Maria Rodale is an author, gardener, and granddaughter of J.I. Rodale, the pioneer of the organic movement. She is also CEO and chairman of Rodale, Inc., the publishing empire her grandfather started in 1947. In addition to overseeing publication of books such as An Inconvenient Truth, and The South Beach Diet, she also wrote the influential Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World, and Keep Us Safe.

Ms. Rodale has continued the family legacy by supporting organic farmers, sustainability, and soil health. The Rodale Institute encourages and educates conventional farmers interested in switching to organic methods. and invests in cutting edge research into natural pest control and increased nutrient density in crops. In 2016 the Institute began a “Vegetable Systems Trial,” in which side by side comparisons of organic vs. conventional produce can be measured in terms of yield, water and energy use, profitability, and nutritional value.

Her website www.mariasfarmcountrykitchen.com led to a “cooking and all things organic” blog for The Huffington Post, and her cookbook, Scratch: Home Cooking for Everyone 

Made Simple, Fun, and Totally Delicious was nominated for an award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Ms Rodale writes on her blog, “I don’t live on a farm, but I grew up on one—the first organic farm in America. I know farmers, love farmers, and find it enriching to buy directly from those who work directly with nature.”

Click here for YouTube Videos for simple recipes from “Scratch”