Rodale Institute Builds Center for Organic Innovation

The Rodale Institute broke ground on a $24 million Center for Regenerative Organic Innovation on its 386-acre campus in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The nonprofit, credited with coining the terms "organic" and "regenerative organic," aims to advance farming practices that prioritize soil health and reduce reliance on synthetic chemicals.

The new center, slated to open in Spring 2028, will house classrooms, workspaces, and research facilities within a renovated 1819 Pennsylvania Dutch bank barn. The project is part of Rodale’s larger $139 million “10 Million Acre Solution” campaign, which seeks to transition a significant portion of US farmland to regenerative organic agriculture, nearly tripling the current amount of Certified Organic land.

Rodale plans to train 100,000 farmers and workforce professionals by 2030, addressing the aging farmer population in the US, which averages 58 years old. The Institute views the Center as a crucial hub for education, research, and community building, hoping to amplify its impact on the growing regenerative organic movement and establish Pennsylvania as a leader in the field.