The Rodale Institute developed out of the efforts begun by J. I. Rodale to promote organic gardening and farming in the 1930s. The notion of recycling organic matter back into the soil to yield healthier and more productive crops was not widely accepted at that time, so in 1942, Rodale began publishing Organic Gardening and Farming magazine.

From those simple beginnings, Rodale's mission grew to become a multi-faceted organization dedicated to "improving human health through regenerative farming and organic gardening." Today, the Rodale Institute supports and publishes research to further organic farming, facilitates farming networks, engages in international farming programs, and publishes numerous resources for gardeners and organic farmers.

The Rodale Institute Research Center is a 333-acre (135-ha) farm in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, where organic horticulture and sustainable agriculture techniques are tested. The Rodale staff focuses on farming projects that help enrich and protect the world's natural resources...