Dr. Mark Kistler 

IRREC Director, Professor and Administrator 

Dr. Mark J. Kistler serves as the Center Director and Professor of the University of Florida/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center (IRREC). He previously served as Dean for the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia.

Dr. Kistler served as a faculty member at North Carolina State University from 2006-2018 where he was an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences. He also was an Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida (2004-2006) and Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University (2002-2004). Dr. Kistler received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Agriculture in Animal Science from the University of Florida and Ph.D. in Agricultural Education from Texas A&M University. He grew up in the Central Florida town of Winter Haven where he was involved in the beef cattle and citrus industries.

Dr. Kistler brings IRREC over 25 years of experience in higher education where he has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in planning and delivering nonformal education, advanced issues in extension education, introduction to Cooperative Extension, program development and evaluation, methods of technological change, adult education, volunteer management, and research methods, as well as coordinated and supervised the undergraduate Cooperative Extension and industry internship program.

Prior to entering academia, Dr. Kistler worked as an Extension Agent and County Extension Director with the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service for over 10 years serving in three different counties (Okeechobee, Sarasota, and Hendry). He also has state-level Cooperative Extension Service experience in three states (Texas, Florida, and North Carolina) where he specialized in program development and evaluation and staff development.

• Education
  • Ph.D., Agricultural Education, Texas A&M University, 2002
  • MAg., Animal Science, University of Florida, 1993
  • B.S., Animal Science, University of Florida, 1987
• Awards

   

  HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Honorary State FFA Degree, Georgia FFA Association, 2023
  • Inducted into the Academy of Fellows, American Association for Agricultural Education, 2016
  • Outstanding Agricultural Educator Award, American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) Southern Region, 2016
  • Honorary State FFA Degree, North Carolina FFA Association, 2015
  • Distinguished Teacher Award, American Association for Agricultural Education, 2013
  • 2012 Outstanding Research Presentation Award, American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) Annual Research Conference (S. Brierton, E. Wilson, M. Kistler, D. Jones, J. Flowers)
  • 2011 - Inducted into the North Carolina State University Academy of Outstanding Teachers
  • 2010-2011 North Carolina State University Outstanding Teacher Award
  • Distinguished Teaching Award, American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE) Southern Region, 2011
  • Teacher Fellow Award, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), 2010
  • Outstanding Faculty Adviser, NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS), 2009-2010
  • Professor Wuf Teaching Award, NCSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) AgriLife Council, 2010
  • 2005 Research Article of the Year, Journal of Applied Communications. Doerfert, D.L., Robertson, J.T., Akers, C., & Kistler, M. (2005). Farm broadcaster knowledge and beliefs of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms. Journal of Applied Communications, 89(4), 55-68.
  • Teacher of the Semester, Texas Tech Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), Spring 2004
  • Outstanding Doctoral Student, Department of Agricultural Education, Texas A&M University, 2002
  • State Winner (FL), Livestock Production Program, National Association of County Agricultural Agents Professional Improvement Awards, Team Award - South Florida Beef-Forage Program, 2000
  • State Winner (FL), Communications Award Program, Home Page on the World Wide Web Category, National Association of County Agricultural Agents Professional Improvement Awards, Team Award - South Florida Beef-Forage Program, 1999
  • Silver Spur Award, Florida Cattlemen’s Institute and Allied Trade Show, 1999 (For dedicated service to beef cattle education
  • Achievement Award, National and Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents, 1998 (Awarded to the top 1% of membership for excellence in Extension education programming)
  • National Finalist, Regional and State Winner, Communications Award Program, Home Page on the World Wide Web Category, National Association of County Agricultural Agents Professional Improvement Awards, Team Award - South Florida Beef-Forage Program, 1998
  • Regional and State Winner, National Association of County Agricultural Agents Basic Livestock Hedging Seminar, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago, IL, July 8-10, 1997
  • Davis Productivity Award, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Tropical Soda Apple Task Force (Member), 1996
  • State Winner (FL), Search for Excellence Program, Farm Income-Animal Agriculture, National Association of County Agricultural Agents Professional Improvement Awards, Team Award - South Florida Beef-Forage Program, 1995.
  • State Winner (FL), Livestock Production Program, National Association of County Agricultural Agents Professional Improvement Awards, Team Award - South Florida Beef-Forage Program, 1994.
  • Third Place, Presentation of Professional Papers, Florida Association of County Agricultural Agents Professional Development Seminar, Florida Association of Extension Professionals Annual Meeting.
• Professional Memberships

  PROFESSIONAL & SOCIAL MEMBERSHIP

  • American Association for Agricultural Education, 2000-Present
  • North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA), 2005-Present (Life Member)
  • Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, 2005-2018
  • Gamma Sigma Delta, National Honor Society of Agriculture, 2002-2018
  • Epsilon Sigma Phi, 1995-1999, 2005-2011
  • Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity Alumni Association, U of FL Chapter, 1988-Present (Board of Directors: 1992-1994)
  • Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Alumni Association, Lifetime Member
  • University of Florida Alumni Association, Lifetime Member 
• Leadership: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

  SELECTED LEADERSHIP & SERVICE ACTIVITIES

  Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

  • College Curriculum Committee, 2018-2024
  • Homeland Security Committee, 2018- 2024
  • Langdale Forest Stewardship Committee, 2019-2024
  • Langdale Forest Development Committee, 2021-2024
  • Forest Lakes Golf Club Development Committee, 2021-2024
• Leadership: North Carolina State University

  SELECTED LEADERSHIP & SERVICE ACTIVITIES

  North Carolina State University                                                                                                 

  Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences

  • Director of Graduate Programs, Agricultural and Extension Education, January 2017-February 2018
  • Undergraduate Coordinator – BS in Extension Education, July 2007-February 2018
  • Chair, 209 Ricks Hall Conference Room & 2nd Floor Renovation Committee, 2017
  • Chair, 118 Ricks Hall Classroom Renovation Committee, 2014
  • Web Committee, May 2017-February 2108
  • Extension Committee, October 2016-February 2018
  • Awards Committee, October 2016-Febrauary 2018
  • Chair, Assistant/Associate Professor (Agricultural Education) Search Committee, 2013
  • Department Extension Leader, June 2009-June 2012
  • Chair, Assistant Professor (Extension & Leadership Education) Search Committee, 2008
  • Graduate Admissions Committee - Chair, 2008-2018; Member, 2007-2016
  • Research and Publications Committee, 2009-2016
  • Strategic Marketing and Recruitment Committee, 2007-2016
  • Developed the extension education undergraduate program chapter and co-directed the Extension programs chapter for the Department’s Comprehensive Review syllabus, 2007
  • Academic Programs Team, August 2006-February 2018
  • AEE Dept Extension Programs Team, 2006-2016
  • Coordinator, Extension Undergraduate Program, 2006-2007

  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 

  • CALS Strategic Plan “BIG IDEAS” Brainstorming Session, 2014
  • Teaching and Advising Effectiveness Committee, 2013-Present
  • Undergraduate Coordinator’s Group, 2007-2011

  North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (NC State Extension)

  • Coordinator, NC State Extension Summer Internship Program, 2013-2018
  • NCCE Programming and Staffing Needs Committee, May 2017-2018
  • NCCE Scholarships and Awards Program Selection Committee, 2013-2017
  • NCCE Program Development and Evaluation Committee, 2013-2016
  • Chair, Professional Improvement Committee, Epsilon Sigma Phi (Xi Chapter), 2011-2012
  • New Departmental Extension Faculty Orientation Program Committee, Personal and Organizational Development, 2008
  • Organizational Development Leader Search Committee, Personal and Organizational Development, 2008
  • Long Range Plan Goal Team (Educational Achievement and Excellence), 2008
• Leadership: University of Florida

  SELECTED LEADERSHIP & SERVICE ACTIVITIES 

  University of Florida 

  Department of Agricultural Education & Communication 

  • Coordinator, Extension Education Specialization and Minor, 2004-2006 
  • Undergraduate Programs and Scholarships Committee, 2004-2006
  • Advisor, AEC Graduate Student Association, 2006 

  Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) 

  • Disaster Handbook Review Task Force, UF/IFAS Extension, 2005-2006
  • UF/IFAS Extension Long Range Program - 2004-2007, Goal 6 - Healthy Communities, Focus Area - Economic Diversity, 2005 – 2006
  • UF/IFAS Extension Long Range Program - 2004-2007, Goal 7 - To promote professional development activities designed to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness, Focus Area - Faculty orientation and training, 2004-2006
  • Center for Volunteer and Community Development Advisory Board, 2005-2006
  • Forage Crops Base Paper Committee, Florida FIRST (Focusing IFAS Resources on Solutions for Tomorrow) Statewide Strategic Planning Process, 1998-1999
  • Chairman, Florida Cattlemen’s Institute and Allied Trade Show Planning Committee, 1998-1999
  • Vice Chairman, South Florida Beef-Forage Program, 1998-1999
  • FL 711 4-H Animal Science State Major Program Design Team, 1994-1999
  • Indian River Research and Education Center Advisory Committee, 1995-1999
  • Vice Chairman, Florida Cattlemen’s Institute and Allied Trade Show Planning Committee, 1997-1998
  • Chairman, Program Committee, Florida Cattlemen’s Institute and Allied Trade Show Planning Committee, 1997-1998 
  • Co-Chairman, Allied Trade Show, Florida Cattlemen’s Institute and Allied Trade Show Planning Committee, 1996-1997
  • Co-Chairman, Livestock Committee, Florida Cattlemen’s Institute and Allied Trade Show Planning Committee, 1995-1996
  • FL 513 - Building Community Leadership for Economic Development & Public Issues Education State Major Program Design Team, 1994-1996
  • Chairman, South Florida Beef-Forage Program, 1994-1995
  • Vice-Chairman/Secretary, South Florida Beef-Forage Program, 1992-1993
• Leadership: Texas Tech University

  SELECTED LEADERSHIP & SERVICE ACTIVITIES

  Texas Tech University                                                                                                 

  Department of Agricultural Education & Communications

  • Graduate Coordinator, 2003-2004
  • Graduate Curriculum Committee, 2002-2004
  • Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, 2002-2004
  • Coordinated the development of the Agricultural Leadership option, 2003-2004 
  • Advisor, Collegiate 4-H Club, 2002-2004

  College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

  • CALS Strategic Plan “BIG IDEAS” Brainstorming Session, 2014
  • Teaching and Advising Effectiveness Committee, 2013-Present
  • Masters @ Distance Task Force, 2003-2004
  • Retention and Career Development Committee, 2002-2003
• Leadership: American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE)

  SELECTED LEADERSHIP & SERVICE ACTIVITIES

  American Association for Agricultural Education (AAAE)                                                                 

  National

  • AAAE Fellows Selection Committee, 2019
  • 2018 Outstanding Journal of Agricultural Education Article Selection Committee, 2019
  • Outstanding Thesis Award Selection Committee, 2017
  • Editorial Review Board (Southern Region), Journal of Agricultural Education, 2012-2014.
  • Extension Education: Domestic & Global Special Interest Group - Chair, 2012-2015; Secretary, 2004-2012; List Serv Administrator, 2008-2012
  • Chair, Knapp Seminar, Extension Education: Domestic and Global Special Interest Group, AAAE Annual Conference, 2008-2012
  • Professional Development Committee, 2008-2012; 2014-2018
  • Alan Kahler Outstanding Dissertation Award Selection Committee, 2008
  • Research Committee, 2007-2008

  Regional

  • Chair, Professional Development Committee, AAAE Southern Region, 2009-2010; Member- 2008, 2010; 2014-2018
  • Co-Chair, Pre-Conference Professional Development Tour, AAAE Southern Region Conference, Orlando, FL, 2010
  • Chair, Resolutions Committee, AAAE Southern Region, 2005, 2006
  • Chair, Research Committee, AAAE Southern Region, 2007 (Member, 2007-2008)
  • Chair, Graduate Student Division/Program, AAAE Southern Region Research Conference, Ft. Worth, TX, 2001
• Leadership: Gamma Sigma Delta, North Carolina State University

  SELECTED LEADERSHIP & SERVICE ACTIVITIES

  Gamma Sigma Delta, North Carolina State University

  • Past President, 2013-2014
  • President, 2012-2013
  • President-Elect, 2011-2012