FORT PIERCE, Fla.—Mark Kistler, a Florida native and seasoned leader in stakeholder relations and agricultural education, was recently honored with an Honorary American FFA Degree during the 97th National FFA Convention & Expo held in Indianapolis, Indiana.
In a letter presented to Kistler by Billy Hughes, State Advisor for the Georgia FFA Association, Hughes writes, “The Honorary American FFA Degree is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a non-member of the FFA. You (Kistler) have been selected due to your incredible support of agricultural education and the FFA for many years.” The national FFA organization has served youth preparing for a career in agriculture for 96 years.
Kistler directs the University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC) in Fort Pierce, leading 12 faculty members, postdoctoral research associates, visiting scientists, graduate students who pursue master’s and doctoral degrees, and more than 50 staff members. The center is part of UF’s statewide effort to lead agricultural and natural resource protection with research, Extension and education. Research at IRREC involves crop production, invasive species management, aquaculture, soil and water science and sustainability.
Initiated Strategic Planning early in new leadership role
Kistler began his IRREC tenure in mid-June this year. In his initial months with UF, Kistler structured a strategic planning effort, appointed new advisory committee members, and formed a vision for the center’s next five years. Kistler’s steps are practiced and have brought success at other institutions, such as Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Georgia.
Stakeholder relations experience
“During his tenure at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, Dr. Mark Kistler was a strong supporter of the Agricultural Education and FFA program both in the South Region and the State level,” said Stacey Beacham, South Region Director, Georgia Agricultural Education, in the nomination package for the national FFA honor. “In Kistler’s six years as the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, he provided leadership that led to much growth in multiple areas at the school.”
Beacham said Kistler was always available to speak with stakeholders and found ways to assist them with their needs.
“Dr. Kistler is a loyal, visionary leader who works tirelessly to acquire the resources needed to move those in his sphere of influence to the next level,” said Beacham.
In his role as IRREC director, Kistler works closely with Mark Ritenour, associate director for the research facility and an American Society for Horticultural Science Fellow and national leader in postharvest physiology and technology. Ritenour said Kistler has already launched a strategic planning committee at the center involving devoted faculty and staff members, with the first meetings held this week.
“We are looking forward to Dr. Kistler’s gifts as an enterprising director who will identify our needs and strengths and usher us into a more optimized regional center that better serves our constituents, food production and sustainability efforts,” said Ritenour.
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