“Our Fine Fescue comes from Pure Seed. It’s a blend of four types—Hard, Sheeps, Creeping Red, and Chewings— mixed with three percent Kentucky Bluegrass. It works well for golf course roughs. Te seed for the Salt Tolerant blend we grow for roadways comes from Conserv FS.”
H & E offers washed sod, typically one of the bentgrasses, a couple of pallets at a time. “Our most innovative offering is Vacuum Cooled Sod. Our customer feedback on it is excellent. Instead of waiting to harvest until temperatures cool in the evening, we can harvest through the heat of the day and vacuum-cool the sod. It creates greater delivery opportunities and extends the sod’s shelf life.”
Ben says the customer mix varies. “A big percentage of our sales go to box stores through the Harmony program and we also supply several area garden centers. In addition, we sell to golf courses and landscapers. We don’t do installation. We don’t want to compete with our customers.”
Ben connected with both of his mentors, Mark Graf from the first cohort of the Future Leaders Fellowship, and Bob McCurdy from the TPI Board, early in the program and again in February during TPI’s San Antonio, Texas, conference. He says, “Bob McCurdy even came to our farm for a tour. I’m planning to reach out to him more; his insight is so valuable.”
Ben connected with Nathan Whitaker during the Kansas City in-person meeting and in the numerous Zoom meetings. He says, “Nathan is fantastic, knowledgeable, and experienced, yet down to earth. He’s always available to guide you through an issue, helping you process the information and figure it out for yourself. Tat’s so much more helpful than a lecture style.”
Ben and Emily joined the TPI Study Tour to Italy. He says, “Experiencing the beauty of Italy with my wife was incredible. Interacting within the group, visiting other farms, and seeing how differently they manage situations, what troubles they are having, and comparing it to what we have, was an unforgettable opportunity.”
Ben adds, “I would recommend the Future Leaders Fellowship Program to everyone, whether they are new to the industry or have been in it 20 years. It provides so many opportunities to learn, expand your network, and build your leadership skills, while thoroughly enjoying the experience.”
David Acosta-Marquez
Sod Shop, Inc. As logistics manager for the Sod Shop in Lawrence, Kansas, David Acosta-Marquez plays a key role in ensuring seamless customer interactions. He says, “My primary responsibilities include managing orders, coordinating with our drivers for timely dispatch, and handling administrative tasks such as processing invoices and payments. I'm proud to be the first point of contact for many of our customers, and I strive to provide exceptional service and support to our team.”
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David traveled a unique path to the turfgrass industry. He grew up on a farm in Mexico, where his parents cultivated crops like corn and wheat. He says, “I was involved in both crop production and cattle farming, gaining hands- on experience in traditional farming practices. After moving to the U.S. at 16 with limited English proficiency, I found math was a subject that transcended language barriers. Despite initial challenges, my passion for math grew, leading me to focus on math education in college. I became a high school math teacher in Bovina, Texas, teaching Geometry and Precalculus.”
David says he stumbled upon the turfgrass industry opportunity by luck. “In 2020, just before the pandemic, I saw a Facebook post advertising for an office role at the Sod Shop. Although I had no prior experience in the turfgrass industry, my farm upbringing gave me confidence in my ability to adapt and learn. Additionally, my mathematics background is an asset in my role, particularly when helping customers calculate area measurements for sod orders. I loved my time in the classroom; it was incredibly rewarding. Although I do miss it, I'm really happy here at Sod Shop and appreciate the new experiences I'm gaining. It's been a rewarding journey, and I've discovered a passion for this field.”
Te Sod Shop’s Lawrence location serves the Kansas City metro area. “We're experiencing rapid growth, with around 650 acres of sod in production,” says David. “We offer two options: a Tall Fescue blend (93 percent fescue and 7 percent bluegrass) and Kentucky Bluegrass. We serve a good mix of customers—landscapers, homeowners,
TPI Turf News July/August 2025
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