Learn more about the turfgrass industry and the varieties grown across the U.S.

With football season right around the corner, now is the perfect time to discuss one of the most important aspects of the sport: turfgrass. Turfgrass is a narrow-leaved grass species that form a uniform, long-lived ground cover, and can grow in a variety of ways.

According to the National Turfgrass Federation, turfgrass is used on more than 700,000 athletic fields across the U.S. As a $40 billion industry, according to the Economic Research Service, the turf management industry provides tens of thousands of job opportunities for those working in sectors such as seed and sod production, lawn care, and landscaping.

In many states, such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, and North Carolina, turf is either the number one or two agricultural commodity. Across the U.S. there approximately 50 million acres of managed turf, placing turfgrass third in total agricultural acreage. Florida, for example, has a thriving turfgrass sector, ranking number one in the U.S. for turfgrass-related economic activity as reported by the Florida Turfgrass Association. Total revenues are estimated at $7.82 billion, creating more than 173,000 jobs. Warm-season turfgrass varieties like Bahia, Bermuda, Centipede, Paspalum, Perennial Peanut, St. Augustine, and Zoysia commonly flourish in the state.

To the north, North Carolina lays claim to more than two million acres of turfgrass, and it is home to both cool and warm season species. The most prevalent turfgrasses in North Carolina are tall fescue, which is a cool-season grass, and warm-season Bermudagrass. The state also grows turfgrass varieties like bentgrass, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, Bahia, carpetgrass, St. Augustine, and Zoysia.

No matter what you grow or where, AgAmerica Lending has the right financing for your agricultural operation. Our customizable loan packages support U.S. farmers from coast to coast. Contact us today to learn more.