The next generation of scientists

Ava Esterly is committed to a career in regenerative organic agriculture and wants to provide real holistic solutions in Pennsylvania.

Esterly is in her junior year of Kutztown University’s unique undergraduate regenerative organic agriculture program, which was developed in partnership with Rodale Institute. The program launched in 2022 and is a dedicated track within the environmental science major.

“Pennsylvania stands to position itself as a leader in regenerative organic agriculture, which can be a model for other states as well,” Esterly says.

The partnership between Kutztown University and Rodale Institute helps students conduct research with experts from around the world. In her internship, Esterly created holistic plans for regeneration and learned how to interact with the scientific community to make real changes in how they approach food.

“I think the uniqueness of this program lies in the fact that students are not just taught to analyze agriculture from a scientific perspective but from a social, political, philosophical one, as well” Esterly says. “I think that prepares them to go out and make real change.”

Kutztown University – just a few miles from Rodale Institute in rural Pennsylvania – is the perfect place to get hands-on agriculture experience. The environmental science faculty at KU are committed students’ classroom success, in the field and beyond graduation. The curriculum focuses on developing research and analytical skills while preparing students for a range of environmental professions in science, governance, community and agriculture while supporting a global farming movement.

Learn more the Regenerative Organic Agriculture program at Kutztown University

Learn more about Kutztown University’s partnership with Rodale Institute