USDA reconfirms organic status of hydroponics, aquaponics, aeroponics

At its Fall 2017 public meeting, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) heard significant testimony about hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic operations. Given the extensive debate on this topic, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is posting this notice to clarify the status of these systems.

Certification of hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic operations is allowed under the USDA organic regulations, and has been since the National Organic Program began. For these products to be labeled as organic, the operation must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent, and maintain compliance with the USDA organic regulations.

The NOSB has recommended prohibiting aeroponic systems in organic production. USDA will consider this recommendation; aeroponics remains allowed during this review.

AMS has posted materials from the NOSB Fall 2017 Meeting. Materials include:

Meeting Summary
Meeting Transcript
Voting Record
Final November 2017 NOSB Recommendations
NOP Response to NOSB Final Recommendations
Presentations