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Rodale Institute
LVB Staff//March 9, 2026//
Rodale Institute, headquartered in Kutztown, is the birthplace of the modern organic movement and the world’s most prestigious research and education agriculture nonprofit advancing regenerative organic farming. CEO Jeff Tkach oversees 100 to 150 employees, and the nonprofit reported $18 million in 2024 revenue.
J.I. Rodale founded the Institute in 1947 to develop and promote natural methods to rebuild soil fertility, emphasizing the connection between soil health and healthy food. The mission—proving that regenerative organic farming nourishes people and protects the planet—has guided the organization for 78 years, filling the void of many American land-grant institutions.
Significant milestones include launching the Farming Systems Trial in 1981, now the longest-running study comparing organic and conventional farming, and establishing the Regenerative Organic Certification in 2018, which set the highest agricultural standards worldwide. The Institute’s consulting services, launched in 2019, help farmers transition from conventional to organic practices. Under Tkach’s leadership, the Institute is paving the way to accelerate its impact and transition one million acres of farmland to regenerative organic practices by 2035.
“People matter. We nourish people at Rodale Institute,” the organization states, investing in world-class training and personal development for its team. The “Deeper Roots—Healing Lives” initiative underscores the link between soil treatment, food quality, and public health, addressing overconsumption and nutrient deficiencies through regenerative farming and community education.
