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Show Notes
Introduction
Maria Rodale
This podcast expands on Joe’s visit to rural Pennsylvania and the Rodale Institute, the cradle of organic gardening in America. Founded in 1941, by visionary J. I. Rodale, and nurtured by four generations of the Rodale family, today the Institute resides on a 333-acre farm. Rodale Press has evolved into the largest multi-media company dedicated to restoring a healthy planet and continues to pioneer the organic movement through research and it’s books and magazines. Rodale’s flagship publication “Organic Gardening” (1942) still enjoys a robust following today. Watch the episode here.
In her interview Rodale Inc. Chairman and CEO Maria Rodale, granddaughter of J. I., gives her frank, research-based opinion about the far-reaching effects of chemicals and pesticides so prevalent in our lives today. Generations ago chemicals and pesticides were unheard of but as science progressed so did the notion of “better living through chemicals”.
If you care about your health and the health of the planet you need to read this book
That simply isn’t true and there is sufficient evidence to indicate that eating organic food is good for our health. There is also mounting evidence that the agrichemicals we continue to ingest lead to certain cancers, diabetes, obesity, autism, and ADHD. Maria’s call to action is to “demand organic” and is passionately and eloquently stated in her book, “Organic Manifesto”.
Through conscientious efforts and dedication the USDA Certified Organic label has evolved to provide a way for consumers to identify products that meet their strict standards. Seventy years ago organic was simply an idea but fortunately today, consumers are waking up to what ‘organic’ really means to our health and the health of the planet. There are consequences related to the way we farm and garden and even to the decisions we make in our daily lives.
The Rodale Institute Farming Systems Trial®, was begun in 1981 when few institutions were seriously studying organic farming methods. It is the longest running side-by-side comparison of organic and conventional farming methods in the US, and one of the oldest in the world.
The organization lives by the mantra that “healthy soil equals healthy food, equals healthy people, equals a healthy planet” and has proven that organic yields match or surpass those of conventional farming methods. The reason is the exquisite care given to the soil by nurturing it with natural amendments and cover crops.
This podcast is produced by The joe gardener® Media Network. If you have a comment our hotline is always open at 206.337.0375 or send us an email at heyjoe@joegardener.com.
About Joe Lamp'l
Joe Lamp'l is the Host and Executive Producer of the award winning PBS television series Growing A Greener World. Off camera, Joe dedicates his time to promoting sustainability through his popular books, blog, podcast series, and nationally syndicated newspaper columns. Follow Joe on Twitter
Thank you for the great post! My body is screaming for some stress reduction with
just 3 weeks left of grad school… I shared this on Facebook in case my friends wanted to see.
Thanks!
Thanks Thomas. We’re producing a new podcast series that premiers on 4/15: The joe gardener Show. Check it out in iTunes. It’s more gardening focused vs. sustainability issues, but soon we will add a second series that picks up where Growing a Greener World podcast left off. Thanks for writing and glad you enjoyed. Thanks for sharing!
Joyce, based of your statement you are intend to give to anyone that you know free book. Unfortunately, you do not know me but I would like to read the book. Is any way I can get one from you, I will appreciate it.
Thank
I just finished this book and highly recommend it.
Everyone should read it! Organic Manifesto is the Silent Spring and Maria is the Rachel Carson of our age.
I intend to buy a box of these books and give them out to everyone I know as Christmas gifts.
What a great idea! And I love your comparision of Maria to Rachel. Thanks for posting.
As Maria’s father said many times: “healthy soil = healty plants = healthy people and now = healthy planet! Bottom line: it’s all about the soil and know from where your food comes. I loved this interview with Maria and the time we were able to spend at the Rodale Institute. True passion is allive for their mission in Maria and Maya. I love that!
I am so pleased to hear you point out how important it is for gardeners to know where their garden soil sources come from. As my Grandfarther and my father have always stressed it is all about the soil, when it comes to growing healthy safe gardens.
As Maria’s father said many times: “healthy soil = healty plants = healthy people and now = healthy planet! Bottom line: it’s all about the soil and know from where your food comes. I loved this interview with Maria and the time we were able to spend at the Rodale Institute. True passion is allive for their mission in Maria and Maya. I love that!
What a great idea! And I love your comparision of Maria to Rachel. Thanks for posting.