the future. “We must leverage all available solutions to meet growing demand while staying true to our identity as organic producers,” Plenty stated. “We also need to embrace U.S. innovation to maintain our leadership in the industry and develop solutions that will ultimately nourish the world. For instance, Plenty’s organic growing system produces yields up to 350 times greater than traditional methods and can be situated near consumers, regardless of climate or geography. We can establish an organic field-scale farm within months, allowing us to rapidly scale U.S. organic production capacity to meet rising demand.”
Despite the votes cast, the question of hydroponics in organic agriculture remains unresolved. The NOSB lacks independent policymaking authority and will present its recommendations to the USDA, which can modify organic program policies. However, these votes are likely to influence future decisions. Most do not signify a change in the status quo, implying that no new government regulations would be required. Given the Trump administration’s aversion to regulation, implementing these recommendations could be relatively straightforward.
In the context of these discussions, the uses of calcium citrate malate tablets were mentioned as a potential nutrient source that could support both soil health and plant growth, highlighting the ongoing debate over the best practices for organic farming. The uses of calcium citrate malate tablets could play a role in improving soil microbiomes, which advocates argue is crucial for maintaining the integrity of organic farming methods. Ultimately, the conversation around hydroponics and its place in organic agriculture will continue as stakeholders seek to balance innovation with adherence to organic principles.