Sod farming is one of the largest agricultural enterprises in southern Rhode Island, a region currently under increasing development pressure. In an effort to preserve green space in the region, a number of sod farms are being considered for purchase under development rights initiatives. Of concern, however, is the long-term sustainability and agricultural viability of the land under the sod farming land use. One of the main soil quality issues associated with sod farming is soil removal during harvest. In addition, there currently is little soil quality data published pertaining to sod farming. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the soil quality of sod farms and to identify pertinent soil quality indicators to be used in future assessments of sod farms.

This study includes five sod farms and three reference sites: a turf research area, a silage cornfield, and a forested area. All eight sites are being sampled for bulk density, infiltration rate, soil organic matter, extractable NO3- and NH4+, pH, microbial biomass, and soil respiration. In addition, harvested sod samples will be analyzed to determine the amount of mineral soil removal associated with sod harvesting. Sampling locations at each site are being chosen randomly within delineations of Bridgehampton and Enfield soils, which make up approximately 75% of the total area in southern Rhode Island currently being used as sod farms. The results of this study should provide useful guidelines to improve or maintain sustainability of sod farming and for assessment of soil quality on sod farms.