FALL 2024 | TOWER 15 The grant will support student scholarships; internships; renovations to the university teaching greenhouse, which is adjacent to the newly built Nancy Jean Stump Seiger ’54 Botanical Research Center; professional development for students, faculty and Rodale Institute employees; farming equipment and land care. Expanding a partnership The partnership with Rodale Institute had its roots in several small agreements forged over the last decade. Those agreements covered internships, research privileges at the KU library for Rodale scientists, and a smaller collaborative grant for joint research projects. The partnership to develop the new regenerative organic agriculture program began after KU alumnus and Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach ’01 met KU President Kenneth S. Hawkinson. “I have Dr. Hawkinson to thank for the partnership,” Tkach says. “I explained to him that there’s going to be a whole workforce gap with people who want to be involved in this field. So many young people want to get involved in this movement that Rodale is helping to lead. The regenerative organic farming movement is a very youthful movement.” Studies show that 86 percent of people under age 18 in the U.S. have purchased an organic food item in the last month. Rodale Institute scientists worked with environmental science faculty to develop the curriculum for the new academic track. KU signed a five-year partnership agreement with the institute in August 2021. The agreement provides KU students and faculty the opportunity to partner with Rodale Institute personnel and researchers from around the world on field research in the areas of soil health, organic practices for farming and pest management, composting and pollinators. Internship opportunities will also be available for students. One of the most enthusiastic proponents of the partnership was KU trustee Jim Ludlow, who has served on the Council of Trustees since 2013 and is currently the president of Liquid Interactive in Allentown. “Berks and Lehigh counties offer a wide range of wonderful experiential and learning experiences for our students,” Ludlow said of partnerships like the one with Rodale. “We only need to reach out and make the connections.” Tkach says working with his alma mater is a full-circle moment for him. He developed an interest in a healthy lifestyle in his teens and remembers studying in the peaceful setting of Rodale Institute farm when he was at KU. After graduating with a marketing degree, he joined Rodale Press publishing company, first selling advertising for its magazine Men’s Health. He was promoted to management positions and in 2008, became the publisher of the company’s flagship publication, Organic Gardening. He assumed his current role at Rodale Institute in 2023, which has positioned him to be at the forefront of a global movement. One of the labs at Rodale Institute. From left: Dr. Christopher Habeck, Dr. Kaoutar El Mounadi, and Dr. Jacob Sewall.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzcxOTE=