NATURAL GRASS SOD CHECKOFF DECISION NOW AWAITING VOTING RESULTS


By Casey Reynolds, PhD


Te industry-wide referendum on the proposed U.S. Natural Grass Sod Checkoff program was open in January and February, and now we await the results. Any U.S. sod producer who grew natural grass sod in 2024 was eligible to cast their vote on the proposed program beginning on January 13, 2025. Any further action on this program will be based on the results of the recent referendum.


As you have probably heard me say before, the path to a checkoff is purposefully long. We’ve had industry discussions that I can recall as far back as 2018-19, and then initially approached USDA to discuss them as early as 2020. After five years of discussion, traveling to visit with producers, speaking at conferences, incorporating feedback, and so on, the USDA announced the voting period dates on December 10, 2024.


Te Timeline of that action is shown on the Screenshot below.


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TPI Turf News March/April 2025


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