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Nonprofit · EIN 23-7206884

RODALE INSTITUTE

Tax-exempt · KUTZTOWN, PA 19530

Financials

$18.6M$14.7M2023$15.8M$15.6M2024$22.7M$19.4M2025
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of RODALE INSTITUTE by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
December 31, 2025990$22,653,171$19,367,787$3,285,384$58,579,646$1,671,597$56,908,049
December 31, 2024990$15,794,542$15,585,285$209,257$54,736,937$2,161,737$52,575,200
December 31, 2023990$18,595,090$14,708,463$3,886,627$54,361,063$3,536,649$50,824,414
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$19,191,854
of which government grants
$6,260,945
Program service revenue
$590,214
Investment income
$2,710,459
Net rental income
-$12,665
Net gain from sales of assets
$1,784,357
Net income from sales of inventory
$94,885
Other revenue
$160,644

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$1,766,356
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$599,568
Other salaries and wages
$7,367,197
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$10,337,596
Professional fundraising fees
$322,500
Occupancy
$592,943
Travel
$513,704
Depreciation
$182,582
Program services (functional)
$15,095,348
Management and general (functional)
$2,500,928
Fundraising (functional)
$1,771,511

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$54,736,937
Total assets, end of year
$58,579,646
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,671,597
Net assets, end of year
$56,908,049
Land, buildings and equipment
$13,600,760
Publicly traded securities
$28,571,317
Net assets without donor restrictions
$28,901,315
Net assets with donor restrictions
$28,006,734
Gross receipts
$33,464,734
Employees
158
Volunteers
35
Year formed
1947
State of legal domicile
PA

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
JEFFREY TKACHCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Trustee or director, Officer
40$253,076$31,411
ELAINE MACBETHCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Officer
40$180,975$34,432
ANDREW SMITHCHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$163,496$33,244
LUKE HOWARDCHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$178,032$10,564
DAVID WILLEYCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$156,190$23,378
JESSICA STUDENTCHIEF IMPACT OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$141,270$21,385
GLADIS ZINATIDIR OF VEGETABLE SYSTEMS TRIAL
Highest-paid employee
40$131,978$8,999
NICOLE TAYLORRECORDING SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
40$81,879$17,795
MARIA RODALECO-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ROBERTA LANGCO-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
CHRISTA BARFIELDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTOPHER ELYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MATTHEW GRANDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ALISON GRANTHAMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARK KOIDEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
9 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
PEDRO LANDADIRECTOR (TERM 12/2025)
Trustee or director
1$0
BRIAN LENHARTDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
SAM NANA-SINKAMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
ESTHER PARK-HALLAMDIRECTOR (TERM 06/2025)
Trustee or director
1$0
LOREN SPEZIALEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
DR SCOTT STOLLDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
JENNIFER TAYLOR PHDDIRECTOR (TERM 11/2025)
Trustee or director
1$0
BILL WOLFDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0
JOHN MCGLINN IIDIRECTOR (EFF 12/2025)
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2024: 25 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
JEFFREY TKACHCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Trustee or director, Officer
40$228,466$27,273
ELAINE MACBETHCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Trustee or director, Officer
40$171,359$29,610
ANDREW SMITHCHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$158,413$28,713
JESSICA STUDENTCHIEF IMPACT OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$163,591$19,145
ANNIE BROWNVP OF DEVELOPMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$120,490$31,607
REBECCA KAHLEVP OF PEOPLE & CULTURE
Highest-paid employee
40$119,683$31,538
SAM MALRIATDIRECTOR OF CONSULTING
Highest-paid employee
40$104,939$12,561
MARIA RODALECO-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ROBERTA LANGCO-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
CHRISTA BARFIELDDIRECTOR (EFF. 07/24)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
CHRISTOPHER ELYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MATTHEW GRANDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ALISON GRANTHAMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARK KOIDEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PEDRO LANDADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BRIAN LENHARTDIRECTOR (EFF. 07/24)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SAM NANA-SINKAMDIRECTOR (EFF. 12/24)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ESTHER PARK-HALLAMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LOREN SPEZIALEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
DR SCOTT STOLLDIRECTOR (EFF. 07/24)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JENNIFER TAYLOR PHDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
BILL WOLFDIRECTOR (EFF. 07/24)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ERIK OBERHOLTZERDIRECTOR (TERM. 12/24)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SAM TAYLORDIRECTOR (TERM. 07/24)
Trustee or director
1$0$0
NICOLE TAYLORRECORDING SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 19 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
JEFF TKACHCEO (EFF APRIL 2023)
Trustee or director, Officer
40$196,976$27,359
JEFF MOYERCEO (TIL MARCH 2023)
Trustee or director, Officer
40$184,738$5,262
ELAINE MACBETHCHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Officer
40$156,496$30,832
ANDREW SMITHCHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Highest-paid employee
40$148,188$30,231
ANNIE BROWNVP OF DEVELOPMENT
Highest-paid employee
40$115,732$28,458
MARIA RODALECO-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
ROBERTA LANGCO-CHAIR
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
NICOLE E TAYLORRECORDING SECRETARY
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
CHRIS ELYDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PEDRO LANDADIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ERIK OBERHOLTZERDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ESTHER PARK HALLAMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
PETER SHERMANDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
LOREN SPEZIALEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
JENNIFER TAYLOR PHDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
SAM TAYLORDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MARK KOIDEDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
ALISON GRANTHAMDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0
MATTHEW GRANDDIRECTOR
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
611 SIEGFRIEDALE RD, KUTZTOWN, PA 19530-9749
In care of
% THE ORGANIZATION
Principal officer (990 for 2025)
JEFF TKACH, 611 Siegfriedale Road, Kutztown, PA 19530
Signed the 990
JEFF TKACH, CEO
Phone
(610) 683-1400
Return prepared by
WITHUMSMITHBROWN PC

Mission

RODALE INSTITUTE IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT DEDICATED TO ADVANCING REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE THROUGH RIGOROUS RESEARCH, FARMER TRAINING AND EDUCATION. FOR MORE THAN SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS, RODALE INSTITUTE HAS BEEN RESEARCHING BEST PRACTICES FOR MANAGING PESTS AND DISEASES IN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND SHARING THOSE FINDINGS WITH FARMERS AND SCIENTISTS WORLDWIDE TO EDUCATE AND SUPPORT THE TRANSITION TO REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES. THROUGH ORGANIC LEADERSHIP, WE IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF PEOPLE AND THE PLANET.

990 for the year ended December 31, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • RODALE INSTITUTE (THE "INSTITUTE"), LOCATED IN KUTZTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, IS AN INNOVATIVE 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT, DEDICATED TO ADVANCING REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE THROUGH INDEPENDENT SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, DIRECT FARMER SUPPORT INITIATIVES, CONSUMER EDUCATION, AND WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS. WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE MODERN ORGANIC MOVEMENT IN THE US, RODALE INSTITUTE IS CELEBRATED AS A PRESTIGIOUS AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION, AND IS A TRUSTED PARTNER OF FARMERS, CORPORATIONS, AND STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES. THE WORK OF THE RODALE INSTITUTE, SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN 1947, IS GROUNDED IN THE PRINCIPLE THAT HEALTHY SOIL IS KEY TO HUMAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. AS THE GLOBAL LEADER IN REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, OUR MISSION IS TO ADVANCE GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH AND BEST-IN-CLASS EDUCATION THAT ENABLES FARMERS TO TRANSITION TO REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES, THEREBY IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF THE WORLD'S SOIL AND SECURING THE GLOBAL FOOD SUPPLY. THE WORLD IS AT A CRITICAL INFLECTION POINT. THE RISE IN ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, CHRONIC DISEASES, AND INCREASED FREQUENCY OF EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS REQUIRES US TO RECKON WITH HOW WE FEED THE WORLD. AS OUR ORGANIZATION NEARS IT'S 80TH YEAR, WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING THE RESEARCH, TRAINING, AND EDUCATION NECESSARY TO CATALYZE CHANGE IN OUR FOOD, AGRICULTURE, AND HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS. THE INSTITUTE IS COMMITTED TO CONDUCTING INNOVATIVE AND PRACTICAL RESEARCH DESIGNED TO UNCOVER THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT APPROACHES TO AGRICULTURE THAT WILL ENHANCE THE MANAGEMENT OF REGENERATIVE ORGANIC AGROECOSYSTEMS. THROUGH LONG-TERM COMPARISON TRIALS BETWEEN ORGANIC AND CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS, ALONG WITH VARIOUS SHORT-TERM PROJECTS ACROSS DIFFERENT REGIONS IN THE UNITED STATES, WE SUPPORT A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCERS AT VARIOUS SCALES. RODALE INSTITUTE HAS THREE MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS THAT GUIDE OUR RESEARCH: BOLSTER ORGANIC AGRICULTURE BY DEVELOPING INTEGRATED PEST, DISEASE, AND WEED MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES AS ALTERNATIVES FOR CHEMICAL APPLICATIONS AND FACILITATES THE TRANSITION TO ORGANIC LAND MANAGEMENT. ASSIST PRODUCERS IN ENHANCING THE RESILIENCY OF AGRICULTURAL ECOSYSTEMS TO WITHSTAND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS. HELP ALLEVIATE NUTRITION DEFICITS IN THE POPULATION BY PROVIDING RESEARCH AROUND PRODUCING NUTRIENT-DENSE CROPS. THE INSTITUTE'S MAIN CAMPUS, A 450-ACRE ORGANIC FARM AND RESEARCH FACILITY, SERVES AS A LIVING LABORATORY, A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT HUB, AND A GATHERING PLACE FOR THE FARMING COMMUNITY. THE CAMPUS IS THE SITE OF MANY OF THE INSTITUTE'S RESEARCH PROJECTS, INCLUDING THE FARMING SYSTEMS TRIAL ("FST"), THE LONGEST-RUNNING, SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON OF CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC GRAIN SYSTEMS AND VEGETABLE SYSTEMS TRIAL ("VST"), A LONG-TERM FOOD NUTRITION EXPERIMENT. EDUCATION IS ALSO CRITICAL TO THE MISSION OF RODALE INSTITUTE. AMERICAN CONSUMER HABITS SUGGEST SURGING DEMAND FOR REGENERATIVE ORGANIC FARMERS. IN THE UNITED STATES, ORGANIC SALES HAVE TOPPED $62 BILLION ANNUALLY AND CONTINUE TO GROW. YET ONLY APPROXIMATELY 1% OF U.S. CROPLAND IS CERTIFIED ORGANIC. THAT IS WHY RODALE INSTITUTE IS HELPING FARMERS TRANSITION TO ORGANIC, WHILE TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ORGANIC LEADERS. AT RODALE INSTITUTE, WE'RE INVESTED IN GIVING NEW FARMER TRAINEES THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED. WE OFFER HANDS-ON, VIRTUAL, AND CLASSROOM-BASED WORKFORCE TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO NEW FARMERS THROUGH SEVERAL FARMER EDUCATION AND FELLOWSHIP PATHWAYS. RODALE INSTITUTE IS ASSISTING NEW FARMERS TO ESTABLISH OPERATIONS IN THE ORGANIC AGRICULTURE SECTOR, WORKING WITH CONVENTIONAL FARMERS TO TRANSITION TO ORGANIC, AND TEACHING EXISTING ORGANIC FARMERS THE MOST INNOVATIVE ORGANIC GROWING PRACTICES. AN ESTABLISHED AUTHORITY ON ORGANIC PRODUCTION METHODS, RODALE INSTITUTE OFFERS INTERNSHIPS TO BEGINNING FARMERS, INCLUDING SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR MILITARY VETERANS, AS WELL AS WORKSHOPS AND ONLINE COURSES TO THE PUBLIC TO MAKE REGENERATIVE ORGANIC GROWING METHODS MORE ACCESSIBLE. RODALE INSTITUTE'S CONSULTING DIVISION, A TEAM OF EXPERTS IN THE USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC SECTOR, SIMPLIFIES THE PROCESS OF TRANSITIONING TO REGENERATIVE ORGANIC FARMING SYSTEMS. WE PUT TRAINED AGRONOMISTS AND CERTIFICATION EXPERTS ON FARMS IN A ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP AND PERSONALIZED COACHING MODEL TO ADVISE TRANSITIONING FARMERS. OUR CONSULTANCY FOCUSES ON 4 CORE AREAS: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS MARKET/BUYER DISCOVERY AND CONNECTION TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO PRACTICAL ADVICE CONNECTING AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES RODALE INSTITUTE'S CONSULTANCY HAS TWO DISTINCT ADVANTAGES IN ITS SERVICE TO FARMERS: 1) WE HAVE A NATIONAL PRESENCE THAT CAN ASSIST A BROAD GEOGRAPHIC CONSTITUENCY; AND 2) OUR CONSULTANTS HAVE DIVERSE EXPERTISE WHICH CAN HELP SOLVE FARMERS' MOST PRESSING NEEDS. IN ADDITION TO OUR HEADQUARTERS IN KUTZTOWN, PA, RODALE INSTITUTE ALSO OPERATES NINE SATELLITE LOCATIONS. SIX REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS SERVE AS HUBS FOR ORGANIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. THESE HUBS MEET THE NEEDS OF FARMERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING REGIONALIZED RESEARCH ON PESTS, DISEASES, WEEDS OR FERTILITY, AS WELL AS FIELD DAYS AND EXTENSION. HUBS ARE LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA, MIDWEST (IOWA), SOUTHEAST (GEORGIA), PACIFIC NORTHWEST (WASHINGTON), PENNSYLVANIA (POCONO), AND EUROPE (PARMA, ITALY). ADDITIONAL CAMPUSES INCLUDE AN ORGANIC FARM AT A ST. LUKE'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL NETWORK LOCATION IN EASTON, PA, THE HISTORIC RODALE INSTITUTE FOUNDERS FARM IN EMMAUS, PA, AND A CERTIFIED ORGANIC VEGETABLE FARM AT A SENIOR LIVING FACILITY CAMPUS IN PA. TRAINED AGRONOMISTS AND CERTIFICATION EXPERTS ON FARMS IN A ONE-ON-ONE MENTORSHIP AND PERSONALIZED COACHING MODEL TO ADVISE TRANSITIONING FARMERS. OUR CONSULTANCY FOCUSES ON 4 CORE AREAS: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR FARMERS MARKET/BUYER DISCOVERY AND CONNECTION TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO PRACTICAL ADVICE CONNECTING AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES RODALE INSTITUTE1S CONSULTANCY HAS TWO DISTINCT ADVANTAGES IN ITS SERVICE TO FARMERS: 1) WE HAVE A NATIONAL PRESENCE THAT CAN ASSIST A BROAD GEOGRAPHIC CONSTITUENCY; AND 2) OUR CONSULTANTS HAVE DIVERSE EXPERTISE WHICH CAN HELP SOLVE FARMERS' MOST PRESSING NEEDS. IN ADDITION TO OUR HEADQUARTERS IN KUTZTOWN, PA, RODALE INSTITUTE ALSO OPERATES NINE SATELLITE LOCATIONS. SIX REGIONAL RESOURCE CENTERS SERVE AS HUBS FOR ORGANIC RESEARCH AND EDUCATION. THESE HUBS MEET THE NEEDS OF FARMERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING REGIONALIZED RESEARCH ON PESTS, DISEASES, WEEDS OR FERTILITY, AS WELL AS FIELD DAYS AND EXTENSION. HUBS ARE LOCATED IN CALIFORNIA, MIDWEST (IOWA), SOUTHEAST (GEORGIA), PACIFIC NORTHWEST (WASHINGTON), PENNSYLVANIA (POCONO), AND EUROPE (PARMA, ITALY).
    Expenses $15,095,348 · grants $1,766,356 · revenue $685,099

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025December 31, 2025May 15, 2026990 on file
2024December 31, 2024May 15, 2025990 on file
2023December 31, 2023May 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
23-7206884
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
1972
Accounting year ends
December
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Assets (IRS master file)
$58,579,646
Income (IRS master file)
$33,464,734

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990December 2025$22,653,171$19,367,787$58,579,646XML
990December 2024$15,794,542$15,585,285$54,736,937XML
990December 2023$18,595,090$14,708,463$54,361,063XML
990December 2022$15,491,796$11,224,113$45,426,077IRS
990December 2021–––IRS
990December 2020–––IRS
990December 2019–––IRS
990December 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 23-7206884).

Questions about RODALE INSTITUTE

What is the EIN of RODALE INSTITUTE?
The employer identification number (EIN) of RODALE INSTITUTE is 23-7206884.
Is RODALE INSTITUTE tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 1972.
Are donations to RODALE INSTITUTE tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does RODALE INSTITUTE file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of RODALE INSTITUTE due?
The return for tax year 2026 (the year ending December 31, 2026) is due May 17, 2027. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did RODALE INSTITUTE last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2025.
Who is the principal officer of RODALE INSTITUTE?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 names JEFF TKACH.
Who are the officers and directors of RODALE INSTITUTE?
The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 lists 24 people; 8 received compensation from the organization, the highest $253,076 (JEFFREY TKACH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER).
How much revenue does RODALE INSTITUTE have?
On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2025 it reported revenue of $22,653,171, expenses of $19,367,787 and total assets of $58,579,646 at year end.

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