December 2015 Curriculum vitae, Joel Flagler Page 1 of 53
IPERSONAL INFORMATION
NameJoel Flagler
Position and TitleRutgers Cooperative Extension
County Agricultural/Resource Management Agent I
equivalent to Full Professor
Office AddressRutgers Cooperative Extension of Bergen County
One Bergen County Plaza, 3rd Fl.
Hackensack, NJ 07601-7076
Phone: (201)336-6781; Fax: (201)336-6874
E-mail:
IIEDUCATION MFS, Forestry/Ecology, 1976
YaleUniversity
New Haven, Connecticut
BS, Forestry/Horticulture, 1974
RutgersUniversity - CookCollege
New Brunswick, NJ
HTR, Registered Horticultural Therapist 1984
American Horticultural Therapy Association
Lexington, Kentucky
Certificate in Horticultural Therapy 1982
New YorkBotanical Garden
Bronx, New York
December 2015 Curriculum vitae, Joel Flagler Page 1 of 53
Outstanding Educational
Experiences
Master Gardener Training Develop & deliver Rutgers Master Gardener training program in Bergen
1987-2015 County for twenty-five years. Bergen’s program was the 1st in the state,
Initiated in 1984 by Dr. Ralph Pearson. Today,19 other
counties have copied our success and recognize the program’s value.
New Horticultural Therapy Develop new Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program Certificate Program for Plant for Cook College, targeting new audience of retirees and
Biology and Pathology Dept. career-changers.
Developed 2002
Re-Create the RCE Bergen Fair Build a new 4-H & Master Gardener Fair; huge—over 7,200
2009-2015 attendees in 2009; 3,000 in 2012;17,000 in 2013 work with diverse
groups community partners to develop and deliver education &
family fun. In 2013 this event officially became “The Bergen County
Fall Harvest Festival” and has grown into a major event for the public.
Douglass Developmental Disabilities Design & deliver specialized
Center 2010- 2015 Horticultural Therapy program for developmentally disabled young adults at DDDC.Collaborate with DDDC Director of Education to provide stimulating and psycho-socially appropriate activities while building confidence and awareness of natural systems and rhythms.
New Undergraduate Curriculum Develop new BS degree curriculum in horticultural therapy
1998-2001for Plant Biology and Pathology Department. Design three
new undergraduate courses; Introduction to Horticultural Therapy, Horticultural Therapy Techniques and Programming, and Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships. Also worked with Plant Biology Chair to establish linkages with Departments of Psychology and Sociology.
Help to EstablishCountyBrought together the N.J. Department of Agriculture, Bergen
Agriculture Development Board County Government, and the agricultural community in
1999 BergenCounty to consider establishing a CountyAgricultural
Development Board. Facilitated meetings and ongoing
dialogue, resulting in County Agricultural Development Board establishment, September, 1999. To date over 310 acres of farmland have been preserved, More are completing the application process and are being considered for Farmland Preservation in the 2005 cycle.
Japanese Horticultural TherapyHost three study groups of Japanese Horticultural Therapy
Society – 1997-2000students. Deliver lecture (via interpreter) on People-Plant
Relationships and tour local horticultural therapy programs,farms and accessible parks (September, 2000; August- October, 1996; June, 1997). Lectures translated into Japanese and published 1997.
USDA-APHIS and N.J.In response to outbreak of contagious chrysanthemum white
Dept. of Agriculturerust disease, work with NJDA Division of Plant Pathology
USDA-APHIS to develop and conduct survey of 400
properties in Glen Rock. Also prepare final report for NJDA (1997, 1998)
American Society for Chair, Human Issues in Horticulture Working Group Horticultural Science (1991-1992). Chair, Workshop; Honolulu, Hawaii (1992). 1991-1992 Delegate, People-Plant Council; Washington, DC (1991- 1992).
2nd People-Plant Symposium Chair, 2nd international symposium, "People-Plant Relationships: Setting Research Priorities", Sheraton Meadowlands, East Rutherford, N.J. Responsible for overall coordination. 130 participants from U.S., Hawaii, Canada, Germany and Australia (April, 1992).
Northeast Middle Management Selected to participate in 3-day leadership Seminar Training; CornellUniversity; Ithaca, New York (August, 1992).
American Horticultural Therapy Board of Directors, 2 elected terms (1988-1994);
Association Long Range Strategic Planning Team, (1990-1992); Chair, National Training Committee (1992).
U.S.D.A. - Forest ServiceOriginal research, "The historic use of Pandora moth larvae as a food source by Paiute and Shoshone Native Americans"; Inyo National Forest, California (1979-1980).
IIIPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
County Agricultural/Resource/ September , 1988 to present. Promoted to County Agent
Management Agent I, equivalent to Full Professor with tenure effective
eq. to Full Professor, July 1, 2004. Responsiblefor developing and conducting a
Rutgers Cooperative Research CooperativeExtension education program for professionals in
And Extension ornamental horticulture and production agriculture and also homegrounds; including training 700 Master Gardener volunteers. Extension practice includes applied research, conference/workshop planning and coordination, teaching, mass media, publication. Special emphasis on developing programs for individuals with special needs, including geriatrics, youth-at-risk, prisoners, youth mentally challenged and more.
County Extension Department 1991 to present County Extension Department Head and Head liaison to the County Department of Parks. Responsible for overall budget, staffing and marketing of RCRE Bergen.
December 2015 Curriculum vitae, Joel Flagler Page 1 of 53
Horticulture ConsultantJune, 1987 to September 1988
Rutgers Cooperative ExtensionPrimary function was to provide advice and technical
BergenCounty assistance to farmers, home owners and Master Gardeners in
the absence of a County Agricultural Agent.
Lecturer, Ornamental January, 1986 - June, 1988
Horticulture. Bergen Responsible for developing and teaching six courses
Community College in the ornamental horticulture curriculum. Prepared
Paramus, NJ. lectures and laboratory sessions and designed the College's
first degree program in horticultural therapy.
Consultant, HorticultureandMarch, 1984 - November, 1988
Related Therapies, Inc., Founding member and active participant in this consulting
NY, NY firm. Designed therapeutic horticulture and gardening
programs for nursing homes, hospitals and other special
service facilities.
Director of Horticultural March, 1982 - April, 1985
Therapy, Daughters of Miriam Developed a greenhouse and gardening program for the
Center for the Aged resident population of this skilled nursing home. Served
Clifton, NJ on medical treatment teams and established the position of staff horticultural therapist.
Biological Information August 1978 - February, 1982
Specialist Primary responsibility was to develop interpretive programs
USDA Forestry Service for national forest visitors. Organized naturalist programs,
Californiadesigned trailhead displays, and supervised seasonal staff.
Also served as the assistant director of the visitor center and
participated on resource management teams.
IVAWARDS AND RECOGNITION
December 2012 Rutgers Cooperative Extension Award for Excellence; Faculty
December 2011 Rutgers Cooperative Extension Award for Excellence; Team
Award, with Bruce Clarke, et al, for Turfgrass Disease IPM program.
September, 2009 Communications Award, Northeast Regional Winner; with D.Kimmel;D.Kluchinski;W.Sciarappa;W;Hlubik;J.Frecon;R.Samulis;M.Azzara;R.Mickel;N.Polanin;J.Carleo;W.Cowgill;R.Obal;W.Walker;J.Ortiz;&G.Pavlis; NACAA; for publication of brochure(Farmers & Neighbors)
September, 2009 Extension Education Award; Northeast Regional Finalist; with D.Kimmel et.al.(see above);NACAA; for Farmer/Neighbor project & poster.
September, 2008Rutgers Cooperative Extension Award for Diversity; with M. Flahive-DiNardo; for statewide Horticultural Therapy training.
August, 2007 Bayer Communications Award for Publication, State Winner, National Finalist; National Association of County Agricultural Agents with Flahive DiNardo, M. and Sabatino K.
March, 2005 Distinguished Service Award, Bergen County Board of Agriculture; for professional service, 2004
October, 2004 Commendation Award, Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders; for six years service on Open Space Trust Fund Advisory Board.
August, 2003Communications Award, First Place National Winner; National Association of County Agricultural Agents and AT&T for personal gardening column.
July, 2003 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Fifteen years of Service
2002, 2001, 2000, Rutgers Faculty Academic Service Award
1999,1997
August, 2002 Communications Award, State and Regional Winner and National Finalist; from National Association of County Agricultural Agents and AT&T; for personal gardening column.
August, 2002 Education Team Award, First PlaceNational Winner; from
National Association of County Agricultural Agents; with M. DiNardo,
P. Nitzsche, P. Perdomo and B. Oleksak, for best contributed Poster.
August, 2000Communications Award, State Winner and Regional Finalist; from
National Association of County Agricultural Agents and AT&T;
for personal gardening column.
August. 1999 Communications Award, State Winner and Regional Finalist; from National Association of County Agricultural Agents and AT&T; for personal gardening column.
September, 1998U.S. Department of Agriculture, Ten years of Service
August, 1998 Communications Award, State Winner and Regional Finalist; from National Association of County Agricultural Agents and AT&T for educational video on xeriscaping.
September, 1996Team Award, from Rutgers Cooperative Extension; for Landscape Turf Disease Control project; with B. Clarke, et. al.
August, 1995 Communications Award, First Place National Winner; from National Association of County Agricultural Agents and AT&T; for newspaper feature articles.
July, 1995National Publication Award; from American Horticultural Therapy
Association; for book edited, People-Plant Relationships: Setting
Research Priorities.
August, 1994 Professional Service Certificate; from American Horticultural Therapy Association; for serving six years on national Board of Directors.
February, 1994 Award for Excellence; from Northeast Directors of Cooperative Extension; for co-developing "Careers in the Green Industry"
program for NJ correctional youth.
September, 1993 Diversity Award; from Rutgers Cooperative Extension; for designing and implementing specialized horticulture programs for persons with mental, physical and social disabilities.
June, 1993 LESCO-NACAA Turfgrass/Horticulture Communications Award State and Regional winner; from National Association of County Agricultural Agents; for coordinating and chairing 1992 National People-Plant Symposium.
June, 1993 Distinguished Service Award from BergenPinesCountyHospital; for technical assistance in designing new horticultural therapy greenhouse.
August, 1992 National Training Chair Certificate from American Horticultural Therapy Association; for coordinating annual training workshop; Gaithersburg, Maryland.
October, 1992Certificate of Recognition from Union City Adolescent Substance Abuse Program; for excellence, dedication and commitment in training correctional youth.
December, 1991Professional Service Award from Bergen County Landscape Contractors Association; for delivering educational/training programs.
October, 1991Pride In Your Neighborhood Award from The Record newspaper; for creating a wheelchair-accessible sensory garden at the BergenPinesCountyHospital.
September, 1991LESCO-NACAA Turfgrass/Horticulture Communications Award – 2nd place Northeast region winner; from National Association of County Agricultural Agents; for outstanding weekly gardening column.
August, 1991Rhea McCandliss Professional Service Award from American Horticultural Therapy Association; for distinctive leadership, educational development and service to the field of horticultural therapy.
February, 1991Faculty Academic Service Increment Program Award from Rutgers – CookCollege; for outstanding educational programs.
1989Distinguished Service Award from Bergen Community College; for contributions to horticulture advisory boards.
1974-1976 Fellowship – Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies; for scholastic merit.
1974George H. Cook Scholars Award from Rutgers-CookCollege; for original research and scholastic excellence.
May, 1974 BS, cum laude, RutgersUniversity - CookCollege
1973AlphaZetaHonorSocietyRutgersUniversity – CookCollege; for scholastic achievement
VMAJOR PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
TEACHING
Undergraduate Instruction: Develop/Teach 3three- credit, sixteen week courses yrly
2015 11:776:325:01 HT Techniques 5 students
11:776:495:01 Special Studies in HT 5 students
11:015:432:01 Colloquium:People-Plant Relationships 27 students
2014 11:776:225:01 Introduction to Horticultural Therapy 21 students
11:776:425:01 HT Internship at Douglass Developmental 6 students
2013 11:776:325:01 Horticultural Therapy Techniques 22 students
11:015:432:01 Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships 32 students
2012 11:776:225:01 Introduction to Horticultural Therapy 31 students
11:776:425:01 HT Internship at Douglass Developmental 6 students
11:015:432:01 Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships 32 students
2011 11:776:325:01 Horticultural Therapy:Techniques & Programming 27 students
11:776:495:01 Special Problems in Plant Science 3 students
11:015:432:01 Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships 28 students
2010 SEBS –Dept. of Plant Biology & Pathology
11:776:225:01 Introduction to Horticultural Therapy 26 students
11:776:425:01 Special Topics in Horticultural Therapy 4 students 11:015:432:01 Jr/Sr Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships 26 students
2008/ SEBS-Dept. of Plant Biology & Pathology
2009 11:015:432:01 Jr/Sr Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships 24 students
11: 776: 325:01 Horticultural Therapy: Techniques & Programming 26 students
11: 776: 425: 01 Internship in Horticultural Therapy 4 students
2007/SEBS – Department of Plant Biology and Pathology
200811:015:432:01 Jr/Sr Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships26 students
11:776:225:01 Introduction to Horticultural Therapy27 students
11:776:350:01 Special Problems in Plant Science; supervising interns3 students
2006/SEBS – Department of Plant Biology and Pathology
2007Horticultural Therapy Techniques & Programming26 students
Jr/Sr Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships25 students
Special Problems in Plant Science; supervising internships 3 students
2005/Rutgers – Cook College Department of Plant Biology and 2006 Pathology
Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships26 students
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy26 students
Curriculum Advisor: Horticultural Therapy Certificate Program
Horticultural Therapy B.S. Degree Program
2004/Rutgers – Cook College Department of Plant Biology and Pathology
2005Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships26 students
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy25 students
2003/ Rutgers – Cook College Department of Plant Biology and
2004Pathology
Horticultural Therapy: Techniques and Programming 22 students
Colloquium: People-Plant Relationships 28 students
2002/ Rutgers - Cook College Department of Plant Biology and
2003 Pathology
Colloquium: People Plant Relationships 28 students
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy 24 students
2001/ Rutgers - Cook College Department of Plant Science
2002 Introduction to Horticultural Therapy 20 students
People-Plant Relationships 27 students
2000/ Rutgers - Cook College Department of Plant Science
2001 Horticultural Topics 10 students
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy 9 students
Horticultural Therapy: Techniques and Programming 6 students
1999/ Supervise students on Horticultural Therapy Internships 3 - 6
2000 and Horticultural Therapy Independent Studies per year
1999 Rutgers - Cook College Department of Plant Science
Horticultural Topics 10 students
Horticultural Therapy Techniques and Programming 9 students
1998Rutgers - Cook College Department of Plant Science
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy 9 students
1997 Rutgers - Cook College Department of Plant Science
Introduction to Horticultural Therapy 6 students
1997Rutgers - CookCollege
Developed new curriculum in horticultural therapy
three approved courses;
1995Rutgers - CookCollege
Guest Lecturer
Dr. J. Sacalis' Horticulture Course
- People-Plant Relationships22 students
1992RutgersUniversity - CookCollege
Guest Lecturer
Dr. D. Durkin's Topics in Horticulture course
- Horticultural Therapy 8 students
1986-1988 Ornamental horticulture courses developed and taught;
at BergenCommunity College, Paramus, N.J.:
- Plant Propagation + lab49 students
- Indoor Tropical Plants + lab22 "
- Turfgrass Management + lab51 "
- Introduction to Horticulture + lab56 "
- Horticultural Therapy + lab14 "
On-campus Guest Lectures:
2012-2015 11:776:211 Intro.to Horticulture (Gianfagna);“Human Issues in Horticulture”;22
11:776:170 People & Plants (Helsel); Horticultural Therapy; 87 students
Landscape Architecture Masters Studio (Goto); Human Issues in Hort; 12
Extension courses/classes/programs
1988-2015 Master Gardener Program, develop and deliver three eleven-weeksemesters (30 lectures) yearly. Train25-35 students per year, returning2500+hours volunteer service. Trained 810 students to date, representing 130,000hours of returned volunteer service. Classes taught by JF include:
- Plant Physiology
- Vegetable Gardening
- Selecting Woody Ornamentals (trees & shrubs)
- Managing Ground Covers and Vines
- Growing Annuals and Perennials
- Integrated Pest Management (I.P.M.)
- Horticultural Therapy
- Gardening with Correctional Youth
- Plant Propagation
- Indoor Tropical Plants
- Weeds: Identification and Control
- Gardening with Disabled Individuals
- Turf Management
- Insect Pests of Ornamentals
- People Plant Relationships/ Ethnobotany
- Gardening with Seniors
- Managing Wildlife Pests
- Soils Management
1988-2015 North Jersey Ornamental Horticulture Conference; held yearly at County College of Morris; serving 500-600 professionals in Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Morris, Union and Sussex counties. Working with a small team (5) of RCE agents and program associates to plan and deliver a program of education, training and pesticide recertification.Turf Day, Tree Day, Landscape DayPest Control Operators/Health Officer Day;
YearlyChair, Landscape Day. 2013 Co-Chair Tree Day; Overall N.J.O.H.C. Chair, 2002-2003. Responsibilities include program development, scheduling speakers, arranging with N.J. D.E.P. for program accreditation. Average 150-200 participants for Tree, Turf, Landscape Days
2015-2016 Veterans Administration Medical Center; develop and deliver Horticultural Therapy programming for several populations at the Lyons campus; supervise 3 SEBS HT interns; new partnership developed between Rutgers and the VA to support sustained programming.Federal Grant funded $20K.
1988-2012 Landscape Conference and Trade Show; Meadowlands Exposition Center, Secaucus, N.J.; for huge and ever-growing ornamental horticulture community. Yearly training and pesticide recertification offered for landscapers, arborists, nursery growers, turf managers and garden center personnel. Responsible for entire conference program, moderating sessions and arranging with N.J. D.E.P. for accreditation. Feb. 29, 2012; Mar 2,2011; 1650 attendees; Feb. 24, 2010; 1,280 attend.
Lectures delivered:
"Integrated Pest Management For Landscape Professionals"
1991; 130 participants
"Turf I.P.M." 1994; 138 participants
2000; 185 participants
2010- 2012 Training for Bergen County Parks Dept. Managers &
Superintendents;Dept. of Public Works Managers,
NJDEP accredited: Water Quality; Park Trees BMPs; Sports Turf
BMP’s, Core; IPM, Stormwater management.
2010-2015 Horticultural Therapy & Training for Developmentally Disabled Youth,
Garfield Middle School; 58 participants; 7 sessions July
2009 Geese Management Workshop; for Bergen county & municipal
professionals who deal with huge geese population and related problems.
Management options presented in day-long educational programming; with
RCE’s Dr. Chris Obropta; March 3, 2009
2009 Green Thumbs Horticultural Therapy/Training for Developmentally
Disabled youth; 3 schools: Transitions (WoodRidge),Hillcrest (Paramus),
Garfield Middle School; 65 participants; 32 weeks(Feb-Aug); grant-funded
2009 Training for County Parks Dept. Managers & Superintendents;
NJDEP accredited:1/15(Insect Pests);1/29(Tree BMP’s);2/2
Water Quality);3/12(Turf);3/26(Core); 65 participants
1999-2003 First Jobs Horticulture Training, Bergen County Department of Mental Health, Bergen Vo-Tech Special Needs and Friendship House. Design and deliver year-round horticultural program for at-risk and mentally ill youth funded by a grant from the Department of Mental Health. $60,000 paid to Rutgers Cooperative Extension in 2001 and 2002; $24,800 in 2000; $8,400 in 1999. Expanded in 2001 from summer program to year-round programming.
1996-2000Landscape I.P.M. Conference; coordinate and chair North Jersey
version of successful Ocean County program; N.J. D.E.P. accredited; 41 attendees in 1996; 94 in 1997; 89 in 1998; 112 in 1999, 75 in 2000.
1998 Careers in the Green Industry and Workforce Preparedness. JuvenileDetentionCenter, Paramus, NJ. Design and deliver 12-module training for incarcerated youth, age 14-18. Funded by grant through Bergen County Department of Human Services; $7,400.
1996-1999 Workforce Preparedness Training; Hackensack Jail, HackensackNJ.
Deliver two part training series, helping inmates prepare for post-
prison lives. Classes taught include Resume Preparation and Preparing for a Job Interview. Dates delivered in 1997: July 29,31; August 7,12; November 5,12. Evaluations indicate 100% of participants responding believed they are better prepared to pursue a job or career as a result of this training.
1996-1997 Job Readiness and Green Industry Careers; PhoenixAcademy training series; Rockleigh, NJ; for at-risk youth. 14 participants.
1995-1996 Bergen County Jail Training Programs, designed and developed
with RCE Family and Consumer Sciences educator. Classes taught
include:
- Career Readiness (12, 18, 15 participants)
- Preparing a Resume'(20, 8, 14 participants)