Kutztown University President Dr. Kenneth Hawkinson, left, and State Rep. Mark Rozzi stand by an artist’s rendering of the school’s regenerative organic agriculture field, located on campus. On Thursday the school announced that the program has received a $1.5 million state grant. (MIKE URBAN – READING EAGLE

A new Kutztown University program has received a $1.5 million state grant to prepare students to help lead the fast-growing organic agriculture industry.

The grant, which will support KU’s Regenerative Organic Agriculture program created in 2021, was announced Thursday during a press conference at the school.

Organic farming is a trend that will continue to expand in popularity and importance, and students in the KU program will graduate prepared to be at its forefront, said Dr. Kaoutar El Moundadi, associate professor of biological sciences.

The school already has a 17-acre farm plot on campus where students do their field work, which will be greatly enhanced by the additional funding, she said.

The money will be used to support student scholarships, internships, professional development, farming equipment, land care, and renovations to the university teaching greenhouse.

“This grant will have a significant impact on changing the way food is grown and produced and will provide an important and exciting new career path for our students,” said Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, university president.

The Rodale Institute – a nonprofit based in Maxatawny Township about about five miles from campus – is in a five-year partnership with KU to enhance the program. Rodale provides access to field researchers who study soil health, organic practices for farming and pest management, composting and pollinators.

Rodale CEO and KU alumnus Jeff Tkach said students are learning from world-renowned scientists about agricultural methods that enable producers to adapt to extreme weather events, improve the state of regional farming economies, and modernize common production methods.

“These skill sets will prepare Kutztown University graduates to lead the nation’s agriculture sector,” he said.

State Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Muhlenberg Township Democrat and also a KU graduate, helped secure the funding, and spoke about its importance not just to the school, but the community.

Increasing access to food free of “poisons” such as chemicals and pesticides is crucial, as is promoting agriculture that keeps the land sustainable instead of harming it, he said.

As he spoke about the benefits of organic eating, Rozzi mentioned his own health transformation since he began such a diet last year, allowing him to lose 60 pounds and lower his blood pressure, he said.

“The regenerative organic agriculture track holds immense promise in reshaping the landscape of agriculture for the better,” he said.

The partnership between KU and Rodale is an example of how Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, which includes KU and nine other state universities, is listening to the private sector and adjusting its offerings to meet the job market’s demands, said Dr. Daniel Greenstein, chancellor.

And for Pennsylvania, where agriculture is the number one industry, the new program is much needed, he said.

“It’s incredibly important to the state,” he said.

Ava Esterly, a sophomore environmental science major from Pottstown, spoke about how much she and her fellow students are learning from the program, and how committed they are to “regen ag,” as she called it.

Speaking about the difference between the fertility of healthy soil versus the barrenness of dirt, she explained why it is so necessary for organic farming to keep expanding.

The program will allow KU students to spearhead a revolution, she said.

“It is not just a field of science, but a philosophy,” she said.

And for Rozzi, the trip back to his alma mater brought a tear to his eye, he said, and it reminded him of how state universities transform so many lives, including his own.

“I love this university,” he said.

For 48 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow.

From farms and small towns to suburbs and the inner city, more than 2,600 volunteers statewide put their mission of helping others learn to grow into practice by providing gardening education and outreach in their communities. Take your love of gardening to the next level by becoming a Master Gardener in 2023.

This year, there are two online training options– self-paced or hybrid with live sessions.

“Our online training is a great opportunity for folks who need more flexibility to participate,” said Extension State Master Gardener Specialist Candice Anderson. “Both options have self-paced components that can be completed at your own pace.”

Both training options may be taken from the comfort of home on a desktop, laptop or tablet. Participants will be introduced to in-depth horticulture content through 13 modules, including soils and fertilizers, plant diseases, entomology, pest management, organic gardening and more. The training includes videos, a manual, reading materials and quizzes. A strong internet connection is highly recommended.

After completing the training, volunteers participate in educational programs in their communities. Those opportunities may include speaking at garden clubs, civic groups, or schools, answering calls or emails at garden help desks, establishing demonstration gardens that serve as educational tools and educating citizens on how to establish community gardens.

The self-paced course starts Oct. 2 and can be completed in 14 weeks with approximately four to six hours of weekly work. The course costs $300, and registration is open until Sept. 11.

The hybrid course starts Sept. 12 and includes 12 weeks of hybrid online materials and in-person sessions on Tuesday mornings. The live sessions may be accessed remotely or in-person at an Extension office, depending on the local requirements. Registration is open until Sept. 1. The cost is set by the county providing the training.

Both Master Gardener training programs are coordinated by Extension staff at the county level. Training options, dates and availability may vary by county. For more information or to fill out an application form, contact your local Illinois Extension Office at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionOffice.

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in programming, contact Candice Anderson at 217-935-5764 or by email at mille116@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting participant needs.