visiting A Sod Farm is a unique experience
Each year we offer a variety of tours and educational opportunities to our customers and the community. You will genuinely be surprised by how interesting it can be to “watch grass grow” and learn more about our products and how we do what we do. Our test plots can help demonstrate the differences and benefits between different kinds of grasses for your lawn. Our crew can show you the specialized equipment or farming practices we have in place to contribute positively to our communities and our environment. What we do here really is unique, and we would love to show you more about what we love.
Here are some typical situations and educational opportunities that arise throughout each year:
Building a house in the future and would like to learn more about what we offer? We would love to show you what your future lawn will look and feel like! We also have test plots out here highlighting various seed choices. Contact us to set up a tour.
Are you interested in participating in a future Homeowner Seminar (Lawn Care 101 topics), sign up for our newsletter and watch for announcements about classes.
Are you a teacher, or a member of an organization that would be interested in a tour of the farm, email or call the office to discuss your ideas. We can cover all kinds of topics that are interesting for agriculture, gardening, earth/environmental science, or home economics (basic lawn care skills) classes. Let us know what you would like us to focus on with your group.
Are you a member of a professional organization that would like a tour for continuing education credit (landscape architects and designers, architecture firms, sports turf/landscaping professionals)? Give us a call to discuss your needs. We will provide a tour or class and help you get the documentation you need to obtain professional certifications after your visit.
UPCOMING Events
2027 Winter Contractor Seminar
***Note: This event fills quickly!
Contact us ASAP for your spot! ***
Our 2027 Contractor Educational Seminar will be held on Thursday, January 7th, 2027 from 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM here at the farm.
Join us on Thursday, January 7th, 2027 from 8AM - 12:30PM for a fantastic line up of speakers relevant to members from every area of your operation. This seminar is intended for our wholesale account customers and their staff. This event is free of charge for wholesale customers. We are grateful for your business and excited to learn with you and your crews. Lunch and snacks from Salsa Guy provided by Blue Grass.
Topics Include:
A-Holes & Overachievers: How to Work with Both - Because you can't fire everyone.
Every crew has them. Every customer has a few. Learn research-backed (and real-life-tested) ways to deal with difficult coworkers, challenging personalities, and customers who seem determined to make your day harder. Walk away with practical communication tricks to keep frustration down, relationships intact, and the work moving forward.
Dr. Nikki Harken - University of Northern Iowa
Know Your Enemy: Disease & Weed ID - The sooner you spot it, the less time (and money) you’ll spend fixing it.
Brown spots, “water grass”, and customers convinced their lawn is dying. Matt will cover the most common disease and weed problems in eastern Iowa lawns, what to watch for heading into the 2027 season, and how winter conditions and spring forecasts could affect what shows up early in the season. Learn what to look for before a small problem becomes a big headache.
Matt Giese - Syngenta
“Hunting Yetters” (aka “‘Oops’ is Not a Safety Plan”) - It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.
Forget the boring safety lecture. Matt brings humor, real-world examples, and a healthy dose of uncomfortable truths to the things that go wrong. Learn how better planning, personal accountability, and looking out for your crew can prevent injuries, costly mistakes, and insurance claims. Come ready to laugh and cringe. Walk away with straight-forward changes to implement before the season takes off.
Matt Harken - Growmark
Super El Niño - Winter & Spring Updates - Because Mother Nature doesn't care about our plans.
Will we have a mild winter? An early spring? A wet mess right when you're ready to roll? KCRG TV9 meteorologist AJ Rickman joins us with an extended look at long-range winter and spring projections. Get the latest outlook and some insight to help plan staffing, equipment, production, and the all-important start of the season.
AJ Rickman - KCRG TV9
Please RSVP by 12/14/2026 to info@bgsod.com or 319-842-2165 to ensure plenty of food and chairs. The event will happen at our shop, located at the main Office building, 3965 C Ave Ext., Alburnett, IA 52202.
Interested in attending this educational seminar? Call 319-842-2165 or fill out the form below to let us know. Space is limited!
2027 Spring Homeowner Seminar
***Note: This event fills quickly!
Contact us ASAP for your spot! ***
Our 2027 Homeowner Educational Seminar will be held on
Saturday, March 6th, 2027 from 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM here at the farm.
Our “Spring Into 2027 Plant Care” panel discussion including Tom Hughes of Hughes Nursery (tree expert), Sarah Nolte from Blue Grass (lawn expert), Brenda Van Gorp from Linn County Master Gardeners, and Shawna Moss from Kirkwood Community College Horticulture Department (ornamentals/shrubs expert). So bring your whole-property spring plant care questions!
And, per usual, you had better believe there were delicious snacks and coffee available too. It wouldn’t be a Blue Grass event if we didn’t have WAY too much food!
Our annual 10% off for bundled lawn care purchases will be offered again in 2027. Seminar attendees will also receive an additional 5% off of their bundle purchase of 2027 products (to be picked up at the seminar).
Other Deals in 2027: We will offer a full 15% off for any fertilizer customers who pick up their fertilizer bundle (all the products for the year) before Monday, March 8th. This discount is to say thank you to customers who help us manage the spring rush by being willing to come out early in the year. We are grateful!
These events are free to the public, but space is limited. Don't forget to reserve your spot ASAP!
Interested in attending this educational seminar? Call 319-842-2165 or fill out the form below to let us know. Space is limited!