Soil is an integral part of a crop being grown organically. Hydroponic solutions do NOT have the diversity of microorganisms necessary for good plant health and nutritious crops. Do not allow it in organic certification.
R
Ronnie Kimbrell
10 years ago
In my opinion, Hydroponic vegetables are a contradiction of the rules that were established to to define and regulate the growing of Organic produce.
G
Gregory Markowiec
10 years ago
It's all about the soil!
C
Catherine Brown
10 years ago
Keep the SOIL in organic certification!
S
Steve Gilman
10 years ago
The National Organic Program's unilateral allowance of the certification of hydroponic operations must cease immediately until rule making and bonafide standards are fully in place.
L
Louise Frazier
10 years ago
It is urgent that the USDA National Organic Program accept the 2010 NOSB recommendation to prohibit soilless hydroponic vegetable production as certified! Soil is essential to organics!
B
Bill Liebhardt
10 years ago
A liquid medium is not organic soil. Therefore it is not organic and it should not be called organic.
S
Steven Winn
10 years ago
Please end this charade of growing veggies in water and calling it organic.
D
Dana Allen
10 years ago
I have been a commercial hydroponic grower in the past, and there is no way that hydroponics should be certified organic under the current USDA Organic Program.
I
ian ell;ott
10 years ago
will not let me sign
J
John Paul Rietz
10 years ago
Organic farming: feed the SOIL, not the crop!
A
Annie Gaillard
10 years ago
I have farmed organically for over 30 years and the soil is a crucial part of the process. No to hydroponic certification.
T
Theresa Lam
10 years ago
Growing plants hydroponically does not align with the USDA definition of Organic Production "ORGANIC PRODUCTION (7 CFR Part 205.2): A production system that is managed in accordance with the Act and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity."
A double standard exists if growing methods classified under USDA Organic certification which requires strict compliance with 205.203 (a) (b) and NOSB recommended rule 205.209(b) which fosters substantial ecological standards, but allows exemptions for these requirements to hydro/aquaponic farming systems. The spirit of the true organic farmer strives to foster--not minimize--the soil fertility and nutrient management as described in these standards.
A
Annie Gaillard
10 years ago
As an organic farmer for over 30 years, the soil is s crucual element in the nutrition of any vegetable. No to hydroponics being certifiable as organic
K
Kevin Koester
10 years ago
K&N Organic Farms supports the moratorium
R
Ruth H. Kaczmarek
10 years ago
Do we really know - and understand - what all soil microbes contribute to foods grown in soil? I think not.
R
Richard Wallick
10 years ago
Organic farming, as per the NOSB definition of organic agriculture (April 1995) "Organic agriculture is an ecological production system management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and SOIL [emphasis mine] biological activity. It is based upon minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." Hydroponic clearly does not meet this definition when it come to plants that normally require soil.
V
Virginia Richter
10 years ago
Organic food more nutrients than we can measure. Real food is grown in real soil.
S
Susan Gage
10 years ago
The standards for organic farming have become much too lax thanks to the USDA. It's time to fix that!
Soil is an integral part of a crop being grown organically. Hydroponic solutions do NOT have the diversity of microorganisms necessary for good plant health and nutritious crops. Do not allow it in organic certification.
In my opinion, Hydroponic vegetables are a contradiction of the rules that were established to to define and regulate the growing of Organic produce.
It's all about the soil!
Keep the SOIL in organic certification!
The National Organic Program's unilateral allowance of the certification of hydroponic operations must cease immediately until rule making and bonafide standards are fully in place.
It is urgent that the USDA National Organic Program accept the 2010 NOSB recommendation to prohibit soilless hydroponic vegetable production as certified! Soil is essential to organics!
A liquid medium is not organic soil. Therefore it is not organic and it should not be called organic.
Please end this charade of growing veggies in water and calling it organic.
I have been a commercial hydroponic grower in the past, and there is no way that hydroponics should be certified organic under the current USDA Organic Program.
will not let me sign
Organic farming: feed the SOIL, not the crop!
I have farmed organically for over 30 years and the soil is a crucial part of the process. No to hydroponic certification.
Growing plants hydroponically does not align with the USDA definition of Organic Production "ORGANIC PRODUCTION (7 CFR Part 205.2): A production system that is managed in accordance with the Act and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity." A double standard exists if growing methods classified under USDA Organic certification which requires strict compliance with 205.203 (a) (b) and NOSB recommended rule 205.209(b) which fosters substantial ecological standards, but allows exemptions for these requirements to hydro/aquaponic farming systems. The spirit of the true organic farmer strives to foster--not minimize--the soil fertility and nutrient management as described in these standards.
As an organic farmer for over 30 years, the soil is s crucual element in the nutrition of any vegetable. No to hydroponics being certifiable as organic
K&N Organic Farms supports the moratorium
Do we really know - and understand - what all soil microbes contribute to foods grown in soil? I think not.
Organic farming, as per the NOSB definition of organic agriculture (April 1995) "Organic agriculture is an ecological production system management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and SOIL [emphasis mine] biological activity. It is based upon minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony." Hydroponic clearly does not meet this definition when it come to plants that normally require soil.
Organic food more nutrients than we can measure. Real food is grown in real soil.
The standards for organic farming have become much too lax thanks to the USDA. It's time to fix that!
As a NOFA member, I believe in keeping soil .