The U.S. Department of Agriculture is deciding whether to create a national program to strengthen demand for the $2.2 billion natural grass industry since American sod is facing an eroding market from plastic turf and consumer misconceptions.
In addition, the federal government estimates the supply chain for natural sod helps sustain local economies with revenue generated by home improvement centers, services for landscaping and lawns, and related equipment and product purchases.NYT ‘Strands’ Today: Hints, Spangram And Answers For Monday, December 23rd
“Seed industries, primarily in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, supply seed for sod farms growing cool-season grasses including ryegrass, fescues, bluegrasses, and native or adapted mixtures. This industry produces over 600 million pounds of natural grass seed in Oregon alone, much of which is distributed to U.S. natural grass sod farms to produce sod that is then sold to other segments of the green industry,” USDA notes.