Organic 101
By Caldwell, Wendy S
Learning is just one part of the Rodale Institute WENDY S. CALDWELL
KUTZTOWN
At the Rodale Institute, kids getting dirty is perfectly acceptable – and educational.
Dedicated to regenerative organic agriculture and gardening, the institute is a 333-acre experimental farm near Kutztown, in northern Berks County, about an hour’s drive from downtown Lancaster.
Through hands-on demonstrations and interactive displays, families can experience firsthand the benefits of organic farming.
The model for regenerative agriculture began in the 1940s, when publisher J.I. Rodale moved from New York City to northeastern Pennsylvania, searching for methods to improve his ailing health.
Rodale settled near Emmaus, where he began growing his own food. He soon saw his health improve.
Rodale was especially concerned about chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides used in farmers’ soil, according to Maria Pope, the institute’s director of training.
“He was interested in the quality of the soil, and when he saw his own health get better, he wanted to share his ideas with the world,” she says.
Rodale’s son, Robert, who is credited with coining the term “organic,” bought the Siegfried farm near Kutztown in 1972. He established what is now the institute, where he initiated scientific comparisons between organic and traditional farming methods.
“He wanted to prove that organic is healthier – not just for people but for the soil,” Pope explains.
Today, the institute is a not-for-profit public charity, hosting nearly 25,000 visitors from around the world each year.
The institute boasts a balanced circular relationship in its slogan: “Healthy Soil equals Healthy Food equals Healthy People.”
The highlight of a tour of the institute is the Demonstration Garden. Visitors can see firsthand how healthy plants and food are produced through natural methods, rather than with synthetic compounds.
Pope says children who visit the Global Garden are astonished to see crops native to six continents.
“They even get to see a banana tree and taro,” she says. “They love to walk through the paths and see all of the different crops.”
Head gardener Eileen Weinsteinger, who arrives at work at 5 a.m. each day, says she has plenty of work to keep her busy in the Demonstration Garden.
“If I had to choose, my favorite spot, though, is the Healing Herb (Garden),” she says of the garden that features natural medicinal herbs designed to aid in healing everything from depression to allergies and headaches.
In another portion of the Demonstration Garden, horticulturist April Johnson explains how composting contributes to regenerative agriculture.
“We take all of our garden material and put it into several bins,” she says, pointing to eight wooden stalls holding the compost. “It’s turned over and rotated by the gardeners until it’s ready to be used as soil in the gardens.”
Children can walk through the farm’s Earthworm Tunnel or take a turn at handling worms, feeding them scraps and watching them burrow. The experience helps children – and parents – understand how earthworms aerate and fertilize soil.
Pope emphasizes that visitors take with them an education in sustainable agriculture as a unique souvenir.
“We have forgotten the basic principles of agriculture, the practices used before the Industrial Revolution,” she says. “We must learn what we can to improve the health of our soil, before we are forced to do so.”
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
WHAT: The Rodale Institute
WHERE: Maxatawny Township, Berks County, near Kutztown
COST: There is no charge for a self-guided tour of the institute. Visitors should first stop at the red clapboard bookstore, located at the main entrance.
ONE MORE THING: A more customized program for groups of 10 or more is available for $12 per person. Programs may include in-depth demonstrations about such topics as no-till farming, composting and the farming systems trial program.
DETAILS: Call (610) 683-1400, or visit www.newfarm.org, www.kidsregen.org or www.rodaleinstitute.org.
Caption: WENDY C. CALDWELL PHOTOS, New Era – April Johnson (left) a Rodale horticulturalist grows sunflowers in raised beds and monitors the compost pile (center). Eileen Weinsteinger (right) head gardener checks bee balm.
(Copyright 2007 Lancaster Newspapers)
(c) 2007 Lancaster New Era. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.