At Gaia Herbs, we believe that the way we grow our food and herbs directly shapes the health of our planet, and of ourselves. That’s why partnerships grounded in shared purpose are so vital to our mission. Few organizations embody that purpose more deeply than Rodale Institute, the global pioneer of the regenerative organic movement.
For more than 70 years, Rodale Institute has championed the simple yet transformative truth that healthy soil creates healthy food, and healthy people. Their work has inspired generations of farmers, scientists, and conscious consumers to reimagine what agriculture can be: not extractive, but restorative.
In this exclusive conversation with Rodale Institute’s CEO, we explore how his personal journey, from illness to advocacy, led him to champion the living systems beneath our feet. Together, we discuss the shared values that unite Rodale and Gaia Herbs: nurturing soil health, supporting farmers, and protecting the intricate web that connects plants, people, and the planet.
Framing the Partnership
What first drew you to Rodale Institute and its mission to advance regenerative organic agriculture?
Jeff Tkach - When I was 37, I got sick and thought I was going to die. The seventh doctor that I tried told me I could farm my body back to health. I had no idea what he meant, but I was desperate, so I went with it. And the more I followed where it was taking me, the more I discovered how deeply connected my health is to the health of the soil my food is grown in.
This one discovery led me into a greater understanding of how my food is grown, which showed me the vital role farming plays in all of our lives, which took me into the economics, politics, and cultural implications of farming, all of which introduced me to all kinds of humans who are waking up to these same truths.
Eventually, I became the CEO of Rodale Institute, a global leader in the regenerative organic farming movement and so now I spend my days immersed in a world of people who are endlessly learning, exploring, and innovating new ways for us to grow healthier food in healthier soil.
What makes the partnership between Rodale Institute and Gaia Herbs such a natural fit, and how do you hope it helps consumers understand the connection between how plants are grown and the quality of the final product?
Jeff Tkach - Gaia Herbs embodies the mission of Rodale Institute: HEALTHY SOIL = HEALTHY FOOD = HEALTHY PEOPLE. Gaia leads by example, owning and operating a Regenerative Organic Certified farm. We share a bold vision: prioritizing soil health, fair labor, and healthy agricultural products. This alliance shows consumers the direct link—vibrant, nutrient-rich soil yields potent herbs, elevating health, quality, and trust.
From your perspective, how does Gaia Herbs’ approach to sourcing and farming align with the principles of regeneration?
Jeff Tkach - Gaia's dedication shines through in every step, from enriching soil with micronutrients to supporting farm workers with fair practices and a work environment free of conventional agricultural chemicals. It's not just farming—it's revitalizing land and lives, embodying regeneration's key objective.
The Power and Practice of Regeneration
For those new to the concept, how do you define regenerative agriculture, and how is it different from traditional organic practices? Do you see it as a science, a movement, or a mindset?
Jeff Tkach - The term “regeneration” and organic are inextricably linked. Historically, Rodale Institute has defined “regenerative organic” as a kind of farming that goes beyond sustainable. We believe that regenerative organic agriculture not only maintains resources but improves them. At Rodale Institute, it's a holistic system driving innovation in the environment, society, and economy. It's all three: data-driven science, a transformative movement, and a stewardship mindset.
Rodale Institute has long been a global leader in regenerative organic research. Can you share a few examples of successful regenerative transitions from farmers you’ve worked with? What were the biggest challenges and breakthroughs?
Jeff Tkach - Healthy soil is a farmer's lifeline. Rodale Institute’s 40+ years of research in our Farming Systems Trial proves regenerative practices build soil organic matter, deliver 30% higher yields in extreme weather, enhance water absorption, cut toxins in waterways, and reduce costs. This boosts profits and resilience against conventional farming pitfalls.
What are the barriers for farmers across the globe to adopt regenerative practices?
Jeff Tkach - Shifting from chemical-heavy farming demands expertise—no small feat at any scale. That's why Rodale Institute launched an Organic Consultancy: expert agronomists and farmers offer hands-on, multi-year guidance. It reduces hurdles, speeds transitions, and unlocks USDA Organic certification for countless producers around the nation.
Impact and Future Growth
How do partnerships like ours help accelerate the transition to regenerative agriculture across different industries?
Jeff Tkach - We need more corporations like Gaia to invest in a regenerative organic future. Teaming up, Rodale Institute and Gaia Herbs chart a course for sustainable models others can replicate—protecting farms, workers, and ecosystems. It's a blueprint inspiring industries to go regenerative organic, fast-tracking global change.
When you look ahead five or ten years, what impact do you hope this partnership between Rodale and Gaia will have made?
Jeff Tkach - I envision a day when regenerative organic products are the norm. Companies like Gaia will lead the regenerative organic pivot—delivering healthier products that empower employees and foster environmental and public health resilience.
How do you see consumers influencing the acceleration of the regenerative movement? How important is it to accelerate?
Jeff Tkach - Consumers hold the power: demand drives supply—it's smart business. Demand clean water, toxin-free food, and thriving communities. Insist on Regenerative Organic Certified products. Acceleration is vital—it's our shot at resilient ecosystems and healthier future.
Leadership and Inspiration
What’s the most powerful mental or cultural shift that could unlock a regenerative future?Jeff Tkach - Vote with your purchases. Becoming a regenerative organic consumer is essential. Regenerative organic practices build resilience for all. We've got time to heal the planet, and the time to act is now.
How do you think the conversation around climate, health, and agriculture will evolve over the next decade?
Jeff Tkach - Food production shapes our world and well-being. As more people begin to understand this innate connection the Institute identified nearly 80 years ago, people will turn to farming for solutions. Over the next 10 years, I see a path for the regenerative organic movement to step in and solve many of the issues we face collectively today, from environmental crises to health woes.
If you had five minutes to share a message with the world about the future of food and farming, what would you say and what gives you the most hope?
Jeff Tkach - Over and over again, I’ve met people who, like me, left behind one life to answer the call of the farm. Each of us carries different reasons, but the same longing: to heal, to grow, to give. What started as my personal leap of faith is now a shared movement, with roots spreading far beyond me.
We’re returning to the farm like never before. We are waking up to how disconnected we are from our food system. We are leaving our jobs, our careers, and reorienting our lives around food, whether that’s growing it, distributing it, or working in advocacy, financing, or education.
Or maybe it’s simply making a different choice at the grocery store or in our own backyard.
Making this shift requires courage and commitment. Regenerative systems do not offer instant returns. They require a willingness to invest patiently, to think beyond the next moment, and to cultivate rather than take. These choices often require some level of sacrifice in order to invest in our future.
Regeneration is about playing the long game. A call to live on the Earth with a longer view.
Healthy people rooted in regeneration will create healthier families, healthier societies, and a healthier world. We are waking up to the fact that we have been born into this life to steward the Earth.
So, what farm are you being asked to return to?
What land are you being called to heal?
The time is now. The farm is HERE.