The solution to a greener, lusher and more sustainable lawn that’s pristine all-year round is available even here in Minnesota, thanks to innovations that transform farm fields into soy-based turf.  

SYNLawn, which formed just over 20 years ago as a sister company to AstroTurf, is the world’s leading provider of high-quality synthetic turf with applications for commercial, residential and municipal uses. Its commitment to sustainability and having the “greenest turf on earth” is where the connection with soybeans comes into play. 

Underneath the luscious, green artificial is SYNLawn’s exclusive EnviroLoc backing, which is made from soybeans as an alternative to petroleum-based materials. In addition to the soy-based backing, the grass fibers are made from sugarcane, which helped propel SYNLawn to become the first artificial grass company to become a USDA-approved product. A made in America company, SYNLawn is manufactured in Dalton, Georgia, the same city where SoyFoam, the innovative soy-based firefighting foam, is produced.  

“From a checkoff standpoint, we’ve been working with SYNLawn for about 10 years now,” said Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council (MSR&PC) Senior Director of Product Development & Commercialization Mike Youngerberg. “In more recent years, they’ve been exploring ways to add more soy to their turf beyond just the backing.”  

SYNLawn’s sustainability goes much deeper than just using U.S.-grown soybeans. Artificial turf doesn’t waste valuable water on irrigation; there is no need for pesticides and herbicides, and SYNLawn acts as a barrier from weeds or other plants that release pollen and cause allergic reactions. According to SYNLawn, Americans use up to 10 times more pesticides per acre on their lawn than what farmers use on their cropland. By using an artificial turf, you reduce the amount of those pesticides and herbicides from running off and polluting the waterways.  

The applications for SYNLawn are endless as well. There are products available for general lawn and landscape uses, playgrounds, pet usage and for transforming a rooftop into an urban oasis.  There are also several sport applications as well, including football fields and custom putting greens. 

“They’ve really expanded their lineup over the years,” Youngerberg said. “It gets used a lot in bigger cities such as New York in their parks and playgrounds and at hotels where lawns are difficult to maintain.” 

MSR&PC is offering a chance once again during this year’s Farmfest for visitors to see just how “on par” SYNLawn is with real grass in their booth, which will feature a five-hole MiniSoyta Golf Course made with the soy-based artificial turf.  

“It’s a great opportunity to learn more about your soybean checkoff investments, all while simultaneously using one of those investments by playing a fun game of mini golf,” said Youngerberg.   

To learn more about SYNLawn, visit SYNLawn.com.