Rodale Institute joins Microsoft, YouTube, Nvidia on list of world's most innovative companies
Rodale Institute has joined the ranks of Microsoft, OpenAI and YouTube on Fast Company's annual list of the world's most innovative companies.
The Maxatawny Township-based nonprofit was ranked fourth in the agriculture section of the 2025 list by the popular business magazine.
This year's list recognizes 609 organizations across 58 sectors and regions. It showcases companies shaping the future through bold ideas, groundbreaking research and measurable impact, Rodale said in a release.
Fast Company ranked robotaxi pioneer Waymo and GPU producer and tech giant Nvidia as first and second, respectively, on its 2025 overall list.
'Rodale Institute continues pioneering work in regenerative organic agriculture through scientific research, farmer training and education that demonstrates how agriculture can be a powerful solution to climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity,' the company said in a release. 'As the birthplace of the modern organic movement, Rodale Institute is filling the massive void of American land-grant institutions by revolutionizing farming and aiming to fix what is broken in our food system.'
Jeff Tkach, chief executive officer of Rodale Institute, said innovation is central to the institute's mission.
'For more than 77 years, we have been leading the charge in regenerative organic farming and proving that agriculture can heal people and the planet,' Tkach said in the release. 'Being recognized as one of the world's most innovative companies affirms that our work is shaping the future of food and farming, offering real solutions to the global climate crisis while ensuring healthy, nutrient-dense food systems for people across the U.S. and beyond.'
Through its 40-year Farming Systems Trial, farmer consulting and educational programs, Rodale Institute has equipped thousands of farmers across the country with the knowledge and resources needed to adopt regenerative organic practices, officials said.
Rodale said it aims to transition 1 million acres of farmland to regenerative organic agriculture by 2035.
In conjunction with this award, Tkach joined the Fast Company Impact Council, an exclusive, invitation-only collective of innovative leaders, Rodale said.
The World's Most Innovative Companies is one of Fast Company's most anticipated editorial efforts of the year.
To determine winners, Fast Company's editors and writers evaluate thousands of submissions from start-ups to some of the world's most valuable companies to determine, the release said.
'Our list of the Most Innovative Companies offers both a comprehensive look at innovation today and a playbook for the future,' Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan said in the release. 'This year, we recognize companies that are harnessing AI in deep and meaningful ways, brands that are turning customers into superfans by overdelivering for them and challengers that are introducing bold ideas and vital competition to their industries.'
For more information about Rodale Institute, visit rodaleinstitute.org.
The full list of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies can be found at fastcompany.com.
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