Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a proposed rule for a Natural Grass Sod Research and Promotion Order to establish an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for natural grass sod products. It also announced a final rule establishing procedures for conducting a referendum to determine if natural grass sod producers are in favor of USDA issuing the order. The proposed rule and final rule were both published in the Federal Register Dec. 10, 2024.
A referendum will be conducted Jan. 13 through Feb. 11, 2025. If favored by a simple majority of producers, an 11-member board would administer the proposed order. The board would be responsible for carrying out activities including plans and projects regarding promotion, research, information and education to help maintain and expand markets for natural grass sod products.
Under the order, producers would pay an initial assessment rate of one-tenth of one penny per square foot, or the equivalent thereof, of natural grass sod products. No natural grass sod producer would be exempt from paying the assessment unless producing a certified organic product under the USDA’s National Organic Program.
Approximately 30 days before the start of the referendum, AMS will provide natural grass sod producers advance notification by mail detailing the dates of the referendum, expected time when ballots will be mailed, and contact information should they have questions.
At the beginning of the referendum period, AMS will provide a referendum package that will include a voting checklist, ballot, and hard copies of the Federal Register rules.
When submitting a ballot back to USDA, natural grass sod producers will be required to provide a copy of a document that demonstrates their eligibility to vote. Detailed instructions about how to return the ballot and the eligibility document will be provided in the referendum package.
Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. The Agricultural Marketing Service provides oversight to 22 boards. The oversight ensures fiscal accountability and program integrity and is paid for by industry assessments.
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