STMA IN ACTION
majority vote of U . S . sod farmers , the program will be implemented , managed and governed by a 13-member board of U . S sod producers who are all nominated by fellow sod producers . This board would be comprised of four sod farmers from northern states , five from southern states , and four from transition zone states to ensure uniform representation among the industry . They would invest checkoff dollars in initiatives such as national and consumer marketing collateral , agronomic and consumer research , local promotional or marketing materials for growers , customer and regulator education and outreach , or any other item that falls within the scope of Research and Promotion programs .
“ Many of the leaders in our industry are passionate sod producers who want to preserve the legacy of their farms by protecting and growing their markets for future generations ,” said Reynolds . “ We have a great product in natural grass that provides countless benefits for athletes , kids and the environment in urban ecosystems worldwide , yet we know there are those who still need to be educated on our industry . In just the last 9 months , I have personally been involved in fighting legislative bills in three separate states that in one way or another are all designed to make it illegal to use natural grass .”
A U . S . Sod Checkoff program could give our industry the voice and resources it needs to address these and other challenges head on . If passed , it would quite literally create the single largest recurring source of natural grass research funds in the world that could fund scientific and academic research on a scale we have yet to see . Not to stop there , it would also create the single largest source of marketing and promotion efforts for natural grass so that
we could reach parents , school administrators , city council men and women , and others who decide on the use of sports fields , parks , and other urban greenspace . This is all possible through the power and ability of a Research and Promotion program to unite U . S . sod farmers .
What could all this mean for sports field managers ? “ Well , we ’ d like to think that what ’ s good for natural grass is good for those who manage it ,” said Reynolds . “ If the checkoff can invest funds in research and marketing to show parents , school boards , city officials , legislators and others the value in their grass parks and sports fields , then they may be more willing to invest in those areas as well . By protecting and growing the market for natural grass , you also protect and grow the market for sports field managers and other associated industries .”
At the end of the day , natural grass parks and those who manage them provide much more than just a place to play . They provide countless environmental benefits , personal and community wellbeing , economic value and more . Our industry has a great story to tell , but until now we have lacked the channel to effectively tell it . A U . S . Sod Checkoff could not only explore and write the story of our industry through research and marketing , but it could also be the narrator that tells it along the way .
As of September 2021 , a draft proposal that outlines the key points needed for an efficient , successful checkoff program has been written and submitted to the USDA for review . Once approved , it will be published in the U . S . Federal Register for public viewing and commentary prior to a vote of U . S . sod farmers on its passage in the spring of 2022 .
If you are interested in learning more about the U . S . Sod Checkoff , visit www . sodcheckoff . org . SFM
10 SportsField Management | September 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com