EMPIRE on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

In the name of a great cause, drought-tough EMPIRE Turf made its prime-time television debut in April on the ABC television network. The grass was given to a family in need as part of a two-hour episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The project took place last February in Tallahassee, Florida. Arcadia, Florida based Bethel Farms selected EMPIRE Turf for the “extreme” donation because, like the design of the new home, EMPIRE will save the selected family time and money.

Tobey Wagner, president of Sod Solutions was happy to see EMPIRE given for a meaningful cause. “We were pleased when we heard they were going to donate EMPIRE,” remarked Wagner, whose company holds the patent for the grass. “EMPIRE is a grass that is great for the Florida climate. It’s great at repairing itself, which will come in handy with a family that size. It handles wear and tear. I don’t think they could have picked a better grass for the project and we are proud to know its going to be used by such a deserving family.”

The EMPIRE zoysia grass was delivered on day five of the building project and was installed the same day. EMPIRE, which has become the proven zoysia grass for Florida, also meets the Florida Green Building Coalition’s standards for “green-home” certification. This designation fits in perfectly with the energy-saving design of ABC’s other home makeover projects. It should provide the Kadzis family many years of an aesthetically pleasing lawn.