The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry

News Corner

 
 
2006 NEWS CORNER ARCHIVES
 
 

Library of Congress Selects Grange Web site for Election Content
The United States Library of Congress has selected the National Grange Web site for inclusion in its historic collections of Internet materials related to Election 2006. The Library will collect content from the Web site and make it available on site at the Library facilities as well as post it to the Library’s public access Web site for offsite researchers. The Election Web archives contribute to the historical record of national elections, capturing information that could otherwise be lost.

The National Grange’s “2006 Grangers Organized to Vote” (GOTV) Web program provided Grangers and others with important voting information on a state-by-state basis. Included were general election information by state, how to register information with registration forms and how to vote absentee with absentee ballot applications.

The Library of Congress also recognized the Grange Web site in 2004 for its legislative content.
 

Annual Dues
It is THAT time of year again for many of us! Our Dues Notice has come in the mail, either as a part of the Grange newsletter, or a separate mailing. 2007 is here!

The Secretary tells us when we join the Grange that our “dues are payable in advance and should always be cheerfully and promptly met.”

Each local Grange is supposed to set the dues for the coming year in the month of November, and notify the members of the amount payable. Included in your local dues are the amounts due the State and the National Granges.

Each State Grange sets their dues as part of adopting their budget for the year at their annual convention.

National Grange dues are set by the delegates to the National convention. Your State Grange Master is one of those delegates. Currently the National Grange dues are $8.00 per year for individual fraternal members, $10.00 per year for Associate members, and $16.00 per year for “family memberships”.

The delegates at the convention in Springfield Illinois this past November started the process to increase the dues to the National Grange by $2.00 per year starting in January of 2008. This action will require another affirmative vote of the delegates to the 2007 convention in Reno Nevada in November of 2007 before it goes into effect.

The delegates took action this year also to simplify the process of removing members from the roll for non-payment of dues. Granges are permitted to vote to drop members from the roll of the Grange if they fail to pay their annual dues in a reasonable length of time. Since dues are payable in advance, it is expected that each member will have paid their 2007 annual dues by the end of the first calendar quarter, March 31. The Grange Secretary must make at least one contact in writing with the members, and may now make a second attempt either in writing, verbally or electronically to secure the payment before presenting the name of any member to the Grange as being delinquent.

Let’s make sure our annual dues are paid before March 31 so we don’t get reported as delinquent, and risk being dropped from the rolls of the Grange!
 

Website Identification
The following committee resolution was adopted by the delegates to the National Grange convention in Springfield Illinois to clarify to visitors on a Grange sponsored website, by whom or for whom the site is operated.

“RESOLVED: That all websites owned by, operated by or in the name of a Grange, local, Pomona, or State, must carry an identity claim on the home page of the site, listing the Grange under whose direction the site is operated, along with current contact information.”

The National Grange spends many dollars and much time monitoring the use of the name “Grange” in the public domain. We have a copyright and must protect it. Several websites have been shut down over the past two years because they were not operated by or owned by a Grange.

If at any time a member notices something that may not be a legitimate use of the name, on a website, on a building or other location, they should contact the National Grange offices in Washington, DC.
 

Springfield 3rd Graders Receive Dictionaries
 Every third grader in Springfield, Illinois received a new dictionary from the National Grange in conjunction with the Grange’s 140 th National Convention held in the Illinois Capital. A total of 1,250 dictionaries were distributed. On Monday, November 13, National Master Bill Steel visited two schools to personally hand out dictionaries. Third graders at the Dubois and McClernand schools looked up the word “Grange” as well as the longest word in the English language. One student noted that the back cover states there are eight planets in the solar systems. “Aren’t there nine?” he asked. That gave Master Steel an opening to say that their new dictionary is probably the first to recognize the downgrading of Pluto from planet to dwarf planet.

Each dictionary carries a Grange label on the inside front cover with space for the student to put their name. The dictionaries were purchased through the Dictionary Project a Charleston, South Carolina charity that has supplied over four million dictionaries to children across the country. Granges across the country have accounted for over one hundred thousand of those.
 

Grangers Meet, Greet and Set Policy
Delegates and patrons to the 140 th National Grange Convention gathered in Springfield, Illinois November 14 –18 to renew old acquaintances and to get down to the business of setting Grange policy for 2007. A total of 103 resolutions were passed covering nine key policy areas: Audit and Budget, Agriculture, Citizenship and Public Affairs, Conservation and Natural Resources, Education and Health, Growth and Development, Grange Law, Labor and Judiciary, and Transportation, Taxation and Fiscal Policy. These resolutions will guide the internal and external operations of the Grange during 2007. Those resolutions dealing with federal legislation will be reflected in the 2007 National Grange Legislative Policy Manual to be published by the end of the first quarter.
 

Master’s Message
In his Opening session address to the delegates and public, Master Bill Steel called for progressive new public policies to re-invigorate and protect rural communities. He stated that issues such as rural health care, education, transportation and telecommunication access will have more long-term impact on rural communities than traditional agriculture, trade and environmental policies that command today’s headlines. “The next Farm Bill should recognize and promote adoption of innovative practices such as part-time farming, new uses, direct-to-consumer marketing, biotechnology, bio-energy and organic farming,” Steel stated. To not address the rural infrastructure and changes in farming will result in ill-conceived policy decisions that will threaten the prosperity and very existence of the nation’s farming and rural communities.The Master’s speech was met with a standing ovation and considerable interest from the rural media. Plans call for continuing to promote these messages to the media and public.
 

Outstanding Speakers and Seminars
Delegates and patrons were treated to a series of outstanding speakers and seminars during the convention. Tuesday’s keynoter was award winning Illinois farm broadcaster Colleen Callahan. Her presentation on communications being the key to understanding was well received by the Grange audience. Motivational speaker Chris Bowers spoke to the Youth about leadership and the important roles they can play in their schools and communities. Radio Hall of Fame member Orion Samuelson did his homework on the Grange and made a stirring closing presentation at the “Celebration Banquet” Saturday night.

There were seminars on a variety of subjects including Women’s and Family Activities, Building the Grange Brand, Lecturers’ programs, Dogs for the Deaf and membership development. Fellow Grangers and staff members presented the seminars.
 

Not All Work and No Play
The convention was not all work and no play. Delegates toured Springfield on the Monday before the official convention opening. The tour included the new Lincoln Library and museum, which many said rivals the best of the presidential museums. The tour was repeated on Thursday for the non-delegates who attended the convention. As the week progressed the fun increased. Youth arrived on Wednesday and began a series of tours, seminars, parties and community service projects. Junior Grangers arrived on Thursday and had a pajama party and movie Thursday night, a tour with the Youth on Friday and a Junior breakfast on Saturday.

The week also featured a “craft-corner” where members knitted clothing items for premature babies. The items were donated to a local hospital on the Sunday after convention. Throughout the week the “Idea Fair” featured displays from community and state Granges as well as the “Best of Illinois” crafts and projects. A Grange store featured a bevy of Grange products for purchase by attendees.

Friday night the “Evening of Excellence” featured the talent winners from several states, sign-a-song presentations, public speaking, and the introduction of Youth Horizon Leadership Participants. New this year was the “Family of the Year” presentation. Close to 500 Grangers attended the “Evening of Excellence.”

Saturday dawned with a presentation of the 6 th Degree by the Illinois State Grange and the 7 th Degree was performed to a packed audience Saturday afternoon. The grand finale was the “Celebration Banquet” Saturday night featuring “the voice of agriculture” Orion Samuelson as the keynote speaker. Dinner was follow by dancing into the wee hours.

Stated National Master Bill Steel, “The annual convention has become much more than a business meeting. It is a true celebration of the Grange with outstanding speakers, seminars, banquets and other fun and interesting activities for participants. One does not have to be here as part of the business meeting to meet, greet and enjoy. I encourage all Grangers to put November 13 to 17, 2007 on their calendars now and join the fun in Sparks, Nevada for the 141 st National Grange Convention.”
 

November 2006 News

William A. Steel Appointed To National Advisory Position
President William A. Steel of the National Grange has recently been appointed to the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (APME) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Mr. Steel is the 21st president of the National Grange in Washington, D.C., a 138-year-old organization. The western Pennsylvania native oversees more than 2,800 local, county and state Grange chapters across the United States. Raised on a century-old farm, he is rooted deep in the agricultural community with 50-plus years in the Grange on the local and national levels. Read full Story

 

National Grange President William A. Steel Pays Tribute to Hall of Fame Inductees
Oliver Hudson Kelley, founder of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, was one of three individuals inducted into the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, KS on Friday, Oct. 27. Kelly and Justus von Liebig posthumously received the honor along with Senator Robert J. Dole.

The new inductees join thirty-five others who were previously honored for their contributions in the agricultural field. “They join such notables as President Abraham Lincoln, researchers Luther Burbank and George Washington Carver, and industrialist John Deere, Eli Whitney and Cyrus McCormick,” said William A. Steel, president of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, during the ceremony. Read full Story
 

September 2006 News

National Grange Communications/Public Relations Adds Outside Support
The National Grange is pleased to announce that it has contracted with freelance writer/editor DeAnn Cardarella of Pennsylvania to assist in the preparation of The New Grange. DeAnn will compile, write and edit stories for The New Grange. The publication will continue to be laid out in house and the National office will coordinate the printing. DeAnn is familiar with the Grange, having worked part time for the Pennsylvania State Grange in public relations. She is a weekly contributor to the Johnstown Tribune Democrat, writes and does photography for Johnstown Magazine and writes and designs newsletters for the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and the Saint Benedict Parish School.

In the area of public relations, the National Grange has employed the services of Agri/Washington, a full service public relations firm based in Washington, D.C. Its staff offers a unique combination of agricultural, communications and trade association experience. Agri/Washington has worked for the National Grange in the past. The firm will assist the National office in publicizing the Oliver H. Kelley induction into the Agricultural Hall of Fame, the 140th Annual Convention, the Legislative Fly-in and other Grange events.
 

Kelley History, Photos Available
Oliver Hudson Kelley will be inducted into the Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kansas on October 27, 2006. If you would like to do a write up on this, the links below connect to an article on Kelley and two pictures of Kelley. Feel free to use all or part of the article. CLICK HERE to view "Kelley, Hall of Famer" Article.
 

Homemade Christmas Tree Ornaments Needed
The National Grange will be decorating a Christmas tree with handmade ornaments made by Grange members across the country at the 140th National Convention in Springfield, Illinois. The decorated Christmas tree will be on display at the convention and donated to a local school or hospital for children to enjoy after the convention. If you are interested in donating handmade ornaments, please call 1-888-4-GRANGE, ext. 107 or email dgedris@nationalgrange.org.
 

Family of the Year Applications Due September 15th
Applications for the 2006 National Grange Family of the Year award are due September 15th.  For information or to download and application, please CLICK HERE 
 

Kelley Farm DVD Now Available
A DVD about the Kelley farm is now available from National Grange The DVD runs approximately 15 minutes and includes historical information about Kelley, his family and the farm.  It also features a tour of the farm, the Kelley home, the fields, the gardens and the farmyard.  To request a copy of the DVD, please call 888-447-2643 ext. 109 or e-mail sjohnson@nationalgrange.org
 

National Grange is going to Alaska
Join National Grange Overseer Terry Hunt and his wife Mary aboard the Diamond Princess for an Alaskan adventure. Cruise rates start at only $699.00 per person.  For more information, please call Total Travel at 800-338-8711 or CLICK HERE.
 

July 2006 News
Super JG Award
This award is intended to honor Juniors that have excelled in their Junior Granges. There are eight requirements. The application is available online at NationalGrange.org. All Super JG Award winners will be honored at the National Convention during the Saturday Awards Ceremony and breakfast. For more information contact: Anne Kurburski, National Junior Grange Development Director.

Junior Grange Activities at the National Grange Convention
There are lots of exciting activities planned for Junior Grange Members at the National Grange Convention. We are starting off on Thursday, November 16, with a Pajama Party. Get out your favorite PJ’s and join in the fun. We will be having games, movies, popcorn, soda, and just a whole lot of fun. During the Convention there are lots of activities planned for Juniors. We have several tours,workshops, and even a few surprises planned. Please make plans now to attend the National Grange Convention. For more information contact: Anne Kurburski National Junior Grange Development Director.

National Junior Grange Contests
Make sure your Juniors enter the National Junior Grange contests. The theme for 2006 is Building Communities. The two contests are: (1) Creative Writing. Write about your Junior Grange Community—What role do you play within your Junior Grange, and (2) Creative Art. Draw a picture of your Community. Cash prizes and certificates will be awarded. For more details contact your State Junior Director or Anne Kurburski, National Junior Grange Development Director. Entries must be submitted to the National Director by October 1, 2006.

Important Convention Deadlines For Youth
Applications for the John Trimble Legislative Experience, Youth Officers and Horizon Leadership Ambassadors must be sent to the National Youth Development Director by September 10. Send to Cindy Greer, 7629 CR 100, Hesperus, CO 81326-9311. The applicants must have earned Achievement Awards and secured letters of recommendation as stated in the rules for each program. Contracts for all participating youth are required and due prior to arrival at the convention site in Springfield, IL. Youth housing requests must be received by October 15.

National Convention Youth Tour
The Youth Tour at the National Grange convention will include: Lincoln’s museum and Lincoln’s Tomb in Springfield followed by a community service activity. This will take place on Thursday of the convention.

Friday afternoon the youth will be visiting the Presidential Museum with the Junior Grangers.Youth housing reservations are due in Mid October.

Your Favorite Disney Character
The theme of this year’s costume party at the National Grange convention is “Your Favorite Disney Character.” We should see a wide variety of Disney characters at the party. Anywhere from Mickey Mouse, wicked witches, Cinderella, handsome princes, and Nemo are just a few of the possibilities and of course some will be easier to create than others, but it should be fun! We’ll have prizes for the best costumes and a few other prizes with categories yet to be determined.

The Youth will again have a room in which they can just hang out after the parties and evening activities.

June 2006 News
New National Grange Sales Catalog Now Available
The new National Grange sales catalog and order form are now available. The official catalog for Grange merchandise and supplies now features photos of the merchandise.  To request your catalog, please call 888-447-2643 ext. 103 or e-mail sales@nationalgrange.org

Newly Designed Individual Member Record
The Individual Member Record Extra Sheets, Item #458, is now 8½” X 11” and fits in a standard three ring binder. A Grange three ring is also available from the Grange store.  To order, please call 888-447-2643 ext. 103.

May 2006 News
National Grange President Receives Golden Sheaf
William Steel, president of the National Grange, was recently honored with the Golden Sheaf Certificate. The Big Knob Grange in Beaver County, Pennsylvania presented Steel with the certificate honoring his 50 years of service in the Grange. As a Grange member, Steel has held many positions – from Big Knob Grange Master to National Grange Youth Director to Pennsylvania State Grange President to National Grange Overseer. Steel was appointed the president of the National Grange in 2003.

National Grange Appoints New Legislative Consultant
The National Grange recently announced the appointment of Brenda J. Shambaugh as a legislative consultant. Shambaugh, who resides in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, brings more than 20 years of legislative and policy experience to the national organization. As a legislative consultant, Shambaugh will be responsible for assisting the National Grange Legislative Department as they implement legislative initiatives, refine policy positions, write press releases and articles, and promote National Grange policies.

Head of CMS to Speak at Fly-In
The tentative agenda for the National Grange Fly-In 2006 is now posted on our Web site. The National Grange is proud to have Dr. Mark McClellan, administrator of the U.S. Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS), as our honorary dinner speaker and welcomes his insight about Medicare issues especially those relating to rural areas. We are planning to have almost 100 participants this year, and we are looking forward to a fun and informative two days in Washington, D.C.

April 2006 News
National Grange Attends OCRE Meeting
Organizations Concerned About Rural Education (OCRE) held their monthly meeting to address the legislative environment regarding rural education and the increasing need to insure rural America is remembered in an upcoming telecommunications bill. The OCRE coalition of more than two-dozen organizations is dedicated to the improvement of public education and economic development in rural America. The National Grange is an active member in this coalition and strongly supports its principles and goals.

Federal Agencies Reject Marijuana for Medical Use
A joint statement issued recently by several U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) concluded that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use.

New Grange Nominated for Association Award
The September/October 2005 issue of the New Grange was recently nominated for the 2006 Gold Circle Communications Award in the feature-writing category. The feature article, “The Rural Problem with Meth,” written by Peter Banks, National Grange legislative program assistant, appears on the front page of the issue.

The American Society of Association Executives sponsors the award. All entries will be judged on clarity, conciseness, and effectiveness in meeting the stated objective of the piece, which is to inform our members about the dangers of meth. The winners will be announced on August 19, 2006 at the association’s annual meeting in Boston, MA.

Grange Deaf Activities Materials Available
The National Grange has deaf activities materials available at no cost to Granges. Free materials include the Pledge of Allegiance Poster, the Manual Alphabet Poster, and the Handbook on Hearing Loss. These materials are excellent to provide to teachers when distributing dictionaries, as part of the Dictionary Project. To request these items, please call 1-888-447-2643, ext. 107

Youth T-shirt Now Available
A youth themed T-shirt is now available from National Grange. Available in sizes small to 3XL. The T-shirt is hunter green with the key design. To order, please call 1- 888-447-2643, ext. 103. Order by May 31, 2006 and receive free shipping.

Junior Grange Merit Badges Now Available
The National Grange now has all of the Junior Grange merit badges in stock. New junior items also available, including T-shirts (in junior and adults sizes) backpacks, lunch packs, and pencils. Order any Junior Grange item during the month of May 2006 and receive free shipping.

The National Grange Conducts Radio Interviews to Promote Grange Month
To celebrate Grange Month, the National Grange has conducted several radio interviews with Bill Ray, the Voice of Agrinet Radio. To kick off the month, National Grange President William Steel talked about the history of the Grange and current Grange programs. Leroy Watson, National Grange Legislative Affairs Director, discussed how recent eminent domain rulings are affecting rural Americans, particularly family farmers. New radio interviews are scheduled each week during the month of April. To listen,
please visit www.agrinetradio.com.

California State Grange Master Succumbs
Tom Stefenoni, California State Grange Master, departed this life suddenly on April 12, 2006. The memorial service is set for Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 2 p.m. It will be held at the Community Church of Sebastopol, 100 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol, California. Cards and condolences can be sent to: Martha and Joseph Stefenoni at P.O. Box 283, Fulton, CA 95439.

It’s Spring Cleaning Time!
The National Grange is working to streamline its distribution of the New Grange by removing duplicate addresses from the mailing list. We have already streamlined it by removing duplicate names, but now we are in the process of reviewing the list by addresses.

There are several households that currently receive multiple copies using multiple names. If this is occurring in your household, we would greatly appreciate your assistance. Please contact Shaletta Espie at sespie@nationalgrange.org or 1-888-447-2643, ext. 116 to remove multiple names so that your household is receiving only one copy of the New Grange. We would like as many Grange families as possible to receive the New Grange, and your assistance will make this possible.

North Carolina State Grange Visits D.C.
North Carolina State Grange recently enjoyed a successful Legislative Day on Capitol Hill, meeting with both Senators and Representatives. In all the meetings, North Carolina Grangers were met with respect for what the Grange has done in the past for rural America and an interest in the issues affecting members today. Many topics were discussed including H2A Workers, avian flu preparedness, and the upcoming Farm Bill.

Tell Us Your Medicare Part D Experience
The National Grange wants to hear about your Medicare Part D experience. As you may know, the Grange was a strong supporter of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and now we are working with CMS to implement the Part D program in rural communities across the nation. Please send your story to chwang@nationalgrange.org or go to our Web site, www.NationalGrange.org, and directly discuss your experience with fellow Grangers on our Panel Discussion Board.

Grange Involved in Part D Rally
On April 6, 2006, Leroy Watson, Legislative Director of the National Grange, participated in a Medicare Part D rally in front of the Cannon House Office Building. Representatives involved in the event included:

Rep. Deborah Pryce (OH-15) Rep. Clay Shaw (FL-22)
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite (FL-05) Rep. Rob Simmons (CT-02)
Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05) Rep. Tim Murphy (PA-18)
Rep. Phil Gingrey (GA-11) Rep. Dave Reichert (WA-08)
Rep. Tom Price (GA-06) Rep. Phil English (PA-03)

While there, Watson presented a statement titled, “National Grange Believes Medicare Part D is Critical to Farmers.”

Secretary’s Minute Record Book Now Available
The Secretary’s Minute Record Book with headings is now in stock and available. The hardbound-book will hold minutes for approximately 100 meetings. To order, please call 1-888-447-2643, ext. 103 or e-mail sales@nationalgrange.org.

The Eastern Regional Youth Conference was a Success
 North Carolina hosted an excellent Eastern Regional Youth Conference in April at the Camp Caraway Conference Center. Eighty-two Grangers participated in get acquainted games, drill teams, public speaking contests, sign a song contest, a stress management workshop, a methamphetamine workshop, a teamwork workshop, a worship service, and a dance. There was plenty of time for playing outdoor games, such as volleyball or baseball, and lots of wooded areas to explore.

Every year, the region selects two youth who show enthusiasm and Grange spirit to receive the Jeff Wetzel Spirit of Grange Award. This year’s recipients are: Juli Grafton of Ohio and Valentin Deleon of North Carolina.

We had six public speaking entries, six impromptu public speaking entries, four sign a song entries, and three drill teams. The group tried something different with the drill teams this year. On Friday evening, the group was divided into three teams and each team had to create their drill using at least four formations; they had to find their music and practice. Saturday evening, the drill teams did an outstanding job performing their drills, some of the youth had never participated in a drill before. They learned a lot about leadership and teamwork through this process.

Following are the results:

Eastern Regional Conference Winners!
 
Best of Show
1st place
2nd place
3rd Place
4th Place

13-19 Prepared
Meredith Fulton (NC)
Meredith Fulton (NC)
Stacie Keith
(PA)
    
20-29 Prepared
  
Jodi Keith
(PA)
 
    
30+ Prepared
 
Sarah Grafton (OH)
Jodi Keith
(PA)
    
30+ Elevator Speech
 
Jill Hugus
(OH)
 
    
Sign-A-Song
Hobbiest
Julie Grafton
(OH)
Julie Grafton
(OH)
Stacie Keith
(PA)
    
Sign-A-Song
Group		  
Susan Waxler
(PA)
Jeremy Olszewski
(PA)
Julie Hugus
(OH)
Brittany Hicks
(OH)
   
Impromptu
Speaking 13-19		  
Jeremy Olszewski
Chris Bungee
April Youngblood
Meredith Fulton
Impromptu
Speaking 20-29		  
Theresa Burk
 
 
 
Impromptu
Speaking 30+		   Patty Dyer      
Drill Team  
Team 2
Team 1
Team 3
 
     

National Grange Supports Crop Insurance
On March 15, 2006, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing to review the federal crop insurance system. Much of the discussion focused on the Ag Risk Protection Act (ARPA) of 2000, a bill that increased the availability and affordability of crop insurance premiums to farmers. This bill is currently under review and the overwhelming consensus among representatives and farmers is a need for a strong and supportive crop insurance program. The National Grange strongly supports crop insurance, mentioning it numerous times in the National Grange 2006 Legislative Policies Manual. Expanding the program to include horticulture crops and total coverage for disaster relief are some of the issues confronting Congress that are strongly supported by the Grange.

Health Care Briefing on Price Transparency
Last week, the Committee on Resources held a briefing to discuss price transparency and quality in health care. All the committee members stressed the need for an easier and quicker method of determining the price of procedures and medicines, although there was a difference in opinion on
whether this transparency would help those who are presently uninsured. During his testimony, John Goodman, President of the National Center for Policy Analysis, pointed out that a recent Harris Poll found that consumers could guess the price of a new Honda Accord within $300. But when asked to estimate the cost of a four-day stay in the hospital, those same consumers were off by $8,100. Some of the issues facing the committee included: providing information in an understandable manner, making sure that information on quality is also available, and using this information to help those people who are uninsured.

The ESA and Property Rights
On March 27 th, The Capital Research Center and The National Center For Public Policy Research held a briefing about the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and how protecting private property rights is good for landowners and species. All of the speakers agreed that the ESA was an out of date, ineffective act that harmed landowners by leaving them with few options when an endangered species was found on their land. Some of the acts’ main failures are: the pressure to sterilize one’s land in order to avoid it from being taken, the faulty compensation program that leaves landholders in a state of limbo, and the inability to protect endangered species (In 30 years, ten out of 1,300 species have been officially recovered.).

Bush Administration Responds to the Grange’s Blueprint for Rural America
Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy in the Treasury Department Mark J. Warshawsky sent a letter to National Grange President William

Steel on behalf of Treasury Secretary John Snow and President Bush to respond to the Grange’s five-point priority issue plan, Blueprint for Rural America 2006.

The letter focused on how the Administration is working on health care. The letter says: “(The President’s 2007 budget) proposals include full income and payroll tax deductibility for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and HSA-qualified health plans regardless of whether the employer or individual finances them; a tax credit to help low-income individuals purchase health insurance in the non-group market; and expansions of Association Health Plans.”

Grange Takes Up Immigration Issues
As immigration issues take center stage in Congress, the National Grange sent a clear message to all members of the U.S. Senate that Congress should strengthen efforts to stem the tide of illegal immigration while at the same time supporting extension and reform of legal programs for temporary guest workers to work in the agriculture sector.

A letter, sent by the National Grange, expressed strong opposition to any general amnesty; called for granting federal authorities additional authority to detain suspected illegal immigrants and/or foreign individuals with expired visas for the duration of any investigation and processing of their claims, as well as during any deportation proceedings, if the immigration status of an individual is determined to be illegal; called for continuation of specific legal programs to bring temporary guest workers into the United States to meet the legitimate labor needs of the agricultural sector, as well as reforms of the current temporary foreign guest worker programs to allow for expedited processing of temporary foreign guest workers to be employed in the agricultural sector; and, urged Senators to support reforming regulations governing the wages that farmers pay temporary foreign guest workers employed in agriculture to more closely reflect the actual prevailing local wage rates for agriculture work to reduce farmers financial burden.

National Grange Believes Medicare Part D is Critical to Farmers
 National Grange President William Steel recently called on Congress and the Bush Administration to increase outreach and education resources in farming communities regarding the importance of timely sign-up for the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program. Analysis conducted by the National Grange on the nation’s farm population using data from the USDA’s Census of Agriculture has revealed that the Medicare Part D prescription drug program will have an increasing and important economic and quality of life impact on family farmers in the United States.

Senate Committee Passes Small Business Health Plans Bill
Legislation to create more affordable health insurance options for small business was approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee on March 15. This is the first time the Senate has pushed such legislation forward, breaking a long time deadlock of 15 years. The bipartisan bill, “The Health Insurance Marketplace Modernization and Affordability Act,” S.1955, will allow business and trade associations to band their members together and offer group health coverage on a national or regional basis in direct response to runaway costs that are driving far too many employers and families from comprehensive health insurance. The National Grange supports this legislation expecting it will allow organizations like the Grange to offer standardized health insurance programs to their members across the nation the same way that large corporations and labor unions can already today.

Grange Talks to the House Democratic Members of the Small Business Committee
The National Grange was recently invited to join the Democratic Members of the House Small Business Committee at a breakfast meeting to bring the Grange’s input to the dialogue between the committee and the small business community. The Grange supports issues that are important to small farm businesses and family farmers such as the Association Health Plans (AHPs), permanent elimination of death tax, and eminent domain for public use only.

Grange Promotes Renewable Energy for Farmers
The National Grange has long championed more development of renewable energy derived from America’s family farms such as biodiesel, ethanol, biomass, and wind energies. The Grange recently urged the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture to restore full funding to Section 9006, the Renewable Energy System and Energy Efficiency Improvements program, in the 2002 Farm Bill for fiscal year 2007 in a coalition letter.

Grange Media Campaign to Fight Cable Monopolies
The National Grange is working with State Granges in California, New Jersey, Virginia, and Indiana to promote open competition among video and TV providers without favoritism to cable companies. A Grange editorial asking for passage of the Video Choice Act that those four state legislatures are currently considering is being sent to major newspapers in the states with State Grange Presidents signatures. The legislation will force cable TV monopolies to compete just like in every other industry.

New Junior Grange Products Available
From T-shirts to sports bottles to lunch paks, Junior Grange products are taking on a new look. To receive a flyer featuring these new products, please contact Beverly Mitchell at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 103 or via email to bmitchell@nationalgrange.org

March 2006 News

Journal of Proceedings Now Available
 The 2005 National Grange Journal of Proceedings is now available. Subordinate and Pomona Granges, as well as individuals, can purchase their first copy for $5.00 shipping and handling and each additional copy for $7.00.

Granges and individuals can also purchase a CD including PDF versions of the 2005 Journal of Proceedings, the 2006 Digest of Laws, and the 2006 Legislative Policy Book for $3.00 shipping and handling.

You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher to view the files. Free versions and updates of Acrobat Reader are available at http://www.adobe.com.

Please send your orders, including your name, addresses, and telephone number, to Shaletta Espie, National Grange, 1616 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006. Make sure to specify the number of books and/or CDs you wish to purchase. All checks should be made payable to the National Grange. Please print your information so it is legible to prevent the delay of orders.

Granges Helping Medicare Sign Up Prescription Drug Beneficiaries
 Granges across the country have conducted massive consumer education programs about the new Medicare Prescription Drug Benefits over the past year and a half. To date, Granges have distributed over 200,000 information sheets to individuals and organizations, such as retirement homes. This outstanding performance has not gone unnoticed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency responsible for signing up beneficiaries. CMS recently asked the Grange to go the next step: actually sit down face to face with potential beneficiaries and show them their prescription drug plan options.

Here is how it will work: CMS will identify key counties in certain states where they need help reaching potential beneficiaries. Regional CMS representatives will coordinate with State Grange Presidents to identify local Granges that can help out in key counties. Two important needs are a location where beneficiaries can go and someone who can help them identify options either through an 800 line or log onto the CMS web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/. Potential beneficiaries need only supply a list of their medications and the drug store where they want to obtain them. The CMS program will process that information and identify the available options. The beneficiary can then choose and sign up through the 800 line.

Grange states participating at this time are Vermont, North Carolina, South Carolina, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. Efforts are underway to enroll six additional states where CMS needs help. National Grange President William Steel stated, “This is a great opportunity for local Granges to reach out to their communities with an important benefit. It is truly a ‘people helping people’ project.”

Grange Member Burial Service Updated
The Delegates at the 139th Annual National Grange Convention in Columbus, Ohio approved a revision of the Grange burial service. The service is designed for use at the interment ceremony and is optional on the part of the deceased’s family.

The burial service will be available in future versions of the Manual of the Subordinate Grange; however, copies can currently be obtained by sending a self addressed and stamped envelope to the National Grange, Attn: Burial Service, 1616 H Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006.

National Grange Attends 25 X 25 Renewable Energy Summit
National Grange Legislative Director Leroy Watson represented the National Grange at the Second Annual 25 X 25 Renewable Energy Summit held March 7-9, 2006 in Washington, D.C. At the summit, the National Grange joined more than 70 agricultural, forestry, energy, and environmental organizations in endorsing the ambitious goal that 25 percent of the nation's energy will be derived from renewable resources from America’s working lands by the year 2025. Building on this broad base of support, efforts of the 25 X 25 coalition will focus on obtaining endorsements from members of Congress, as well as the nation's governors, to achieve this goal.

National Grange Urges CMS to Expand Coverage
On March 6, 2006, the National Grange joined with 19 organizations in the Medicare Access for Patients Rx Coalition in urging the administrator for the U.S. Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend existing coverage and expand options for preferred access to new prescriptions drugs for patients with long term chronic illnesses who are on the new Medicare Part D program.

Eastern Regional Youth Conference Scheduled
North Carolina will host the 2006 Eastern Regional Youth Conference at Camp Caraway in Asheboro. The cost is $90 per person and registration forms are due by March 24, 2006. Hotel rooms are available for $48 per night. If you are interested in reserving a hotel room, please contact Jennie Gentry at 1-800-432-4857. If you have questions about the conference, please e-mail Cindy Greer at youth@nationalgrange.org.

Eastern Regional Contest Entries Due in April
Entries for Public Speaking and Sign A Song contests are due to Cindy Greer, National Grange Youth Development Directory, by April 1, 2006. The names of all contestants and titles of songs and speeches are required on all entry forms. For more information, please contact Cindy Greer at youth@nationalgrange.org.

Oliver Hudson Kelley Inducted into Ag Hall of Fame
Grange Founder Oliver Hudson Kelley will be inducted into the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame on Friday, October 20, 2006 at 1:30 p.m. The Hall of Fame is located in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The National Grange is asking all to attend and is working to organize a vacation package. Details about the package will appear in future issues of the New Grange and on the National Grange’s Web site, www.NationalGrange.org. If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Harris at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 113.

Master’s Meeting Held in Orlando, Florida
The 2006 Master’s Meeting was held in Orlando, Florida on February 24-26, 2006. State Masters and their spouses traveled to the Sunshine State to hear about the exciting things happening at the National Grange. Topics of discussion included strategic planning, image building, grassroots legislative action, and available programs.

Two Board Members Re-elected to Their Positions
National Grange Board of Director’s Chairman Kevin Klenklen and Secretary Bruce Croucher were re-elected to their positions at the February 2006 Board of Directors meeting in Orlando Florida. Klenklen was originally elected to the Board in 2002. He is also a member of Pleasant View Grange #1459 and Jefferson County Pomona Grange #10 in Kansas. Croucher was elected to the Board in 1999. He is also the Master of the New York State Grange.

Hotel Selected for 2010 National Grange Convention
During the February 2006 meeting, the Board of Directors voted on the convention headquarters hotel for the 2010 National Grange Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. The convention headquarters hotel will be the Hilton Charlotte University Place. The Hilton Charlotte University Place is conveniently located in the growing Northeast section of the city, only 15 minutes from the Charlotte Douglas International Airport and easily accessible via major Interstates 77 and 85. The beautiful lakeside hotel facilities will accommodate all the needs of the convention. Also, there are dozens of restaurants, retail shops, and nightlife venues within a short walking distance of the hotel.

Great Plains Selected for 2011 National Grange Convention
The Board of Directors continue to move forward and believe that the National Grange should find exciting cities to hold future conventions. Due to the large space requirements of the Annual Convention, the National Grange starts looking at different cities and states five years before the convention. The Board has approved the Great Plains as the region in which convention 2011 will be held. The National Grange will be looking at various cities in these states: Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Grangers Organized To Vote Campaign Launched
Information about the Grangers Organized To Vote (GOTV) Campaign is now on the National Grange Web site at http://www.nationalgrange.org/legislation/GOTV.htm. The Web page is designed to provide Grange members with vital voting information to help them get registered and ready to vote in 2006 – when local, state, and federal elections will be held including the entire U.S. House of Representatives, 33 U.S. Senate seats, 38 governors’ offices, and numerous ballot initiatives.

For more information about this campaign, please contact Chil-sook Hwang at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 109.

National Grange Planning Eminent Domain Grassroots Campaign
The National Grange is gearing up for a Web-based grassroots educational program about eminent domain throughout the year. It will be a comprehensive issue package that brings together information and action tools that the Grange is generating on eminent domain. The goal of the program will be to promote awareness among Grange members about eminent domain abuse by providing them with accurate and timely information.

As the program is finalized, additional information will be available on www.nationalgrange.org, in the New Grange, and in the View From the Hill.

February 2006 News
Youth Awareness Bracelets Now Available
The National Grange Youth Development Department has green “I'd Be Delighted” awareness bracelets for sale. The proceeds from the sale of these bracelets will go to the Grange Foundation Youth Leadership fund. The bracelets are available for $3.00 each and can be ordered from Cindy Greer, 7629 C.R. 100, Hesperus, CO 81326 or youth@nationalgrange.org. The bracelets would make great prizes for a variety of activities and promote the Youth Department at the same time.

Meth in Rural America Program Available on DVD
Methamphetamine labs are popping up all across rural America. The presence of meth devastates communities, and the Grange is helping to educate residents on the dangers of meth. The National Grange has developed a comprehensive program on DVD (also available on VHS in limited quantities) that will be available on March 1, 2006. This is an excellent informational tool to share with your community by hosting information sessions and inviting special speakers to your Grange to discuss the issue. To order the DVD, please contact DoriAnn Gedris at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 107 or dgedris@nationalgrange.org.

Junior Grange Alternative Manuals Ready for Purchase
A new Junior Grange Alternative Manual is now available. The manual contains the opening, closing, and obligation ceremonies, as well as new pledge wording and the order of business. The cost is 75 cents. To order, please call 1-888-447-2643, ext. 103.

Legislative Policy Book is Online
Grange members can now download the Legislative Policy Book by visiting http://www.nationalgrange.org/2006PolicyBook.pdf. Two versions of the book are available. Version one is the complete book, which includes the 2006 policies and the Grassroots Training Manual. Version two is only the Grassroots Training Manual.

Hardcopies of the book will be available beginning March 15, 2006. One free book, per Grange is available by contacting Peter Banks at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 105 or pbanks@nationalgrange.org.

National Grange Receives Positive Media Attention
The National Grange’s partnership with the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) is receiving wide spread media attention. Articles discussing the join venture have been published in the Selma Times-Journal, the Houston Chronicle, the San Antonio Express-News, Fox News, the Daily Times, the Cambridge Daily Banner, the Amarillo Globe News, the Dallas Morning News, the Delaware State News, the El Paso Times, the Albuquerque Journal, the Associated Press, MSNBC, and the Jackson Sun.

PPA brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations, and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that’s right for them. The National Grange is working to make uninsured rural Americans aware of their prescription care options.

Pentagon Tour Added to Fly-In Schedule
The 2006 Legislative Fly-In program will now feature a tour of the Pentagon. The Pentagon headquarters the Department of Defense and is one of the world's largest office buildings. The tour route is approximately one and one half miles in length and lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour. Each tour consists of more than 20 pages of script that includes the mission of the Department of Defense and each of its branches of service, as well as numerous displays that highlight and depict significant moments in military history. In addition to the tour, Fly-In participants will also have lunch at the Pentagon.

For information about how to register for the Fly-In, please visit http://www.nationalgrange.org/legislation/flyin/flyin2006/2006main.htm or contact Peter Banks at pbanks@nationalgrange.org or 1-888-447-2643, ext. 105.

Registration for the Eastern Regional Youth Conference Begins
This year’s Eastern Regional Youth Conference will be held at the Camp Caraway Conference Center in Asheboro, North Carolina on April 7-9, 2006. The cost of the conference is $90, per person and checks can be made payable to the North Carolina State Grange. Registration forms can be obtained by calling Jennie Gentry at 1-800-432-4857. The registration deadline is March 24, 2006.

Top Reasons People Attend National Convention Revealed
The National Grange asked the question, “Why do you attend the national convention?” at the 139th Annual National Grange Convention in Columbus, Ohio. The answers were the Seventh Degree, the Evening of Excellence, and to see old friends and make new ones.

If you are interested in attending the 140th Annual National Grange Convention in Springfield, Illinois, please visit www.nationalgrange.org or contact Carrie Harris at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 113 or charris@nationalgrange.org.

CORRECTION!
National Grange Announces Family of the Year Award
The National Grange "Family of the Year" Award is designed to identify and recognize outstanding Grange families. The Award is intended to acknowledge the accomplishments and achievements of a family in their local community and Grange. If your family has done something outstanding and has made a difference in your Grange or community, please visit http://www.nationalgrange.org/departments/familyoftheyear.htm for official rules and an application. Deadlines for application submission is September 15, 2006. If you have any questions, please contact DoriAnn Gedris at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 107.

National Grange Needs Help Educating Seniors about Medicare Part D
Granges can still register to participate in the National Grange Medicare Part D Awareness Program. Important dates are approaching for seniors to take advantage of prescription assistance plans. Granges all across America are helping to educate them, but we need the help of more Granges in order to enrich the lives of as many rural seniors as possible. Contact DoriAnn Gedris at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 107 to receive a packet that includes information about Medicare Part D, how to successfully plan an information session, and sample press releases to promote the sessions in your community.

Legislation Responds to National Grange’s Pleas on Digital Divide
The National Grange has been a forefront advocate in asking Congress to assure that family farmers and rural Americans, who currently rely on over-the-air broadcasting for their access to television, will continue to have the access after the digital television transition takes place. Legislation is currently pending to move the final digital television transition phase to February 17, 2009. The Senate has approved a package that would make available $1.5 billion to subsidize the purchases of converters for the estimated 21 million households that rely on over-the-air broadcasts. House Representatives gave final approval to the measure on February 1, 2006, and President Bush has indicated he will sign the
legislation into law.

National Grange Policy on Food Labeling Fulfilled
At the 139th Annual National Grange Convention, the Grange Delegates adopted the following policy: “The National Grange favors strict enforcement of all food labeling laws by the Food & Drug Administration.” The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, which took effect January 1, 2006, requires that all food labels clearly state if food products contain any ingredients that contain protein derived from the eight major allergenic foods: milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, wheat, tree nuts, soybeans, and peanuts.

National Grange Asks CMS to Reconsider Messaging
The National Grange, in partnership with the Medicare Access for Patients Rx (MAPRx) alliance, is asking CMS to reconsider its messaging in its Medicare Part D outreach materials. Currently, the materials use lan