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About the Rodale Institute: History
The Rodale Institute was created by visionary J.I. Rodale who moved to rural Pennsylvania in the late 1930's where he was able to realize his keen personal interest in farming. He learned about organic food-growing concepts being promoted by Lady Eve Balfour and Sir Albert Howard and theorized that to preserve and improve our health we must restore and protect the natural health of the soil. Developing and demonstrating practical methods of rebuilding natural soil fertility became J.I. Rodale's primary goal when World War II's sudden shortage of nitrogen fertilizer – as it was diverted to making munitions - exposed the natural nutrient poverty of the nation's soil. In 1947, J.I. founded the Soil and Health Foundation, forerunner to the Rodale Institute. He also created publications including Health Bulletin, Organic Farming and Gardening and Prevention magazines.
The concept of “organic” was simple but revolutionary in the post World War II era. Manure, cover crops and crop mixtures were standard practices through World War I, but chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, artificial ingredients, preservatives and additives for taste and appearance in the years since the war rapidly changed agriculture. As J.I. Rodale communicated the idea of creating soil rich in nutrients and free of contaminants, however, people began to listen and acceptance grew. "Organics is not a fad'" J.I. wrote in 1954. "It has been a long-established practice - much more firmly grounded than the current chemical flair. Present agricultural practices are leading us downhill."
J.I. Rodale died in 1971. His son Robert expanded the farm and health-related research with the purchase of a 333-acre farm near Kutztown, Pennsylvania. With his wife Ardath, Robert established what is now the Rodale Institute and an era of research began. In 1961, John Haberern was hired by Robert Rodale as a book editor for Rodale Press. A decade ago, John became the Institute's president. Powerful testimony by Bob, John and the farmers and scientists who swore by their sustainable methods, convinced the U.S. Congress to include funds for regenerative agriculture in the 1985 Farm Bill. Today, federal, state and local governments, land-grant universities and other organizations nationwide are pursuing regenerative agriculture research and education programs.
When Robert Rodale was killed in a traffic accident in Moscow in 1990, Ardath Rodale became the Institute chairman and their son Anthony became vice-chairman. Anthony and his wife Florence developed outreach efforts to children during their period of active program involvement before Anthony became an international ambassador for the Rodale Institute’s mission. Board member Paul McGinley became co-chair of the board with Ardath in 2005.
Timothy J. LaSalle became the first CEO of the Institute in July 2007, bringing decades of experience in academic, agricultural and non-profit leadership to the task. Under his leadership, the Institute champions organic solutions for the challenges of global climate change, better nutrition in food, famine prevention and poverty reduction.
