"Organic" Hydroponic Operations Allowed to Spray Glyphosate on the Soil
Organic hydroponic farms use glyphosate, violating organic rules. Real Organic Project exposes large-scale hydroponic producers for pre-certification weed control. Critics fear contamination and soil damage, urging support for traditional soil-based organic farming.
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"Organic" hydroponic operations have been found to spray glyphosate on the soil, a practice prohibited on organic farms. The Real Organic Project revealed that large-scale hydroponic producers use glyphosate to eliminate weeds before constructing greenhouses for organic certification. Despite the National Organic Program's approval of hydroponic production, critics argue that these practices contradict organic principles and pose risks of contamination and soil degradation. Hydroponic operations are exempt from the transition period required for other organic farmers, impacting soil health and ecosystem services. Cornucopia Institute emphasizes the importance of soil microbiome in sustainable food production and urges consumers to support authentic, soil-grown produce from organic farmers. The debate highlights the conflict between traditional soil-based farming and soil-less, chemical-intensive hydroponic practices, emphasizing the need for clarity in organic certification standards to maintain consumer trust and environmental sustainability.
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