Meet Jack & Joel
Hi, I'm Jack!
Agronomist and Climate Change Mitigator
Jack has been an integral part of the EarthWorks agronomy team since 2009. The results of his knowledge can be seen on some of the biggest golf courses and sports turf fields in the country. His professional landscape clients already bring beauty and safe environmental practices to homeowners.
Jack brings 7 years of experience as a professional greenkeeper to our team. While working on his BS degree in Turfgrass Sciences at Penn State University he was already establishing his career by working on the PSU Athletic Field crew. In addition to working with some of the best professionals in the United States, Jack rounded out his greenkeeping experience by spending 6 months at the prestigious “Home of Golf” St. Andrew’s Links in Scotland.
Jack is an avid ocean swimmer, happy guitarist and overall music nut. He is a voracious listener of all things audio: podcasts, books, and of course music! Jack doesn’t just do the listening – he is also an entertaining host of EW Podcasts and 2-Minute Turf Talks. When he “unplugs” you can find Jack running or enjoying another outdoor activity with his wife and young children. Jack is a true lover of turf and all plants, and passionate about earth science!
And I'm Joel!
Visionary and Soil First Professor
Joel was among the first to bring carbon-based fertility practices to the professional turf industry in 1988. His love for the environment inspired him to help professionals dealing with some of the toughest turf growing situations learn how to have beautiful grass and gardens while eliminating or reducing the use of chemicals and pesticides. It has always been Joel’s understanding of, and passion for, the “soil first” that has made EarthWorks a leader in carbon-based fertility products and practices.
Prior to starting his company, Joel was a high school horticulture teacher and a Penn State County Extension Agent where he worked with homeowners and professional greenhouses and garden centers. Joel was a 4-H state potato judge and even coached the state winners two years in a row. Before the introduction of podcasts, listeners tuned in to hear Joel’s radio show “The Garden Spot“ and he now has quite the following on the EW Podcasts and 2-Minute Turf Talks.
Joel earned his BS and MS degrees in Horticulture at Penn State University and taught Soil Chemistry in the Rutgers University Turf Management program to some of the best golf course superintendents in the country.
Joel is an enthusiastic guitar player, exceptional cook, and of course an avid gardener. He also loves kayaking on the nearby Delaware River, walking his rescue dog along the state canal towpath, and traveling with his wife and son.