Brothers Arijeet and Rajvarun Grewal, students in Hanford, CA, helped forward a bill that would subsidize synthetic turf in California. The bill, AB 603, was introduced by Bakersfield assembly member Rudy Salas in February. If passed, the bill would grant a subsidy to those who replace their natural grass lawns with artificial grass.

Ari and Raj, students in Hantford at Pioneer Middle School and Sierra Pacific High School, thought of the idea and suggested it to Mr. Salas via a letter. Mr. Salas liked the idea, and now it's being put into motion. The brothers created a Facebook page for their project called Saving California Farms One Drop at a Time.

Ari and Raj agreed to speak with us in this interview, and Global Syn-Turf is honored to have them. 

Where did the idea come from?

Raj: Last summer, we decided to redo our landscape. My brother and I became interested in finding out if we could install synthetic grass, which will help conserve fresh water. My father explained that synthetic grass is expensive, and he further explained that we could go for it if it was subsidized like solar panels. This encouraged us to propose legislation.

What motivated you to pursue this endeavor so seriously?

Ari: Living in the Central Valley, one cannot escape drought news. We learned that more than 60% of fresh water is wasted on lawn maintenance in California. Therefore, we wanted to do our part to conserve fresh water.

When did you realize that the potential of synthetic grass as a drought-tolerant option wasn't being fully utilized?

Raj: After researching extensively on this topic, we learned that many cities in California did provide rebates for homeowners and businesses that purchased and installed synthetic turf. However, we learned that there was not a state-wide program that provided state-wide incentives, given that some of the cities and counties do not generate much tax revenue and cannot afford to provide incentives to its residents.

What do you think will be some of the long term effects of the popular adoption of synthetic grass in residential areas?

Ari: Primarily, the adoption of synthetic grass in residential areas would help conserve a lot of fresh water that can be used for our Central Valley agriculture. It would also decrease the chances of another severe drought to occur in California.

Do you think synthetic grass has any advantages over other drought-tolerant alternatives, such as xeriscaping?

Raj: Synthetic grass and drought- tolerant alternatives both have advantages. They both help reduce the wastage of fresh water. However, grass is a part of our natural lives. Xeriscaping, on the other hand, takes away that naturalness.

On your Facebook page you say that "One day, water may lead to the division of California." Could you expound on that?

Raj: It is a politically hot subject. Several times in the past, a division of California has been proposed. More than any other political reason, water was the main issue. Recently, there is zero water allocation from the Sacramento--San Joaquin River Delta due to smelt fish. The majority of Central Valley residents believe that Big Brothers on both sides (North and South) control most of the legislative processes due to their population and, hence, influence and control of the flow of water.

On your Facebook page you say that you "would like to propose a clause in the bill allocating a percent of subsidy to provide vocational and trade education for those who may get negatively impacted so they can rebuild a better and brighter future for themselves and their families." Could you expound on this idea?

Ari: We wanted to make sure that our proposal does not negatively impact anyone, especially hardworking Californians in the landscape industry. Therefore, we proposed a portion of incentives to train them in synthetic grass installation.

On your Facebook page you say that popular adoption of synthetic grass will "bring economic prosperity to the state of California." Could you explain this a bit further?

Ari: In the beginning, lot of people were against Internet or online shopping, and now we can see how many jobs it has created in terms of software, e-commerce, and logistics (warehouse and transportation) jobs. Along the same lines, we strongly believe that the synthetic grass industry will also contribute in creating jobs (i.e. manufacturing, installation, and maintenance).

What has it been like working with Bakersfield assembly member Rudy Salas? Are there any lessons you can impart to us that you learned from working with him?

Raj: It was a wonderful experience. We have learned more about the other projects and bills that are being proposed in the Assembly Session. We have learned to become more active in our community.

Did you have a specific strategy for pitching the Bill to the Chairman of the Assembly Committee on Revenue and Taxation, Mr. Phil Ting?

Ari: It was a great pleasure to meet Mr. Phil Ting and asking for his support in person. We believe we have already reached the masses via TV and newspapers. We have also requested the local city council and county Board of supervisors to write to Mr. Ting in our bill's support. We also encourage the industry (including your company) to support and lobby our bill.

What was the experience like traveling to Sacramento to introduce AB 603? Did anything occur that was unexpected? What was the most surprising thing you learned about during your trip introducing the bill?

Ari: It was an amazing experience. We were honored and delighted to be invited by Mr. Salas to be a part of history in the making. We still have goose bumps from being on the assembly floor submitting AB 603 and seeing "Grewal Family" name on the notice board in the assembly hall. As a visitor you are just allowed to be in the gallery, but being there, on the assembly floor, just feels great!

Raj, according to a report, you are interested in pursuing a career in politics because of this experience. Is there a specific area of politics you are interested in?

Raj: I have not fully chosen my field; however, whatever job I do take, I would love to give back to my community. Going through this adventure has definitely opened my eyes to the endless career paths from which I could choose.

How does this experience fit into both of your long-term goals?

Ari: Our community has instilled in us the will power to give back to our community. Proposing this bill has given us the opportunity to help our neighborhoods. Also, we have learned that the sky has no limit in defining our own destiny.

Is there anything else either of you would like to talk about?

Raj: We highly appreciate you reaching out to us. Once again, we strongly request your company's leadership team to engage law makers in California (especially Mr. Ting and Mr. Salas) and support our bill.

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Immediately following Governor Jerry Brown's announcement that a 25% reduction in California's water usage is mandated, a good number of residents and homeowners in California agree that the state's approval of artificial grass is the beginning of a larger wave to come in the future. During his initial announcement, Governor Jerry Brown stated that the idea of having a nice little green grass lawn getting watered every day is a thing of the past.

The California Water Resources Control Board is scheduled to release its proposal for how they will achieve a 25% reduction in two weeks. The restrictions are to take effect on June 1, 2015.

Many are now not only open to but keen on converting their lawns to artificial grass. One homeowner in Orange County, for instance, says that she and her mother have been living in a house with a real grass lawn for 60 years. But as they went shopping this weekend they walked by an artificial grass supply store and her mother declared that artificial grass is the yard surfacing material of the future. Both she and her mother are open to installing artificial grass if keeping their current real grass lawn becomes unsustainable.

However, she said that she and her mother are not willing to go so far as to install drought-tolerant xeriscaping like cacti, etc., in their yard, because it doesn't provide the functionality that a fake grass lawn provides as far as being a suitable surface for the kids and the whole family to play and supporting physical activities.

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While most cities in Texas are overwhelmed with water shortages, El Paso seemed to have its plan in place running and strategized for more than hundred years. The Rio Grande Project dated to 1905, ensured the savings of inappropriate water for irrigation purposed in New Mexico and Texas.  Kept in the Elephant Butte Dam and Reservoir (2 million acre-feet of water) water is supplied to farms and cities in the western parts of Texas. But no one accounted for latest years droughts that hit the entire water system in the "Long Star State".  The average amount of precipitation in El Paso is 8.71 (from 1878 up to August, 2014). This year it had been only 3.13 with an expected total of 4.76, lower than 6.05 in 2012 when panic started to spread. Running out of fuel has been always just a question of time, but running out of water can give you a real shock-therapy. El Paso has always been a primary example for other communities in respect to water preservation. It is sad for most residents, but the authorities had to put a hard foot to create a new culture of water cult. While engineers are looking for an alternative sources of water, if you live in El Paso, when it comes to landscaping, you must follow strict rules. According to Water Conservation plan, you can water your lawn only three days a week – Tuesdays, Thursdays, or Saturdays for even numbered addresses, and Wednesday, Friday, or Sundays for odd numbered. For industrial sites, schools, parks, golf courses and cemeteries the days are Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. It doesn't mean that on those days you can water at any time you like. The outdoor watering is prohibited between 10am and 6pm.  As new lawns installations require more water than usual, you can request a permit from EPWU (El Paso Water Utilities).  Want to use chemicals and fertilizers? You must ask for a permit. If there is a leak, you must fix it within five working days.   You can't allow water run into the street or any public right of way or storm water system. You can't wash your car without using a bucket or a hose with a special shut-off nozzle. During severe water droughts, carwash is only allowed at the special establishments, and all permits are automatically cancelled.  Violations are prosecuted, and fines range from $50 to $500 per citation. Residences outside El Paso are charge 1.15 times more of a regular rate. Up to 400 cubic feet for residential properties are charged a minimal rate ($5.18 per 1''). Over the past 20 years, residents of El Paso has been paid a total $11 million ($1 per sq.ft.) to remove their grass and replace it with water-efficient plants, gravel and cement. Artificial grass is another source of inspiration for the community. It looks like real, and many people prefer to have a manicured look of their lawns in traditionally green unobstructed way.  ` Our warehouse in El Paso, TX is one of the favorite destinations for most landscaping companies that serve the area. For Las Cruses, Deming, Alamogordo, Silver City customers, it is the closest artificial grass warehouse outlet in the area. Pick up your order at:  Global Syn-Turf, Inc. 12134 Esther Lama Dr #200 El Paso, TX 79936 ...