The US is the world's largest producer of alfalfa, a grass-like plant used as animal feed.

BBC: Monsanto GM seed ban is overturned by US Supreme Court

The problem with this technology is that it sprays water blindly, even across areas too wet to plant, such as grass waterways, seasonal wetlands, permanent ponds, a lake on the edge of a field.

FORBES: New Technology Reduces Agricultural Water Consumption

Farmers plant a warm-season perennial grass and fallow the field for two years, improving soil quality and water-holding capacity.

FORBES: New Technology Reduces Agricultural Water Consumption

City code says that all unpaved portions of the site shall be planted with grass or ground cover or shrubbery or other suitable live plant material.

FORBES: Oak Park Woman Faces Jail Time for Growing Vegetable Garden

"It's not our long-term solution because of the competition with feed, and fuel competition, but it is prompting us to put into place a refueling infrastructure that could be used with cellulosic ethanol, " made from other types of plant material such as timber waste or switch grass.

CNN: Ethanol: Is it friend or foe?

Specialty grass nurseries are the best source for local genetic material, and many native plant nurseries grow local clones.

NPR: Excerpt: 'The American Meadow Garden'

This has led to an increase in the amount of heather and purple-moor grass, and less grassy areas, "leading to a more diverse mix of plant life which is good news for wildlife".

BBC: Snowdon getting 'warmer and wetter' says 15-year survey