On July 29th, 2021, SYNLawn® hosted more than 300 guests for an agricultural event, Farmers on the Green. A hands-on exhibit to teach children and adults about the science and sustainability of soybean farming, and how it is used in every SYNLawn® artificial turf installation. The event was held at the Boys and Girls Club in Harlem where SYNLawn® had recently donated a biobased synthetic grass installation. Children and adults spent the day learning the many ways in which biobased materials contribute to creating a more sustainable environmental future, and how everyday agricultural habits affect our daily lives. Our goal was to pass on how each step we take in the direction of sustainability, is a step that can snowball into a brighter economic future.
Anastasia Phillips, owner of SYNLawn® New York, said “The SYNLawn® New York team was very happy to support the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem with the artificial turf donation and our collaboration with them to bring the event to life. All the praise for the success of the event goes to Dominique Jones and Melanie McKenzie-Layne. They were wonderful partners to continue our efforts making safe places for children to play, learn and engage with their community, all while learning how farming and rural community life affects all of us. I am very grateful to the Boys and Girls Club, and I continue to be impressed with all of their efforts.”
For this event, SYNLawn® collaborated with many wonderful organizations to educate the children in attendance about the science and sustainability of soy-based materials. The following organizations donated their time to help create a fun and educational experience for our community:
United Soybean Board
New York Corn and Soybean Growers Association
Indiana Soybean Alliance
John Bowne, Agricultural Science Program and FFA Chapter from Flushing
Boys and Girls Club of Harlem
To further exemplify awareness of biobased products, Justin Maxson, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development, presented his newest report, “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry.” This report discussed the benefits of bio-based industry and the positive effects it can have on environmental sustainability. Additionally, Justin Maxon spent some time after making his statement greeting the guests and visiting each of the educational demonstrations available at Farmers on the Green.
Educational demonstrations from Farmers on the Green include:
The New York Corn and Soybean Association showcased how soybeans are utilized to protect soil from erosion
Ralph Lott, a United Soybean Board Vice-Chair, taught visitors about how soybeans are used in more than 1,000 products
The Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA) invited children to create their very own soybean necklace to take home and watch their soybeans grow
Jenny Frank, Next Generation Scientist for Biodiesel co-chair and graduate student at The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, environmental bingo was established, and children were introduced to cleaner-burning biodiesel used to power New York City’s cars, as well as Bioheat® for buildings
Our commitment to environmental stability is the reason SYNLawn® New York put this event together. We are proud to work in partnership with local soybean farmers here in the US to manufacture artificial turf solutions using recyclable materials. Our sustainable products aim to conserve water, reduce our impact on landfills, and significantly reduce our carbon footprint. SYNLawn® is the first artificial grass company to carry a USDA certification on more than 10 of our products for utilizing over 70% of biobased materials within our products. Using a combination of sugarcane in the turf fibers and soy in the backing allows us to significantly reduce petroleum-based products in our artificial turf. To learn more about our dedication to environmental sustainability, contact us today!
