The University of Georgia
Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
2006 Georgia Turfgrass Industry
CR-09-06
April, 2009
Prepared by: Kent Wolfe, Audrey Luke-Morgan, John Prescott
and John McKissick
.
Georgia Turfgrass Industry
Page
Summary ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Turf Maintenance Expenses.................................................................................................................... 4
Section 1. Single Family Dwellings............................................................................................................. 5
Section 2. Institutions................................................................................................................................. 10
Section 3. Golf Courses ............................................................................................................................. 17
Section 4. Commercial Turf Maintenance ................................................................................................. 21
Section 5. Economic Impact Analysis ....................................................................................................... 23
Appendix A. Commercial Properties .................................................................................................... 27
Appendix B. Churches ........................................................................................................................... 32
Appendix C. Multiple Family Dwellings.............................................................................................. 37
Appendicies D-H ........................................................................................................................................ 42
Section 6. Methods and Procedures ........................................................................................................... 44
2
.
SUMMARY
The 2006 Georgia Turfgrass Survey found that $3.97 billion was spent to maintain turf in
the state of Georgia. The equipment used for turf maintenance was valued at $4.98 billion.
Single family dwellings were by far the largest sector of the state’s turfgrass industry.
They accounted for 70 percent of the maintenance expenditures and 81 percent of the turf
equipment value.
SECTOR
Single Family Dwellings
Institutions*
Golf Courses
Total
Maintenance
Expenses
(000)
$2,773,199
$1,124,067
$68,930
$3,966,196
Value of Turf
Equipment
(000)
$4,052,801
$796,966
$133,952
$4,983,719
* includes schools, sports teams, parks, cemeteries, prisons, airports, hospitals,
commercial properties, churches, and multi family dwellings.
AVERAGE EXPENSES AND EQUIPMENT VALUES
Golf courses as a sector were outspent 57 to 1 by single family dwellings and other
businesses, and they owned less than three percent of the state’s turf equipment. However, as
individual turf management units, golf courses owned more turf equipment and spent more in
2006 to maintain turf than other businesses and homeowners.
On average, a golf course spent $165,000 to maintain turf. This was 3.8 times the
maintenance expenditures for the average firm.
Maintenance Expenses Per Firm or Household
$200,000
$164,511
$150,000
$100,000
$43,496
$50,000
$1,085
$0
Golf Cours es
Institutions
3
Single Fam ily Dw e llings
.
On average, a golf course owned over $300,000 of turf equipment. This was more than
10 times the value of the equipment owned by the average firm and more than 200 times the
value of the average homeowner’s turf equipment.
Value of Turf Equipment Per Firm or Household
$400,000
$319,694
$300,000
$200,000
$100,000
$30,839
$1,586
$0
Golf Course s
Ins titutions
Single Fam ily Dw ellings
TURF MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
Labor was the biggest expense category in turf maintenance totaling $1.78 billion, 45
percent of all expenses. Equipment supplies and repairs were the second largest category with a
total of $952 million and 24 percent of the total. Miscellaneous expenses and pesticides
followed in size accounting for 21 percent and 10 percent of the total expenses, respectively.
Single family dwellings accounted for more expenses in each category than all other
sectors combined. This sector was responsible for 55 percent of labor expenses, 84 percent of
equipment supply and repair expenses, 81 percent of miscellaneous expenses, 80 percent of
pesticide expenses, and 70 percent of all turf maintenance expenses. Institutions totaled $1.12
billion, while golf courses accounted for $70 million of the $3.97 billion spent on turf
maintenance.
Major Expense Categories
SECTOR
Single Family Dwellings
Institutions
Golf Courses
Total
Labor
(000)
$974,010
$803,355
$4,817
$1,782,182
Equipment
Supplies and
Repairs
(000)
$804,397
$129,318
$19,145
$952,860
4
Miscellaneous
(000)
$685,748
$127,354
$30,128
$843,230
Pesticides
(000)
$308,374
$64,039
$14,840
$387,253
Total
Expenses
(000)
$2,772,529
$1,124,066
$68,930
$3,965,525
.
Section 1. SINGLE FAMILY DWELLINGS
GENERAL STATISTICS
In 2006, the 2.56 million owners of single family dwellings in Georgia purchased $984
million and owned a grand total of $4.05 billion of turf equipment. Members of the average
single family dwelling spent 9.9 hours mowing and 6.8 hours performing other turf maintenance
activities per month.
General Information
Number of Single Family Dwellings
Value of Turf Equipment
Annual Equipment Purchases
Annual Maintenance Expenses
Annual Equipment Leases
Average
$1,586
$385
$110
$25
Total
2,555,944
$4,052,801,117
$983,742,995
$280,508,958
$64,372,726
PRINCIPLE TYPES OF GRASS
Bermuda turf areas were present in nearly half of the single family dwelling lawns.
Centipede was second with 29 percent.
Principle Types of Grass
50.0%
45.9%
40.0%
29.3%
30.0%
20.0%
16.2%
10.9% 8.6% 8.3%
10.0%
9.8%
7.5%
4.5%
2.6% 2.3%
0.8% 0.4%
5
r
th
e
ss
tg
ra
en
B
Reported as percentage of households with each turf type.
O
s
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B
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31
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B
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/F
es
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R
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gr
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s
0.0%
.
TURF MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
Homeowners spent $2.77 billion to maintain turf. Labor was the most expensive
category, accounting for 84 percent of the total. Labor accounted for 3.5% of expenses,
equipment 29% expense, miscellaneous expenses were 24.7% and pesticides were 11.1% of
expenses.
Type of Expense
Labor
Mowing Labor
Irrigation Labor
Pesticide Application Labor
Fertilizer Application Labor
Other Labor
Total Labor
Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Mowing Supplies
Mowing Repairs
Irrigation Repairs
Total Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Miscellaneous Expenses
Fertilizer
Lime
Seed
Sod and Sprigs
Soil Test
Topsoil
Mulch
Growth Regulators
Fuel and Oil
Total Miscellaneous Expenses
Pesticides
Weed Control
Insect Control
Disease Control
Total Pesticides
Total Expenses
Dollars
$500,295,146
$34,081,444
$95,053,306
$90,792,442
$253,787,499
$974,009,836
18.0
1.2
3.4
3.3
< 9.2
35.1
$518,600,326
$170,838,204
$114,958,039
$804,396,569
18.7
6.2
4.1
29.0
$138,834,539
$32,915,406
$64,956,921
$71,486,559
$8,909,291
$71,937,243
$144,437,322
$6,066,107
$146,204,233
$685,747,620
5.0
< 1.2
< 2.3
2.6
< 0.3
< 2.6
5.2
< 0.2
5.3
24.7
$160,990,302
$105,224,179
$42,159,552
$308,374,033
$2,772,528,058
5.8
3.8
< 1.5
11.1
100.0
Average Expenses Per Dwelling
6
% of Total
.
$500
$381
$400
$315
$268
$300
$200
$121
$100
$0
Equipm ent
Supplies and
Repairs
Pe sticides
Mis cellane ous
Expens es
Labor
INFORMATION SOURCES
Single family dwelling occupants largely trusted garden centers for information
pertaining to turf. The next most common sources of turf information were peers and lawn care
companies. Of the households who went to other sources for turf information, most (15.3
percent) relied on the internet. Fifteen percent of households asked the University of Georgia
Cooperative Extension Service when they had turf questions.
Percent Utilizing Each Source
Percent
35.1
21.9
17.7
15.0
6.0
3.0
1.8
24.9
Information Source
Garden Centers
Peers
Lawn Care Companies
Extension Service
Magazines
Newspapers
Television/Radio
Other
Reported as the percentage using each information source as one of their top three sources for information.
TURF MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS
Weeds presented the most turf management problems for households. Almost 71 percent
had trouble with weeds, while insects and labor were only problems 24 and 20 percent of the
time, respectively. Other problems included, but were not limited to, animals, trees, information,
and slope.
Percent Reporting Each Problem
Management
Problems
Weeds
Insects
Labor
7
Percent
70.6
23.8
20.1
.
Poor Soil
Shade
Drought
Erosion
Drainage
Budget
Traffic
Disease
Thatch
Equipment
Other
18.2
16.6
16.3
8.8
8.6
6.1
5.9
4.3
3.2
2.4
11.2
Reported as the percentage declaring each problem as one of their top three sources for turf management difficulties.
MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Fertilization, weed control, and insect control were practiced by over half of the state’s
households, with fertilization being the most prevalent. Irrigation, disease control, and
aerification were practiced by more than 20 percent.
Percent Reporting Each Activity
Maintenance Activity
Fertilization
Weed Control
Insect Control
Irrigation
Disease Control
Aerification
Dethatching
Overseeding
Renovation
Soil Test: Private
Soil Test: State
Tissue Test
Other
Percent
69.0
65.1
54.0
32.8
24.3
22.7
16.5
14.7
12.9
7.0
4.7
2.1
1.3
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Seventy-one percent of single family dwellings reported having irrigation systems.
However, 61 percent of these systems were not installed.
Percent Reporting Each Type of System
Irrigation System
Hoses and Sprinklers
Installed Sprinklers, Automatic
Installed Sprinklers, Manual
None
8
Percent
42.9
18.7
9.2
29.2
.
PERSON MOST RESPONSIBLE FOR TURF MAINTENANCE
Male family members predominantly had most responsibility for the lawn. A female
member of the family had the largest responsibility 19 percent of the time.
Most Responsible
Male Family Member
Female Family Member
Lawn Service Company
Gardener
Other
Percent
66.5
19.3
9.0
1.8
3.5
CLIPPING DISPOSAL
Of the 41 percent of homes that removed grass clippings from their lawns, 37 percent
used the clippings in on-site composting. Fifty-nine percent never removed grass clippings from
the lawn.
Lawn Clipping Disposal Frequency
Disposal Frequency
None
Every Mowing
After Heavy Growth
Rarely
Other
Lawn Clipping Disposal Method
Percent
58.9
21.4
10.2
5.2
4.2
Method
On-Site Composting
Garbage Collection
Yard Waste Collection
Drop-Off Site
Burning
Other
Percent
36.9
28.8
21.3
8.1
1.9
3.1
INCOME AND HOME VALUE
The majority of households earned less than $85,000 in 2006 and resided in homes which
valued less than $200,000.
Gross Income for Single Family
Dwelling Occupants
Income
Under $25,000
$25,000 - $54,999
$55,000 - $84,999
$85,000 - $104,999
$105,000 and Over
Values of Single Family Dwellings
Value
Under $50,000
$50,000 - $99,999
$100,000 - $149,999
$150,000 - $199,999
$200,000 - $299,999
$300,000 and Over
Percent
10.2
20.8
28.6
11.4
29.0
Percent
3.4
11.7
18.1
19.1
24.5
23.2
LOT ACREAGE
The majority of single family dwellings were situated on one acre of land or more.
Approximately half of the average home’s lot was turf area.
9
.
Lot Size Distribution
1/4 Acre
9%
> 1 Acre
37%
1/3 Acre
7%
1/2 Acre
15%
2/3 Acre
2%
3/4 Acre
13%
1 Acre
17%
Section 2. INSTITUTIONS
GENERAL STATISTICS
Institutions owned $30,839 worth of turf equipment on average. As a sector they spent
another $7.15 million leasing equipment.
Average
$30,839
$4,839
$4,039
$277
General Information*
Number of Institutions
Value of Turf Equipment
Annual Maintenance Expenses
Annual Equipment Purchases
Annual Equipment Leases
Total
25,843
$796,966,400
$125,063,627
$104,378,515
$7,149,520
*Due to a low response rate, the institution sector includes schools, sports teams, parks,
cemeteries, prisons, airports, hospitals, commercial properties, churches, and multi family
dwellings. See pages 24-31 for statistics for commercial properties, churches, and multi family
dwellings based on limited sample sizes.
PRINCIPLE TYPES OF GRASS
Bermuda was the most common turf type for institutions, being present in 44 percent of
institution lawns. Centipede was present on 34 percent of their properties.
Principle Types of Grass
10
.
50.0%
43.9%
40.0%
33.7%
30.0%
20.3% 18.5%
20.0%
18.6%
14.2%
8.7%
10.0%
4.8% 3.5%
3.0%
2.4%
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th
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B
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B
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m
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a
0.0%
Reported as percentage of institutions with each turf type.
TURF MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
Business owners spent the majority of their turf maintenance budgets on labor expenses,
totaling $803 million and accounting for 72 percent of maintenance expenses.
Type of Expense
Labor
Mowing Labor
Irrigation Labor
Pesticide Application Labor
Fertilizer Application Labor
Other Labor
Total Labor
Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Mowing Supplies
Mowing Repairs
Irrigation Repairs
Other Supplies and Repairs
Total Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Miscellaneous Expenses
Fertilizer
Lime
Seed
Sod and Sprigs
Soil Test
Topsoil
Mulch
11
Dollars
% of Total
$725,043,268
$22,998,617
$41,334,005
$6,917,011
$7,056,802
$803,349,704
64.5
2.0
3.7
0.6
0.6
71.5
$63,370,270
$28,073,059
$34,551,873
$3,334,364
$129,329,566
5.6
2.5
3.1
0.3
11.5
$27,239,321
$3,791,005
$13,110,858
$38,158,551
$229,023
$338,276
$10,494,939
2.4
0.3
1.2
3.4
< 0.1
< 0.1
0.9
.
Growth Regulators
Fuel and Oil
Other Expenses
Total Miscellaneous Expenses
Pesticides
Weed Control
Insect Control
Disease Control
Other Pesticides
Total Pesticides
Total Expenses
$1,204,356
$20,818,484
$11,981,931
$127,366,743
0.1
1.9
1.1
11.3
$59,388,720
$4,069,097
$518,415
$69,233
$64,045,465
$1,124,091,478
5.3
0.4
< 0.1
< 0.1
5.7
100.0
Average Expenses Per Institution
$40,000
$31,086
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$5,004
$4,928
$2,478
$0
Equipm e nt
Supplie s and
Re pairs
Pe s ticide s
M is ce llane ous
Expe ns e s
Labor
INFORMATION SOURCES
Institutions most commonly trusted lawn care companies when they had turf-related
questions. Approximately 25 percent also relied on the Cooperative Extension Service, garden
centers, and peers.
Percent Utilizing Each Source
Information Source
Lawn Care Companies
Extension Service
Garden Centers
Peers
Magazines
Newspapers
Television/Radio
Other
Percent
33.3
26.1
22.6
22.5
2.5
0.5
0.2
17.8
Reported as the percentage using each information source as one of their top three sources for information.
TURF MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS
12
.
The most prevalent problem in the institutional setting was weed control. Weeds posed a
problem for 55 percent of turf managers. Drought and poor soil were the second and third most
common problems, affecting 43 percent and 35 percent of institutions, respectively.
Percent Reporting Each Problem
Management
Problems
Weeds
Drought
Poor Soil
Budget
Traffic
Labor
Shade
Equipment
Insects
Erosion
Thatch
Drainage
Disease
Nematodes
Other
Percent
54.6
42.9
34.9
25.8
21.6
19.0
11.3
10.8
9.1
6.8
5.5
4.8
0.6
0.2
2.3
Reported as the percentage declaring each problem as one of their top three sources for turf management difficulties.
MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Weed control and fertilization were each performed on approximately two thirds of the
institutional turf settings. Irrigation was applied 46 percent of the time.
Percent Reporting Each Activity
Maintenance Activity
Weed Control
Fertilization
Irrigation
Insect Control
Overseeding
Aerification
Disease Control
Soil Test: State
Dethatching
Renovation
Soil Test: Private
Other
Percent
67.6
66.1
46.3
42.1
22.5
22.2
13.6
7.7
7.0
4.7
4.0
5.4
TURF MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES
13
.
Business owners, on average, hired less than one full-time employee and less than one
part-time employee to maintain turf. Lawn service companies were most responsible for turf
maintenance at 37 percent of institutions, while employees and owners were most responsible 21
percent and 20 percent of the time, respectively. High school graduates were most responsible
for turf maintenance at 37 percent of institutions. The next most common education level for the
turf manager was a college graduate with a 4-year degree.
Average
< 0.1
< 0.1
Employees
Full-Time Employees
Part-Time Employees
Person Most Responsible for Turf
Maintenance
Most Responsible
Lawn Service Company
Employees
Owner
Superintendent
Other
Total
1821
926
Education Level of Person Most
Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Education Level
Elementary
High School
2 Years College
4 Years College
Masters
Doctorate
Percent
37.4
20.7
19.5
8.4
14.0
Percent
0.4
37.0
16.9
29.1
11.6
5.0
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Thirty-eight percent of businesses had installed, automatic irrigation systems, while 37
percent had no irrigation at all. Another 18 percent used hoses and sprinklers to water turf.
Percent Reporting Each Type of System
Irrigation System
Installed Sprinklers, Automatic
Hoses and Sprinklers
Installed Sprinklers, Manual
None
Other
Percent
38.3
18.3
5.0
36.8
1.5
LOT ACREAGE
The vast majority of institutions were situated on a lot that was more than one acre in
size. Only 13 percent had less than one acre of land.
Lot Size Distribution
14
.
1/2 Acre 3%
1/3 Acre 4%
1/4 Acre 4%
2/3 Acre
< 1%
3/4 Acre 2%
1 Acre 8%
> 1 Acre 7 9%
Section 3. GOLF COURSES
GENERAL STATISTICS
Golf Courses made up a significant portion of Georgia’s turf industry with 419 courses
owning $134 million worth of turf maintenance equipment.
Average
$319,694
$42,500
$5,538
$21,337
General Information
Number of Golf Courses
Value of Turf Equipment
Annual Equipment Purchases
Annual Maintenance Expenses
Annual Equipment Leases
Total
419
$133,951,743
$17,807,500
$2,320,629
$8,940,132
PRINCIPLE TYPES OF GRASS
Virtually every golf course statewide utilized Bermuda in some capacity. The next most
commonly found turf was Bentgrass, with 44 percent of the courses maintaining Bentgrass.
15
.
Principle Types of Grass
100.0%
94.2%
80.0%
60.0%
43.5%
40.0%
20.0%
13.0% 13.0%
5.8% 5.8%
5.8%
2.9% 2.9%
1.4%
1.4%
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B
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B
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0.0%
Reported as percentage of golf courses with each turf type.
TURF MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
A total of $69 million was spent by golf courses to maintain turf.
expenses alone cost golf courses $30 million, $71,903 on average.
Type of Expense
Labor
Mowing Labor
Irrigation Labor
Pesticide Application Labor
Fertilizer Application Labor
Other Labor
Total Labor
Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Mowing Supplies
Mowing Repairs
Irrigation Repairs
Other Supplies and Repairs
Total Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Miscellaneous Expenses
Fertilizer
Lime
Seed
Sod and Sprigs
Soil Test
16
Dollars
Miscellaneous
% of Total
$1,215,108
$1,238,578
$720,964
$557,483
$1,085,210
$4,817,343
1.8
1.8
1.0
0.8
1.6
7.0
$4,959,075
$8,853,537
$4,464,969
$867,461
$19,145,041
7.2
12.8
6.5
1.3
27.8
$9,643,651
$759,357
$3,239,602
$1,829,862
$185,699
14.0
1.1
4.7
2.7
0.3
.
Topsoil
Mulch
Growth Regulators
Fuel and Oil
Other Expenses
Total Miscellaneous Expenses
Pesticides
Weed Control
Insect Control
Disease Control
Other Pesticides
Total Pesticides
Total Expenses
$1,311,740
$2,550,499
$949,846
$8,673,987
$983,298
$30,127,541
1.9
3.7
1.4
12.6
1.4
43.7
$5,555,940
$2,285,484
$6,579,609
$419,000
$14,840,033
$68,929,959
8.1
3.3
9.5
0.6
21.5
100.0
Average Expenses Per Golf Course
$80,000
$60,000
$71,903
$45,692
$35,418
$40,000
$20,000
$11,497
$0
Equipm e nt
Supplie s and
Re pairs
Pe s ticide s M is ce llane ous
Expe ns e s
Labor
INFORMATION SOURCES
Twenty-six percent of golf courses used the Cooperative Extension Service to answer
their turf-related questions. Peers were trusted by 19 percent of golf course owners with turf
questions.
Percent Utilizing Each Source
Information Source
Extension Service
Peers
Magazines
Lawn Care Companies
Garden Centers
Television/Radio
Other
Percent
26.2
18.5
15.4
4.6
3.1
1.5
64.6
Reported as the percentage using each information source as one of their top three sources for information.
TURF MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS
17
.
Drought was a factor for the majority of golf courses in 2006. Weeds and diseases
followed causing management problems for 40 percent and 31 percent of turf managers,
respectively.
Percent Reporting Each Problem
Management
Problems
Drought
Weeds
Disease
Labor
Traffic
Insects
Poor Soil
Drainage
Budget
Shade
Equipment
Erosion
Nematodes
Thatch
Other
Percent
51.5
39.7
30.9
25.0
23.5
23.5
13.2
11.8
11.8
4.4
4.4
1.5
1.5
1.5
32.4
Reported as the percentage declaring each problem as one of their top three sources for turf management difficulties.
MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Fertilization and weed control were practiced by 99 percent of the state’s golf courses.
Ninety percent or more irrigated, aerified, and applied pesticides for pathogens and insects.
Percent Reporting Each Activity
Maintenance Activity
Fertilization
Weed Control
Irrigation
Aerification
Disease Control
Insect Control
Dethatching
Soil Test: Private
Overseeding
Renovation
Soil Test: State
Tissue Test
Percent
98.6
98.6
97.1
95.7
94.2
89.9
82.6
79.7
69.6
58.0
46.4
42.0
TURF MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES
18
.
The average golf course employed nine full-time employees and five part-time.
Superintendents were overwhelmingly in charge of turf maintenance, and half of the primary turf
maintenance persons held a four-year degree.
Average
9.1
4.6
Employees
Full-Time Employees
Part-Time Employees
Total
3796
1910
Person Most Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Most Responsible
Superintendent
Owner
Employees
Other
Percent
81.3
6.3
6.3
6.3
Education Level of Person Most Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Education Level
High School
2 Years College
4 Years College
Masters
Percent
13.0
37.7
47.8
1.4
Section 4. COMMERCIAL TURF MAINTENANCE
GENERAL STATISTICS
Landscapers grossed $81 million in turf sales receipts for 2006. This came to 21 percent
of their total gross sales receipts. They also purchased $35 million in equipment and leased
another $6 million worth of equipment.
General Information
Landscape Companies
Gross Sales Receipts
Turf Sales Receipts
Annual Equipment Purchases
Annual Equipment Leases
Average
$321,367
$66,828
$28,706
$4,692
Total
1217
$391,103,586
$81,329,828
$34,934,921
$5,710,240
COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES
Landscapers employed 6.4 full-time and 2.8 part-time employees on average, totaling
7,770 and 3,359 full-time and part-time employees, respectively.
19
.
Average
6.4
2.8
Full-Time Employees
Part-Time Employees
Total
7,770
3,359
PERCENTAGE OF LANDSCAPE BUSINESS PER SECTOR
Residences composed 60 percent of a landscaper’s business on average. Landscaping for
businesses made up the second largest portion of their work.
Municipal &
Institutional
5%
Commercial
35%
Residential
60%
Section 5. ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS
Economic impacts can be estimated with input-output models that separate the economy
into various industrial sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing, trade, and
services. An input-output model calculates how a change in turfgrass related industries changes
output, income, and employment in other industries. These changes, or impacts, are expressed in
terms of direct and indirect effects. Impacts are interpreted as the contribution of turfgrass
industries to the total economy. Direct effects represent the initial impact on the economy of
turfgrass industries. Indirect effects are changes in other industries caused by direct effects of
turfgrass and include changes in household spending due to changes in economic activity. Thus,
the total economic impact is the sum of direct and indirect effects. Input-output analysis
interprets the effects of an enterprise in a number of ways including output (sales), labor income
(employee compensation and proprietary income), employment (jobs), and tax revenue. This
analysis utilizes IMPLAN software for input-output analysis of turfgrass industries in Georgia
(MIG, Inc.)
Output impacts are a measure of economic activity that results from turfgrass
expenditures in a specific industrial sector. Output is equivalent to sales, and the output
multiplier indicates how initial economic activity in one sector leads to sales in other sectors.
Personal income impacts measure purchasing power that is created due to the output impacts.
This impact provides the best measure of how standards of living are affected for residents in the
impact area.
20
.
Turfgrass industries involve a specified number of employees that is determined by the
available technology. Employment multipliers indicate the effect on total state employment
resulting from turfgrass industries initiating economic activity. IMPLAN indirect employment
includes both full-time and part-time jobs without any distinction. Jobs calculated within an
IMPLAN industrial sector are not limited to whole numbers and fractional amounts represent
additional hours worked without an additional employee. With no measure of hours involved in
employment impacts, IMPLAN summations for industrial sectors which include fractional
employment represent both jobs and job equivalents. Since employment may result from some
employees working additional hours in existing jobs, instead of terming indirect employment
impacts as “creating” jobs, a more accurate term is “involving” jobs or job equivalents. The same
reasoning applies to situations in which jobs are lost due to contraction of an industry.
Residential Turfgrass Management
Table 1 presents the economic impacts to the Georgia economy of residential turfgrass
management. Direct output is $2.7 billion with employment of 6,499 jobs that pay $245.1
million in labor income to hired employees and proprietors. Indirect output to the state economy
is $952.63 million for a total Georgia output impact of $3.7 billion. Indirect employment is 6,647
jobs for a total employment impact of 13,146 jobs. Total labor income impacts are $543.2
million. The state treasury realizes $58.9 million in revenue collections from economic activity
related to residential turfgrass management, and local government tax collections throughout
Georgia are $46.1 million. Appendix 4 shows the output, labor income, and employment impacts
for the major industrial sectors.
Table 1. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Residential Turfgrass
Management, 2006
Output ($)
Labor Income ($)
Employment
State Taxes ($)
Local Taxes ($)
Sum of Taxes ($)
Direct
Impact
2,740,559,835
245,115,405
6,499
Indirect
Impact
952,585,147
298,128,756
6,647
Total
Impact
3,693,144,982
543,244,161
13,146
58,850,765
46,111,913
104,962,678
Golf Courses
Turfgrass management by golf courses has a direct output impact of $98.0 million in
Table 2. Direct employment of 6,220 jobs pays $17.0 million in labor income to hired employees
and proprietors. Indirect output to the state economy is $36.4 million for a total output impact of
$134.4 million. Total employment impact is 6,494 jobs that pay a total of $28.6 million in labor
income. State tax revenues are $2.3 million, and local government revenues are $1.7 million.
Appendix 5 shows the output, labor income, and employment impacts for the major industrial
sectors.
21
.
Table 2. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Turfgrass Management
by Golf Courses, 2006
Output ($)
Labor Income ($)
Employment
State Taxes ($)
Local Taxes ($)
Sum of Taxes ($)
Direct
Impact
97,998,220
16,962,020
6,220
Indirect
Impact
36,430,857
11,680,120
273
Total
Impact
134,429,076
28,642,140
6,494
2,317,222
1,713,195
4,030,417
Other Turfgrass Management Groups
Table 3 presents the economic impacts of turfgrass management by an aggregation of
other groups. Direct output is $1.2 billion with employment of 56,572 jobs that pay $750.0
million in labor income to hired employees and proprietors. Indirect output to the state economy
is $431.3 million for a total output impact of $1.6 billion. Indirect employment is 3,270 jobs for a
total employment impact of 59,842 jobs. Total labor income impacts are $888.8 million. The
state treasury collects $32.7 million in revenue, and local government tax collections in Georgia
are $25.8 million. Appendix 6 shows the output, labor income, and employment impacts for the
major industrial sectors.
Table 3. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Turfgrass Management
by Other Groups, 2006
Output ($)
Labor Income ($)
Employment
State Taxes ($)
Local Taxes ($)
Sum of Taxes ($)
Direct
Impact
1,197,644,231
749,956,858
56,572
Indirect
Impact
431,295,389
138,854,513
3,270
Total
Impact
1,628,939,620
888,811,371
59,842
32,710,760
25,765,562
58,476,321
Landscape Services
Direct output in Table 4 for landscape services is $2.0 billion. Direct employment of
37,284 jobs pays $836.3 million in labor income to hired employees and proprietors. Indirect
output to the state economy is $1.6 billion for a total Georgia output impact of $3.6 billion.
Indirect employment is 14,909 jobs for a total employment impact of 52,193 jobs. Total labor
income impacts are $1.4 billion. The state treasury realizes $105.9 million in tax revenue from
economic activity related to landscape services, and local government tax collections throughout
Georgia are $71.6 million. Appendix 7 shows the output, labor income, and employment impacts
for the major industrial sectors.
Table 4. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Landscape Services,
22
.
2006
Output ($)
Labor Income ($)
Employment
State Taxes ($)
Local Taxes ($)
Sum of Taxes ($)
Direct
Impact
2,029,133,952
836,296,960
37,284
Indirect
Impact
1,595,335,049
559,354,392
14,909
Total
Impact
3,624,469,001
1,395,651,352
52,193
105,885,786
71,548,841
177,434,627
Total Economic Impact of Turfgrass Management
Summation of impacts presented in Tables 1-4 are the total economic impacts of Georgia
turfgrass management. Direct output impact of $6.1 billion in Table 5 is equal to the value of
annual sales. Direct labor income of $1.8 billion for 106,675 jobs is wages and benefits for
employees and proprietors. Indirect economic activity in Georgia of $3.0 billion leads to a total
output impact of $9.1 billion. Indirect output leads to indirect labor income of $1.0 billion for
25,099 jobs. Total labor income in Georgia is $2.9 billion for 131,674 jobs. State taxes are
$199.8 million, and local taxes of $145.1 million result in total tax revenue of $344.9 million for
the Georgia economy. Appendix 8 shows economic impacts among major industrial sectors of
the state economy.
Table 5. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Turfgrass Management
by All Groups, 2006
Output ($)
Labor Income ($)
Employment
State Taxes ($)
Local Taxes ($)
Sum of Taxes ($)
Direct
Impact
6,065,336,238
1,848,331,243
106,575
Indirect
Impact
3,015,646,442
1,008,017,781
25,099
23
Total
Impact
9,080,982,680
2,856,349,024
131,674
199,764,533
145,139,510
344,904,044
.
Appendix A. COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES (n = 41)
Responses from commercial property turf managers were too few to provide statistics
with high confidence. However, the following statistics are provided based on the responses
received to give a general idea of the turf management decisions made and dollars spent by
commercial property owners to maintain turf areas.
GENERAL STATISTICS
General Information
Number of Commercial Properties
Value of Turf Equipment
Annual Equipment Purchases
Annual Maintenance Expenses
Annual Equipment Leases
Average
$14,011
$2,953
$8,433
$968
PRINCIPLE TYPES OF GRASS
24
Total
2,077
$29,101,078
$6,132,713
$17,514,905
$2,011,386
.
32.0%
29.3% 29.3%
24.0%
19.5%
16.0%
14.6%
14.6%
12.2%
8.0%
2.4%
2.4%
2.4%
2.4%
2.4%
r
th
e
O
ia
B
ah
ue
sc
in
Fe
ne
Fi
St
.
B
lu
eg
e
s
us
t
ug
ye
R
A
sc
gr
as
ue
ia
ys
s/
Fe
Zo
ra
s
31
K
en
tu
ck
y
Ta
ll
Fe
Fe
sc
sc
ue
ue
e
t ip
ed
en
C
B
er
m
ud
a
0.0%
Reported as percentage of commercial properties with each turf type.
TURF MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
Type of Expense
Labor
Mowing Labor
Irrigation Labor
Pesticide Application Labor
Fertilizer Application Labor
Other Labor
Total Labor
Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Mowing Supplies
Mowing Repairs
Irrigation Repairs
Other Supplies and Repairs
Total Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Miscellaneous Expenses
Fertilizer
Lime
Seed
Sod and Sprigs
Topsoil
Mulch
25
Dollars
% of Total
$4,311,450
$25,963
$45,694
$24,924
$231,302
$4,639,333
20.8
0.1
0.2
0.1
1.1
22.4
$2,190,291
$1,677,178
$8,803,595
$1,334,090
$14,005,154
10.6
8.1
42.4
6.4
67.5
$190,669
$17,308
$39,001
$57,694
$19,616
$38,655
0.9
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.1
0.2
.
Fuel and Oil
Other Expenses
Total Miscellaneous Expenses
Pesticides
Weed Control
Insect Control
Disease Control
Other Pesticides
Total Pesticides
Total Expenses
$1,190,449
$150,583
$1,703,976
5.7
0.7
8.2
$176,545
$139,725
$6,750
$69,233
$392,254
$20,740,716
0.9
0.7
< 0.1
0.3
1.9
100.0
Average Expenses Per Commercial Property
$8,000
$6,743
$6,000
$4,000
$2,234
$2,000
$820
$189
$0
Equipm e nt
Supplie s and
Repairs
Pesticide s
M iscellaneous
Expe nse s
Labor
INFORMATION SOURCES
Percent
39.5
36.8
18.4
2.6
2.6
23.7
Information Source
Lawn Care Companies
Garden Centers
Extension Service
Newspapers
Television/Radio
Other
Reported as the percentage using each information source as one of their top three sources for information.
TURF MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS
Management
Problems
Weeds
Shade
Poor Soil
Drought
Insects
Budget
26
Percent
62.5
30.0
27.5
22.5
20.0
15.0
.
Traffic
Labor
Erosion
Thatch
Drainage
Disease
Equipment
Other
15.0
15.0
12.5
10.0
10.0
5.0
2.5
7.5
Reported as the percentage declaring each problem as one of their top three sources for turf management difficulties.
MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Percent
84.6
74.4
59.0
43.6
28.2
17.9
17.9
7.7
7.7
2.6
2.6
5.1
Maintenance Activity
Fertilization
Weed Control
Irrigation
Insect Control
Disease Control
Aerification
Overseeding
Renovation
Dethatching
Soil Test: Private
Soil Test: State
Other
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Percent
42.5
27.5
10.0
17.5
2.5
Irrigation System
Installed Sprinklers, Automatic
Hoses and Sprinklers
Installed Sprinklers, Manual
None
Other
TURF MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES
Average
< 0.1
< 0.1
Employees
Full-Time Employees
Part-Time Employees
Total
51
51
Person Most Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Most Responsible
27
Percent
.
Owner
Lawn Service Company
Employees
Superintendent
60.0
32.5
5.0
2.5
Education Level of Person Most Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Education Level
High School
2 Years College
4 Years College
Masters
Doctorate
Percent
19.4
9.7
48.4
16.1
6.5
LOT ACREAGE
1/4 Acre 5%
1/3 Acre 15%
1/2 Acre
10%
2/3 Acre 2%
> 1 Acre
51%
3/4 Acre 2%
1 Acre 15%
CHURCHES (n = 40)
Responses from church turf managers were too few to provide statistics with high
confidence. However, the following statistics are provided based on the responses received to
give a general idea of the turf management decisions made and dollars spent by churches to
maintain turf areas.
GENERAL STATISTICS
Average
$1,913
$282
$583
$147
General Information
Number of Churches
Value of Turf Equipment
Annual Equipment Purchases
Annual Maintenance Expenses
Annual Equipment Leases
PRINCIPLE TYPES OF GRASS
28
Total
14,928
$28,557,913
$4,203,589
$8,703,364
$2,197,160
.
40.0%
37.5%
30.0%
30.0%
27.5%
22.5%
20.0%
17.5%
10.0%
10.0%
10.0%
5.0%
2.5%
th
er
O
ys
ia
sc
s/
Fe
lu
e
gr
as
Zo
ue
ia
ah
B
e
es
ll
F
us
t
ug
cu
in
e
Ta
ue
A
31
y
tu
ck
K
B
en
St
.
Fe
sc
t ip
ed
en
C
B
er
m
ud
e
a
0.0%
Reported as percentage of churches with each turf type.
TURF MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
Type of Expense
Labor
Mowing Labor
Irrigation Labor
Pesticide Application Labor
Fertilizer Application Labor
Other Labor
Total Labor
Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Mowing Supplies
Mowing Repairs
Irrigation Repairs
Other Supplies and Repairs
Total Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Miscellaneous Expenses
Fertilizer
Lime
Seed
Topsoil
Mulch
Growth Regulators
29
Dollars
% of Total
$33,694,917
$1,066,286
$85,303
$142,171
$355,429
$35,344,105
38.1
1.2
0.1
0.2
0.4
40.0
$40,895,935
$3,419,223
$604,229
$1,899,927
$46,819,313
46.3
3.9
0.7
2.1
53.0
$1,194,240
$288,857
$436,644
$18,660
$373,200
$29,856
1.4
0.3
0.5
< 0.1
0.4
< 0.1
.
Fuel and Oil
Other Expenses
Total Miscellaneous Expenses
Pesticides
Weed Control
Insect Control
Disease Control
Total Pesticides
Total Expenses
$1,119,600
$1,421,714
$4,882,771
1.3
1.6
5.5
$998,754
$352,844
$14,928
$1,366,526
$88,412,716
1.1
0.4
< 0.1
1.5
100.0
Average Expenses Per Church
$4,000
$3,136
$3,000
$2,368
$2,000
$1,000
$327
$92
$0
Equipm ent
Supplies and
Repairs
Pesticides
Miscellaneous
Expenses
Labor
INFORMATION SOURCES
Percent
35.3
32.4
20.6
14.7
2.9
14.7
Information Source
Peers
Lawn Care Companies
Garden Centers
Extension Service
Magazines
Other
Reported as the percentage using each information source as one of their top three sources for information.
TURF MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS
Management
Problems
Weeds
Drought
Poor Soil
Labor
Traffic
Budget
30
Percent
53.8
41.0
35.9
23.1
17.9
15.4
.
Equipment
Shade
Insects
Thatch
Erosion
Drainage
Other
12.8
10.3
7.7
7.7
2.6
2.6
2.6
Reported as the percentage declaring each problem as one of their top three sources for turf management difficulties.
MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Percent
66.7
63.9
41.7
33.3
22.2
19.4
11.1
5.6
2.8
2.8
8.3
Maintenance Activity
Fertilization
Weed Control
Irrigation
Insect Control
Overseeding
Aerification
Disease Control
Dethatching
Renovation
Soil Test: Private
Other
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Percent
34.2
21.1
5.3
39.5
Irrigation System
Installed Sprinklers, Automatic
Hoses and Sprinklers
Installed Sprinklers, Manual
None
TURF MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES
Average
< 0.1
Employees
Part-Time Employees
Total
373
Person Most Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Most Responsible
Lawn Service Company
Owner
Superintendent
Employees
Other
31
Percent
41.0
20.5
7.7
7.7
23.1
.
Education Level of Person Most Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Percent
38.2
14.7
29.4
11.8
5.9
Education Level
High School
2 Years College
4 Years College
Masters
Doctorate
LOT ACREAGE
1/3 Acre 5%
1/4 Acre 5%
1/2 Acre 3%
2/3 Acre 0%
3/4 Acre 3%
1 Acre 10%
> 1 Acre 74%
Appendix 3. MULTIPLE FAMILY DWELLINGS (n = 57)
Responses from multiple family dwelling turf managers were too few to provide statistics
with high confidence. However, the following statistics are provided based on the responses
received to give a general idea of the turf management decisions made and dollars spent by
multiple family dwelling owners to maintain turf areas.
GENERAL STATISTICS
Average
$3,118
$730
$215
$0
General Information
Number of Multi Family Dwellings
Value of Turf Equipment
Annual Equipment Purchases
Annual Maintenance Expenses
Annual Equipment Leases
PRINCIPLE TYPES OF GRASS
32
Total
2,839
$8,850,583
$2,072,470
$611,675
$0
.
50.0%
38.6%
40.0%
30.0%
26.3%
22.8%
20.0%
10.5%
10.0%
3.5% 3.5%
3.5% 3.5%
3.5%
1.8% 1.8%
r
th
e
O
ue
sc
s
Fe
ne
gr
as
in
ye
R
Fi
St
.
B
lu
eg
e
ia
us
t
ys
ug
A
Zo
ue
sc
Fe
s/
ra
s
31
K
en
tu
ck
y
Ta
ll
Fe
Fe
sc
sc
ue
ue
ia
ah
B
e
t ip
ed
en
C
B
er
m
ud
a
0.0%
Reported as percentage of dwellings with each turf type.
TURF MAINTENANCE EXPENSES
Type of Expense
Labor
Mowing Labor
Irrigation Labor
Pesticide Application Labor
Fertilizer Application Labor
Total Labor
Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Mowing Supplies
Mowing Repairs
Irrigation Repairs
Total Equipment Supplies and Repairs
Miscellaneous Expenses
Fertilizer
Lime
Seed
Sod and Sprigs
Soil Test
Mulch
33
Dollars
% of Total
$58,264,926
$2,332,036
$118,292
$279,844
$60,995,098
79.9
3.2
0.2
0.4
83.7
$6,632,445
$575,686
$1,798,282
$9,006,413
9.1
0.8
2.5
12.4
$324,244
$5,915
$11,829
$327,577
$3,276
$1,210,360
0.4
< 0.1
< 0.1
0.4
< 0.1
1.7
.
Fuel and Oil
Other Expenses
Total Miscellaneous Expenses
Pesticides
Weed Control
Insect Control
Disease Control
Total Pesticides
Total Expenses
$252,468
$218,385
$2,354,053
0.3
0.3
3.2
$367,400
$138,165
$36,033
$541,598
$72,897,162
0.5
0.2
< 0.1
0.7
100.0
Average Expenses Per Dwelling
$24,000
$21,485
$16,000
$8,000
$3,172
$191
$829
$0
Equipm ent
Supplie s and
Repairs
Pe sticides
Miscellane ous
Expens es
Labor
INFORMATION SOURCES
Percent
67.3
14.3
10.2
6.1
4.1
2.0
16.3
Information Source
Lawn Care Companies
Garden Centers
Extension Service
Magazines
Peers
Newspapers
Other
Reported as the percentage using each information source as one of their top three sources for information.
TURF MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS
Management
Problems
Weeds
Poor Soil
Drought
Traffic
Shade
34
Percent
54.7
43.4
37.7
34.0
20.8
.
Budget
Labor
Erosion
Drainage
Insects
Disease
Nematodes
Equipment
Other
18.9
11.3
11.3
9.4
5.7
1.9
1.9
1.9
1.9
Reported as the percentage declaring each problem as one of their top three sources for turf management difficulties.
MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES
Percent
75.0
73.1
34.6
34.6
19.2
11.5
7.7
5.8
5.8
1.9
1.9
1.9
Maintenance Activity
Weed Control
Fertilization
Insect Control
Irrigation
Disease Control
Overseeding
Aerification
Renovation
Soil Test: Private
Soil Test: State
Dethatching
Other
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
Percent
35.2
25.9
1.9
33.3
3.7
Irrigation System
Installed Sprinklers, Automatic
Hoses and Sprinklers
Installed Sprinklers, Manual
None
Other
TURF MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES
Average
< 0.1
< 0.1
Employees
Full-Time Employees
Part-Time Employees
Total
50
149
Person Most Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Most Responsible
Lawn Service Company
35
Percent
65.5
.
Owner
Employees
Superintendent
Other
18.2
10.9
3.6
1.8
Education Level of Person Most Responsible for Turf Maintenance
Education Level
Elementary
High School
2 Years College
4 Years College
Masters
Doctorate
Percent
2.9
26.5
32.4
23.5
11.8
2.9
LOT ACREAGE
1/2 Acre 4%
1/3 Acre 0%
1/4 Acre 2%
2/3 Acre 2%
3/4 Acre 0%
1 Acre 4%
> 1 Acre 88%
36
.
APPENDICIES
Appendix 4-8 shows the output, labor income, and employment total impacts (the
sum of direct and indirect impacts) from turfgrass expenditures as these impacts
flow to each of the major industrial sectors. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts
of Residential Turfgrass
Management to Major Sectors, 2006
Sector
Agriculture
Mining & Construction
Utilities
Manufacturing
Transportation, Warehousing
Trade
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
Services
Government and non-NAICS
Final Demands with No Impacts
Total
Output ($)
67,548,152
7,279,683
23,119,330
1,248,320,256
65,621,104
358,994,064
191,288,432
475,782,764
54,982,952
1,200,208,246
3,693,144,982
Labor
Income ($)
42,115,024
2,719,745
4,933,941
121,648,544
27,306,636
139,654,952
45,271,422
156,882,636
2,711,261
0
543,244,161
Employment
1,178
63
35
2,786
600
3,382
874
4,155
72
0
13,146
Appendix 5. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Turfgrass Management by
Golf Courses to Major Sectors, 2006
Sector
Agriculture
Mining & Construction
Output ($)
2,778,301
311,805
37
Labor
Income ($)
1,722,603
113,156
Employment
48
3
.
Utilities
Manufacturing
Transportation, Warehousing
Trade
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
Services
Government and non-NAICS
Final Demands with No Impacts
Total
982,559
30,803,962
2,181,260
9,880,924
14,440,055
27,515,607
2,808,556
42,726,048
134,429,076
209,503
2,904,092
912,586
3,862,298
3,540,381
15,252,290
125,230
0
28,642,140
1
62
20
98
77
6,180
3
0
6,494
Appendix 6. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Turfgrass Management by
Other Groups to Major Sectors, 2006
Sector
Agriculture
Mining & Construction
Utilities
Manufacturing
Transportation, Warehousing
Trade
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
Services
Government and non-NAICS
Final Demands with No Impacts
Total
Output ($)
29,080,890
3,828,411
18,353,548
348,131,168
28,819,174
158,404,344
110,882,552
325,955,213
79,099,816
526,384,504
1,628,939,620
Labor
Income ($)
16,981,440
1,485,445
3,932,264
37,873,296
12,108,375
62,310,638
28,897,476
723,106,052
2,116,385
0
888,811,371
Employment
490
34
28
817
266
1,693
576
55,882
55
0
59,842
Appendix 7. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Landscape Services to
Major Sectors, 2006
Sector
Agriculture
Mining & Construction
Utilities
Manufacturing
Transportation, Warehousing
Trade
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
Services
Government and non-NAICS
Output ($)
203,081,984
6,024,189
30,205,960
205,081,072
35,438,772
389,306,552
171,340,328
2,457,606,320
126,383,824
38
Labor
Income ($)
127,688,920
2,347,012
6,490,418
25,046,394
15,666,318
153,036,772
43,801,336
1,018,301,826
3,272,357
Employment
3,561
54
46
507
347
4,261
880
42,449
88
.
Total
3,624,469,001
1,395,651,352
52,193
Appendix 8. Annual Georgia Economic Impacts of Turfgrass Management by
All Groups to Major Sectors, 2006
Sector
Agriculture
Mining & Construction
Utilities
Manufacturing
Transportation, Warehousing
Trade
Finance, Insurance, & Real Estate
Services
Government and non-NAICS
Final Demands with No Impacts
Total
Output ($)
302,489,327
17,444,088
72,661,397
1,832,336,458
132,060,310
916,585,884
487,951,367
3,286,859,903
263,275,148
1,769,318,798
9,080,982,680
Labor
Income ($)
188,507,987
6,665,357
15,566,126
187,472,326
55,993,915
358,864,660
121,510,615
1,913,542,804
8,225,233
0
2,856,349,024
Employment
5,278
153
110
4,173
1,233
9,434
2,407
108,666
218
0
131,674
Section 6. METHODS AND PROCEDURES
Between Spring 2007 and Spring 2008, a series of surveys was conducted with Georgia
residents and businesses was conducted by the Survey Research Center (SRC), under contract
from the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness. The purpose of the study was to gather
information about turfgrass practices to estimate the impact of the turfgrass industry in Georgia.
Georgia residents were contacted via an RDD telephone survey, while businesses were contacted
first via a mail survey, and then followed up with a telephone survey to increase response for
certain business categories.
Mail samples were purchased from Survey Sampling International, one of the premier
samplings firms in the United States. Survey Sampling International has developed a database of
approximately 11 million businesses throughout the United States using yellow page directories
and other proprietary sources. Specific business types are determined by SIC codes, allowing one
to narrow the type of business down to the required level of specificity.
Table 1 displays results of the household survey of residents. Of the 1,090 eligible
households contacted 402 completed the interview (36.9%), while 489 refused participation
(44.9%), and 177 remained at callback status after the target number of interviews had been
obtained (16.2%). Twenty-two households began but did not complete the interview (2.0%).
Eligibility could not be determined for 1,482 households (44.1% answering machine, 51.3% no
answer, and 4.6% busy signal). Finally, 2,188 records were determined not eligible, with the
highest proportion (61.4%) being a result of a non-working or disconnected number. Sampling
error is +/- 4.9% at the 95 percent confidence interval.
39
.
The sample of businesses consisted of 8,913 records across nine business categories.
Each business was sent a mail survey via U.S. mail and a postcard follow-up reminder 10 days
after the original mailing. From the original 8,913 records, 1,036 were returned undeliverable by
the U.S. Postal Service.
A third category of businesses was developed by utilizing the internet to determine
counts and addresses of facilities such as public schools, parks, hospitals, and golf courses
throughout the state of Georgia.
A total of 2,657 of these facilities were identified and sent a mail survey as well, with 21 of these
undelivered by the U.S. Postal Service. Following the initial mail effort, it was decided to
attempt to reach landscapers, sod producers, and golf courses by telephone in an effort to
increase response from these business types. Table 2 displays the total number of surveys
completed from the businesses of interest.
40
.
Table 1
Summary of Telephone Survey Effort
n
%
402
22
489
177
1090
36.9
2.0
44.9
16.2
100.0
653
760
69
1482
44.1
51.3
4.6
100.0
25
45
41
246
1344
3
13
342
16
83
30
2188
1.1
2.1
1.9
11.2
61.4
0.1
0.6
15.6
0.7
3.8
1.4
99.9
Eligible:
Completed interviews
Partial
Refusal
Callbacks
Total
Unknown Eligibility:
Answering machine
No answer
Busy
Total
Determined Not Eligible:
Mentally Unable
Language Unable
Technical Phone Problems
Fax/Data Line
Non-working/Disconnected
Number Changed
Cell Phone/Call Forwarding
Business/Govt. Org.
Institution
Multiple Dwelling
No Lawn
Total
41
.
Table 2
Summary of Final Business Sample Effort
Airports
Cemeteries
Churches
Commercial Properties
Golf Courses
Hospitals
Landscapers
Multi-Family Dwelling
Parks
Prisons
Public Schools
Sod Producers
Professional Sports Teams
Universities and Colleges
TOTAL
n
#
completed
%
218
65
2,000
2,078
413
189
1,218
2,840
93
115
181
63
133
106
9712
6
2
40
41
69
12
81
57
6
8
12
1
2
5
342
1.8
0.5
11.7
12.0
20.2
3.5
23.7
16.7
1.8
2.3
3.5
0.3
0.5
1.5
100.0
42
.
The Center for Agribusiness
and Economic Development
The Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development is a unit of the College of
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the University of Georgia, combining the
missions of research and extension. The Center has among its objectives:
To provide feasibility and other short term studies for current or potential
Georgia agribusiness firms and/or emerging food and fiber industries.
To provide agricultural, natural resource, and demographic data for private and
public decision makers.
Or contact:
John McKissick, Coordinator
Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development
Lumpkin House
The University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia 30602-7509
Phone (706)542-0760
caed@uga.edu
The University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University, and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating. The Cooperative Extension Service
offers educational programs, assistance and materials to all people without regard to
race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability.
An equal opportunity/affirmative action organization committed to a diverse work force
CR-09-06
April, 2009
Issued in furtherance of Cooperation Extension Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, the
University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture cooperating.
J. Scott Angle, Dean and Director
43