Alabama Turf Times - Winter 2024

The AGCSA Extends a Warm Welcome to Auburn’s recently appointed head of Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Steven Hague

An internationally recognized cotton breeder, and most recently, a professor in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University, Dr. Steven Hague was appointed as head of the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University in July of this year. There are certain cornerstones that Dr. Hague considers important in visualizing a future with the department. “I realized that whether it is industry, academia, commodity groups, or other agricultural organizations, there is a strong connection between the effectiveness and impact of those entities relative to the quality of their leadership. My personal core values dictate that people should be treated fairly and resources managed with respect. Inspiration is vital to move programs forward.”

“I intentionally prepared for my current position at Auburn by engaging in leadership programs; getting involved in several university committees (especially those outside of my discipline); and asking for advice from administrators. I wanted to lead a department that was big enough to have the resources to make an impact, but small enough to be able to respond quickly to the Department’s needs and opportunities. The Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences department at Auburn University met those criteria and had many other advantages – supportive stakeholders and alumni, highly productive staff and faculty, and great, great students!”

And Dr. Hague couldn’t be happier about the high levels of talent in his new department. “My new colleagues at Auburn are exceeding my wildest expectations! As one example, a few weeks ago I was at a growers’ conference and Dr. Steve Li, Auburn Extension Weed Specialist, gave a presentation about his work with drones. That was the most effective presentation that I have ever seen, and I have probably seen thousands of those types of presentations. I love the people I get to work with both within Auburn University and the State of Alabama. I love getting to help them find solutions to their problems, creating opportunities for their livelihoods, and advocating on their behalf.”

Additionally, Dr. Hague is appreciative that the turfgrass program at Auburn is blessed to have a great teaching and research location less than five minutes away from the main campus. “Our climate and soil types are ideal for evaluating turfgrass varieties, inputs, and management techniques highly applicable to the southeast region of the US. Opportunities for students studying turfgrass are boundless and the faculty and staff in our department are committed to helping these students grow their own way into a career in the turfgrass industry. Additionally, the grassroots support I feel from stakeholders and Auburn alumni is exceptional. They genuinely want to help us succeed. I never expected to have that level of backing this quickly.”

He is full of enthusiasm about the opportunities ahead. “There are not enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do, so I work on the tasks that I have to do. Making the right decisions about priorities is essential.” Steven’s work ethic and path to achievement solidified some years ago when he came across a letter written by his great-grandfather in 1883. “My great-grandfather was serving as a young lieutenant in the Texas Rangers. In the letter he was upset with the support he was getting from the state government in Austin. There was a phrase in the letter that has since stuck with me, ‘We are going to do things right, or we are not going to do them a’tall [sic]’. My takeaway from his words was that if I don’t have the means to do a job correctly, and it’s unlikely that help is on the way, then I need to move onto a different task that can be accomplished the right way. Otherwise, I am wasting what resources and time I do have.”

Growing up on a dairy farm in Northeast Texas, Dr. Hague considers farming to be his heritage. He was involved in 4-H and FFA growing up, and “did all the things farm kids do.” Majoring in agriculture was a natural fit, and after taking a freshman-level plant science class, he knew he wanted to go into this field as a career. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Texas A&M University at Commerce, a Master’s in Agronomy from Texas Tech University, and a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding from Texas A&M University.

Dr. Hague says that there were many important people in his life that led him to success and the position he holds today. Each one played a critical role in guiding him on the right path. “My father, Claude Hague, taught me to be curious and compassionate, as well as the value of hard work. My high school ag science teacher, Johnny Lennon, taught me about leadership and paying attention to details. As a firstgeneration undergraduate student, my agronomy professor, Dr. Don Reid, at Commerce showed me how to be a professional and was instrumental in guiding me through college and into graduate school. My major advisor in graduate school, Dr. John Gannaway, gave me freedom to explore ideas and establish a professional network. He also taught me the value of establishing personal relationships. During my professional career at Texas A&M University, Dr. Wayne Smith steered me through the promotion ranks and showed me how to be fair, while still advocating for your beliefs. And finally, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Dr. David Baltensperger, head of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences at Texas A&M University. He was instrumental in preparing me for my current position at Auburn University.”

Steven’s wife Leann is an academic advisor for the College of Agriculture at Texas A&M University. She will be moving to Auburn next year after their son, Carter, completes his senior year of high school. He is interested in majoring in environmental engineering. Their daughter, Ellie, is a sophomore at Texas A&M University and majoring in Visualization with an emphasis in animation.

Golf is not a favorite hobby, but he has a great deal of respect for those managing courses and working in the industry. “When I was younger, I occasionally played golf, but I spent more time searching through the deep rough looking for my ball than any other aspect of the game. I have a deep respect for those with the patience and skill to play the game. I am just not cut out for the game.”

Dr. Hague was impressed recently when Lee Mclemore, Director of Golf Course Operations at the Country Club of Birmingham, gave him a tour of his courses. “They were spectacular.” He also believes that as far as importance to the game of golf and the turfgrass industry, a lot of credit goes to courses like Augusta National, St. Andrews, and Pebble Beach for elevating the aesthetic value of turfgrass. “Those courses operate under a very public microscope ,and they need to be commended for their efforts to consistently showcase top-end turfgrass management.”

Dr. Hague does have a new favorite hobby in supporting Auburn Athletics. He says, “I’m sure by next year it will be elevated beyond the status of just a hobby. War Eagle!” Cultivating this hobby will take you far with Auburn, Dr. Hague! We welcome you to Auburn, look forward to working with you and appreciate all that you do for our industry!