Oregon grass gets a lot of use at Beijing Olympics
By Susan Harding and KATU Web StaffYAMHILL COUNTY, Ore. – As millions of people around the world tune into the Olympic Games, they are seeing a little part of Oregon. Tiny seeds from fields in the Willamette Valley have grown into the green turf under the feet of the world's best athletes.
Willamette Valley farmers like Ditchen sent China 20 million pounds of grass seed this past year, and now the grass covers nearly every playing field at the Olympics. Oregon's green carpet is also being rolled out on Beijing rooftops. China hopes the grass can help clear up its air pollution. But the fastest growing market for Oregon grass seed is in the world of sports. "It's shipped in 50 pound bags and shipped all over the world, to make nice soccer fields and baseball fields," Ditchen said. He said China has the space to grow seed but hasn't yet mastered the technology. "At least Oregon-wise, we do produce a very good, pure product that we put a lot of care into," Ditchen said.
China buys more grass from Oregon than anywhere else in the world. Local turf grasses are known to resist weeds, and that makes them an especially good choice for athletic fields. |
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"It kind of makes the world feel smaller," said Duane Ditchen of Golden Valley Farms, pictured at left.
KVAL, 4575 Blanton Road,