Member News

Cornwall Manor Retirement Community and Rodale Institute, the global leader in regenerative organic agriculture, are proud to announce a unique collaboration and the creation of the “Cornwall Manor-Rodale Institute Trailside Organic Farm”. Through this partnership, a certified organic vegetable farm will be established on Cornwall Manor’s Woods Campus and the development and organic farming will be led by Rodale Institute’s team of industry experts. Cornwall Manor is the first retirement community to partner with Rodale Institute. Both organizations see this project as having the potential to serve as a model for continuing care communities across the country.

Trailside Organic Farm will begin as a two-acre certified organic farm located on Cornwall Manor’s Woods Campus, adjacent to the Rail Trail. Cornwall Manor will use the organic produce grown on the farm to be served in all campus dining areas. Utilizing Rodale Institute’s expertise in organic growing methods, Trailside Organic Farm will provide residents with healthy, hyperlocal food choices and a thriving natural environment that supports their health, environment and overall well-being.
Lee Stickler, Cornwall Manor President & CEO shares, “Organic food is garnering increased attention among senior living organizations as a means to not only prevent disease, but improve health outcomes for all.  We sought to partner with the industry experts at Rodale Institute to establish Trailside Organic Farm on Cornwall Manor’s Woods Campus strongly supporting our wellness philosophy, which is based on the principle that each resident is entitled to enjoy and maintain the highest level of health, dignity, independence and activity.”

Plans during 2021 include site preparations on the two-acre farm location, hiring a farm manager and planting crops on one acre. By 2022, a high tunnel (unheated greenhouse) will be installed to extend the growing season and crops will be planted on an additional .75 acres. Locally-grown, seasonal produce is expected to be seen in Cornwall Manor’s dining rooms by fall 2022. As our harvest increases over time, Cornwall Manor residents and team members will also have the ability to purchase fresh, organic farm produce for personal use.

Rodale Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing the regenerative organic movement through research, training and consumer education. Widely recognized as the birthplace of the organic movement, Rodale Institute, headquartered in Kutztown, Pennsylvania (Berks County), has been the global leader in organic agriculture for over 70 years. For more information, click here.
Cornwall Manor is a 550-resident, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community that has been offering diversified and high-quality housing, health care and related services for individuals to achieve a retirement and aging lifestyle they find fulfilling in a secure, caring, and Christian environment since 1949. Click here to learn more about Cornwall Manor .