Indoor Hydroponic Construction: organic Information

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

The following set of articles will explore the different ideals of organics and how they fit into the hydroponic industry. This is a very popular debate amongst many growers and produce consumers alike. There are very few organic certified hydroponic growers out there today and this is because of the difficulty in obtaining a certification for their hydroponically grown crops. Accepted organic fertilizer components are dependent on organisms in the soil to convert the organic material into a usable form for the plants. As many people know hydroponics is the growing of plants with a neutral media, where the nutrients are carried to the plants in water. The various materials, which are permitted for use under organic regulations, are not in pure enough form for use in hydroponic applications. With this in mind, it is important to remember why the word “organic” became such a buzzword in the ‘90s.

Consumers are becoming more conscience of what goes into their bodies. They don’t want to consume any produce that was treated with any sort of hazardous chemicals or poisons. Another reason for organics is the desire to create a food model that doesn’t harm the soil, water or ecosystems. There is an increasing public demand for produce that is cultivated with our planet in mind and that doesn’t harm our soil, water, or ecosystems. With hydroponics, less water is needed for cultivation and therefore, more food can be produced with less water. Hydroponic fertilizers are ultra pure and aren’t present in the cultivated fruits and vegetables. The result of providing the plants exactly what they need in the form of dissolved minerals in water, the plant is able to achieve higher growth rates, yields and even higher quality than organic methods. Since hydroponic technologies are more efficient than soil methods, more people can be fed with less area and ecological impact.

Article by, Brett McCormick, co-founder of Good Green Builders. Good Green Builders is hydroponics grow room/ Greenhouse builder in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information or a free consultation call today, (415) 246-8055.

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Are Hydroponics Organic II

Are Hydroponics Organic Part I

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