SOD CHECKOFF—SMALL INVESTMENT, BIG PAYOFF By Casey Reynolds, PhD


While out on the road speaking to sod producers and sod associations about the potential sod checkoff program, one of the most common questions I get is, of course, “What does it cost?” One of the perspectives that is now emerging from many producers is that it shouldn’t cost anything. How? By invoicing customers for the checkoff assessment, it becomes a pass-through for the sod producers. (See the example of how this pass-through could be handled on the sample invoice on the next page.)


Te Commodity Promotion Research and Information Act of 1996 even lays out the language for this under Subtitle B—Issuance of Orders for Promotion, Research, and Information Activities Regarding Agricultural Commodities. It states under section (5); Generic promotion, research, and information activities for agricultural commodities, paid by the producers and others in the industry who reap the benefits of such activities, provide a unique opportunity for producers to inform consumers about a particular agricultural commodity.


Tere is no doubt that landscapers, athletic field managers, golf course superintendents, and others in the green industry will benefit by having a checkoff program promoting natural grass. Many of the associations who represent these industries have even gone on record saying they support the sod checkoff initiative. Te National


Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), the Sports Field Management Association (SFMA), the U.S. Golf Association (UGA) Green Section, the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), the American Farm Bureau, and others have stated that they understand the need for national and local research and promotion efforts to protect and promote green space. (See the Industry Support section on the next page.)


In almost a year of travel now, talking about the checkoff with sod producers, there are varying opinions about the impact of a one-tenth of one penny assessment to a producer’s bottom line. Some producers see it as a small amount of money, while other producers see it as significant.


I have even had some producers jokingly say that if a customer complains about one-tenth of one penny per square foot that they would just have them call the checkoff and complain to them, not the producer. Te checkoff staff could then tell them that the 50 cents per pallet assessment they just paid is going to ensure that they continue to have lawns and other green spaces to manage for many years to come. As stated above, they certainly would reap the benefits of research and promotion activities on natural grass such as the positive messages at the bottom of this page. We are all in this industry together.


Casey Reynolds, PhD, is executive director of Turfgrass Producers International. 124 TPI Turf News November/December 202 022


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