Rodale Institute

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has been a re-emerging crop in the United States since 2014, having been banned for over half a century, with hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) retail sales projected to reach $4.5 billion in 2024. Despite these promising prospects, knowledge gaps in agronomic practices, especially weed management, remain challenging due to the lack of registered herbicides for hemp. Traditional weed control methods, such as plastic mulch, mechanical weeding, and hand weeding, have limitations. In this study, Dr. Dinesh Panday, Dr. Reza K. Afshar, and Dr. Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani explored the use of a roller crimper for improving weed management in certified organic fields. Additionally, the project aims to explore optimal row spacing and plant spacing for better crop production, including the effect on changing concentrations of secondary metabolites in CBD hemp. Learn more about these innovative strategies in our latest article:  https://lnkd.in/esg74VKb

🌾 Exciting news! Join us on August 28th for a webinar on "Introduction to Saffron Cultivation in the United States: Growing Conditions, Yield, and Quality." My colleague Arash Ghalehgolabbehbahani and I from Rodale Institute will be sharing key insights into cultivating this valuable crop. Whether you're new to saffron or looking to refine your techniques, we’ll cover everything from optimal growing conditions to maximizing yield and ensuring top-quality production, harvest, and storage. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your knowledge! #Saffron #Agriculture #SustainableFarming #Webinar #RodaleInstitute https://lnkd.in/epDvrDPe

Join Ethos Farm to Health for their annual Farm Days event, which will take place on Sept 14th and 15th at their historic, 342-acre regenerative farm in Long Valley, NJ. Rodale Institute’s Chief Scientific Officer Andrew Smith, PhD will be a guest speaker, along with Chef AJ, Alan Goldhamer, Liz Carlisle, Mary Berry, Dr. Meagan Grega, Andrew Chignell, Dr. Ron Weiss and Dr. Saul Bautista. Topics will cover whole foods, plant-based nutrition, regenerative farming practices, environmental stewardship, lifestyle medicine, and animal advocacy. REGISTER HERE: https://lnkd.in/e6iCzKsn

🍅 John P. Bonin from Burpee Gardening recently visited our Rodale Institute Farmer Training (RIFT) students. During his visit, John shared information about various varieties Burpee has developed over the years, and discussed their Fordhook Farm and the breeds and trials grown there. Our enthusiastic RIFT students had the opportunity to showcase the impressive growth progress of two tomato varieties they are cultivating: Fourth of July tomatoes and Brandy Boy tomatoes, both generously provided by Burpee.    🌱Thank you, Burpee, for your invaluable support. Your contribution has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of regenerative organic farmers through our RIFT Program, a testament to the positive impact we can make when we work together!

Join us for a one-of-a-kind event featuring Will Harris, a sixth-generation farmer and the visionary behind White Oak Pastures, a 3,200-acre zero-waste production farm in Bluffton, GA, that raises ten livestock species without steroids, antibiotics, or growth hormones. Will is known worldwide as a leader in regenerative agriculture and is frequently featured on podcasts, magazines, and news stories. He is also the subject of the short film One Hundred Thousand Beating Hearts. Harris will discuss his remarkable journey from industrialized farming to “Radically Traditional Farming” and what he has learned along the way. He will also discuss his commitment to regenerative agriculture, humane animal management, and fair treatment of farm workers, all aimed at a farming system that leaves the land and its people better than it started. Following Will’s presentation, Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute CEO Emeritus, will join him on stage to facilitate “a conversation among farmers,” followed by a Q+A with the audience. This event is brought to you by Rodale Institute and the Kutztown University Foundation Attend for Free, register here:  https://lnkd.in/gGnBR5Xw

Rodale Midwest Organic Center's Research Director, Sean Stokes, spoke at a Davines North America event in Des Moines, Iowa, attended by 200 Davines salon clients. His talk emphasized the vital role of Regenerative Organic Agriculture, discussing soil health and the groundbreaking research conducted by Rodale Institute, including the Farming Systems Trial and the Diversified System Trial at the Midwest Organic Center. The goal was to educate non-farmers on how agricultural practices and soil health affect everyone in the community and to inspire them to support regenerative efforts, even if they don't farm themselves! Want to learn more about our partnership with Davines?  https://lnkd.in/eE8vRpwu

How-to: Backyard pet waste composting webinar with Enviro Pet Waste Network Can you treat dog and cat poop like any other “green” compost pile material? Rick Carr, farm director and master composter at Rodale institute, says, “I’d be more concerned about the risk of exposure to fecal coliforms by getting poop on my shoes and tracking it into my house than putting it in my compost. Fully cooked, cured, finished compost poses virtually no risk, no matter what went into it.” Find out what it takes to process pet waste with due diligence to produce finished compost that’s safe and beneficial for plants at EPWN's free webinar. August 22, 2024, 4 pm EDT, 3 pm CDT, 2 pm MDT, 1 pm PDT 10-15 min. webinar, Q&A will follow. Register today: https://lnkd.in/gMfyTK6v

🌾Final call for farmers to join our Cover Crop Research Project! We are looking for diverse vegetable farmers and farmers markets in the Southern Piedmont region who are willing to commit to partnering with us on this historic project. Financial incentives, free seed and free technical assistance will be provided to farmers and farmers markets who are selected to participate in the program. Learn more and join the initiative: 🔗: https://lnkd.in/ef7svjv9

Four down, One to go! Our final Field Day of the season is just around the corner, and if you're in Chattahoochee Hills, GA, this is your chance to join us! Thursday, September 19  10AM – 2:30PM Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect directly with the expert team at Rodale Institute’s Southeast Organic Center. Engage in one-on-one discussions with our organic consultants and dive into our research and demonstration projects. This Field Day is tailored for the Southeast, with a special focus on crops like saffron, turmeric, peppers, and corn. Whether you’re a researcher, student, educator, or farmer—whether you’re curious about organic farming, considering transitioning to organic, or already farming organically in the Southeast—this event is for you! Attendance is free, but registration is required. Secure your spot today! https://lnkd.in/e2yGbK2c