During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops on Monday afternoon, one thing became evident: there is no agreement on whether soil-less crops should qualify for organic certification. “This is clearly a complex issue,” remarked Tom Chapman, the board’s chairman. “It has been on the agenda since 1995.” The board, which advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture on matters related to certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly postponed decisions about hydroponics over the years. The panel has considered several proposals but failed to reach a conclusion on multiple occasions. In April, a vote on the matter was delayed, with members expressing the need for more time for research and input from the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was conducted as a web conference, 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, and no finalized proposals were discussed. The board may address this issue again at its upcoming fall meeting from October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding the organic certification of hydroponic crops remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute lodged a formal legal complaint against the USDA, asserting that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from receiving the organic seal, the USDA has permitted over 100 domestic and international growers to obtain this certification. In 2010, 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.” A motion to classify hydroponic crops as organic was presented during the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted on, as passage seemed unlikely. Instead, the board adopted a resolution indicating a consensus against using entirely water-based hydroponic systems.
Chapman indicated that he would likely support the 2010 recommendation, but he acknowledged that it fails to clarify what is prohibited. He raised questions about potential substances that could be used in hydroponic farming and what might be permissible. “We understand this is a contentious topic, so I’ve been attempting to identify common ground for the entire NOSB and build from there,” stated board member Steve Ela. However, consensus was hard to come by, as some members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems.
When the discussion shifted to aquaponic systems, where fish cohabit with the crops, opinions diverged. Some members argued against certification due to untreated fish waste contaminating the crops, which would not be acceptable for organic soil-grown products. Conversely, others contended that insufficient research exists to establish negative impacts, leaving the issue unresolved.
Debate also ensued regarding the necessary amounts of soil or water for container-grown crops. A proposed compromise from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested limits for organic crop certification: only 20% of nutrients could come from liquid feeding, no more than 50% could be added post-planting, and at least 50% of the container must consist of a substrate like compost. Proponents cited similar restrictions in the EU, which has faced similar challenges.
Board members held mixed views. Some argued that a primary advantage of organic farming is enhancing soil health over time, a benefit potentially lost with these methods. Others cautioned against rigid limits on container inputs, stressing that flexibility is crucial. A faction within the panel expressed concern that already certified organic growers utilizing these methods could suffer economic repercussions.
“There doesn’t seem to be a viable compromise,” Chapman concluded. Members of the Crops Committee committed to revisiting their proposals in advance of the fall meeting, but there are no assurances that the hydroponic issue will be included on the agenda—or that it will be voted on if it is. Following the lack of action on hydroponics during the April meeting, many speculated that it would be improbable for any decisions to be made this year, especially given the ongoing discussions about essential nutrients like calcium citrate 250 mg and its implications for organic farming practices.