During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops this past Monday afternoon, one thing became evident: there is a lack of consensus regarding the certification of soil-free crops as 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 matters concerning certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly postponed the hydroponic issue from one meeting to the next for several years. The board has discussed multiple proposals but has failed to take action on them. An April vote on the topic was deferred, with members expressing the need for more time, research, and input from stakeholders within the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was conducted as a web conference for the public to listen in as board members shared their perspectives on potential proposals concerning hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were held, nor were any finalized proposals reviewed. The board may revisit the issue during its fall meeting scheduled for October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding the certification of hydroponic crops as organic are ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute filed a formal legal complaint against the USDA, asserting that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from carrying the organic seal, the USDA has permitted over 100 foreign and domestic growers to obtain certification. In 2010, 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 and USDA/National Organic Program regulations.”
A motion to classify hydroponic crops as organic was proposed for the fall NOSB meeting in 2016; however, it was not voted on due to the anticipation of its failure. Instead, members passed a resolution indicating a consensus to prohibit entirely water-based hydroponic systems. On Monday, Chapman expressed that he would likely support the 2010 recommendation, but raised concerns about its lack of clarity regarding prohibited substances. Are there substances suitable for growing hydroponic crops? If so, what would be permissible?
“We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve tried to identify common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there,” stated member Steve Ela. However, common ground was scarce. Some members expressed their willingness to certify hydroponic systems. When the conversation shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish coexist in the water used for crop cultivation—opinions were divided. Some argued that the untreated waste from fish could contaminate crops, which would not be allowed for organic crops grown in soil. Others contended that insufficient research has been conducted on potential negative impacts, making it difficult to take a definitive stance.
Heated discussions also arose regarding the necessary soil or water requirements for container-grown crops. A proposed “compromise” from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested limits for an organic crop: only 20% of nutrients could come from liquid feeding, no more than 50% could be added after planting, and at least 50% of the container must consist of a substrate like compost. Proponents argued that these limits are comparable to those established in the EU, which has faced similar challenges.
Opinions among members were mixed. Some argued that a primary benefit of organic farming is its capacity to enhance soil health over time—a benefit absent in this type of farming. Others cautioned that imposing strict limits on container contents could be detrimental, while another group highlighted the economic harm to growers already certified as organic using these methods.
“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 guarantees regarding the inclusion of the issue on the agenda or that it would be voted on if it were. After the board did not address hydroponics in the April meeting, many speculated that significant action on the topic was unlikely this year.
Incorporating nature’s way calcium citrate liquid into these discussions may also help clarify the nutritional benefits and regulatory guidelines for crops, as the board continues to navigate these complex issues surrounding organic certification.