on to raise $321,984 in funding over six years for all varieties in the program, rather than just one grass family.

Past President of NCSPA John K. Williams, who for more than a dozen years has served as farm manager at Oakland Plantation Turf Farm in Council, NC, and is a former certified golf course superintendent, supports the idea of direct funding of turf research through sod producers.

“We think that an upfront cooperation between growers, marketing firms, and the university will steer the development of needed varieties forward instead of random releases that have little input from growers and consumers,” Williams says.

Paradigm Shift Perhaps the biggest shift to the research funding paradigm is the idea of exclusivity—that only those who fund upfront have access to new grasses released in their home state. Tis could rankle sod producers who didn’t contribute into the funding pool early on and find themselves shut out if a winning variety emerges.

In the states where the grasses are developed, Broucqsault says, growers must have participated in the funding and maintain an active membership in that state’s sod producers association.

“Tese programs incentivize the growers to be pro-active and look five or 10 years into the future,” Broucqsault says.

Still, under some circumstances, those who don’t get in early may have a shot at licensing a revolutionary new grass.

“Tese grasses are open outside of the state,” Broucqsault explains. “Sod Solutions has exclusive access to be the marketing agent for the grasses outside of the state, whether that means licensing growers a state over or taking those grasses to the international level. Tis is the motivation for us and why we have been a driving force for getting these programs underway. Proceeds from the royalties of grasses will still go to the home university program and the home turfgrass association. So they still benefit, and in most cases, will benefit more from the grasses sold outside of the state. Te growers, of course, will benefit from exclusivity of the university-endorsed grass at home.”

Sod Producers Participate While exclusivity is certainly an incentive, sod producers who’ve participated in the programs say having a voice in the research process is equally important.

“I am that kind of guy. I want to be in on the ground floor. I want to see it, see how it operates and functions throughout the testing and this allows me to do that,” says Gary Bradshaw, president of SMR Farms in Bradenton, Florida.

Participating producers have the chance to influence what types of characteristics they’d like to see emphasized for success in their marketplace.

TPI Turf News September/October 2016

Some producers, like Jonathan Brown, vice president of turf at Bethel Farms in Punta Gorda, Florida, maintain research plots on their farms, and help turfgrass breeders evaluate the progress of cultivars.

“In the past, with the University of Florida, we were just handed a grass. Here it is. Do with it what you will,” Brown says. “And I think all of us, including the universities, learned that that’s really not the way to do it.”

Dr. Kenworthy says he sees real value in extending research to the sod farm. “It’s different for a grass to look pretty in a plot, and it’s much different for it to perform out in the real world. Part of that performance is it has to grow in a sod grower’s field and it has to harvest well,” Kenworthy says. “A plot just doesn’t give you that observation. But by including the growers in the process we’re able to get that real-world, more practical experience and practical approach to help us to determine which grasses we really want to release, and then feel confident when we do release them that they will be successful in the marketplace.”

Taking the Risk Tere is some risk involved when investing money in research. Some stellar varieties with improved characteristics specifically beneficial to the climate, soil and needs of specific states and regions may come out of any or all of the programs.

Or, they might not.

But to the producers who have gambled on the research funding, the game of chance is worth the wager.

“Te only risk is that there are no guarantees that any new varieties will be released, but we are confident in Dr. Milla-Lewis’ program and expect great things! Te future of the next generation of superior turfgrasses will come from NCSU,” Williams says. “You are certainly not going to find one if you don’t invest. Tat’s a sure thing,” Brown says. “But if you do invest, there is a very good likelihood that you’ll come up with something.”

Dr. Susana Milla-Lewis heads the turfgrass breeding program at NCSU.

Stacie Zinn Roberts is chief writer & marketing strategist of What’s Your Avocado? Marketing & PR Agency and a frequent contributor to green industry publications. Stacie@whatsyouravocado.com

All photos courtesy of Sod Solutions.

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