Rodale Institute, a non-profit dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach, announced on Sept. 9 the appointment of Jeff Moyer as the Executive Director. Moyer has worked with Rodale Institute since 1975, most recently as the Institute’s Farm Director. Working directly with farmers of all backgrounds, Moyer is a renowned voice for the farmer’s perspective regarding issues in organic agriculture. He is widely respected for his contributions to Organic No-Till and the design of the No-Till Roller Crimper.
“The appointment of Jeff Moyer to Executive Director will begin the next phase of Rodale Institute’s evolution,” said Maria Rodale, CEO of Rodale Inc. and Co-Chair of Rodale Institute. “Jeff has spent his whole career dedicated to the Rodale Institute and is uniquely and wonderfully prepared to continue the Institute’s leading edge research. Jeff is a successful organic farmer himself, and understands the importance of regenerative organic farming to create healthy soil, healthy food, healthy people and a healthy planet.”
Moyer’s achievements include a five-year term on the National Organic Standards Board, which assists the USDA Secretary of Agriculture to develop standards for materials and practices used in organic production and advises on other aspects of implementing the National Organic Program. He is also a member of the Leonardo Academy’s committee on sustainability, board chair for the Seed Farm, a founding and current member of Pennsylvania Certified Organic and a past board member of the Organic Farming Research Foundation.
“It’s an honor to accept this opportunity to lead the Rodale Institute,” said Moyer. “Looking forward, my focus is on continuing the Institute’s training of new organic farmers and providing support to farmers transitioning to organic in order to meet the enormous and growing demand for organic and to expand the number of acres in organic production across the U.S. and around the world.”
Since its founding in 1947 by J.I. Rodale, the Rodale Institute has been committed to ground-breaking research in organic agriculture, advocating for policies that support farmers and educating people about how organic is the safest, healthiest option for people and the planet. The Institute is home to the Farming Systems Trial (FST), America’s longest-running side-by-side comparison of chemical and organic agriculture. Consistent results from the study have shown that organic yields match or surpass those of conventional farming. In years of drought, organic corn yields are about 30 percent higher. This year, 2015, marks the 34th year of the trial. New areas of study at the Rodale Institute include rates of carbon sequestration in chemical versus organic plots, new techniques for weed suppression and organic livestock.
Rodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to pioneering organic farming through research and outreach. For more than 60 years, we’ve been researching the best practices of organic agriculture and sharing our findings with farmers and scientists throughout the world, advocating for policies that support farmers and educating consumers about how going organic is the healthiest options for people and the planet.
