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60 Years at the Rodale Institute Brilliant sunshine, spectacular arrangements of deliciously prepared local foods, colorful groupings of mums and pumpkins: a perfect setting for the recent celebration of the Rodale Institute’s 60th anniversary. Attended by close to 250 organic aficionados, including yours truly, representing MOSES, this event not only honored a long period of good work but also inspired enthusiasm for the organization’s future. The celebration recognized the important work developed in the years since 1947 when J.I. Rodale first formed Rodale’s precursor, the Soil and Health Foundation. Today the Rodale Institute is internationally known for its long-term commitment to organic research, focused on the 333-acre property on which the recent reception was held outside of Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The Institute is also known for its international educational projects, including the information-packed website NewFarm.org, featuring its valuable Organic Price Index, and for the fruits of its farm that are sold through a local CSA. J.I. Rodale came to the rolling Pennsylvania countryside in the 1930s, looking to satisfy his urge to farm. Once settled there, he learned about farming with an emphasis on soil fertility and the production of mineral rich crops. He experimented with a diversity of methods for naturally improving soil quality and health. Out of his initial interests grew the important current Rodale work, including the 28-year Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial ®, the longest-running side-by-side comparison of organic versus conventional corn and soybean production systems in the U.S. Several important research projects have been run on this unique, dedicated land. The diverse research has proven important advantages of organic production systems, including most recently:
For more details on these and other Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial ® research results, plan to attend the Organic Research Symposium Feb 21-24, 2008 in La Crosse. See the MOSES webpage for more information at http://www.mosesorganic.org/researchsymposium/index.html. You will receive information about the Symposium in the Conference Flyer in the mail in early December. One of the most significant projects that the Rodale Institute has undertaken in recent years is the development of the NewFarm webpage (www.newfarm.org). Some of you may remember the old “New Farm” magazine, which was published by Rodale Press (a separate company from the Rodale Institute) from 1979 through 1995. The magazine was folded in 1995, but editor Greg Bowman long held a desire to somehow bring back the valuable content this forward-thinking publication had focused on. In 2002, Anthony Rodale decided to morph the magazine into an on-line presence and the NewFarm website was created. Greg Bowman now heads the 5-member team that manages the information-packed site. Thick with farmer interviews and stories telling of best practices, lessons learned and successful ventures, the NewFarm website is updated with new material frequently. The site hosts forums, has a resource directory “farm locator”, a classified section, a certifier directory, and the valuable Organic Price Report which is updated with organic commodity prices weekly. Recent Rodale Institute research is reported on, farmers from around the country host regular reporting columns and case studies follow specific issues of importance to the organic community. Those interested in keeping current can sign up for an email newsletter which will highlight new additions to the site. Those starting out in organic production will find the site a wealth of information on how others have succeeded. Experienced farmers will delight in keeping up with the latest organic learning and the antics of their friends and fellow farmers around the U.S. and beyond. Regular visits to the site will never leave you disappointed. The Rodale Institute continues to change and grow over time. This theme was felt strongly with the introduction at the 60th Anniversary celebration of Tim LaSalle, appointed in June of 2007 as the first Chief Executive Officer of the Institute. Mr. LaSalle spoke at the event of his vision for the future at Rodale. He is very committed to following a multi-prong approach of growth, focusing on “combating the effects of global warming on our water systems, researching and educating important constituencies on nutrition and famine prevention, and effecting policy change to incentivize and help farmers transition to organics.” While I was visiting Rodale the NewFarm team met to discuss what they will be doing to respond to the new vision that Mr. LaSalle brings to the organization. The NewFarm team was excited and inspired to start thinking about how NewFarm could continue to respond to the needs of organic farmers. A new project, planned to be unveiled yet this year, is an on-line curriculum dedicated to helping farmers understand the transition to organic farming. Look for that online course soon from the NewFarm website. Coming to help celebrate such a long history of important work, I felt honored to be amongst all the Rodale dignitaries on that sunny September day. After all the speeches were over and the chocolate treats had been explored, the feeling of enthusiasm and excitement for the future at Rodale was long present in the air. Rodale has been an important member of the organic world for its first 60 years, we look to the Institute to continue in its fine leadership in the realm of organic research and education.
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