Big Win For Indoor Farming: Hydroponics Can Be Certified Organic
Big Win For Indoor Farming: Hydroponics Can Be Certified Organic
November 2, 2017
Statement of Jack Griffin, President, Metropolis Farms on Action by the National Organic Standards Board.
I want to congratulate the National Organic Standards Board for reaching the correct decision to continue to allow produce from hydroponic farms to be certified organic.
The bottom line is, indoor hydroponic agriculture is good for the environment; it’s good for consumers, and it’s good for farmers.
Yesterday, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) rejected a proposal developed by the organization’s Crop Subcommittee that would exclude hydroponics from organic certification. The vote was held during NOSB’s semiannual meeting in Jacksonville, Florida. The NOSB typically meets twice per year in various locations around the United States.
In comments filed with the NOSB and the US Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Griffin cited report language provided by the FY2018 House Agricultural Appropriations bill, H.R. 3268, which recognized urban hydroponic farms among the non-traditional methods of agricultural production (which) have the potential to reduce the use of water and pesticides, improve yields for particular crops, serve lower-income populations, and provide year-round crops at the local level.
About Metropolis Farms Metropolis Farms is a technology company changing the vertical farming industry. Metropolis Farms has created affordable outdoor and indoor vertical farming systems that can grow anything and empowers farmers to start a profitable year-round local farm, regardless of location. The system lowers costs with dramatically reduced use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, water, machinery, and energy.
For more information, contact Dave Juday (202) 251-6320
About NOSB The NOSB is a Federal Advisory Board which considers and makes recommendations on a wide range of issues involving the production, handling, and processing of organic products. The Board’s role is to assist the USDA in the development of standards and advise the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation of Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb