Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center
There’s big opportunity for organic agriculture in the Midwest, so we’re putting boots on the ground.
The Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center at Eztel Sugar Grove Farm provides research, education, and assistance to farmers looking to implement organic practices on their farms or diversify their crop rotations. It’s also an educational center for the public, and the site of collaboration between Rodale Institute researchers and local partners.
The Midwest Organic Center is located in Marion, Iowa near Cedar Rapids. If you are interested in taking a tour of our farm and speaking with our farm and research team, please contact midwest@rodaleinstitute.org.
Why Iowa?
In 2016, the USDA reported that Iowa—long considered the epicenter of agriculture—is fifth in the nation for number of certified organic farms. That makes the state representative of a growing movement. Yet the region lacks truly progressive, widespread access to research and training in regenerative organic practices.
About Etzel Sugar Grove Farm
Etzel Sugar Grove Farm is a 190-acre farm located in Marion, Iowa that represents the future of agriculture in Iowa. The farm implements and educates the public on regenerative agriculture practices that restore the health of Iowa’s farms, watersheds and environment.
Eztel Sugar Grove Farm is part of Indian Creek Nature Center, Iowa’s first and only privately owned and operated non-profit nature center.
Our Research Trials
Diverse Systems Trial
The Diverse Systems Trial is a long term research project that examines the impact of diversifying corn-soybean rotations with longer crop rotations that include a year of small grains, diverse cover crops, and/or pasture. Longer crop rotations allow for better opportunities to re-integrate cattle into cropping systems. This trial compares livestock grazing and the impact of the animal to the effect of composted manure alone. This demonstration of a regenerative organic row crop system is a glimpse at what the future of Midwest agriculture should be.
Midwest Vegetable Systems Trial
The Midwest Vegetable Systems Trial is a long term trial that focuses on organic vegetable production and the use of biochar in different tillage systems. Plots have either full tillage with black plastic mulch, strip tillage, or no-till with a hay mulch. Each one of those tillage treatments either has biochar or does not. These practices can have different impacts on soil health and crop yield, as well as nutrient retention, which is a significant problem in the Midwest, so we will be using lysimeters to measure nutrient concentrations in subsurface drainage. After quantifying crop yield, all 10,000 pounds of vegetables grown are donated to local food pantries to help promote food security in Cedar Rapids.
Midwest Organic Center Staff
Drew Erickson
Farm Manager
Drew has had a diverse career in land management in which he has strived to work with nature. Following graduation from Colorado State University’s natural resource program, he spent several seasons with the United States Forest Service. Then he worked for a parks department in Oregon. Prior to joining Rodale Institute, Drew spent 8 years working at a farm in California’s Napa Valley. There he raised poultry, cared for horses, managed the forest, and assisted with producing fruits and vegetables. He joined the team at the Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center in February of 2021. Since joining the Rodale team Drew has worn many hats; managing the research plots, maintaining the landscaping, facilities, and equipment, speaking at conferences, and leading tours of the farm. In his free time, he enjoys biking, hiking, skating, skiing, and watching his daughters play hockey or compete in dance competitions.
Sean Stokes, Ph.D.
Research Director
Dr. Sean Stokes received a PhD from Colorado State University in Soil and Crop Science and an MS from CSU in Environmental Toxicology. His research has focused on a variety of topics related to agricultural systems, including molecular changes to soil organic matter after biochar or compost application and the relationship between soil health and crop productivity in orange trees infected with citrus greening disease. Additional research in these citrus groves included evaluating the efficacy of pesticide applications and their degradation rates once applied. Another focus of Sean’s prior research includes evaluating non-traditional water sources such as produced water and agricultural runoff to understand the potential for treating this water and applying it as agricultural irrigation. Understanding the impact of various regenerative management practices on water quality and soil health will be a major focus of Sean’s research at the Midwest Organic Center since nutrient runoff and soil degradation are currently major problems in Midwest cropland.
Nathan Freesmeier
Research Technician
Nathan is a lifelong Iowan and has lived in Cedar Rapids for most of his life. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a degree in Biology. During his time at the University of Iowa, he learned about regenerative agriculture and how it could benefit Iowa and its largely conventional practices. He is especially interested in finding solutions to the major nutrient runoff problem that the Midwest suffers from. He looks forward to seeing the results that the research from the Midwest Organic Center produces.
Our Steering Committee
Additional Resources
MOC Field Day
Register Here
Looking for opportunities to buy or sell organic crops?
Contact our Midwest Markets Coordinator at Missy.Kampling@rodaleinstitute.org
Read Our Latest Market Report
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Consulting
Organic consulting services are available in the Midwest for any farmers looking to transition to organic or any organic farmers that need consultation on their farm. For more information, reach out to consulting@rodaleinstitute.org
CONTACT US
Midwest Organic Center
3706 St. Peters Rd.
Marion, IA 52302
midwest@rodaleinstitute.org
P. 610.683.1414
Support Our Work
The Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center is working to make regenerative organic growing methods in Iowa sustainable and profitable. With your help we can grow organic acreage in Iowa and the surrounding states.
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