Post on 15-Dec-2015
The Rodale Institute works with farmers, educators and policymakers worldwide
To achieve a regenerative food system that renews and improves
environmental and human health.
What isRegenerative
Farming?
Regenerative farming is a long-term, holistic approach towards
agriculture that attempts to grow as much food using as little resources as possible, in a way that revitalizes
the soil rather than depleting it.
Rodale’s Philosophy:
“Healthy Soil = Healthy Food = Healthy People”
By caring for the soil, regenerative farming can help benefit farmers, the community
and the environment.
Here’s how…
Farmers benefit from regenerative farming by…
Gaining access to new markets.
This can translate into profits.
Organic produce is a valuable commodity that buyers will pay
a premium for.
Farmers benefit from
regenerative farming by…
Reducing expenses.
With fewer expenses related to pesticides, fertilizers and tillage, farmers
can save money.
This can also translate into profits.
Farmers benefit from
regenerative farming by…
Growing fresher and healthier foods.
Producing fresher, healthier foods isn’t just the right thing
to do…
…it helps to improve farmers’ relationships with their customers.
Farmers benefit from
regenerative farming by…
Less contact with dangerous chemicals.
By reducing the use of chemical
pesticides and fertilizers, farmers
also make life safer
for their families, customers and employees.
Communities benefit from
regenerative farming by…
Getting cleaner water.
Agricultural runoff is one of the
biggest causes of water pollution.
Regenerative farming reduces pollution.
Communities benefit from
regenerative farming by…
Paying less for water.
Clean water requires less treatment,
which can help bring water costs down.
Communities benefit from
regenerative farming by…
Eating fresher food.
Community members who
eat organic food benefit from a cleaner, safer,
fresher product.
Communities benefit from
regenerative farming by…
Less contact with dangerous chemicals.
Farms that reduce their use of chemical
pesticides and fertilizers…
…prevent these chemicals from affecting their neighbors.
The environment benefits from
regenerative farming through…
Less carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide is a leading greenhouse gas. Regenerative
farming helps store carbon dioxide in the soil, in turn helping to lessen
global warming.
The environment benefits from
regenerative farming through…
Reduced pesticides and fertilizers in the
environment.
Farms that don’t rely on phosphate and nitrate-based fertilizers and pesticides prevent these chemicals from making
their way into the water.
That’s good for the environment.
The environment benefits from
regenerative farming through…
Less soil erosion and healthier soil.
Farms that use cover crops and other regenerative farming techniques help
keep nutrients in the soil and have significantly less soil erosion.
That’s also good for the environment.
The environment benefits from regenerative farming by…
Less fossil fuel use.
With less tillage, fertilizer and pesticide application, farmers can
potentially spend less time out in the field using heavy machinery — thus
using less fossil fuels.
That’s also good for the environment.
Without a doubt, regenerative farming is helping farmers, communities and
the environment…
…and the Rodale Institute is helping regenerative farming.
Through its scientific research, support for farmers and community education
programs, the Rodale Institute is taking a leading role in the study and promotion
of regenerative farming.
Here’s how…
The Rodale Institute runs an Experimental Farm and houses
functioning research laboratories.
Farmers and scientists from around the world use
Rodale’s facilities to compare different agricultural systems.
Rodale’s scientific research
has helped to…
Show the relationship between agricultural practices
and the environment
Rodale has documented how different farming
systems influence the spread of nutrients and chemicals from
the soil into our water supplies.
Rodale’s scientific research has helped to…
Refine cover crop strategies for improving soil and water quality.
By experimenting with unusual cover crops, such as hairy vetch, Rodale is
finding new ways for farmers to reduce tillage and the need for
fertilizers and pesticides.
Rodale’s scientific research has helped to…
Find profitable, real-world solutions for farmers.
Rodale doesn’t just test out different crops. It sells them. In doing so, Rodale is able to figure out which
agricultural systems make the most money in the real world.
When the Rodale Institute finds regenerative farming techniques that can benefit farmers, it shares them.
Rodale’s education and outreach programs are making regenerative farming a reality.
Rodale’s education and
outreach has helped to…
Educate farmers about alternative practices.
Rodale provides farmers with information on all sorts of regenerative techniques.
This helps farmers do more to protect human health and the
environment and to enter into new, profitable markets.
Rodale’s education and outreach has helped to…
Teach young people about science and environmental
stewardship.
Rodale’s support of environmental education helps make the basics of
reading, writing and arithmetic exciting for students, while teaching
them the importance of civic involvement.
Rodale’s education and outreach has helped to…
Teach consumers about how their choices affect their
health, the environment and family farms.
By promoting healthy, organic foods and educating consumers
about its benefits, Rodale is helping to increase the market for it, while protecting health and the
environment.
Rodale’s education and outreach has helped to…
Teach policy makers to understand the connections between agriculture and the
environment.
By educating policy makers about agriculture’s impact on the environment, Rodale also
demonstrates the importance of supporting farmers making the switch to regenerative agricultural practices.
Regenerative farming renews and improves environmental and human
health, with the potential to make farmers money.
Everybody wins…
And everyone can help.
To learn how you can get involved, contact:
The Rodale Institute
(610) 683-1400
www.rodaleinstitute.org
Parents and teachers, please visit our kids’ site:
www.kidsregen.org
Farmers and gardeners, please be sure to visit:
www.newfarm.org
Funding for this presentation was presented by: