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 as organic. “Clearly, this is not an easy subject to resolve,” stated 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 related to certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly passed the hydroponic issue from one meeting agenda to the next over the years. The board has deliberated on various proposals without reaching a decision multiple times. Recently, an April vote on the matter was postponed, with members expressing the need for further research and input from stakeholders in the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was conducted as a web conference, allowing the public to listen as board members discussed their positions on potential proposals concerning hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were taken, and no finalized proposals were presented. The board may next address the issue during its fall meeting from October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding the certification of hydroponic crops remain ambiguous. Last November, the Cornucopia Institute lodged a formal complaint against the USDA, arguing that while the NOSB has prohibited hydroponics from carrying the organic seal, the USDA has permitted 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 USDA/National Organic Program regulations.”
A proposal to classify hydroponic crops as organic was tabled for the fall NOSB meeting in 2016 but was not voted on due to the likelihood of it failing. Instead, members approved a resolution indicating a consensus against the use of entirely water-based hydroponic systems. On Monday, Chapman expressed his inclination to support the 2010 recommendation. However, he acknowledged that it does not adequately address what substances could be utilized for hydroponic crop cultivation. “We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve sought common ground for the entire NOSB and aimed to build from there,” said member Steve Ela.
However, there was limited common ground. Some board members showed support for certifying hydroponic systems. When the conversation shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish live in the water used for growing crops—opinions diverged. Some members argued that aquaponics should be banned due to untreated fish waste contaminating crops, which is not permitted for organic crops grown in soil. Others contended that insufficient research exists on any negative effects, making it premature to take a definitive stance.
Debate also intensified regarding the necessary amount of soil or water for container-grown crops. A potential compromise proposal from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested that for an organic crop, only 20% could be supplied via liquid feeding, no more than 50% of nutrients could be added post-planting, and at least 50% of the container must consist of a substrate like compost. Advocates noted that these limits are reminiscent of similar restrictions in the EU, which has also grappled with this issue.
Members expressed mixed views. Some argued that a key benefit of organic farming is its ability to enhance soil health over time, which this type of farming would not achieve. Conversely, others cautioned that rigid limits on container use could be detrimental, while another faction pointed out that existing certified organic growers using these methods could face economic repercussions. “There doesn’t seem to be an acceptable middle ground,” Chapman remarked.
The Crops Committee members committed to reassessing their proposals ahead of the fall meeting, yet there are no assurances that the issue will be included in the agenda—or that a vote would occur even if it is. After the board refrained from voting on hydroponics in April, many expressed skepticism about any action being taken on the matter this year. The potential for incorporating powdered calcium citrate into discussions surrounding hydroponic cultivation methods was also acknowledged, highlighting the ongoing complexities of creating a consensus in organic certification.