November 15, 2017
Turfgrass farmers to vote on marketing board
The Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario (NSGAO) has received confirmation the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission will proceed with an expression of opinion vote to gauge support for the proposal and establishment of the Turfgrass Farmers of Ontario marketing board. With support from members and industry stakeholders, the NSGA presented a proposal to the commission in August. The Commission has indicated the vote, open to all sod producers in Ontario, will be held before the end of 2017.
The main purpose of the proposed organization will be to promote the production and marketing of turfgrass sod in Ontario and to advocate, promote and conduct research for the turfgrass industry.
In recent years, Ontario sod producers have seen declining sales. Lower housing starts and smaller lot sizes are affecting new home installation sales. The pesticide ban and municipal watering restrictions have also negatively influenced sod purchases by homeowners as well as by municipal and project decision makers.
The NSGA has engaged the marketing promotion firm Edelman to perform consumer market research on the perceptions of turfgrass sod. The results confirm an education gap exists regarding the environmental and wellness benefits of turfgrass in general. The mission of Turfgrass Farmers of Ontario will be to fill the educational gap through a major marketing campaign to the benefit of all turfgrass stakeholders.
The proposal can be viewed online at nsgao.com under “ON Sod Marketing Board.” For more information, contact the NSGA at nsga@rogers.com.
The main purpose of the proposed organization will be to promote the production and marketing of turfgrass sod in Ontario and to advocate, promote and conduct research for the turfgrass industry.
In recent years, Ontario sod producers have seen declining sales. Lower housing starts and smaller lot sizes are affecting new home installation sales. The pesticide ban and municipal watering restrictions have also negatively influenced sod purchases by homeowners as well as by municipal and project decision makers.
The NSGA has engaged the marketing promotion firm Edelman to perform consumer market research on the perceptions of turfgrass sod. The results confirm an education gap exists regarding the environmental and wellness benefits of turfgrass in general. The mission of Turfgrass Farmers of Ontario will be to fill the educational gap through a major marketing campaign to the benefit of all turfgrass stakeholders.
The proposal can be viewed online at nsgao.com under “ON Sod Marketing Board.” For more information, contact the NSGA at nsga@rogers.com.