Dr. Kurt Steinke Joins the TAMU Turfgrass Program
Dr. David Chalmers & Dr. Kurt Steinke
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Kurt Steinke to the turfgrass program! Kurt is a great addition and he fills a faculty position that was created to help round out the turfgrass research and teaching effort in College Station. Below, Kurt provides a brief write-up about himself, his background and his professional interests. It gives TPT a chance to learn a bit about Kurt before he introduces himself to TPT members through his research activities. I am certain that, in the coming years, TPT and the entire Texas turf industry will benefit from Kurt’s efforts. And now Dr. Kurt Steinke…
Another growing season is in full swing which means many of us are dreaming about one of two things: 1) a victorious upcoming college football season, or 2) more rainfall, cooler temperatures, and lower fuel and fertilizer prices. Despite my recent location change, some things never change no matter where you are. Greetings - I am Kurt Steinke, the new assistant professor of turfgrass ecology at Texas A&M University.
Beginning April 1 of this year, I assumed my new research and teaching post in the turf program here at A&M. I am excited and charged to continue the enhancement of not only the TAMU turf program but also the Texas turfgrass industry. Born and raised in Belvidere, IL, I attended college in north-central Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. When it came time to choose a major, I decided to pick Soil Science. The immediate response from everyone at the time was “What is there to know about dirt, after all it’s dirt!” Four years later I graduated with my B.S. degree in Soil Science. Through the course of internships, I first became interested in the agricultural sciences through potato and vegetable production. One day while doing potato stem counts in the field, I happened to meet a professor of turfgrass science and alas, I was hooked. I began my M.S. program in turf physiology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that autumn. Upon graduation, I made the leap to private industry and worked as an assistant manager of a lawn and landscape firm in Milwaukee, WI. After a year in Milwaukee, I realized I missed the science behind turf management and decided to begin my Ph.D. studies in environmental turfgrass management at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I completed my dissertation research this last winter and made the big move to Texas in March.
When not researching turf, one can usually find me out running, mountain biking, playing tennis, basketball, or trying to improve the golf score. I have also been known in the past to participate in the adventurous sport of mountain biking down ski hills. I don’t think that will be an issue in Texas though!
My past research has addressed very applied turf issues including shaded golf course tee box management, decreasing sod harvest interval, extending the shelf life of sod, and environmental stresses of various turfgrasses to name a few. My dissertation research focused around the use of phosphorus in turfgrass landscapes. Many states, counties, and cities are in the process of drawing legislation restricting the use of both nitrogen and phosphorus in turf landscapes. More specifically, I investigated how much phosphorus was running off from turf landscapes and compared these values to those running off from other native plant landscapes. Additionally, I researched the use of turf buffer strips in controlling urban storm water runoff.
As I begin my tenure here in Texas, I aim to continue an applied research program. Issues including nutrient and water restrictions, profitability, sustainability, and cultural management of new turf cultivars will undoubtedly be a part of my program. There is tremendous potential for all Texas turf producers to have an impact in our state, and I hope to continue the growth and organization of the Texas turf industry across all turf sectors. One thing to keep in mind is that we as researchers are here to serve the needs of the public. I am always more than willing to listen to your ideas, suggestions, or interests for future research projects. If all else fails, I am from Wisconsin and would always enjoy sitting down with a delicious bratwurst or two and chatting about Texas Turf! I hope to see you soon.