Organic Agriculture is Soil Based – Position Statement
June 2, 2023
CT NOFA, along with our fellow NOFA chapters, have long held that stewardship of soil is a key principle of organic agriculture. With that in mind, we are proud to join with organic advocates from across the country in endorsing and promoting the Organic Agriculture is Soil Based position statement.
Spearheaded by the Real Organic Project, this paper affirms that organic agriculture is based in the soil and that hydroponic and other non-soil based agriculture systems should not be allowed to carry the “Certified Organic” label. Soil-based agriculture is enshrined in the language of the Organic Food Production Act and the National Organic Program Final Rule.
According to the Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) 6513(b)(1), “An organic plan shall contain provisions designed to foster soil fertility, primarily through the management of the organic content of the soil through proper tillage, crop rotation, and manuring.” Support for the idea that organic production is soil-based is found in the USDA’s preamble to the regulations published in 2000 which states, “The soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice standard in section 205.203 [of the National Organic Program Final Rule] establishes the universe of allowed materials and practices.” Hydroponic production was not included in that universe because hydroponic production does not manage soil fertility.
Become involved with the fight to keep organic labeling tied to soil health, as well as the other work we do here at CT NOFA — support us with your gift or donation.
Recent Posts
Advocacy News: May 2026
The Good News: CT Senator Chris Murphy has introduced a bill (bipartisan and bicameral) to increase funding for Agricultural Management Assistance to $30 million and to expand the eligible uses for these funds to include “soil health improvements, composting, implementing organic farming, and food safety certification in addition to existing authorized uses such as water management structure and soil erosion control.” Let’s thank Senator Murphy for introducing this bill!
The Bad News: The Farm Bill passed the House of Representatives on April 30, despite 320 food, farm, and conservation organizations, including CT NOFA, voicing our opposition to a bill that does not fix SNAP, does not support new and beginning farmers, and does not adequately support conservation programs or organic agriculture. Now it goes to the Senate and we need to urge both of Connecticut’s Senators to reject this Farm Bill.
Our Vision for a Future of Resilient, Plentiful, Healthy and Locally-Grounded Farming and Food
In concluding its annual retreat, the Northeast Organic Farming Association Interstate Council (NOFA IC) reaffirms the values that have grounded our work for 55 years.
Our vision is that every person is able to live their life with healthy food, clean water and air, community, livelihood, dignity, and purpose within the means of our life-giving planet. We seek that vision on every level, from our households and farms to our communities, states, bioregions, nation, and world. For that vision to be fulfilled, every person, no matter their origin or circumstances, must have all their basic human needs met without degrading the air, water, soil, ecosystems, and climate which we have been given and on which we depend for our lives.