Why is grass so important?

DID YOU KNOW...
...1/3 of the entire picture of your home is the lawn? The first impression you convey of  hospitality and warmth is your yard.
...Ninety percent of the world's Kentucky bluegrass seed is grown in the Pacific Northwest.
...Growing Kentucky bluegrass for seed is considered a Best Management Practice (BMP) by the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

GROWING BLUEGRASS IN THE PRAIRIE MEANS:
1. A reduction of soil and wind erosion, thereby improving the water quality in our lakes and streams.

2. Bluegrass in a crop rotation helps to build and re-vitalize the soil.

3. Bluegrass makes Nezperce Prairie farms more profitable for the farmer while still working to improve the environment.

WHAT ABOUT THE BURNING?
Grass Growers burn to control diseases, to control weeds, to remove straw, to stimulate growth, to create a higher quality of seed to increase yields, and to control seed purity.

ARE THERE ANY ALTERNATIVES?
Grass Growers have been investing industry dollars in a tri-state effort to explore alternatives to burning. Research has included biotechnology strategies along with new methods of dealing with straw removal. So far, in 30 years of research, no viable alternatives to grass burning have been found.

From the tiny seeds of our Prairie come the finest grass seed in the world to keep our cities cool, clean and green.

Athletes have found that sports injuries are lessened on natural grass playing fields versus alternative turfs.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) estimates 265,000 tons of soil is saved each year by farming bluegrass as opposed to growing a crop other than grass.

Grass helps to purify the water, protects our aquifers, prevents runoff and erosion, releases oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide and other air pollutants, traps dust and dirt, preserves open spaces and adds to the economic value of one's property.

All of this from a blade of grass!