BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
American Sod Producers Association

April/May, 1994

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

PR/EDUCATION PROGRAM starts 
with toll-free number and refinements 
by Marketing Committee. (Page 1) 

WORKER PROTECTION laws 
slated to become effective April 15. 
are delayed until Jan. ‘95. (Page 1) 

SEED PURCHASING BOOKLET
being sent to all Class A & S members, 
to assist in buying decisions. (Page 2) 

PRICE OBJECTION ANALYSIS
may help producers realize greater 
profits. (Page 2) 
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
reviews liability insurance. (Page 3) 
MEMBER MARKETING TIP 
 the importance of remembering your 
customer’s view. (Page 3) 
DISASTER BOOKLET offers solid 
information and insights on making 
proper applications. (Page 4) 

HEALTH INSURANCE REPORT
will be required on Feb. 1, 1995, begin 
to gather information now. (Page 4) 
ASPA ACTION... wetlands issues 
moving ahead; White House calls on 
ASPA; farm safety surveys sought; 
disaster assistance and crop insurance 
programs being advanced. (Page 4)

1/800-405-TURF (8873) 
'Turf Resource Center' Activates Phone,  
Begins Service to Members & All Others

Toll-free phone service is now available to the ASP A office from anywhere in the 
U.S. and Canada. Dialing 1/800-405-TURF (800-405-8873), will connect the caller 
to a special unit in the ASPA office that will be promptly answered, "Turf Resource 
Center." In addition to making it easier and less expensive for members to call the 
ASPA office, the special phone will also become a very important part of ASPA’s 
developing public relations and education program. 

As part of ASPA’s new pr/education program, the special toll-free phone number 
will be featured on advertisements, news releases and special media kits that will be 
distributed to a wide variety of interested organizations, publications and individuals. 
These audiences will be encouraged to contact ASPA to obtain listings of sod 
producers in their area of interest, tips on sodding, information for possible articles or 
other facts related to the sod industry specifically or turfgrass generally. 

Please make a notation of this new number in your ASPA membership directory, or 
wherever you maintain the association’s phone number. Keep in mind that the phone 
will be answered only during normal office hours, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Central Time.

Marketing Committee Refines PR Program

For two days and a night, ASPA’s 
Marketing Committee met in suburban 
Chicago to review and refine a new 
public relations and education program 
about to be initiated by the organization. 
Chairman David Doguet of Crenshaw & 
Doguet Turfgrass, was joined by Vice 
Chairman Bryan Wood, Tip Top Turf 
and members Robert Johnson, Emerald 
Turfgrass; Michael McDermott, Grass

Pad Warehouse and Michelle Williams, 
Lofts Seed, as well as ASPA’s Executive 
Director Doug Fender and "Turf News” 
Editor Wendell Mathews. 
Recommendations being forwarded to 
the ASPA Board include the 
development of reprint/handouts from 
"Turf News,” placement of paid ads in 
specific trade publications, a media kit 
supported by numerous news releases 
and increased efforts to place 
knowledgeable people on the educational 
programs of other groups. In addition, 
both this newsletter and "Turf News” 
magazine will provide members with up- 
to-date ideas and materials they can 
incorporate into their own public 
relations programs. 
A new
communications assistant position is 
being added to the ASPA staff to help 
implement this program. 
Details of the entire program will be 
announced to the members shortly after 
the April 16-17 Spring meeting of the 
ASPA Board of Trustees which will be 
held in Ashville, NC.

Congress Delays Enforcement Of  

Worker Protection Standards to Jan. '95

Hearing the concerns of ASPA and 
other farm related groups, Congress 
agreed to delay enforcement of the 
EPA’s new Worker Protection Standards 
from April 15, 1994 until January 1, 
995. While President Clinton has not 
yet signed the bill, it is expected to 
become law and provide farmers eight 
more months to prepare for complete 
compliance with the complicated new set

of regulations. ASPA joined the Nat’l 
Council of Ag. Employers, and the Nat’l 
Assn of State Departments of Ag. in 
order to achieve this important delay.
While many of the complex rules have 
delayed enforcement, worker notifica­
tion requirements for toxicity category I 
pesticides and restricted reentry intervals 
will remain in effect, with some easing.
(See Worker Protection, Page 2)

Jacklin, Lofts, Scotts Contribute Funds 

ASPA Seed Quality Booklet  

To Assist In Purchasing Decision

“Turfgrass Seed...A Key To Success Or 
a Formula To Failure...In Turfgrass Sod 
Production” is being mailed to all Class 
A and S members of ASPA as this issue 
of the newsletter is being printed. The 
20-page publication, containing articles 
that originally appeared in “Turf News” 
magazine is designed to remove some of 
the mystery from purchasing high 
quality turfgrass seed. 

Financial support from Jacklin Seed
Company, Lofts Seed, Inc., and O.M. 
Scott & Sons Company made it possible 
for ASPA to compile, print and 
distribute this new publication to its 
members as an added benefit.

As the publication was being 
developed, Darwin McKay, chairman of 
ASPA’s Ad Hoc Committee on ASPA 
Sod Quality Seed Purity Guidelines, and 
Ed Zuckerman, chairman of ASPA’s 
Production Techniques Committee re­
viewed the contents of the publication 
and made suggestions for its 
improvement and value to the members. 

Beginning with a 1988 article on 
mixtures and blends, the publication 
concludes with the 1993 article that 
describes the seed-buying guidelines 
adopted by ASPA for its members’ 
possible use to help them be certain they 
were receiving what they purchased.

Do you ever hear, "Your price is too high" 

Analyze Price Objections

After one of the harshest winters on 
record, turfgrass sod farms in the 
Northern Hemisphere are starting to 
gear-up for the rush of Spring. With that 
comes the need to establish season- 
opening price points. While some farm 
owners will look only at the needs of 
immediate cash flow, others will take 
the longer look and examine not only 
last year’s prices, but anticipated 
demands and available inventory. 
Eventually, prices will be established, if

If 99.9% Is Good Enough: 
...2 million documents would be 
lost by the IRS this year; 
. . .811,000 faulty rolls of film 
would be sold this year; 
... 18,322 pieces of mail would be 
mishandled in the next hour; 
. . . 107 wrong medical procedures 
will be performed today. 

How much inferior sod will 
you farm sell this year if even 
99.9% is good enough?

not by the owner, then perhaps by his 
competitors, who may or may not have 
the same views of the industry, its 
future or even what production costs 
really are. No matter where a farm sets 
its price, if it consistently hears buyers 
complain that, “The price is too high” 
an analysis of the objections is in order. 
Marketing consultant John Graham 
suggests the following causes for this 
comment: 

1. Your prices really are too high 
2. Perceptions of the product’s value 

don't mesh with the price 

3.  Your company is viewed as a 
vendor, so price is the only 
consideration 

4.  Your sod is not sufficiently 
differentiated from your less expensive 
competition 

5. You are trying to sell to the wrong 

markets 

customers 

6.  You are out of touch with your 

7.  Your customers haven’t been 
shown that they also buy your company 
when they purchase your sod. 
Price is only one selling point, you 
must examine the total package.

Worker Protection  
Standards Delayed 
(Continued from Page 1)

Information in the March/April issue of 
“Turf News,” as well as the special 
Gempler’s fliers that is enclosed with this 
issue of the newsletter should be of major 
assistance to ASPA members in their 
efforts to be in full compliance with this 
new set of regulations. In addition, 
Congress, as part of its new law, will 
require the EPA to develop and distribute 
by September 23, 1994, pesticide safety 
training materials and to assist federal 
state and tribal agencies in implementing 
the education and training materials 
needed for the program. 

As part of the compromised reached 
with the EPA, specific worker protection 
requirements that appear directly on the 
label must be enforced and workers will 
be allowed to reenter a restricted area 
only when the following four conditions 
are met: 1. no hand labor is performed; 
2. no such entry is allowed for the first 
four hours after application; or 3. until 
the inhalation exposure level has been 
reached and 4. label specified personal 
protective equipment is provided in a 
clean and operating condition. 

To assist ASPA members in locating 
much of the educational material and 
personal protective equipment that will 
be necessitated by the regulations, a copy 
of the Gemplers, Inc., flier is enclosed 
with this newsletter. This action does not 
constitute an endorsement of Gemplers 
on ASPA’s part, but is provided as a 
service to the membership.

Even Minor Injuries 

Must Go on OSHA 200 Log

Failure to properly log strains, 
sprains and lacerations cost a 
firm over $25-thousand in fines 
for not being entered on the 
OSHA 200 Log. Moral: Log 
ALL workplace injuries. there 
are NO insignificant injuries.

Vol. 10 No. 2A2 
1994 WPS Training Materials Mini Catalog
GEMPLER'S™
Leaders in Safety Supply to Agriculture and Horticulture

One-Stop Source  
for EPA Worker  
Protection  
Standard  
Training  
Materials

EPA Heat Stress Guide

...as 
released 
by EPA in 
March 1994
This 56-page 
manual was written 
to help private and 
commercial pesti­
cide applicators 
and agricultural 
employers protect 
their workers from 
heat illness. It 
applies recognized 
heat stress 
management 
principles to the 
particular conditions 
of agriculture. 8V2 x 
11" format; printed 
on hard cover book 
stock. Complete 
reproduction of 
official EPA 
version. Illustrated.

Order No. HW77

1-11  
$3.50/ea.

12-24  
$2.95/ea.

25-999  
$2.50/ea.

1000+  
$1.95/ea.

SAMPLER of all our  
available printed WPS  
training materials 
... convenient way to determine the 
applicability to your situation and quality 
of our reproductions 
Sampler Kit contains one each of these official EPA 
materials: 
•  How to Comply Manual -

What Employers Need to Know, 144 pages 

•  Training Handbooks 

Workers’ Guide - 48 pages  
Handlers’ Guide -106 pages 

•  Flip chart for Worker Training, 

84 pages and binder/easel, 

Growers’ grade - heavy duty 

•  Training Notebook for Worker Training, 34 pages 
•  Pesticide Safety Poster, 23 "x35"; full color 
•  Quick Reference Guide Poster, 

17"x22"; two color 

•  GEMPLER’S Reference Guide to WPS, 156 pages,  

contains official How to Comply Manual, plus  
product advertising for safety equipment and  
signage required for WPS compliance.
Order No. 1499A  $23.00/kit

Payment options: Purchase order (terms net 30 days), check, or  

Freight: F.O.B. Mt. Horeb. Wl Quotes: Call for quotations on quantities of 10,000 or more of any item

To order CALL 1-800-382-8473 or FAX 1-800-551-1128 Specify order code 102A2

Official EPA Training Publications

About our reproductions of official  
EPA Worker Protection Standard  
training materials .. .
All materials on this page are complete reproductions of 
official EPA formats. The only GEMPLER’S notation is 
a re-order number, list price, and phone number which 
appears in small print at the end of each material (they 
do not include any advertising messages). Cost-effective 
paper stock and binding methods have been used so 
that our publications are 50-70% less than what the 
Government Printing Office charges for the same item.
Special Quotations
Please call or fax us for quotations of 10,000 or more of 
any item listed in this mini catalog. Ask for Trisha Cox 
or Steve Schlecht.

HANDLER &  
EMPLOYER  
TRAINING
Handler Handbook
Official “Handler Guide” as developed by 
EPA and the USDA Extension Service. 
Comprehensive training manual, written in 
terms that employees can understand with 
good use of illustrations and trainer’s notes. 
8 1/2"xll" official format printed in black 
ink on newsprint. 106 pages.
12-24  
Order No.  
HW30
$.75/ea.

25-999 
$.65/ea.

1-11 
$.95/ea.

WORKER  
TRAINING

Worker Handbook
... bilingual, low cost... written in terms  
that employees can understand
Employers of EPA-defined workers (those who 
do harvesting, pruning, weeding or watering tasks) 
will want to use this 48-page handbook which con­
tains all the information required by the Worker 
Protection Standard. Illustrations (heavily used) 
and language are in terms employees can 
understand. 8 1/2"x11" format printed in black ink 
on newsprint. Purchased from the Government 
Printing Office, this handbook will cost you $3.00.
1000+ 
Order No. 
HW20
$.30/ea.
Training Notebook
Trainers of “workers” will want to use this official 
EPA format which to date has been printed no 
where else. Provides useful WPS background and 
recommendations for effective training on how to 
cover the 11 worker training concepts. 32 loose­
leaf sheets printed on standard paper; 3-hole 
punched for insertion into your binder. 
25-999  
Order No. 
HW55
$1.55

25-999 
$.33/ea.

12-24  
$.39/ea.

1-11 
$.49/ea.

1000+ 
$1.35

12-24 
$1.75

1-11 
$1.95

1000+
$.53ea.

Flipchart with Easel
... available in two grades 
This portable, easy-to-use training tool 
covers all WPS “worker” training require­
ments. Flipchart is EPA approved. 
Audience sees illustrations on one side 
of flipchart while trainer reads from 
bilingual notes on backside. 11 "wide x 17" 
tall sheets hang from pop-up, heavy-duty 
tripod/binder. 3-ring binder feature allows 
states to add additional material as 
needed. 84 pages.
Professional Trainers’ Grade
For repeated use. Weather-, wind-resistant 
plastic laminated pages with heavy-duty 
tripod/binder.

How to Comply Manual...  
What Employers Need to Know
This 144-page manual provides the information 
necessary to comply with the requirements of 
the 1992 Federal Worker Protection Standard. 
Over 950,000 employers covered by this 
Standard should have one. 
From the Government Printing Office this 
publication costs $8.50 each. We have reprinted 
the official federal format on newsprint and 
removed some 38 blank pages in the official 
version, saving both trees and expense. 
8 1/2"x11" format.
Order No.  
HW40
Training Video for both HANDLERS and WORKERS
... includes both English and Spanish sections 

Order No. FC100

25-999 
$.85

1000+  
$.55

12-24 
$1.00

1-11 
$1.50

1-11 

$29.95/ea.

12-24 
$28.00/ea.

25+ 

$26.95/ea.

Growers’ Grade
This lower-cost version has same features as Professional Trainer’s version 
except heavy 80 lb. paper is used for pages.

Order No. FC198 $19.95/ea. $18.50/ea. $17.95/ea.

EPA-approved, this training video was professionally produced by the University of Idaho Ag Communications 

group and was specifically designed to meet EPA-WPS training requirements. Video contains two 
16-minute sections, one for worker training and the other for handler training. Spanish 16-minute versions 
of same, follow on tape. Satisfies WPS content requirements. VHS format.

Order No. V100

1-11 videos  
$29.95/ea.

12-24 videos  
$26.95/ea.

25-999 videos  

$23.96/ea.

1000+ videos  
$20.95/ea.

To order call: 1-800-382-8473 or FAX 1-800-551-1128 

Specify order code 102A2

WPS Field Warning Signs

Official EPA Posters

Standard EPA  
14"x16" Signs
This EPA-approved sign has correct legend/ 
size. Select from two sign material grades.
A. Low-Cost Plastic Signs 
Weather-resistant, reusable signs. 

Order No. D2310
1-24 
25-99 
$1.59/ea.

100-999 
$1.29/ea.

1000+  
$1.15/ea.

$1.95/ea.
B. Corrugated Plastic Signs
Same as above, but offered in a heavier 
gauge, wind and weather-resistant fluted 
plastic signs for repeated use. 
Order No. D1895
25-99 
$3.25/ea.

100-999 
$2.95/ea.

$3.95/ea.

1-24 

1000+  
$2.37/ea.

Warning Sign with  
Application Data
This EPA-accepted sign provides extra space for 
naming the pesticide used, date of application 
and when the Restricted-Entry Interval expires. 
Size 14"x21". Available in two materials.
A. Low-Cost Plastic Order No. D2398
1000+  
$1.35/ea.
B. Corrugated Plastic Order No. D1899
1000+ 
$2.87/ea.

25-99  
$3.95/ea.

1-24 
$4.50/ea.

100-999 
$1.50/ea.

100-999 
$3.50/ea.

1-24 
$2.35/ea.

25-99  
$1.95/ea.

Small Warning Sign
.. .for individual potted plants,  
greenhouse benches, certain  
nursery situations 
EPA allows for an exception in the size of the 
warning sign for certain situations. These reusable 
plastic signs are 5"x5" and include a 16" plastic 
bendable PVC stake that fits into the fluted plastic 
sign placard. Waterproof. 

Order No. D3318

1-99 signs  
$.37/ea.

100-999 signs  

1000+ signs  

$.29/ea.

$.22/ea.

Permanent Hinged  
Sign Simplifies  
Posting
For areas frequently treated, this 
hinged sign can be installed for a 
season. When posting is required, 
simply flip up top half panel for 
sign to show. Made of high 
density polyethylene with UV 
inhibitors to prevent fading. 
14"xl6" size; color and legend 
meet WPS requirements.

1-9 signs 
$7.95/ea.

1-4 
Order No. D2000
$.75/ea.
Payment options: Purchase Order (terms net 30 days), check, or
Freight: F.O.B. Mt. Horeb, WI

500+ signs  
$5.14/ea.

10-49 signs  
$6.50/ea.

50-499 signs  

$5.72/ea.

WPS Full-Color Pesticide  
Safety Poster
This poster must be displayed on agricultural 
establishments at a central location. Poster is 23"x35" 
and is a full-color reproduction of the official EPA 
format. Pictorials have Spanish and English captions. 
Printed on card stock for durability. Folded. 

Order No. P928
5-24 
$1.00/ea.

1-4 

25-99  
$.75/ea.

100-999 
$.72/ea.

1000+ 
$.67/ea.

$1.50/ea.
Weatherproof Safety Poster
... ideal for display in wet, humid environments 
Same poster as above but laminated with heavy plastic 
film on both sides to resist water and weather changes. 
23x35". 

Order No. P928L

$6.50/ea.

1-4  

5-24 
$5.35/ea.

25+  

$4.95/ea.

WPS Quick Reference 
Guide Poster
Handy guide to employers’ WPS duties. 17"x22" 
two-color reproduction of the official EPA format. 
Cardstock; folded. 
Order No. P977

5-24 
$.64/ea.

25-99  
$.58/ea.

100-999 
$.54/ea.

1000+ 
$.49/ea.

Training Kits

PPE Training Kit
... includes FRED, our 5'10" manikin
For WPS training, we have a new kit that 
includes a life-size manikin. Made of 
durable 350# doublewall cardboard, this 

manikin assembles in 
two minutes and is 
designed so that the 
respirator, goggles and 
baseball hat fit securely. 
It’s reusable, easy to 
store and lightweight 
for travel. 

MANIKIN is balanced to 
self-stand. No external 

supports are required.

GEMPLER’S 
Central  
Posting  
Kit
Handy for 
demonstrating WPS 
“central posting” 
requirements 
Each Central Posting 
Kit contains one each 
of the following...
Description
A. GEMPLER’S 10"xl2", .050 Plastic  

EMERGENCY MEDICAL FACILITY Sign

B. EPA’s Official 23"x35" Full Color   

PESTICIDE SAFETY Poster

C. GEMPLER’S 50-sheet 8 1/2"x11" PESTICIDE  

APPLICATION POSTING Tablet

Catalog Price

$5.95/ea.

$1.50/ea.

$2.95/ea.

D. EPA’s Official 17"x22" 

Quick Reference Guide Poster 
(Summarizes compliance requirements of Worker Protection Standard. Not required for

 Central Posting, but helpful information.)

$ .75/ea.

Kit contains PPE for complete head-to-toe protection: 

1 - 5'10" MANIKIN with its own 12 1/2"Wx49"L X 2"D storage box 
1 - white TYVEK chemical-resistant coverall 
1 pr. NITRILE green, chemical-resistant gloves 
1 - indirectly-vented chemical splash goggles 
1 - NIOSH-approved dual-cartridge respirator with one set of pesticide  

cartridges and pre-filters 

1 pr. yellow latex chemical-resistant booties 
1 - liquid-proof yellow overcap (fits over your cap)

Other Kit contents not pictured: 

1 - PVC green chemical-resistant 35"x45" apron 
1 - EPA-approved 14”xl6” field WARNING sign 
1 - GEMPLER’S WPS Reference Guide with official How to Comply  

Manual, 156 pages
Kit - shipped in two boxes  
Fred, our 5'10" manikin, ONLY

Order No.

1-5/kits
1295A
$59.50/ea.
6697A $10.95/ea.

6-24 /kits
$53.00/ea.
$ 9.95/ea.

25+/kits
$49.00/ea.
$ 8.95/ea.

Order No. 1019B

ONLY $7.80/kit

$11.15 Value

Your One-Stop Source for...  

Low-Cost  
EPA / WPS  
Training 
Materials

Extra copies  
of this Mini  
Catalog are  
available at  
no charge. 
Request Order  
No. EPA-MC  
when calling ...
1-800-382-8473

GEMPLER’S
P.O. Box 270 
211 Blue Mounds Road 
Mt. Horeb,WI 53572

Bulk Rate
U.S. Postage

PAID

GEMPLER’S, Inc.

Printed in the U.S.A.
Copyrighted © 1994 GEMPLER’S, Inc.
Mt. Horeb, WI U.S.A. Prices guaranteed through December 31,1994.
FID #39-1564801

We Reserve The Right To Correct Layout & Printing Errors.

Order Code = 102A2

GEMPLER’S™
WPS Reference Guide
Includes complete official version of EPA’s 
"How to Comply Manual" for employers 
plus technical information on pesticide 
safety, as well as a complete product guide 
for safety equipment and signage required 
for WPS compliance. 156 pages. 

Order No. EPA-HTC

1-24 

$1.00/ea.

25-99  
$.75/ea.

100-999 
$.55/ea.

1000+ 
$.35/ea.

Taking Care Of Business By Rob Stephens, Stephens Turf Farms  

Little Rock, Arkansas

LIABILITY, Are You Covered?

With expotential increases in monetary 
damage awards for personal injury 
judgements, and the “See you in court!” 
mentality of today, now is a good time to 
review your liability insurance coverage. 
Think of the worst possible scenario and 
then ask yourself if your insurance will 
cover the liability exposure. Other than 
car and truck liability insurance, here are 
some items to look for when you are 
reviewing your coverages: 

Operations and premises coverage. 
All farm owners need insurance to 
protect general farm operations on AND 
off of their premises. This coverage will 
provide protection for non-employee 
bodily injury and property damage that 
might arise in the course of the business 
operations. A good item to check for is 
premises liability coverage. This would 
pay medical expenses, to a limit, for 
accidents to customers or visitors to your 
farm, no matter who is at fault. 

Product liability coverage. This may 
seem a bit strange for a turf farm, but if 
you provide sod to athletic fields or 
public facilities there is possible 
exposure due to injuries resulting from 
activities on your turfgrass. This might 
occur whether your farm installed the 
sod or not.

Hired and non-owned vehicles 
coverage. This insurance provides 
coverage for accidents by your 
employees using their vehicles on 
company business and also leased 
vehicles and their drivers. This is almost 
a requirement for any business. 

Directors’ and officers’ liability 
coverage. Make sure your policy covers 
all your employees, corporate officers 
and any one affiliated with your farming 
operations. Attorneys like to name as 
defendants in liability suits anyone even 
remotely associated with the case as a 
catch-all tactic. Likewise, be sure you 
are covered personally if you serve as an 
officer or director of another entity. Get 
a certificate of insurance from that 
entity’s insurance company providing 
coverage for you while serving in an 
official capacity. 

Umbrella policies. Umbrella policies 
will provide additional monetary 
coverage in excess of 1 million dollars to 
your existing liability insurance policy. 
A rule of thumb is to have at least enough 
dollar amount coverage for all of your 
assets and defense costs associated with 
a claim against you. Only you can 
determine what you feel comfortable 
with. Many businesses carry umbrella 
coverage because it costs very little to 

have and provides a great amount of 
security. 

Certificates of insurance and binders.
Make sure independent contractors you 
hire have adequate insurance coverage by 
getting certificates of insurance from their 
insurance companies before they start 
working for you. When buying vehicles 
or equipment, contact your insurance 
agent and bind coverage immediately 
after purchase and before heading back to 
the farm. 

Contact your insurance company and
arrange for a loss control agent to review 
your liability exposures. This is usually 
done at no cost to you and it will also 
identify potential accidents before they 
happen. 

In general, familiarize yourself with all 
of your insurance policies and ask 
questions of your insurance agent. 
Sometimes the cheapest insurance isn’t 
the best or the right coverage for your 
farm’s operations. Research the 
insurance company when asking for 
quotes. Look for claim payment history 
by contacting your state’s insurance 
commission. Make sure the insurance 
company you buy from will stick with 
you if you have to “See somebody in 
court!”

Member Marketing Tip By Harold Humphries, South West  

Instant Lawn, Boyanup, Australia

Remember Your Customer’s View

Every now and again, a customer will 
make some awkward request of you, to 
assist with some problem that the 
customer is facing. 
In such cases, if you cannot help in the 
way requested, by taking a moment to 
look at the situation from your 
customer’s point of view, you may be 
bible to make some positive suggestion as 
to what you can do to help out. 
For Example: Your customer’s project is 
supposed to be completed for an official 

opening on Saturday. However, the 
reticulation (water and sewer service) is 
behind schedule. Your customer has 
been told it will be functional by Friday, 
but he has his reservations about it. 

Your customer requests, in effect, that 
you be on standby for an immediate 
delivery when he has his water in 
operation. Naturally, this is during your 
busiest time of year. 

From your customer’s point of view, he 
cannot commit himself to receiving the 
lawn, in hot weather, until he knows he 
will be able to get water on it. But this 

may be too late for you to schedule a 
delivery in time to meet his deadline. 

It might be feasible to suggest, “If you 
can let us know by 11 am, Friday, we 
could keep our harvesting team going, if 
you could arrange transport to pick the 
turf up from the farm.” 

Even if your suggestion does not 
overcome the problem, at least your 
customers will appreciate that you were 
prepared to do what you could to assist.

ASPA welcomes volunteer authors for both 
“Taking Care of Business” and “Member 
Marketing Tip.”

Disaster Assistance  

Guide Available

An excellent, well-written and very 
informative new book entitled, 
“Farmers’ Guide to Disaster 
Assistance,” is now available from the 
Farmers’ Legal Action Group (FLAG).
Nearly a half-inch thick, the 8 1/2 by
11-inch publication provides detailed 
examples of the steps that must be taken 
and the forms that must be used. 
Copies can be purchased by farmers 
and nonprofit organizations at a cost of 
just $12.95 from FLAG, Disaster Guide, 
46 East 4th St., Suite 1301, St. Paul 
MN, 55101. 
FLAG is a nonprofit, tax-exempt law 
firm that provides legal and technical 
assistance to farmers, ranchers and 
attorneys. The disaster guidebook was 
funded in part by a grant from FARM 
AID which has distributed more than 
$11.5 million in grants to farm groups 
in 44 states.

Employee Health Insurance  

Report Mow Required

On or before Feb. 1, 1995, all 
employers who provide medical 
insurance must report the employees’ 
name, Social Security number, type of 
coverage, period of time covered and 
details of the insurance company. 
Although a form has not been 
completed, employers should begin to 
capture this information now rather 
than waiting until year’s end.

ASPA Action

SOD FARM WETLANDS DEFINITIONS SEEN AS VERY POSITIVE

Sod farming will now be clearly defined as a farming operation within the 
definitions of wetlands, in an understanding reached by ASPA and authors of a 
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) drafted by the Environmental Protection 
Agency, Soil Conservation Service, Army Corps of Engineers and the Fish & 
Wildlife Service. Although the MOA defines fanning as related to the production 
of food and fiber, seemingly eliminating sod farming, it also stipulates that 
“intensively used or managed lands,” will also quality. ASPA, because of its efforts 
in this area, has received assurances that the field handbook will stipulate the 
inclusion of sod fanning. 

On the legislative front, ASPA has also been successful in bringing former 
inconsistencies to the attention of both Senators and Congressmen working on 
various parts of the Clean Water Act. ASPA members in state’s whose elected 
officials sit on major committees have been very effective in writing letters to 
support and expand the industry’s position. 

Both the Administrative and Legislative actions are designed to ensure that 
sod farming receives treatment equal to all other agriculture, a situation that has not 
previously existed because of a Corps of Engineers ruling that decided sod farming 
was not farming. 

ASPA RESPONDS TO WHITE HOUSE INVITATION REQUEST

At the request of the White House, ASPA provided the names of its 

Michigan members so they could be invited to a special presentation by President 
Clinton at the G-7 Jobs Conference in Detroit. The G-7 meeting brought together 
the seven largest free-market countries to discuss jobs expansions in the world.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE & CROP INSURANCE RECEIVING ACTION

With help from ASPA, more and more disaster relief applications are 
receiving action and response. Please provide the ASPA office with any 
information you may have regarding your own application, to help create a 
complete file on this matter and make ASPA aware of any problems you may have. 
On a related issue, ASPA has begun efforts to ensure that sod farms will be included 
in legislation being proposed by the US Dept. of Ag. that would establish crop 
insurance programs and eliminate any future disaster assistance programs. As of its 
initial writing, the law focused only on “food and fiber.” Such a program would be 
unacceptable to the turfgrass sod industry.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
American Sod Producers Association 

1855-A Hicks Road, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

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Rolling Meadows, IL 60008  

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