The Rodale Institute: Difference between revisions

[[File:Henry Siegfried Barn, Siegfried's Dale Farm 01.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|The Henry Siegfried Barn at Thethe Rodale Institute in [[Kutztown, Pennsylvania]], in September 2013]]

'''Rodale Institute''' is ana non-profit organization that supports research into [[organic farming]]. It was founded in [[Emmaus, Pennsylvania]] in 1947 by [[J. I. Rodale]], an organic living entrepreneur. After J.I. Rodale died in 1971, his son [[Robert Rodale]] purchased 333 acres and moved the farm to its current site in [[Kutztown, Pennsylvania]].

Collaborations with farmers and agricultural science peers throughout Pennsylvaniathe and Maryland, as well as nationallynation and internationally,world enable Instituteinstitute researchers to replicate experiments across different geographical regions and benefit farmers with opportunities to test new approaches to organic production. In addition, theThe institute allies with national and state-level organic certification programs, industry leaders and elected officials to help shape policy. Furthermore,The theinstitute institutealso partners strategically with U.S. and foreign government entities, businesses, and organizations to promote regenerative organic farming opportunities and to expand the benefits of organic agriculture to more people.

Rodale proposed the concept of [[Regeneration (biology)|regeneration]] to argue that any natural system, properly managed, could be productive while increasing its capacity into the future. He wrote that regenerative organic farming can use its own internal resources to improve soil fertility and productivity over time, rather than relying on expensive—and potentially environmentally damaging—outside chemical inputs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regenerative Organic Agriculture |url=https://rodaleinstitute.org/why-organic/organic-basics/regenerative-organic-agriculture/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Rodale Institute |language=en-US}}</ref>

Bob Rodale died in a 1990 automobile accident in [[Moscow]] while launching a Russian edition of Rodale's ''New Farm'' magazine. John Haberern, who had been hired by Robert Rodale as a Rodale Press book editor in 1961, took over as president of the institute. Ardath Rodale became the institute's chairman. Anthony Rodale, son of Ardath and Bob, became vice-chairman. Anthony and his wife, Florence, developed outreach efforts for children during the couple's period of active program involvement before Anthony became an international ambassador for the institute. Board member Paul McGinley, Esq., became co-chair of the board with Ardath in 2005. Testimony by Bob Rodale, John Haberern, and farmers and agricultural scientists convincedhelped convince the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] to include funds forfund [[sustainable agriculture]], which was (firstinitially called "Low-Input Sustainable Agriculture)", in the 1985 [[Farm Bill]].

This validation of an [[Agroecological restoration|agroecological approach]] to farming led to the formation of the [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]]'s [[Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education]] (SARE) program in 1990. TodayFederal, federalstate, state and local governments, as well asand land-grant universities and other organizations nationwidenationally are pursuing sustainable and organic agriculture research and education programs.

Today, J.I. Rodale's great-granddaughter, Maya Rodale, serves as co-chairman of the BoardRodale Institute's board of Directorsdirectors along with [[Whole Foods Market|Whole Foods]] Generalgeneral Counselcounsel Roberta Lang.

[[File:Rodale Institute, Test Garden 02.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|A test garden at the Rodale Institute, in September 2013]]

[[File:Rodale_Institute_Pasture.JPG|thumb|upright=1.1|Cows, a source animal agriculture and manure, at the Rodale Institute, in September 2013]]

Focusing on agronomic (and some horticultural) cropping systems, research trials examine organic and conventional practices, [[chemical-free]] weed-management techniques, weed- and disease-resistant crop varieties, compost management and application, [[soil health]], no-till organic planting systems using cover crops and optimal cover-crop uses in organic crop rotations.

An important partPart of the Rodale Institute's research has been the ongoing Farming Systems Trial (FST). Begun in 1981, the FST compares two organic farming systems—[[manure]]-based and [[legume]]-based approaches—to conventional farming methods, defined as methods using [[Cooperative Extension System|Cooperative Extension]]-prescribed chemical and tillage inputs.

Rodale Institute currently{{when}} has 8 locations, including 4four Regional Resource Centers, satellite campuses in which research into regenerative organic agriculture can be conducted at scale in different climates, soil types, and communities.

*Rodale Institute's headquarters is located in [[Kutztown, Pennsylvania]] and hosts the main offices and research trials for the Instituteinstitute. ThisThe farm is now 386 acres, withand its buildings have been listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Department of the Interior. National Park Service. (3/2/1934 - ) |url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/71996418 |title=Pennsylvania SP Siegfried's Dale Farm |date=2013–2017 |series=File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Pennsylvania, 1964 - 2013}}</ref>

*The Rodale Institute Southeast Organic Center is located on Many Fold Farm in [[Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rodale Institute Southeast Organic Center |url=https://rodaleinstitute.org/about/facilities-and-campuses/regional-resource-centers/southeast-organic-center/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Rodale Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> This location is partnered with [[Serenbe]] wellness community.

*The Rodale Institute California Organic Center is located in [[Camarillo, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rodale Institute California Organic Center |url=https://rodaleinstitute.org/about/facilities-and-campuses/regional-resource-centers/rodale-institute-california-organic-center/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=Rodale Institute |language=en-US}}</ref> This Regional Resource Center is located on the McGrath Family Farm, a fifth-generation farm that has been in operation since 1868.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farmers |first=McGrath Family |title=McGrath Family Farmers |url=https://mcgrath-family-farmers.myshopify.com/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=McGrath Family Farmers |language=en}}</ref>

In*Rodale partnershipInstitute's withfirst [[Frontierinternational Co-op]]Regional Resource Center, theThe Davines Group-Rodale Institute MidwestEuropean Regenerative Organic Center, is located on the Davines international headquarters in [[MarionParma, IowaItaly]]. This locationcenter iswas alsocreated thein hubpartnership ofwith Rodalehaircare Institute'sbrand Midwest consulting armDavines.