Turf may get $$ in new farm bill
13 Nov, 2006 By: Curt Harler LM Direct!For the first time, turfgrass research may show up as a separate subtitle in the U.S. Farm Bill. Both the House and the Senate have made preliminary appropriations for turf research.
The House has earmarked $1.4 million for turf. The Senate has tentatively appropriated $1.8 million. If things go well, the nation's turfgrass research programs should see somewhere above $1.5 million when the bill becomes law. The result could be two new, national turfgrass research positions, fully funded.
This does not mean that turfgrass is rich, however. The appropriations are the result of a sustained lobbying effort by the Turfgrass Research Initiative in Washington, D.C. Much of the funding for the Initiative has come from NTEP, which contributed $600,000 over the past six years. However, NTEP says it can not afford further support of the lobbying effort at that level. As a result, turf researchers are looking for another $75,000 in 2006-07, and more money down the road.
The Turfgrass Research Initiative is seeking donations of any amount from state associations, vendors and individuals to help continue its lobbying efforts. For more information, contact Kevin Morris at NTEP.
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