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<h1>Midwest Grows Green</h1>
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Midwest Grows Green is designed to educate the community on natural lawn care in order to reduce the amount of synthetic herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers used on our lawns and landscapes. The Midwest Grows Green “brand” is the umbrella under which all of our outdoor community-basedlawn and landscape care programs fall.  It is made up of three distinct yet connected programs: 1) Point of Purchase Program, 2) Pesticide-Free Parks, and 3) Community Engagement. The three programs can be adopted by communities singly or in any combination. They are unified by a single message – protect people, pets and the environment by practicing natural lawn care—and our distinctive orange Midwest Grows Green stamp.

<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MWGG_Logo.png"><img class="alignleft  wp-image-2279" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MWGG_Logo-300x300.png" alt="MWGG_Logo" width="135" height="135" /></a>The Midwest Grows Green (MWGG) brand helps residents in a community make connections between what is going on in a pesticide-free park, with what is going on at a lawn care supply retailer, and with what is happening on the neighbor’s lawn. This provides the exposure to the concept of natural lawn care and continuity of message needed to promote positive behavioral change in the way lawns are cared for.  Read on for more information about each MWGG program and how to get started in your community.

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</a>Continue reading for: <em><a href="#subheader1">Why are pesticides and artificial fertilizers harmful?</a> <a href="#subheader2">What makes a product eco-friendly?</a> <a href="#subheader3">What is the MWGG Point of Purchase Program?</a> <a href="#subheader4">What is the MWGG Pesticide Free Parks Program?</a> <a href="#subheader5">What is the MWGG Community Engagement Program?</a></em>
<h2><a id="subheader1"></a>Why are pesticides and artificial fertilizers harmful?</h2>
<em>Many commonly-used pesticides are harmful to people and the environment. Here are some facts about the harmful effects of commonly-sold products:</em>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">1) <strong>Human Health: </strong> Research has linked pesticides such as glyhposate (Round-Up) to cancer, as well as asthma, birth defects, and neurological, behavioral, reproductive, hormonal, and immune system disorders. There are roughly 40 chemicals serving as active ingredients in pesticides currently on the market that are classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer as “known, probable, or possible human carcinogens.”</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">2) <strong>Water: </strong>A U.S. Geological Survey report found pesticides in 96% of all fish, 100% of all surface waters, and 33% of major aquifers studied. We know that lawns and gardens contribute to this widespread pollution as urban watersheds have higher rates of pesticide contamination than any other type of watershed, including agricultural. Keeping pesticides out of our waterways is important as they degrade water quality.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">3) <strong>Aquatic life: </strong>Conventional synthetic and fast-release fertilizers quickly wash into waterways, degrading water quality and creating “dead zones” by promoting excessive growth of aquatic vegetation, which steals the oxygen in the water from other organisms.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">4) <strong>Wildlife:  </strong>Pesticides are toxic chemicals designed to kill. The killing power of most of these toxins is not specific and will often kill or injure non-target species. Birds, amphibians, and beneficial pollinators such as honey bees are affected. Dozens of studies have linked the use of pesticides such as neonicitinioids to declining bee populations, which pollinate many essential food crops.</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">5) <strong>Children: </strong>A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics raised concerns about the link between pesticide exposure and childhood cancer, impaired neurological development, asthma, and endocrine disruption. The Academy stated that “the most comprehensive reviews of the existing literature implicate an association of pesticides with leukemia and brain tumors.” Studies also suggest that ADHD and other neurological disorders may be related to a disruption in biological systems caused by some pesticides.</p>

<h2><a id="subheader2">What makes a product eco-friendly?</a></h2>
MPAC identifies organic, non-synthetic, or least-toxic alternatives to conventional lawn care products to be eco-friendly—healthier for people, pets, and the environment. These products are free of harmful substances such as carcinogens, reproductive or developmental toxins, endocrine disrupters, ingredients that degrade water quality and substances that are highly toxic to birds, fish, wildlife, and bees, which can be found in conventional lawn care products.A list of eco-friendly lawn products can be found in our <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Product Guide</span></em>.
<h2><a id="subheader3">Point-of-Purchase Program</a></h2>
<em>Informing and connecting homeowners to eco-friendly lawn and garden products to reduce the use of harmful pesticides.</em>

The Midwest Grows Green Retailer Program is a two-part program that promotes clear labeling of eco-friendly lawn care products in-stores and educates homeowners about safer alternatives to conventional pesticides at the point-of-purchase. The goal of the Midwest Grows Green (MWGG) Retailer program is to encourage consumers to purchase products that help decrease the negative health and environmental impacts of dangerous pesticides and overuse of fertilizers by presenting options that are less toxic and more sustainable protecting people, pets, and the environment. Using the MWGG Retailer Guide, participating retailers use a MPAC-designed“Eco-Friendly” shelf tag to identify for shoppers their organic, natural, and least-toxic products. Our Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Product Guide and Tips for Natural Lawn Care are additional resources  available to educate the public about how to keep our yards green, our waters clean, and their families healthy using eco-friendly products.
<h3>Resources</h3>
Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Product Guide (image)

This guide is intended to help consumers identify products to manage lawns and landscapes to minimize risk to family, pets, and the environment. Consult this guide to find eco-friendly products to control common lawn and garden pests such as weeds, disease, and insects. Also listed are natural and organic fertilizers that promote healthy, naturally pest-resistant lawns.

Tips on Keeping Our Yards Green and Waters Clean (image)

Check out this pamphlet for tips on how reduce water pollution while maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces that are safe for people and pets to enjoy.

Map of Participating Retailers (image)

See which Chicago-area stores are participating in our Midwest Grows Green Retailer Pilot Program. These stores carry eco-friendly lawn and garden products identified in our Product Guide and label them with the MPAC-certified Eco-Friendly shelf tag.
<h2><a id="subheader4"> Pesticide-Free Parks</a></h2>
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<h3>Resources</h3>
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<h2><a id="subheader1">Community Engagement</a></h2>
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<em>Midwest Pesticide Action Center (MPAC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing the health risks and environmental impacts of pesticides by promoting safer alternatives.</em>

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