Kevin Frank

Kevin Frank

Contact Me

Professor and Turf Extension Specialist
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences

Phone:
517-353-0147

Email:

Degrees:
B.S., University of Wyoming, Crop Science
M.S., University of Nebraska, Horticulture
Ph.D., University of Nebraska, Horticulture

Overview of current program:

Develop management programs and provide recommendations to produce high quality, sustainable turfgrass systems. Dr. Frank’s research program focuses on developing turfgrass nutrition programs, assessing the environmental fate of fertilizer applications to turfgrass, investigating irrigation practices, and management strategies to alleviate winterkill of turfgrass.  Dr. Frank conducts turfgrass cultivar evaluations through the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program and also conducts fertilizer product evaluations in turfgrass. 

Dr. Frank’s MSU Extension responsibilities include:

  • Organizing and conducting educational events in cooperation with the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation including the Michigan Turfgrass Field Day and the Michigan Turfgrass Conference. 
  • Serves as a MSU Turf Team liaison to industry stakeholders including the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association, Golf Association of Michigan, Michigan Golf Course Owners Association, Michigan Green Industry Association, and Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association. 
  • Other extension activities include speaking and appearing at events and meetings; visits to golf courses, athletic fields, and turf sites throughout the state to diagnose problems and provide solutions; consulting with county extension educators for diagnosing problems and providing recommendations. 

Courses taught:

  • Turfgrass Strategies, spring semesters in Beijing China for MSU China Turf Program.

Publications on Google Scholar

Websites of interest:

Grants:

"Effects of Drought and Traffic Stresses on Physiological Responses and Water Use Characteristics of Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) and Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)", Golf Course Superintendents of America - Environmental Institute for Golf, MSU Project GREEEN, and the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation.  Merewitz, E. B. (Co-Principal), Frank, K. W. (Co-Principal)

"Long Term Nitrogen Fate Research", United States Golf Association. Frank, K. W. (Principal).