Rodale Institute

What Rodale Institute does

Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agricultural research and education organization founded in 1947 and headquartered in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The institute operates the Farming Systems Trial, a side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional farming systems that has been running continuously since 1981, alongside additional long-term trials covering vegetable systems, watershed impact, industrial hemp, agroforestry, and crop-livestock integration. The institute co-developed and administers the Regenerative Organic Certified® standard through a partnership with the Regenerative Organic Alliance, covering soil health, animal welfare, and farmworker fairness as a response to greenwashing in the organic category.

The institute serves multiple audiences through an integrated portfolio: farmer training programs (the flagship RIFT program, a Veteran Farmer Training program, and the Heartland Farmer Training program operated with Kansas Wesleyan University), fee-based organic consulting, consumer education products including the annual Rodale Institute Journal, online courses via Teachable, webinars, and in-person field days. It operates six regional centers across the United States—in Pennsylvania (Kutztown headquarters, Allentown Founders Farm), California (Camarillo), Iowa (Marion), Georgia, Washington, and the Pocono region—providing geographically tailored support to farmers. Internationally, the institute co-founded the European Regenerative Organic Center (EROC) with Davines Group in 2021, targeting 80 regenerative organic ingredients by 2030.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model anchored by individual donations and monthly giving programs (Charity Navigator 4-star rated), government and foundation grants (notably $2.5 million in September 2024 from Holdfast Collective and the California Department of Food and Agriculture for Ventura County initiatives, and an additional $1.55 million from Holdfast Collective in April 2026), fee-based workshops ($25–$40), professional consulting, and direct farm product sales including custom pork. The go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven—leveraging field days, workshops, virtual coffee hours, and strategic retail partnerships such as the Natural Grocers Ladybug Love campaign, which raised $113,220 in 2025—and supported by content marketing (blog, weekly newsletter, YouTube) and corporate partnership amplification.

Name

Rodale Institute

Legal name

Rodale Institute

Website

https://rodaleinstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1947

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1947 that conducts regenerative organic agriculture research, administers the Regenerative Organic Certified® standard, runs farmer training programs, and operates six US regional centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research and Education

NAICS

Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating (115112)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Soil Health & Regenerative Agronomy Consulting (AFACABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (BPAGAGAI), Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems (Fair Trade, Food Access, Regenerative) (BPAGALAD)

Keywords

• Regenerative organic agriculture
• Farmer training programs
• Organic certification standards
• Agricultural consulting services
• Sustainable farming research

Headquarters

HQ city

Kutztown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue stream through individual donations, monthly giving programs, and corporate partnerships. Charity Navigator 4-star rated nonprofit.
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Significant grant funding from government agencies and foundations including $1 million from Holdfast Collective (Patagonia's nonprofit shareholder) and $1.5 million from California Department of Food and Agriculture
3. Workshop and Event Fees: Fee-based educational workshops and events including composting courses ($35), IPM workshops ($25), and floral workshops ($40)
4. E-commerce and Product Sales: Online store sales including garden products and custom pork orders from the farm
5. Organic Consulting Services: Fee-based consulting services helping farmers transition to organic and regenerative practices

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and education organization that conducts long-term comparative scientific trials on regenerative organic agriculture, trains farmers through programs such as RIFT and Veteran Farmer Training, delivers paid organic consulting, and co-administers the Regenerative Organic Certified® standard with the Regenerative Organic Alliance. The institute also operates six regional resource centers across the US and runs an online store selling garden products and custom pork orders raised on its farms.

Product overview

Rodale Institute is a nonprofit agricultural research and education organization offering a portfolio of training programs, consulting services, research trials, and educational resources focused on regenerative organic agriculture. The core offerings include farmer training programs (RIFT, Veteran Farmer Training, Heartland Farmer Training), professional organic consulting services, and scientific research trials. Educational products include the Rodale Institute Journal, online courses, webinars, and field days/workshops. The institute also administers the Regenerative Organic Certified® certification program and publishes books such as 'The Farm Is Here.' The portfolio operates as a unified ecosystem supporting farmers throughout their transition to regenerative organic practices, from training and consulting through certification and ongoing education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Regenerative Organic Certified®: A certification standard developed by Rodale Institute and Regenerative Organic Alliance for regenerative organic agriculture products

Products and services

• Rodale Institute Farmer Training (RIFT)
• Veteran Farmer Training
• Heartland Farmer Training (RIFT)
• Organic Consulting
• Regenerative Organic Certified®
• Field Days and Workshops
• Online Courses
• Custom Pork Orders

Quantifiable outcome

• Natural Grocers exceeded $100,000 goal, raising $113,220 for farmer training programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The Plantrician ProjectminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 April 2026Collaboration on Power Of The Plate Conference (May 14-17, 2026 in San Diego). Rodale Institute contributed a white paper connecting regenerative organic agriculture to human health.
• Gaia HerbsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 April 2026Earth Day live stream event partnership from Gaia Herbs' Regenerative Organic Certified farm in North Carolina. Featured surprise product reveal in partnership with Regenerative Organic Alliance.
• Natural GrocerscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 April 2026Annual Ladybug Love campaign partner raising funds for regenerative organic farmer training programs. Multiple years of partnership with $100,000 annual fundraising goals exceeded in 2025 ($113,220 raised).
• GreenWavecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 February 2026Three-year research partnership to evaluate kelp-based biostimulants for soil health and crop performance. Focuses on lettuce and sweet pepper cultivation to assess ocean-derived products supporting regenerative organic agriculture.
• Regenerative Organic AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 November 2025Co-developer of Regenerative Organic Certified® standard to combat greenwashing and ensure consumer trust. Joint effort to establish comprehensive certification for regenerative organic agriculture.
• Davines GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021European Regenerative Organic Center (EROC) partnership founded 2021 targeting 80 regenerative organic ingredients by 2030. Davines is a B Corp beauty brand committed to regenerative agriculture.
• USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative administered by USDA AMS National Organic Program. Rodale Institute serves as a key partner providing farmer training and transition support.
• St. Luke's-Rodale Institute Organic FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership farm providing educational opportunities and demonstration of regenerative organic practices in a healthcare system context.
• Cornwall Manor-Rodale Institute Trailside Organic FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with continuing care retirement community demonstrating regenerative organic farming in a community living context.
• Planta Fe FarmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost location for farmer workshop series focused on regenerative organic food systems and practical land stewardship skills in New Mexico.

Scale indicators5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Organic Center: Nonprofit research affiliate of the Organic Trade Association focused on evidence-based science on organic food and farming. Closely comparable to Rodale as a mission-aligned agricultural research nonprofit serving similar farmer and consumer audiences.
• Soil Health Institute: Nonprofit dedicated to safeguarding and enhancing soil health through research, education, and policy. Direct peer given overlapping focus on soil health research, farmer training, and long-term trial-based evidence generation.
• Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE): USDA-funded grants and outreach program advancing sustainable agriculture through farmer-driven research and education. Highly comparable on farmer training, regional centers, and grant-funded research model.
• Kiss the Ground: Nonprofit focused on regenerative agriculture education, storytelling, and farmer outreach. Comparable as a mission-driven regenerative agriculture nonprofit leveraging education, media, and partnerships.
• American Farmland Trust: Nonprofit focused on protecting farmland, promoting sound farming practices, and supporting farmers. Comparable in scale, mission-driven nonprofit model, and farmer training/support programs.
• Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture: Nonprofit farm and education center focused on resilient agriculture through farmer training, research, and public programming. Comparable as a working-farm-based regenerative agriculture education nonprofit.
• Regenerative Organic Alliance: Co-developer of the Regenerative Organic Certified® standard alongside Rodale Institute. Closely entangled peer given joint ownership and operation of the certification program.

Broad incumbents

• Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research: Larger nonprofit funding agricultural research through public-private partnerships. Comparable as a research-focused agricultural nonprofit, though with broader scope and a much larger funding footprint.

Others

• Patagonia Provisions: Food brand under Patagonia focused on regenerative organic sourcing. Comparable as a downstream commercial partner leveraging Rodale's research and certification work to source regenerative ingredients.
• Nature's Path: Organic food brand and longtime regenerative agriculture advocate that funds and partners with research organizations. Comparable as a corporate ally and funder operating in the same regenerative organic ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/rodaleinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rodale-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rodale Institute