The 45-year green industry career of David J. Frank Landscape’s Senior Horticulturist Kurt Bartel was recognized in March when he was inducted into the Wisconsin Landscape Contractors Association’s Hall of Fame.
Bartel began his career in the green industry in 1979 at Milwaukee County Zoological Park, where he managed the installation and maintenance of both tropical plant displays and exterior woody and herbaceous plant collections.
He joined David J. Frank Landscape in 1989 and assumed three job titles: horticulturist, plant pathologist and vice president of maintenance. Thirty years later in 2019, Bartel stepped down from his VP position and concentrated solely on being the company’s senior horticulturist. He is retiring in September after 35 years at the company.
Over the years, Bartel has shared his love and knowledge of horticulture by giving hundreds of educational presentations to community groups and green industry organizations. He has helped organize and been one of the main presenters at DJF University, the company’s two-month training program held for hundreds of employees during winter. The quality of his work has been recognized with numerous local, state and national landscape awards.
Bartel’s love of the environment extends into his own backyard. He is an avid gardener and has cultivated large perennial plants, dwarf conifers, ornamental grasses and hosta collections.
“If I had to list just one thing I’m most proud of, it’s the fact that my teaching and training over the years have positively affected so many people, giving them the knowledge and confidence to excel in the green industry,” he says.
