Where have all the dandelions gone?

    Recently, the local Slow Food chapter hosted the film, “A Chemical Reaction”. It wasn’t until I viewed the film that I fully realized the play on words by replacing “chain” with “chemical”. Essentially, the film is about a Houlton-sized town in Canada that could and, subsequently, did.  Little by little awareness of the physical and neurological effects on the community from application of lawn care chemicals became apparent — first by a dermatologist alarmed at the number of children she treated with severe skin rashes and diarrhea and then with pediatricians. Finally, after six years of fighting for a ban on lawn chemical application on town and private grounds, the mayor got on board and the town council passed the local ordinance. Fearing other towns would follow suit, two major chemical companies sued the town, eventually taking the case to Canada’s highest court. That’s when the little town that “could”, “did” as they won their case.
    Today, two provinces have banned lawn chemicals for private and municipal use and Home Depot willingly stopped carrying such products throughout Canada. Why did this happen? Because one person who sincerely cared about the health of her community began to take the steps that began that chain reaction.
    During last week’s meet and greet at church, a copy of a circulating e-mail was thrust into my hands that depicted a conversation between God and the Apostle Paul. God was asking Paul why there were so many bright green lawns on earth and wondered where all of the dandelions, clovers and other flowers had gone that He had made to make the earth visually beautiful. Paul tries to explain how people have decided that they need picture-perfect green lawns so they invest in chemicals that kill the good and bad, mow their lawns frequently, bag up the grass and then pay to get rid of it in a landfill.
    The exchange continues with God getting more and more perplexed after Paul answers each of his questions. After reading it I thought of a comment that a person who saw “A Chemical Reaction” made. He said, “Why have we been so conditioned to think that a few dandelions on our lawn are bad anyway? How have we come to this place where we think we need pristine and perfect lawns?” Or I like the question the film’s producer, Mainer Paul Tukey, asked of the director of Scott’s Miracle Gro, “How does killing a dandelion, a clover plant or a piece of plantain create a safe environment for children?”
    Maine is one of the few states remaining that can pass local laws that supersede State law. Maybe someday our communities will begin our own “chemical reaction” and provide safe lawns, school yards, ball fields and playgrounds for our kids and pets. Until then, remember pesticides are designed to be toxic — think before you apply them to your lawn.
    To learn simple tricks for a pesticide-free and healthy lawn, contact the Southern Aroostook Soil and Water Conservation District at 532-2087.
    Angie Wotton loves her work as district manager for the SASWCD. She also raises pastured pork and vegetables with her husband on their small West Berry Farm in Hammond. She can be reached 532-9407 or via e-mail at angela.wotton@me.nacdnet.net.