About Us

Mission

Midwest Grows Green is an initiative of the IPM Institute of North America, Inc. that educates and empowers citizens to take sustainable landscaping action that reduces harmful runoff into our waterways, protects the health of our most vulnerable citizens and reduces negative impacts of pesticides on non-target species such as pollinators.

Vision

MGG wants to make all public and private parks, playing fields and outdoor landscapes in the Midwest organic by 2030. MGG works with local activist organizations to engage residents, retailers and those who manage outdoor spaces on sustainable, eco-friendly solutions to their lawn and landscaping needs. All of MGG’s programs work to reinforce the other, thereby amplifying the sustainable landscaping message.

Scope

MGG focuses on urban, peri-urban and rural greenspaces of grass, natural areas and other landscaping intended for recreational or aesthetic use. Greenspaces include, but are not limited to, parks, athletic & recreational turfgrass fields, corporate and educational campuses, wetlands, shorelines, forest preserves, prairies and more.

About the IPM Institute

The IPM Institute is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit started in 1998 that improves sustainability in agriculture and communities through market mechanisms based in Integrated Pest Management. The IPM Institute acquired Midwest Grows Green from the Midwest Pesticide Action Center, the initiative’s founder, in 2019. Read more about MGG and the IPM Institute below:  Staff, Partners and Supporters

Team

Ryan Anderson

A 2016 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Christine Mirzayan Science & Technology Policy Fellow, Ryan has extensive experience advancing science-based solutions in urban and residential communities. Ryan has a Masters of Sustainable Solutions from Arizona State University and holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Biology and Electronic Journalism from Butler University. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, playing sports and reading the next iconic fantasy novel series. He can be reached at (773)-878-8245 or randerson@ipminstitute.org

Vytas Pabedinskas

Vytas provides soil and turf management technical assistance and expertise to MGG projects. Vytas has a Masters degree in soil science and education from the University of Arizona. He has taught soils, soil health, and composting in schools, at garden clubs, and teacher conferences. He is a member of both the Soil Science Society of America and the Illinois Food Scrap Coalition.

Alec McClennan

Alec is Founder and President of Good Nature Organic Lawn Care, a firm specializing in natural, organic fertilization and weed suppression for lawns, trees, and ponds on residential and commercial properties in Cleveland, Columbus, Akron, and Indianapolis.  Alec became a Master Gardener and Certified Turfgrass Professional at the University of Georgia. Alec is a member and past president of the Entrepreneur’s Organization in Cleveland and a founding member of the Organic Lawn Care Association.  He earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

Partners and Supporters

Athletic Brewing Company
City of Chicago
City of Evanston
Cornell-Douglas Foundation
Environmental Protection Agency
Fund for Lake Michigan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
Lumpkin Family Foundation
North Central IPM Center
Oberweiler Foundation
Patagonia
PestBoss