Natural Grass Sod Promotion, Research, and Information Order: Withdrawal of Proposed Rule

Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

Notice of withdrawal of proposed rulemaking and termination of rulemaking proceeding.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is withdrawing the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 10, 2024, that proposed a new grass sod research and promotion program under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996. The proposed Order was submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by Turfgrass Producers International (TPI), a group of natural grass sod producers. AMS conducted a referendum among eligible producers to determine whether they favor establishing a national promotion, research, and information program (Program). After reviewing the results of the producer referendum, a simple majority of industry producers who voted in the referendum are not in favor of establishing a Program, and therefore, the proposed rule is being withdrawn.

As of May 29, 2025, the proposed rule published December 10, 2024 (89 FR 99149) is withdrawn.

Maribel Reyna, Research and Promotion Division; Livestock and Poultry Program, AMS, USDA; Room 2092-S, STOP 0249; 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0249; telephone: (202) 302-1139; email: [email protected].