Checkoffs

What is a checkoff?

A checkoff is an industry-supported program that funds research, promotion and education. Programs are designed to have industry-wide participation and funding to advance the industry as a whole and to create both demand and preference for a product. 

Why do we need a Checkoff?  

We do not need a checkoff because the outcome can be achieved through voluntary means. Research shows that while the dairy checkoff “got milk” campaign was extremely well advertised, milk consumption didn’t go up at all.  We don’t need a checkoff program. If farmers want greater advertising and market development nothing stands in the way of market cooperation.

Why is it mandatory to participate?  

It is mandatory to participate so that the funds collected are maximized from all sod farmers - including both supportive and unsupportive farmers.

How will the checkoff help me?  

The checkoff program assumes every farm faces the same challenges.  It ignores that farms in different regions that are different sizes with different markets face different challenges that national programs will not address.  

What are the goals for the checkoff program?  

The stated goals of the checkoff are the following:

Overall, the checkoff program will seek to increase value and profitability per square foot. Every program funded by the checkoff must meet that objective. With a sod checkoff we can:

- Increase preference for sod

- Promote sod to consumers nationally

- Conduct research to educate and inform industry regulators and politicians

- Buy any other marketing, promotion and education programs that increase the value and demand for U.S. sod.

We agree with the goal of the Sod Checkoff Program, however, we strongly disagree with the ability of the Program to accomplish these things through the forcefulness of the federal government.

Why is the U.S. Department of Agriculture involved?  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is the regulatory agency responsible for oversight and the means by which the industry proponents and leaders can apply federal enforcement over fellow farmers.

Is a checkoff government overreach?  

It is absolutely government overreach. The government is not needed for marketing, advertising, promotion, research, or oversight. Each of these is performed every day through private companies and organizations. The government is only truly needed in this program for its ability to subvert dissenting farmers into participation through force.

Assessments

How does this work?  

All producers will be required to pay into the checkoff every quarter.   

How much will I pay?  

Once a quarter, farmers will pay 1/10th of one penny for every square foot of sod sold.  Considering the size of your farm, how much money a year would that be just for you?  

How will I know that every producer is paying their fair share?  

Every checkoff program has government run accounting that is overseen by the board to ensure everyone is paying their fair share. Please forgive our extremely low confidence in government accounting and oversight.

Is this really just a tax?  

Yes. It is a tax. While the sod checkoff program cites that it is an “investment”, none of us have ever invested anything under force or been penalized for not making an “investment”.

Voting

How can I vote?  

In the near future, the USDA will announce on the U.S. Federal Register how sod producers can register to vote.  There will most likely be a 30-day registration period and a 30-day voting period.  The vote will take place in spring of 2022.  Once the specific voting period and process is defined, it will be communicated to producers.  

Your “NO” VOTE will be critical to keeping the industry free and out of the hands of bureaucrats.

Who is eligible to vote? 

Every farm that has sold at least one square foot of sod in the last year is eligible to vote.  There will be one vote for every EIN associated with a farm.  

If the checkoff is approved, is participation mandatory?  

Participation is most certainly mandatory and enforced by the USDA.  Every farm must contribute with no exemptions or exceptions.  

We find this to be morally reprehensible and repugnant.

Share this information with your fellow sod farmers, unite now to save the FREE market.  Remain in control, stay FREE, VOTE NO.