TURFGRASS INDUSTRY NEWS


Trump Deportation Blitz Intensifies — As Does the Criticism As Mike Lillis reported for thehill.com on January 27, 2025, President Trump’s deportation blitz is picking up steam—along with criticism from Democrats that the administration’s actions will harm communities and hurt the economy without solving the border crisis. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a small handful of other federal agencies have conducted raids over the past few days, which led to the arrest of more than 2,000 people, including almost 1,000 on Sunday alone, ICE said. Democrats accuse Trump of seeking petty political revenge by launching the deportation raids in deep-blue cities like Chicago, where he frequently clashes with Democratic officials. Te clash presents an early test for both parties in the high- stakes messaging battle over inflation, public safety and how immigration affects both—a debate that’s sure to carry into the 2026 midterm elections and beyond. Trump had placed many of the nation’s ills at the feet of immigrants, saying those living in America illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country.” He accused them of driving up crime rates and stealing American jobs. Tere are two sides to this, as there always are in any discussion or argument. To read the entire article from Mike Lillis go to https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5109536-trump-deportation- raids-criticisms/. You will also find links to numerous sources within the article. Additional updates can be found at thehill.com.


EPA Approved California Waiver to Ban Sale of Gas-Powered Landscape Equipment On January 10, 2025, the National Association of Landscape Professionals’ (NALP) government affairs brief, Te Advocate, reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved California’s waiver to implement the California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Small Off-Road Engines Regulations; Notice of Decision. Tis is the final step in California’s ban on the sale (NOT the USE) of carbon emitting/ gas powered landscape equipment. While the rule had been in effect since January 2024, CARB was unable to legally enforce the rule without the waiver approval from EPA. We were closely monitoring if this would be approved prior to President Biden’s departure from office, but this along with another California zero emission car sale mandate waiver were both approved by EPA at the last moment. At this time, it is unclear if there is an attempt to use the Congressional Review Act, but these discussions are ongoing. On a positive note, we have learned this week that CARB will focus 2025 enforcement on outreach and education and implement new emission standards starting with MY 2026. Ironically, NALP was asking for 2026 back in 2020 when we lobbied this issue and that is now in fact the date that will be used. CARB has published a FAQ on its rulemaking page outlining its enforcement position and highlighting other facts of the rule. Review it at the link that follows. https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/barcu/regact/2021/sore21/ carb_sore_faq.pdf ’


TPI Turf News March/April 2025


Limited Supply, Strong Demand Fuels Ag Land Market In a January 6, 2025, news release, Farmers National Company reported that there are more motivated land buyers in today’s market than there are willing sellers.Despite the pressures created by lower net farm income, declining commodity markets, higher interest rates, and increased input costs, land values have remained quite stable across the Midwest. While most university and industry land value reports published at year’s end reflect a flat or slight downward trend compared to production expenses, the stability in those values reveals the resiliency of the land market and its ability to maintain the high values set over the past five years. “Tere are many factors for buyer motivation, but much of it can be explained by mindset translating to demand,” said Paul Schadegg, senior vice president of real estate operations at Farmers National Company. “Farm operators continue to be the primary buyers of ag land. Teir mindset or motivation revolves around reinvesting in their farm enterprise, expanding operations, and utilizing today’s farm equipment fully. Location of land offered for sale also plays a large role in their decision making, as often this land has not changed hands for generations and once sold, may not be sold again.” Considering the average age of today’s farmers, most have experienced the rise and fall of farm cycles and, along with it, the long-term appreciation of land value. Tey fully understand what an exceptional value land presents as an asset to their farm operation and investment asset, Schadegg said. “We anticipate that operating farmers will continue to be the primary land buyer as we move into 2025. Changes in the ag economy will determine if the percentage moves up or down,” he added. Land investors make up the second largest segment of ag land buyers. Investors include individuals, groups, and land investment funds. Schadegg said that this group's mindset is business oriented. “Tere is virtually no emotional motivation, as buying decisions are based on return on investment or anticipated appreciation of land value. Te motivation lies in expanding the portfolio, opportunities in productive regions, and improving ROIs in declining land markets. Many land investors have not experienced the rise and fall of agriculture cycles but fully appreciate the long-term value of land. As pressures on the ag economy increase, investors stand ready to bid on land that fits their investment criteria.” Across the industry, land listings are down, on average, 25 percent from the active and accelerating value market experienced between 2020-2023. Te principle of supply and demand fits into the current land market, as many landowners understand the long-term appreciation of land value while providing an annual return on that investment. Schadegg said that the result of this thought is to retain ownership, further reducing the amount of land offered for sale. “Motivated buyers remain in the current land market both as farm operators and land investors ready to deploy available cash to further their operations or portfolios,” he added. For more information, please visit www.FarmersNational.com.


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