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Environment & Science

$500K state research grant awarded to Rodale Institute

Rodale Institute
Megan Frank
/
LehighValleyNews.com
The Rodale Institute has been awarded a $500,000 research grant from the state Department of Agriculture.

KUTZTOWN, Pa. — A Berks County nonprofit focused on organic farming was awarded a $500,000 research grant from the state.

Rodale Institute, headquartered at 611 Siegfriedale Road, was awarded the funding to “support the institute's groundbreaking research and training programs in organic and regenerative agriculture,” according to a news release.

Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture officials late last week announced $2.232 million was allocated to nine organizations across the commonwealth to fund various research efforts, all linked to the state’s $132.5 billion agriculture industry. Projects include addressing environmental challenges, from reducing the impacts of climate change to tackling emerging animal care issues and more.

This is at least the second time Rodale has been awarded an agricultural research grant from the state.

The nonprofit was awarded $500,000 during the 2022-2023 funding year for “preparing a skilled agriculture workforce and fostering understanding of sustainable, regenerative farming methods,” state
records show.

LehighValleyNews.com has reached out to Rodale for comment.

Investing in research is the first critical step toward solving today's most costly and complex challenges, and developing innovative solutions to tomorrow's challenges.
Russell Redding, secretary of the state Department of Agriculture

"Investing in research is the first critical step toward solving today's most costly and complex challenges, and developing innovative solutions to tomorrow's challenges," said Russell Redding, secretary of the Department of Agriculture. "Pennsylvania-based research institutions are on the cutting edge of exciting developments in organic and regenerative agriculture, and in imagining the technology we need to continue to be a national and world agriculture leader.

“Gov. Josh Shapiro has declared agriculture to be a 'pillar of opportunity' in Pennsylvania's economy. These research investments are just one more way the Shapiro Administration is delivering on promises to support the growth of our industry."

Projects funded through the grant program include “developing novel solutions to controlling animal and plant diseases and pests; increasing regenerative and organic farming methods that enrich and sustain our soil and water resources; advancing human and animal medicine; applying emerging technology in food safety; and protecting pollinators that are crucial to our food supply,” officials said.

For a full list of funded projects, go to the Ag Research Grant Program’s website.