Never satisfied with just doing a job well, Greenhorizons strives to produce sod as efficiently and with the smallest impact to the environment as possible.  Their commitment to research is evident in the company’s support for the Ontario Turfgrass Research Foundation (OTRF) and the extensive internal research with new materials and improved methods. The turfgrass production managers at both Hamilton Sod and Compact Sod create research plots where they experiment with innovative materials and equipment to increase sod quality and reduce inputs.  In 2010 alone, Hamilton Sod dedicated over $50,000 to in-house research.
The company’s commitment can be seen on the administrative end as well.  In addition to being at the helm of Greenhorizons, company president Ron Schiedel served as president of the OTRF for several years during a period of the organization’s greatest growth.  Greenhorizons makes significant donations every year to the OTRF in support of its many research initiatives in every category of turfgrass management.

Implementing what Greenhorizons has learned through all of the research with which it has been involved has allowed it to:

Use less irrigation water with high efficiency irrigation booms

Increase fertilizer uptake with better timing

Minimize erosion with post-harvest practices

Reduce input costs using GPS guidance and mapping technologies

Sow new crops with less, initial weed development

Utilize sprayers designed to produce less pesticide drift