The 2024-25 class of TPI’s Future Leaders Fellows wrapped up their two-year fellowship with a trip to Washington, DC from October 7-8th, 2025 where they visited with congressional offices and agencies to discuss policies impacting sod producers.
Jonathan Moore, TPI’s policy consultant in Washington, DC scheduled visits with twenty-one legislative offices based on the home states and districts of the sod producers who made the trip. Kevin Morris of the National Turfgrass Federation (NTF) and National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) joined us, and much like Jonathan Moore, he has extensive experience in navigating the various halls of DC.
There are several policies and legislative issues that TPI is working on right now, but one we focused on a lot during this trip was potential farm bill language that needs to be refined to better serve our industry and NTEP. A couple of these issues hit close to home for Henry Kerfoot of Modern Turf in Rembert, SC who shared his experience with the offices of SC Reps. Jim Clyburn and Ralph Norman as well as Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott. “Highlights included meeting with the offices of both South Carolina senators and my congressman, Ralph Norman, to discuss key issues affecting turfgrass producers” says Henry. It was gratifying to represent the needs of farmers, particularly in advocating for increased funding for NTEP and greater clarity in H-2A labor guidelines.”
The future of NTEP was one key point that we touched on all week while in DC, and I am happy to officially report here that our NTEP discussions made an impact. TPI’s efforts in DC helped the National Turfgrass Federation secure NTEP’s first increase in funding in 37 years. It’s exactly these types of legislative visits from TPI members in their home districts coupled with TPI, NTF, and NTEP that combine to have a positive impact on policy. Jonathan Moore says “In a hyper-competitive budget environment, having joint support from sod producers and turf scientists was crucial for NTEP to receive its first funding increase in 37 years. This is a far cry from early 2024 when it faced possible elimination all-together.” He goes on to say that “TPI’s increased visibility in Washington, DC in recent years directly correlates to policies that benefit the entire turf industry.”
Please read the next issue of Turf News to learn more about TPI’s legislative successes, and if you have topics you’d like us to work on please contact our office at 800-405-8873.
