Opinions welcome...

[babylonsister]

Cross-posted in environment...



So I have a friend...
he was a sod farmer for a lot of years, grew bentgrass for golf courses for many years (Augusta being one of them). He has figured out how to irrigate golf courses with 'juice' from compost, all natural, to fertilize the land and use the insects instead of killing them, w/o the use of chemicals or pesticides. His machine is 4.5/5's built, but needs additional funding for a patent and to market this.
Does anyone know of any environmental groups he could send his proposal to?

I have great faith in this crazy idea; imagine if it works? We're not just talking golf, we're talking farms and food.

Oooh, the possibilities!

Thanks for any responses or ideas!

[Archaic]

1. Kickstarter?

I don't know the process for setting it up, but there are plenty who have done it successfully.

There's a lot of people in the world that would give him $20 for a bumpersticker, or $50 for a shirt, knowing that the process will be secured and brought to market at some point.

[rug]

2. If it's a chemical- and pesticide-free process, it sounds organic.

He might try here:

http://ofrf.org/research/grants

[babylonsister]

4. It is organic, and thank you! nt

[babylonsister]

7. Thanks a lot! nt

[Lobo27]

3. I've heard of one company that may help or push you in the right direction.

Celsias!!

[Laochtine]

5. Just a thought

Try the Professional Golf Association for funding? but any green entrepreneur could be a place to start.
And public courses across the country should be able to set aside some places to test it out with differing
conditions and climates. Also check into the Civil Engineers of America, if this fits into LEED design it would
be a boon.

[babylonsister]

6. He's working on the PGA, but the

companies who supply the grass drugs are not so happy; he'd ruin them.

[Laochtine]

10. Try going to the Greenskeepers

I'm not sure if there is union or anything, there wasn't when I was involved. But, if they can save the owners money, it's a plus.

[moondust]

8. A possibility.

I have some friends near Chicago who have been in the irrigation business for decades, first working for corporations and then starting their own business. I don't know if they would be any help at all.

Mission statement from their website:

Our mission at Warren Thoma and Associates is
“To help promote, educate, and bring to the Green Industry new technology and products from distribution down to the end user.”

http://www.thomaassociates.com/mission.html

[babylonsister]

9. Thanks! I think this is even fighting the

'green industry', but will be sending this thread to my friend.

[Laochtine]

11. What about Beekeepers?

A don't kill insects policy, something like that

[Hekate]

12. KnR for your friend, babylonsister. nt