The world of agriculture is ever-evolving, with new technologies and methods constantly emerging. One such method that has gained significant traction in recent years is hydroponics. But the question that often arises is, “Is hydroponics organic?” Read on to explore the various facets of hydroponics and its relationship with organic farming.
Is Hydroponics Organic- The Arguments in a Nutshell
There has been a battle of sorts taking place between the traditional organic farming community and the newer hydroponic community over whether hydroponics can be considered organic.
3 Arguments For Hydroponics Being Organic:
- Hydroponic systems promote efficient nutrient delivery to plants, which can result in healthier and more flavorful produce 2 .
- Hydroponic crops are generally grown in a sterile environment, reducing the need for pesticides and promoting sustainable agriculture 2.
- Organic hydroponic systems can be certified as organic by various authorities, depending on the specific standards and regulations in different countries 3 .
3 Arguments Against Hydroponics Being Organic:
- Hydroponics is fundamentally different from organic farming, as it focuses on feeding the plant rather than the soil 1 5 .
- Organic farming is more about feeding the soil than feeding the plant, which makes it difficult to adapt organic methods to hydroponic systems 5
- Some organic farming associations argue that hydroponic methods should not be certified as organic, as they do not align with the core principles of organic farming, such as feeding the soil and promoting biodiversity 5
Understanding Hydroponics
Before we can answer the question of whether hydroponics is organic or not, it’s important to first understand what hydroponics is. Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in a water solvent. It’s a revolutionary technique that allows plants to grow faster and healthier than traditional soil-based cultivation.
Hydroponics is not limited to a specific location or climate, as it can be done indoors, in greenhouses, or even in your own home. This flexibility makes it a popular choice for urban farming and other situations where space is at a premium. But does this innovative method align with the principles of organic farming? Let’s find out.
Defining Organic Farming
Organic farming is a method of crop and livestock production that involves much more than choosing not to use pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified organisms, antibiotics, and growth hormones. It’s a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock, and people.
The principal goal of organic farming is to develop operations that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment. It’s about respecting the natural systems and cycles within every farming practice, promoting ecological balance, and conserving biodiversity.
What Does Organic Certified Mean?
Organic certification is a process that allows farms or processing facilities to sell, label, and represent their products as organic. It provides consumers with more choices in the marketplace and ensures that products meet specific standards for sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices 1.
Organic certification is carried out by various authorities, such as the USDA in the United States 1 and the EU in the European Union 5.
These authorities set regulations and standards for organic farming, which include restrictions on the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and genetically modified organisms.
How is Organic Certification Awarded?
The process of obtaining organic certification involves several steps:
- The farm or business adopts organic practices and selects a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
- The certifying agent reviews the application to verify that practices comply with USDA organic regulations.
- An inspector conducts an on-site inspection of the applicant’s operation.
- The certifying agent reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant complies with the USDA organic regulations.
- The certifying agent issues an organic certificate.
To maintain organic certification, certified operations must go through an annual review and inspection process. The cost of organic certification varies depending on the certifying agent and the size, type, and complexity of the operation, ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Now that we have a clear understanding of both hydroponics and organic farming, we can begin to examine their intersection.
So, Is Hydroponics Organic?
The answer to whether hydroponics (or aquaponics) can be considered organic is complex and depends largely on your interpretation of what it means to be ‘organic’. If you use a strict definition of organic as growing plants in soil using natural processes, then hydroponics would not fit this definition, as it does not use soil.
However, if you view organic farming as a method that avoids the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, promotes ecological balance, and conserves biodiversity, then hydroponics can indeed be considered organic. Hydroponic systems can be designed to recycle water and nutrients, minimizing waste and environmental impact. Furthermore, because hydroponic systems are often indoors, they can reduce the need for synthetic pesticides that are harmful to the environment.
What About Organic Nutrients?
Another element to consider would be the type of nutrients used in the hydroponic system. Some may consider this irrelevant to the organic status of a hydroponics operation. Others will consider the use of organic nutrients to be essential for organic status.
Hydroponics can be considered organic by using organic nutrients and following specific principles. Organic hydroponic solutions can be made from scratch, utilizing organic waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill. These can be made and “brewed” at home. But for larger operations, Even commercial organic solutions are, by their nature, more sustainable than traditional chemical fertilizers.
The biggest challenge in organic hydroponics is creating enough nitrogen and calcium available for plants, as they require large amounts of these compounds. While organic fertilizers may not provide a substantial ratio of all the needed minerals, some mineral salts are allowed in organic production and can help make up for potential shortcomings of organic fertilizers.
Organic vs. Non-Organic Nutrients in Hydroponic Systems
Controversy in the Organic Community
The question of whether hydroponics is organic has sparked considerable debate within the organic farming community. Some purists argue that organic farming must involve soil, as they believe that soil is essential to the ecological balance that organic farming promotes. They argue that the complex ecosystem within soil helps to build a plant’s resistance to diseases and pests, and this cannot be replicated in a hydroponic system.
On the other hand, proponents of hydroponics argue that their systems can mimic many of the benefits of soil-based growing, while also offering additional advantages. They point out that hydroponic systems use significantly less water than soil-based farming, and that they can produce crops year-round in controlled environments. This can lead to higher yields and more efficient use of space, which are important considerations in a world with a growing population and limited resources.
Recent Legal Rulings on Hydroponics As Organic
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is a group of 15 public volunteers from the organic community who provide recommendations on issues related to the production, handling, and processing of organic products. The NOSB is governed by the Federal Advisory and was established by the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). The NOSB has a special responsibility for the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The NOSB meets twice a year to discuss its work agenda, vote on proposals, and make recommendations to the Secretary.
On November 1, 2017, the National Organic Standards Board finally made a decision on one of the most divisive issues in the organic world: should crops grown in water, containers, or otherwise not in the ground be allowed to call themselves organic? The decision is thus: hydroponic farming and container gardens will remain eligible for organic certification.
In 2021, a U.S. District Court in San Francisco ruled in favor of the USDA, upholding the decision to allow hydroponic operations to be certified as organic under the National Organic Program (NOP) 3. The court found that the USDA’s denial of the rulemaking petition reasonably concluded the applicable statutory scheme does not exclude hydroponics from the organic program 3. This ruling affirmed the USDA’s position that hydroponic producers can sell their crops as organic without building soil fertility, while organic farmers growing food in soil have to meet various soil-building requirements to be certified organic 3.
In 2022, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the USDA’s decision to allow hydroponic crops to be certified organic 2. The court agreed that the text of the law does not expressly ban hydroponic crops from receiving organic certification, and the USDA has a well-reasoned argument as to why hydroponic crops receive the certification. The court let the ruling stand, ending the legal battle over whether organic crops can be grown in soil-less conditions.
The Bottom Line – Is Hydroponics Organic
In conclusion, there is the legal rulings which have favored hydroponic farming as being organic. But, the argument still continues across the organic farming community.
The question of whether hydroponics is organic perhaps ultimately depends on your perspective. If you strictly define organic farming as soil-based farming, then hydroponics does not fit this definition. However, if you view organic farming as a method that promotes ecological balance and sustainability, then hydroponics can indeed be considered organic.
Regardless of where you stand on this issue, one thing is clear: hydroponics offers a promising alternative to traditional farming methods. It’s a technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we grow food, making agriculture more sustainable and efficient. And from my personal experience as a DIY grower, that’s something I can all get behind.