7/1/2013 - By Harrell's

For the past several years, the Florida turfgrass industry has been under attack from numerous environmental groups.  They are passionate about their cause and are well organized.  To their credit, they have been instrumental in changing public policy in a few Florida counties.  Perhaps their greatest claim-to-fame is the summer fertilizer black out.

While their intent may be honorable, their actions are an insult to common sense and sound science.  Their belief is that fertilizer applications to turfgrass (which follow the best management practices published by the University of Florida) significantly contribute to nutrient levels in Florida waters and even contribute to such phenomenon as red tide, manatee deaths, etc.  Fortunately for all Americans, you can have your own opinions, but you can’t have your own facts.  Current findings from a DEP funded study at the University of Florida actually show a summer black out may increase nutrient leaching due to the reduction in turf growth from the lack of nutrients.  In fact, it appears a black out in the winter months may be more appropriate.

We in the turfgrass industry have reached out to these groups with the hope that we could work together towards the ongoing goal of environmentally sound turf management practices.  However, this was a futile effort.  So, in response to these attacks, the turfgrass industry is working together and has formed an organization to combat the activities of these extremists.  The Environmental Research and Education Fund (EREF) is a product of joint efforts between manufacturers, distributors, lawn care operators, golf course superintendents, and pest management operators, among others.  In short, it is a voluntary tax on fertilizer.  Its purpose is to raise funds to sponsor scientifically-sound research and to educate the public on soil/turfgrass fertility.  Through the EREF, we intend to provide the public and elected officials with information based on sound science and it is our hope that science is used to produce policy.

You may find yourself in an industry or state where these issues are not currently prevalent.  However, environmental extremists are already rumored to be interested in other industries such as golf and sport turf, not to mention other states.  If you think they are not headed your direction or you think they will change and go away, may I remind you of the fable of the scorpion and the frog?

A scorpion and frog were sitting on the banks of river.  The scorpion wanted to get across but could not swim so he asked the frog, “Could you give me a ride across the river?”  The frog replied, “Of course not.  You’re a scorpion.  You’ll sting me and I’ll die.”  The scorpion calmly answered, “Why would I do that?  If I sting you, you would die and I would die.”  Knowing the scorpion’s point was true, the frog excitedly told the scorpion to hop on his back and they began to swim across the river.  Half way across the river the scorpion stings the frog and the frog begins to drown.  Gasping for his last breath the frog looks at the scorpion and asks, “Why did you sting me?  Now I am going to die, and you are going to die.”  The scorpion simply replied, “Because I’m a scorpion.”

Of course, the moral of the story is that people are their nature.  In this case, environmental extremists are not going to change and they are not going away.  Now is the time to get involved!  So long as we have uneducated, emotionally-charged extremists, these issues will grow!

For a more in-depth description of the EREF, please refer to this month’s Florida Pest Management Association publication located here.

If you would like to sign up to the EREF, you may use this form.