Latest news with #RodaleInstitute
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Natural Grocers® and Rodale Institute Celebrate Earth Month with Annual Ladybug Love Campaign, April 1-30, 2025
Customers can support Rodale Institute's mission to help farmers adopt regenerative organic practices by pledging, purchasing, or donating at the register LAKEWOOD, Colo., March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Earth Month, Natural Grocers® is partnering with Rodale Institute for its annual Ladybug LoveSM campaign. A longtime leader of the organic movement through national advocacy efforts and rigorous product standards, Natural Grocers encourages its communities to pledge to protect beneficial insects and further Rodale Institute's mission to help farmers adopt regenerative organic agricultural methods. RODALE INSTITUTEFor more than 77 years, Rodale Institute has advanced organic agriculture through science, proving that healthy soil = healthy food = healthy people. With over 33 active research projects across 12 sites, it is a global leader in regenerative organic research and solutions. This year's Earth Month fundraising efforts will benefit Rodale Institute and its Farmer Training Programs—highly immersive, full-time programs that train farmers in organic practices and offer a pathway to careers in regenerative organic crop and vegetable production. "We're honored to be chosen as a cause supported by Natural Grocers and its customers," said Rodale Institute CEO Jeff Tkach. "When shoppers invest their hard-earned dollars in the Institute's work, they're supporting small family farms, improving the environment, and growing the body of scientific research that equips farmers to adopt regenerative organic practices." LADYBUG LOVE "Natural Grocers' Ladybug Love campaign raises awareness about the crucial role beneficial insects play in our food supply and regenerative farming," said Raquel Isely, Vice President of Marketing for Natural Grocers. "It's fitting that this year's campaign supports Rodale Institute because its groundbreaking research and farmer-support programs drive meaningful change in agriculture and food production. Through the generosity of our customers and Rodale Institute's commitment, we can help launch or refine careers in organic agriculture. We are grateful to our customers for sharing our passion to protect beneficial insects, the land, and our planet." PLEDGE, PURCHASE OR DONATECustomers can take or renew their Ladybug Love pledge online, committing to avoiding chemicals that harm ladybugs and other beneficial insects in their homes, yards, and gardens while supporting 100% organic produce. Natural Grocers aims to raise $100,000 in April for Rodale Institute's Farmer Training Programs through the following in-store fundraising opportunities: Natural Grocers will donate $1 (up to $25,000) to Rodale Institute for every Ladybug Love pledge signed from April 1-30.[i] Customers can donate $1, $5, or $10 at the register to support Rodale Institute's Farmer Training Programs from April 1-30. For every Ladybug Zip Pouch sold from April 22-24, Natural Grocers will donate $2 to Rodale Institute. {N}power® members who make or renew their pledge from April 1-15 will receive $5 off their purchase from April 22-24.[ii] {N}power members will also receive a free limited-edition Ladybug Love reusable bag and sticker with any purchase from April 22-24.[iii] {N}power is Natural Grocers' FREE member rewards program, offering exclusive discounts, digital coupons, and members-only benefits. Customers can sign up for {N}power at COUNT THE LADYBUGS SWEEPSTAKES Through April 26, customers are invited to count the ladybugs hidden throughout the pages of Natural Grocers' good4u® Health Hotline® magazine (Vol. 93), for the chance to win a $500 Natural Grocers gift card. To enter, customers must fill out the form in the magazine and drop it off at any Natural Grocers store by April 26, 2025. A drawing will determine the winner from all correct entries.[v] SPECIAL EARTH DAY EDUCATION & DEALSThroughout April, Natural Grocers will continue to celebrate Earth Month, by sharing regenerative living insights and resources related to food, homes, gardens and yards. The celebration culminates in a three-day Earth Day event, April 22-24, featuring special discounts, giveaways and sweepstakes. Customers can learn more by picking up the April edition of the Health Hotline at their local Natural Grocers store or visiting Click here for a complimentary Ladybug Love press kit. Learn more about Rodale Institute's history and mission at For media requests contact Katie Macarelli: kmacarelli@ ABOUT NATURAL GROCERS BY VITAMIN COTTAGEFounded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) is an expanding specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements. The grocery products sold by Natural Grocers must meet strict quality guidelines and may not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners (as defined by its standards), synthetic colors, or partially hydrogenated or hydrogenated oils. The Company sells only USDA-certified organic produce and exclusively pasture-raised, non-confinement dairy products, and free-range eggs. Natural Grocers' flexible smaller-store format allows it to offer affordable prices in a shopper-friendly, clean, and convenient retail environment. The Company also provides extensive free science-based Nutrition Education programs to help customers and Crew make informed health and nutrition choices. Natural Grocers is committed to its 5 Founding Principles—including its "Commitment to Community" and "Commitment to Crew". In fiscal year 2024, the Company invested more than $15 million in incremental compensation and discretionary payments for Crew. Headquartered in the Union Square neighborhood of Lakewood, CO, Natural Grocers has 169 stores in 21 states. Visit for more information and store locations. ABOUT RODALE INSTITUTERodale Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to growing the regenerative organic agriculture movement through rigorous research, farmer training, and education. The Institute's groundbreaking science and direct farmer support programs serve as a catalyst for change in farming and food production worldwide. Over its 77-year history, Rodale Institute has proven that organic farming is not only viable but essential to humanity's survival. [i] Pledge must be made between 4/1/25 and 4/30/25 at to qualify for matching donation. Following the pledge period, Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, inc. will make a single matching donation of up to $25,000 in support of the Rodale Institute fundraiser. [ii] Valid for {N}power members only. Pledge must be made between 4/1/25 - 4/15/25 at to qualify for matching donation and {N}power member discount. $5 discount will be applied to the product's regular non-discounted price. Offer will be autoloaded to member's account. Enter phone number at checkout to redeem offer, must be redeemed at checkout between 4/22/25 and 4/24/25. Valid for in-store customer purchases only. Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. will make a single donation of $25,000 in support of the Rodale Institute fundraiser. [iii] Limit one per {N}power customer. Valid 4/22/25 - 4/24/25 while supplies last. No rainchecks. {N}power offers available only to registered members and are subject to program terms and conditions available at [iv] Message and data rates may apply. See for the Company's Privacy Policy and for the {N}Power terms of use. [v] Count the Ladybugs sweepstakes starts on 3/28/25 and ends on 4/26/25. No purchase necessary. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Maximum of one entry per person per prize category. Open only to legal residents of states in which Natural Grocers currently has store locations, 18 years or older at the time of entry: AZ, AR, CO, ID, IO, KS, LA, MN, MO, MT, NB, NV, NM, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA and WY. Void where prohibited by law. For Official Rules and complete details, visit Sponsor: Vitamin Cottage Natural Food Markets, Inc. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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 The full list of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies can be found at
