Green Certification

The Nursery Sod Growers Association of Ontario Green Certification Program was created with the intent to produce a third-party auditing program of best management practices for nursery sod production in Ontario. The objective of Green Certification is to increase the level of professionalism in the sod industry and promote awareness of the sustainable practices used by sod growers to consumers and industry peers. This certification program is the first of its kind for sod producers in North America. With assistance from a consulting company specializing in grower certification programs, a set of best management practices standards was created for the Ontario sod industry. The standards are specific to the sod industry including water management, nutrient management, pesticide use, soil condition and erosion, record keeping and documentation, worker safety and standard operating procedures. This strictly voluntary program provides assurance to consumers that NSGA Green Certified members meet or exceed industry standards in sod production. In addition, the program promotes a safe workplace environment, recycling and community relations. In order to receive certification, all sites owned or leased by a grower must participate in an independent third-party on-site audit. Upon certification, each operation must submit an annual report and conduct an on-site verification audit a minimum of once every three years. The NSGA is committed to improvement in the best management standards and keeping the standards up to date with changes in provincial regulations and current environmental concerns.