Organic a labor of love for Maria Rodale

Poisoning our ourselves and our children

In chapters with names like “We have poisoned ourselves and our children” and “How industry and the government have betrayed us,” Rodale spells out with convincing language and argument how agricultural chemicals—not so much those that linger on our fruits and vegetables, but rather those that end up in our soil and streams—are impacting our health.

Rates of drug-resistant infections are soaring, due to our constant exposure to antibiotics. Girls are entering puberty earlier and the diabetes epidemic rages on, due in part to endocrine disrupters found in pesticides. With our soil's carbon sponge depleted, air quality continues to deteriorate, leading to greater incidence of respiratory disease among children. Rodale's knowledge of the topic runs deep, and it's always heartfelt.

“She just gets it, in the amazing way that women do when we have children to protect,” says Maria Emmer-Aanes, director of marketing for organic food company Nature's Path. “As someone who is not only a mom but also running a major corporation, Maria has the power to be incredibly influential.”

Still, Rodale laments that only 1 percent of American farms are organic. What will it take to raise that number? “We all need to be demanding organic from our governments, our restaurants, our supermarkets and our schools,” says Rodale. “We have to take a more offensive approach and fight back. This is the most important thing we can do for our health and our environment.”