acquire it. Because the extended family jointly owns the land, they all share in the revenue the lands produce. Tat’s often what drew them into the sod business. Tey were looking for niche markets that could become another source of revenue.”
Efficiency of land use was a highlight for all of the group. Adam Russell of MVP Genetics, Cumming, Georgia, noted that was demonstrated at all the site visits. “Tese businesses are diversified to get the most out of their land and all the segments of their operations are very efficient. Tey’re going beyond basic crop rotation, combining regenerative ag and adaptive use ag to develop a second, third or fourth business. We saw radishes, sugar beets, wildflower seed, Christmas trees, and some traditional row crops, as well a turfgrasses, seven or eight different crops on one farm. We do see that in the U.S., but it’s not that widespread. In Germany, the focus on soil health and soil improvement seemed to the way of life in small and big operations. I didn’t hear anyone saying we don’t have great land.”
Te Knigge family Ruheforst demonstrated unique use of forest land as a burial site. Families could purchase a quadrant around a tree, or the entire tree, guaranteed for 99 years as a spot for the family ashes to be spread or buried in urns. Bob reported, “It’s a peaceful setting, well maintained, that the family can visit whenever they want.” Ryan added, “Because of the long history of overcrowding in European cemeteries, there’s a tremendous market for that service.”
Observing the Culture
Adam reported, “Te countries felt like our states. Te EU has few restrictive borders, and they do lots of country-to- country commerce. Seeing all the countries represented, interacting, and networking at the ETP Expo, I was impressed by the lack of language barriers, how many people knew English, and how easily they could transition between languages to communicate effectively.”
Bob reported, “Tey don’t have a long enough growing season to grow much grain. But we saw a covered pile of chopped corn which they were developing as silage. Tey burn the silage for fuel to generate power. Tey retain the ash to spread over the soil before the next planting.”
John noted, “I’ve really noticed that in the U.S., when we’ve visited other sod producers, how many things were different, yet so many other things were the same. Tat was true on the Germany trip, too.”
Ryan reported, “Just as in the U.S., every farm had their challenges. One had no irrigation system.” Bob noted, “Te Europeans dealt with Covid-19 much as we did. We put a toolbox across the front door of our office. Tey made a walkup window to keep people out of the office. Tey kept their no contact system and we kept ours, finding it was a more efficient way to do business.”
Tour members noted the retail centers they saw were well- organized and very neat and clean. As in the U.S., some were offsite, not on the sod farm. Bob reported, “One center we visited had small sod cutters on display which they rented out as a revenue source. Labor issues are an international concern. At one visit, we saw a building that served as the living quarters for their foreign workers. Tey employed 42 of those workers, mostly Romanians, and providing the housing was part of the employment agreement.”
Growing Those TPI Connections
In most areas, farmhouses and farm buildings were in the villages, not on the farms. Photo by Bob McCurdy
Ryan pointed to another unique government mandate. “Based on the number of hectares they have in agricultural production; a certain percentage of their land must be set aside for native vegetation as an undisturbed natural habitat.”
Bob reported the Matthies family found another revenue source in growing wildflowers to harvest and sell the seed. “Government regulations also dictate that they can’t plant certain plants outside of certain parameters. Tey winnow the seed inside their building to preserve the purity of the crop and to keep the seed contained. Tey look at the wildflower seed as gold; small quantities generate significant revenue.”
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Te group was unanimous in reporting that Allie Shriver and Albrecht Knigge did a great job of setting up and coordinating the trip.Wade expressed how much he enjoyed the trip and John reported, “It was a great experience and I’m very glad we did it.” And Bob added, “Being with that group made the trip special—there’s not a bad apple in the bunch.”
Ryan noted, “TPI is like a huge extended family. Whether we’re touring a sod farm in the U.S. or in Germany, everyone is welcoming, very open, and accommodating. Te networking is the biggest take away.” Adam said, “I encourage everyone to join in these international excursions. It’s a different level of absorption. Te shared group experience draws everyone closer, making member connections even stronger. And a large group taking part in their event is a strong showing of support for our international members. It’s well worth the time, effort, and money.”
port Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News. TPI Turf News November/December 2022 022
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