KUTZTOWN, PA, June 25, 2007 - The Rodale Institute has announced the appointment of Timothy J. LaSalle as Chief Executive Officer. The Institute is a non-profit organization that has been pioneering the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming since 1947. Previously, Mr. LaSalle served as Executive Director of the Northwest Earth Institute.

"Timothy LaSalle has dedicated his career to educating people about organic health and global environmental solutions. I am delighted he will lead the Institute into a phase of new growth," said Ardath Rodale, Co-chair of The Rodale Institute.

The Rodale Institute was the brainchild of J.I. Rodale, who moved to rural Pennsylvania in the late 1930s to explore his keen personal interest in farming. Chronic food shortages following World War II prompted farmers to increase yields by using nitrogenous fertilizers from old munitions factories. Concerned about the health effects of using these chemicals to grow food, Mr. Rodale was inspired to develop organic methods and prove, both scientifically and practically at the farmer level, that they worked. Sixty years later, The Rodale Institute is home to the country's longest-running scientific study comparing chemical farming with organic. Results have shown again and again that organic agriculture is not only more productive and profitable for farmers, but is also significantly better for the health of the soil and environment.

"We aim for The Rodale Institute to be at the forefront of scientific research on organic farming and its effects on human and environmental health, and through those efforts build a diverse and thriving community passionate about organic," said Mr. LaSalle. "I look forward to building upon the firm foundation established by J.I. Rodale and the Rodale family."

Mr. LaSalle has extensive executive experience with various non-profit organizations, including the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County and the Allan Savory Center for Holistic Management. He served as the President and CEO of the Agriculture Education Foundation. For twelve years he was a full professor at California Polytechnic State University, where he taught dairy science classes. Mr. LaSalle has completed all Ph.D. course work in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute; he holds a M.S. in Populations Genetics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a B.S. in Science from California Polytechnic State University. He has served on many non-profit boards and committees.

On July 23, 2007, Mr. LaSalle will succeed John Haberern, the first President of the Institute who retired in June, 2006 after 46 years of leadership. Following Mr. Haberern's retirement, the Institute was led by Interim President Rosalba Messina while the search for the new CEO was conducted.

The Rodale Institute is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located on a 333-acre research farm in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The Institute's mission is to improve the health and well-being of people and the planet through research and education that focus on organic farming, food and living.