Within the U.S.'s Initiative to Enhance the Organic Grass Sector
The United States Department of Agriculture is pondering over introducing a nationwide initiative to boost the demand for the $2.2 billion natural grass sector, as American grass turfs are losing ground to synthetic alternatives and misconceptions among consumers.
There's a growing apprehension within the federal government and the natural grass industry regarding the impact of popular misconceptions that favor the devaluation of natural grass over synthetic alternatives or complete removal.
As per the USDA, these trends diminish the value of natural grass lawns and sports fields in urban and suburban environments, leading to a reduction in grass management and its replacement with other products. This view often results in an erroneous assessment that natural grass is resource-intensive.
Misconceptions Regarding Natural Grass
Many individuals are unaware of the advancements in technology, drought-resistant varieties of grass, and advanced irrigation methods related to natural grass care. Moreover, natural grass landscapes in populated areas provide numerous ecological advantages such as carbon sequestration, oxygen production, pollutant filtration, and reduced water runoff.
The USDA also estimates that the natural grass sod supply chain contributes to local economies through revenue generated by home improvement centers, landscaping services, and related equipment and product purchases.
This issue is under consideration by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, which has been seeking public feedback since 2023 in proposed rulemakings. The most recent developments include a final rule and rule order/referendum issued Dec. 10 in Federal Register notices titled a "Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order" and a companion one for "Referendum Procedures." The referendum seeks approval from sod producers to establish a nationwide, industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for natural grass sod products.
Significance of Natural Grass Sod in the U.S. Economy
According to the USDA, the $2.2 billion worth of natural grass sod produced in the U.S. in 2022 significantly contributes to industries focusing on sustainable growth through public and private initiatives supporting environmentally responsible investments, as well as those supporting it.
Natural grass sod primarily comes from approximately 1,500 documented farms spanning about 376,300 acres across the country. Different regions produce specific varieties adapted to grow in various climates. Varieties like bentgrass, fine fescue, tall fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass thrive in six USDA plant hardiness zones, while other types like bermudagrass, buffalograss, centipedegrass, seashore paspalum, Saint Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass predominate in three warmer zones. Specialty grass crops are also cultivated in various regions.
The Synthetic Turf Threat
Although natural grass is being replaced in homes and public spaces by materials like mulch, brick, concrete pavers, and some rubberized playgrounds, its primary economic adversary is synthetic turf.
The USDA acknowledges that plastic, artificial turf is the primary competitor and most common alternative to natural grass for athletic fields on school grounds, public parks, and collegiate or professional sports venues. The synthetic turf industry had a 15% growth rate since 2017, with increasing demand coming from athletic field and landscaping applications.
Numerous grass growers and organizations backing natural sod endorsed the USDA's initiative (through the 2023 proposed rule) to develop an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for natural grass sod products. A public comments request resulted in 173 submissions prior to a December 2023 deadline.
Supporters Include Farmers, University Professors, Health Researchers
Allen Woerner, managing partner of Woerner Farms in Alabama, supports public education as a means to counteract negativity. The company produces natural grass sod in Alabama, Colorado, and Florida on over 3,000 acres. "We are concerned about the negative perception of natural grass and believe that with proper educational and marketing efforts, we can combat this with research-based information," Woerner said.
Kevin Morris, president of the National Turfgrass Federation and executive director of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, informed the USDA that the public should be made aware of the negative aspects of plastic grass. "Plastic grass is neither environmentally friendly, healthy for play, nor good for U.S agriculture," Morris wrote. "Federal turfgrass research funding is scarcely available as the crop is neither food nor fiber, however, this program will change that and allow turfgrass research programs suffering from a scarcity of resources to not only survive, but thrive."
Three faculty members from Mississippi State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences expressed their support to the USDA in a joint letter.
"The natural turf industry is currently facing various challenges, with the widespread adoption of synthetic turf alternatives being a major concern. The environmental consequences of these alternatives are only now being scrutinized. Other pressing issues we're tackling, along with our research peers, include water consumption, habitat for wildlife, management of nutrients and pesticides, and carbon sequestration," the letter mentioned. "We aim to utilize potential funding to augment the sustainability and yield of one of the nation's critical agricultural systems through research in various aspects of turfgrass science, such as improved varieties and eco-friendly practices."
The National Center for Health Research's Diana Zuckerman advocated for the establishment of an organization to endorse natural grass sod products. "We have serious concerns about the influence of artificial turf on the health and safety of both children and adults, due to the presence of lead and endocrine-disrupting chemicals in artificial turf, as well as an increase in injuries compared to natural grass fields. Moreover, artificial turf tends to retain heat, reaching temperatures of 150-180 degrees Fahrenheit on sunny, warm days. Due to these and other well-recognized issues, artificial turf poses health and environmental concerns that natural grass does not."
Balancing the Public Interest in Natural Materials vs. Synthetics
Progress in developing diverse types of natural grass and discovering innovative ways to maintain it is not widely acknowledged by most people. More widespread information about the pros and cons of using natural grass sod rather than artificial turf is essential. There are several crucial factors to consider: economic, health, environmental, and wildlife impacts.
- The USDA is considering establishing a nationwide promotion and research program for natural sod grass, recognizing its environmental benefits such as carbon sequestration and pollutant filtration.
- American farmers, including Allen Woerner of Woerner Farms, support this initiative to combat the negative perception of natural grass and promote its sustainability.
- Kevin Morris, president of the National Turfgrass Federation, emphasizes the environmental harm of artificial turf, advocating for federal funding to support turfgrass research and the natural grass industry.
- Mississippi State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences faculty members support the USDA's initiative to enhance natural grass sustainability, focusing on research in turfgrass science and eco-friendly practices.
- The National Center for Health Research's Diana Zuckerman advocates for the endorsing of natural sod grass products, citing health and environmental concerns associated with artificial turf.
