Summary:
This document proposes to establish an industry-funded promotion, research, and information program for natural grass sod products. The proposed program, the Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order (Order), was submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), a group of natural grass sod producers. The purpose of the program would be to maintain and expand markets for natural grass sod products and the program would be financed by an assessment on domestic sod producers. This proposed Order also announces that USDA is conducting a referendum among eligible producers to determine whether they favor establishing the program. The program would be established if it is favored by a majority of industry producers voting in the referendum. A separate final rule on referendum procedures is published in this issue of the Federal Register. This proposed Order also announces the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) intent to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of new information collection requirements to implement the program.