All text and images courtesy of Watershed
Radio. More information can be found on their website.
History of the Rodale Institute
When after World War II less nitrogen was available for soil
fertilization because it was also an ingredient in munitions, Rodale
started the Soil and Health Foundation (later, the Rodale Institute).
Its primary goal was to develop and demonstrate practical methods
of rebuilding natural soil fertility.
The new foundation also created numerous publications, including
Health Bulletin, Organic Farming and Gardening, and Prevention Magazine.
After Mr. Rodale's death, the Soil and Health Foundation was managed
by his son, Robert, who expanded the foundation and, with the help
of his wife Ardath, established the Rodale Institute and increased
the amount of health-related research. The initial magazines blossomed
into the Rodale Press, where all publications focus on what the
individual can do to make life more natural, more self-reliant and
more healthful.
The Rodale Institute Today
Today, the Rodale Institute continues cutting-edge research with
its 333-acre experimental farm. To bring their information closer
to home for the average backyard gardener, Rodale has developed
the demonstration garden, which includes a vegetable plot, herb
garden, native plants garden, composting area, and children's garden.
Children can scramble through a 30-foot long Earthworm Tunnel™
to see how earthworms enrich the soil.
The Institute also has farther-reaching domestic and international
projects. With the increasing demand for information about organic
food products and production, the research and knowledge base provided
by the Rodale Institute has become invaluable. Rodale has partnerships
with many countries overseas, including Guatemala, Senegal, Russia
and Japan, to use regenerative methods for soil productivity.
More than just a research center, the Rodale Institute also provides
training and education, including seminars and workshops, traveling
exhibits, science fair activities, field trips and tours, internships,
and a work/study program. They also have a Smart Farm exhibit at
Walt Disney's Epcot Center. Now under the leadership of Robert's
son, Anthony, it continues to be a family-owned operation dedicated
to its motto: "healthy soil equals healthy food equals healthy
people."
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