Release No.: 024-15

Contact:

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, March 9, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking nominations for a task force to explore hydroponic and aquaponic production practices and their alignment with USDA organic regulations. The new task force will gather input from a diverse group of stakeholders and industry experts regarding organic hydroponic and aquaponic production.

The task force will report to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), an advisory committee of organic industry and stakeholder representatives who recommend whether substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic production or handling, assist in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production, and advise the Secretary of Agriculture on other aspects of the organic regulations.

Organic hydroponic production is currently allowed as long as producers can demonstrate compliance with the USDA organic regulations. In 2010, however, the NOSB’s report to USDA on Production Standards for Terrestrial Plants in Containers and Enclosures (Greenhouses) recommended not allowing organic hydroponic production because it is not soil based. Emerging technologies in hydroponic and aquaponic production have prompted AMS to seek the most current information and opinions of industry experts before acting on NOSB’s greenhouse recommendation.

AMS is seeking nominees for the following stakeholder groups: producer, researcher or scientist; consumer representative; conservationist; systems designer; and organic inspector or accredited certifying agent. Nominations will close on May 8, 2015. The members of the team will be appointed approximately 120 days after publication of this notice. Individuals interested in serving on this task force should submit their qualifications to Rita Meade at Rita.Meade@ams.usda.gov. Additional information is provided in the Federal Register notice.

USDA expects the task force to present its completed report to the NOSB in the spring of 2016. The NOSB will receive the report from the task force and forward it to AMS along with its recommendations. Upon receiving the report of the task force and the NOSB recommendation, AMS will determine whether guidance or a proposed rule is the most appropriate course of action.

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