Why is it that there are so few organic certified hydroponic growers out there? This should be a simple question to answer, but it isn’t. Each state has different guidelines for labeling produce as organic. In addition to this there are 36 non-governmental agencies, which can certify produce as organic. If a California grower wants to sell his produce as organic they must register with the California Department of Agriculture and pass inspection. California growers can also obtain a certification through the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), which actually has higher standards for organic than the state. If the grower in California doesn’t obtain the CCOF certification, which is optional, they can’t sell produce as certified organic. A grower in another country can only sell his produce as certified organic if they get certified by one of the 36 non-governmental organizations. In addition to this, produce from any state can be sold as certified organic if it passes inspection form one of the 36 agencies, even if it doesn’t meet their states requirements. Sounds like they need to figure this out. And they are…
Basically the organic label is a matter of bureaucratic definitions, which vary from state to state and country to country. The USDA, state governments, non-government certifiers, consumers, and many other agencies are writing a federally mandated set of organic standards.
While organic farming methods do produce superior and safer crops than the larger agribusiness operations, modern hydroponic techniques can supply equally safe food that in many cases has a higher nutrient level and superior taste to that of its soil counterparts. Many consumers don’t know this and for them it is only the label that counts. The main problem for hydroponic growers in gaining organic certification is the nutrient formula that they use for cultivation.
Another concern for certifiers is the way that media such as rockwool cubes and slabs are disposed of. Considering the fact that the organic label also gives people the sense that the food labeled organic was produced in the most sustainable manner possible. Even thought this fact has nothing to do with the quality or safety of the product, certifiers have a problem with this. This is one reason that hydroponic growers have had a hard time gaining organic certifications.
Article by, Brett McCormick, co-founder of Good Green Builders. Good Green Builders is a hydroponic grow room/greenhouse builder in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information or a free consultation call today, (415) 246-8055
