As a result of the partnership and collective lobbying efforts of the National Turfgrass Federation and the Turfgrass Producers International, the 2007 Farm Bill contains turfgrass-specific language.
The industry fared well on three levels, according to the two organizations:
* The National Turfgrass Research Initiative (NTRI) is included in the Farm Bill Title VII as a High-Priority Research Initiative. This inclusion of NTRI further recognizes the importance of turfgrass research at the federal government level and will lead to an increase in basic turfgrass research. For more information go to: http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/Legislation/110/FB/Conf/CRlang.pdf (see p. 351).
* A Specialty Crops Research Initiative was developed, with total funding of $230 million over five years. Congress also authorized $500 million total, which means it could choose to appropriate more than the $230 million already allocated. (See pp 360-362, above). To further this effort, Congress directed the Secretary of Agriculture to consider turfgrass sod as a specialty crop in the Farm Bill.
As a result, turfgrass researchers will be eligible to compete for funding through the Specialty Crops Research Initiative.
Finally, since turfgrass sod is now considered a specialty crop, turfgrass sod producers can apply for Specialty Crop Marketing Grants through their states. More information on the Specialty Crops Grants can be found on pages 239-240 and 457-458 of the document referenced above.
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