As we move out of winter and into the abundant months of spring, there are many ways to reconnect ourselves to food, farming and the planet. Rodale Institute, an organic farming nonprofit based in Kutztown, has plenty of ways to get outside, get involved and get planting.

 

Rodale Institute Virtual Campus is a new educational platform complete with online courses that are self-guided and never expire. Two courses are currently being offered.

 

• Transition to Certified Organic: This course covers the organic certification process, topics such as soils, crops, livestock and marketing, and includes expertise from a wide array of certified organic farmers.

 

• Hobby Beekeeping: Participants in this course will learn the basics of keeping a backyard honeybee hive, the equipment needed, and about the current issues facing honeybees.

 

 

Rodale Institute’s events and workshops, taking place at their Kutztown headquarters, welcome attendees to learn more and get involved in the regenerative organic movement. The Organic Gardening 101 Workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 27. Learn from Rodale Institute’s experts on topics like equipment, containers for indoor seed starting and much more.

 

Take pride in growing summer tomatoes, learn how to build up immunity, reduce disease and combat plant stress at Rodale Institute’s Tomato Grafting Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon, April 10. Participants will take home two grafted tomato plants.

 

Learn about backyard composting with the Compost Like a Pro workshop from 10 a.m. to noon, April 17. This class is designed for anyone who has wondered about composting at home and is looking for the right incentive and information.

 

Earth Day at the Farm is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 22. Join Rodale Institute staff for a day of volunteer service, and experience a day of hands-on farm fun learning about the basics of regenerative organic agriculture.

 

Rodale Institute will also host two plant sales this spring, boasting a supply of organic vegetables, flowers, herbs and more for spring gardening. The plant sales will take place at Rodale Institute’s Kutztown campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 2 to 3 and May 6 to 8.

 

This March through May, visit a GIANT grocery store and “round up” to the nearest dollar when purchasing groceries to donate to nonprofits like Rodale Institute who are working to heal people and the planet.