Turfgrass Research Initiative Funding Requested

The National Turfgrass Federation has again requested funding for 12 turfgrass research positions with the USDA, ARS for fiscal year 2006 as outlined in the National Turfgrass Research Initiative.

Kevin Morris, executive director of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program, said that to obtain the funding, NTF has filed formal statements with the Senate and House Agriculture Appropriations subcommittees.

In addition, the federation and members of the turfgrass industry, including GCSAA, have contacted senators and House members asking for their support. The turfgrass industry has also requested restoration of the $760,613 in ARS turfgrass research funding not in the President's proposed FY06 budget. For more information on the funding requests and the National Turfgrass Research Initiative in general, visit http://www.turfresearch.org/initiative.htm.

Morris asked anyone interested in the initiative to ask their senators and representatives to support USDA, ARS turfgrass research funding and the National Turfgrass Research Initiative. Contact Kevin Morris, (301) 504-5125, mailto:kmorris@ntep.org.