How to become a hydroponic farmer

How to become a Hydroponic Farmer

There are no strict requirements to become a hydroponic farmer, but completing relevant training can greatly improve success and opportunities. Here’s a look at the typical pathway to the career:

Basic Education
Complete high school or equivalent as a foundation.

Learn the Basics
Start by gaining a solid understanding of hydroponic farming principles, plant biology, nutrient management, and system types through online courses, books, or workshops.

Get Practical Experience
Set up a small hydroponic system at home or volunteer/intern at an existing hydroponic farm to learn hands-on skills.

Formal Education (Optional but Helpful)
Pursue studies in agriculture, horticulture, plant sciences, biology, or environmental science, which can deepen your knowledge and improve career prospects.

Several programs offer a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) concentration within their plant sciences major. The typical CEA curriculum covers indoor farming, lighting systems, climate control, hydroponics, and vertical farming techniques.

Online Training
Online platforms offer an alternative or adjunct to a college or university degree. One example is Upstart University. Upstart’s Modern Farm Education courses include:

• Orientation Course
• Hydroponic and Aquaponic Crops
• Choosing Your Production Method
• Intro to Hydroponics
• Hydroponic Substrate Selection (A hydroponic substrate or medium is the material in which you grow your plants instead of soil.)
• Hydroponic Nutrients and Fertilizers
• Organic Hydroponic Advocacy

Develop Technical Skills
Regardless of the learning path chosen, developing knowledge and skills in the following areas is key:

• Hydroponic system design, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Crop selection
• Water chemistry
• Nutrient management
• Pest control
• Environmental monitoring

Choose Your Specialty
Decide which crops or hydroponic system type you want to focus on, such as leafy greens, herbs, vertical farming, or aquaponics.

Create a Business Plan
If you aim to start your own farm, develop a plan that covers budget, location, market research, and operations.

Obtain Necessary Permits
Check local regulations for agricultural business licenses, water usage permits, and health/safety compliance.

Start Small and Scale Up
Begin with a manageable system and expand as you gain experience and market demand grows.

Join Professional Networks and Keep Learning
Connect with hydroponic farming communities or associations to stay updated on best practices. Continuously update your skills and knowledge as hydroponic technologies and methods evolve.

Certifications
Several professional certifications can benefit hydroponic farmers by enhancing their knowledge, skills, and credibility. While no single certification is mandatory, the following are highly recommended:

• ASHS Certifications – The American Society for Horticultural Science administers these professional designations: ASHS Certified Professional Horticulturist (CPH), ASHS Associate Professional Horticulturist (APH), ASHS Practicing Professional Horticulturist (PPH).
• Permaculture Design Certification – Various organizations and institutions certify expertise in permaculture design. Permaculture is a system for designing human habitats (including landscapes, homesteads, homes, towns, cities, organizations and ultimately societies) which starts with ethics and principles, and uses ‘patterns’ derived from natural systems, sustainable societies, and research-based practices. The guiding goal of permaculture is right in its name: to create ‘permanent’ (sustainable, regenerative) ‘cultures.’
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) Certification – This certification, administered by the USDA National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, validates on-farm food safety in handling, harvesting, and storage; valid for one year from the date of audit.
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Organic Certification – This USDA certification is for farms that meet strict organic farming standards in the US.
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certification – Offered by various food safety organizations, the HACCP credential demonstrates knowledge of this globally recognized food safety management system that ensures food safety throughout the food supply chain. In the field of hydroponics, this emphasizes best practices in handling, harvesting, and packaging hydroponically grown food.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also support the hydroponic farming community by providing resources, networking opportunities, research, and industry updates:

• Hydroponic Society of America (HSA) – HSA focuses on promoting hydroponic growing techniques and education.
• Association for Vertical Farming (AVF) – AVF supports growers specializing in vertical and indoor farming, often using hydroponics. Vertical farming is the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers, often in a controlled environment like a building, shipping container, or underground space.
• Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) Alliance – This group promotes sustainable controlled-environment farming practices including hydroponics.
• International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) – ISHS provides a global platform for research and collaboration in horticulture.
• Urban Agriculture Organizations – Many local and regional groups focus on urban farming, often incorporating hydroponic methods.