About
Your lawn deserves the best. We’re here to help you grow it.
At Sodco, we believe a lawn should be more than grass; it should be a place where families gather, athletes compete, & landscapes come to life. Since 1981, we’ve been growing New England’s finest sod and helping homeowners, landscapers, and professionals create outdoor spaces they’re proud of.
What began as a local farm has grown into one of the region’s most trusted sod producers. From residential lawns to golf courses and athletic fields, our sod is designed to thrive in New England’s unique climate. But we don’t stop at providing premium sod. We also offer site reviews, installation services, & expert guidance to make the process simple from start to finish.
Why Choose Sodco?
When it comes to your lawn or landscape, you don’t just need sodyou need the right sod grown with care for the environment and for long-term performance. Since 1981, Sodco has been producing New England’s finest sod for homes, golf courses, and athletic fields. Here’s what sets us apart:
Proven Experience Since 1981
Sustainable Sod Farming
Not Your Typical Sod Company
Commitment to the Environment
Fresh, Healthy Sod Delivered Across New England
Our commitment goes beyond lawns. We care deeply about the environment and practice sustainable farming methods like cover cropping, reduced water and fertilizer use, and growing innovative blends like Microclover™. This ensures that every roll of sod we deliver supports healthier soil, stronger turf, and a greener future.
For over 40 years, Sodco has been more than just a sod company’ve been a partner in creating beautiful, functional landscapes across New England.
Our Team
Behind every roll of sod we grow is a team of people who care about quality, service, and long-term results. From field specialists and drivers to project coordinators and customer support, our staff is dedicated to helping you succeed—whether you’re managing a golf course, installing for a client, or transforming your own property.
Dawson Hodgson
PRESIDENT
Dawson Hodgson is the owner of Sodco, Inc., and has served as company president since 2018. He grew up working in all aspects of the farm, which was founded by his parents Linda Tucker and Richard Hodgson in 1981. Dawson is a graduate of Bucknell University and the University of Connecticut School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in RI, MA, & CT. Prior to taking over the family business, Dawson served as a criminal prosecutor for the RI Attorney General, and as the Town Solicitor for Narragansett, RI. He also served two terms representing South County in the state Senate. Dawson remains Active in the community, where he currently serves on the Professional Advisory Board of the South County Hospital.
John D. Eidson
Farm Manager
Born and raised in RI on a farm, John always had a passion for working with the land. He was a young man when he began his first company, RI Hay, Inc. – the largest hay grower in RI. During this time he attended the University of Rhode Island for 4 years studying Plant and Soil Sciences.
John later moved his interest from hay to sod and started Ironton Grass Works, Inc., where for over a decade he was subcontracted out by South County’s Turf Farms for his expertise and farming know-how. His services became highly sought after, a testament to the top notch soil results achieved through his programs and dedication.
In 2009, John started a sports turf grass management company that did many types of aeration, overseeding, top dressing, and fertilizing – to name a few of the services. The company’s high quality work has made it the “go to company” for ball fields, golf courses and any place with sod that needs to be in top shape! This branch is now called Fair Play Turf Services and is now under the umbrella of Allen Seed Store.
In the fall of 2010, John came on board as Farm Manager at Sodco. His diverse education and knowledge for not only growing top quality sod, but many other crops such as corn, grains, and cover crops makes Sodco a perfect fit for John’s skills. In his time at Sodco, John has dedicated himself to the motto that Sodco will produce “New England’s Finest Sod.”
John resides in Wakefield with his wife Amy.
Sean Moran
Sales
Sean has been in the turf industry for 17 years – the last 10 plus years with Sodco. A 1990 graduate of The Watkinson School in Hartford, CT, Sean attended Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, FL and advanced his turf education at Lake City Community College (now Florida Gateway College) in Lake City, FL, as well as the University of Connecticut. During this time, Sean worked at various golf courses in Florida and Connecticut, including TPC at Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, FL.
In 1995, he followed his late father, Peter Moran, into the turf industry and got his start with the Chas C. Hart Seed Co. of Wethersfield, CT. In 1997, Sean went to work for The Scotts Co. of Marysville, OH covering Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and parts of Eastern New York including Long Island for their Pro Turf Division. In late 2001, he joined Sodco to become a Sales Representative for Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and Westchester and Dutchess Counties in New York.
Sean is an active member of the Connecticut Golf Course Superintendents Association, The Metropolitan Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Rhode Island Golf Course Superintendents Association. He is also a member of the Connecticut Groundskeepers Association and the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association.
Sean and his wife, Andrea, live in Woodbury, CT with their two young children – their son, Sean Padric Jr. (Paddy), and daughter, Regan. Sean enjoys coaching his children in various sports and serving on local league athletic boards. In his free time, he also enjoys playing golf at The Country Club in Farmington, CT where he grew up and learned to play as a child.
Jim Studley
Operations Manager
Jim Studley grew up on a hay farm in West Greenwich, RI. He attended the University of Rhode Island where he earned a B.S. in Environmental Horticulture and Turfgrass Management in 2006. Jim served as an assistant golf course superintendent and head superintendent in RI, as well as heading the construction and grow-in of a private golf facility. Before joining SODCO in 2022, he ran Green Grass Inc; a sod installation company serving all of New England for 8 years.
Chris Murphy
Sales
Chris Murphy is from West Greenwich, RI. He has been in the sod industry for over 10 years, specializing in residential installs and sports/golf turf work. He joined the SODCO team in 2022 as a salesman and sod install coordinator.
Sodco through the years
2020
We became one of the first farms in the Northeast to purchase a Firefly Automatix R300 harvesting machine. Our sod has never looked better on a pallet!
2019
SODCO is starting to grow hemp for CBD extraction.
2018
SODCO grew tomatoes, peppers and squash in between rows of Microclover™. We used the grass clippings as a mulch to keep the weeds out! We sold the vegetables to a local grocery store and a local pizza place. After the growing season was over for the crop we over seeded the area with Micoclover™, it filled in just before the winter. We also grew an acre and a half of sunflowers. The sunflowers made for a great summer view, after the flowers were done for the season they were tilled back into the soil. Turns out sunflowers can be a great cover crop for turfgrass.
2013
SODCO’s farm manager was approached by a seed company to grow a tall fescue Microclover™ blend for a sports field in Brooklyn NY. The project was very hush hush until it passed all compliances. In 2015 it passed everything with flying colors, we starting selling the product to our customers! After a few years of orders here and there, SODCO showcased the Microclover™ Black Beauty on This Old House! The Microclover™ was used at the Idea House in Narragansett and the NET Zero project in Jamestown. SODCO received an ample amount of emails and phone calls about the Microclover™ after the episode aired.
2011-2012
SODCO starting growing Jonathan Green Black Beauty Tall Fescue. Once SODCO and Jonathan Green starting their relationship, it was a great partnership! SODCO has been exclusively growing Black Beauty and no other Tall Fescue, as our alternative sod ever since! SODCO took the Black beauty’s “American Lawn” and transformed it into a product for all! Golf courses starting using the Black beauty on bunker banks, step cut and rough areas. Universities have starting using it on quads. A few years ago, SODCO sampled the Black Beauty at a shortcut height. Shortcut Black Beauty opened another door for SODCO and Jonathan Green Black Beauty! It has been used on tee boxes, range boxes, fairways, and croquet courts!
2010
SODCO starting growing Turf Type Tall Fescue sod. After a few years of hearing complaints on how much fertilizer and inputs have to be put into the traditional bluegrass lawn, SODCO looked for an alternative product that still has the same or better qualities as the Bluegrass. After years of trying to find the right varieties and the best way to treat the sod we had success!
2008
SODCO starting growing corn as both a cover crop and for fuel. When the oil prices starting climbing, corn was a more affordable option. SODCO installed two corn boilers, one for the farm offices and second for two residents on the farms property. SODCO has been selling the corn to a number of different customers over the years, from our own employees to a local whiskey company.
2001
The development rights to 400 acres of farmland were sold, preserving forever the land as a farm and open space. The future of the farm is a bright one as Sodco embraces crop rotations, soil health, the latest in technology and innovation to continue producing New England’s Finest Sod.
1981
When Sodco took over the farm, it was turned over completely to sod, specifically bluegrass fescue. Over the years, the farm’s crops have been changed to also include bentgrass and turf type tall fescue – including Black Beauty Sod, as well as alternative crops as part of Sodco’s rotation initiatives.