 T The
Grange, 137 Years Later: Same
Mission, Different Path Washington,
D.C. - Many articles have been written about the Grange. In recent months,
the headlines have read "Grange Fights To Stay Relevant," "Grange's Demise Would
Be A Loss For Community" and "Grange Movement Dying On The Vine." Yet
amidst the negative press, declining membership, and skeptical views of the Grange's
future, the National Grange is reasserting itself in the nation's Capitol and
in the communities of America's heartland. Founded
in Washington, DC more than 135 years ago, the Grange has been a tireless advocate
for American farmers and people living in rural communities. In the 20th century,
the Grange was a leading force in the effort to supply electricity and mail delivery
to rural America. In addition, the Grange helped develop federal farm programs,
organize farm cooperatives, credit unions, mutual insurance companies and other
consumer-owned enterprises, and extended the benefits of telephone service and
federal highway projects to all Americans. Today,
America's rural and farming communities face different challenges. Family farmers
are coping with complex issues such as food security, contract agriculture, government
farm programs, agribusiness consolidations, trade negotiations, and low prices.
Rural citizens are trying to find the answers to their health, education, technology
and safety concerns as quality healthcare, public schooling, Internet access,
and "meth" lab issues become bigger and bigger barriers to quality living. Although
the challenges are different, the Grange is still one of the strongest voices
for social progress through political action in the U.S. Forging ahead with a
new president, William Steel, (past longtime Pennsylvania State Grange Master)
America's oldest rural advocacy organization is taking decisive, organized steps
to pursue the Grange's foremost purpose: advocate for the needs, values, and beliefs
of rural Americans. Advocating
For Rural America
The Grange is not just a farm organization. It
serves many segments of rural America. From farmers to schoolteachers to small
businesspersons, the Grange has an interest in all rural citizens and reaches
out to all rural communities. In
fact, at its 2003 National Convention, the Grange announced a new theme: Advocating
For American Values. Taking
on a new theme was the first step toward changing the image of the Grange. The
Grange's new road has led the century-old organization down many paths.
In January 2004, Steel addressed the 49th annual convention of the National Farmer's
Organization (NFO) in Columbus, Ohio, where he discussed how the Grange, the NFO,
and the National Farmer's Union (NFU) can work together to address the needs of
rural Americans. "Food
producers, living in rural communities, need advanced telecommunications systems,
quality education, and locally available medical facilities," said Steel. "The
NFO has done an excellent job voicing these needs to congressional leaders, and
together, the NFO, the NFU, and the Grange will continue to work on the behalf
of those living and working in rural America." By
joining forces, the NFO, NFU, and the Grange can provide a strong front in the
fight to preserve rural America's way of life. "Organizations cannot survive in
communities without support from local residents, and local communities cannot
survive effectively without the involvement of organizations that understand their
needs and concerns," said Steel. In
February 2004, Bob Dole, former senator and presidential candidate, launched a
speaking tour to educate people about the new Medicare prescription drug program
in Washington, DC The National Grange sponsored the three-month tour, along with
other advocacy organizations. In
addition to sponsoring the tour, the National Grange will coordinate an extensive
grass-roots education and outreach program that will assist community Granges
in becoming "Medicare/Prescription Drug Card Information Centers," where community
citizens can obtain information about Medicare and attend information sessions.
In
March 2004, Steel opened up communications with the US Trade Ambassador to discuss
agricultural trade issues. Although the accession of 10 central and eastern European
countries in the European Union are scheduled in a few months, the EU Commission
has not explained the details of its enlargement of agricultural policies or engaged
in talks with the US about how to avoid harm to US trading interests. The Grange
has formed a coalition with more than 25 agriculture organizations to urge the
US Trade Ambassador to take necessary measures to ensure that the EU's enlargement
policies are disclosed by the Commission without further delay and the U.S.'s
trading interests are not compromised by those policies. Through
these activities and with regular meetings with coalition and agricultural groups,
the Grange has been creating a higher profile in Washington DC and gaining greater
recognition for its involvement in the needs of rural Americans. "Since
taking office, Bill has worked hard at maintaining the image of the Grange as
rural America's advocacy organization," said Richard Weiss, National Grange chief
operating officer. "He has met with members of several coalitions in which the
Grange participates and attended functions featuring key government officials.
While this may sound very 'Washingtonian,' it is important. It means the Grange
is actively involved in shaping policy in Washington on the behalf of its members."
Supporting
Rural Communities
Although
the National Grange is becoming more active in the "wheelings and dealings" of
Washington, it has not forgotten that its true strength lies in the community
Grange. These Granges are the direct link between the Grange and the communities
they serve, and it is at the community Grange level that the Grange's efforts
are most tangible. To
better support community Granges, the National Grange offers leadership support
and educational programs to its members. Recently, Pennsylvania Grange members
embarked on a trip to Washington's Capitol Hill to meet with Congressional Pennsylvanian
senators and representatives. The members were able to voice their concerns to
their senators and representatives and gain a better understanding of Washington
politics. In addition, the members attended several informational sessions at
the National Grange's headquarters. In the sessions, members learned about housing
and medical opportunities in rural areas. The
National Grange also hosts bi-annual legislative workshops, where participants
attend a three-day, nonpartisan seminar to learn about the role of citizenship
and civic involvement. The participants attend workshops, listen to insightful
lectures given by political leaders, and receive the opportunity to visit and
speak with their national senators and representatives. "We
are proud that we are able to give our members a unique, behind-the-scenes adventure
into Washington politics," Steel said. "We will continue to provide our members
with enough knowledge as possible about political processes so that knowledge
can better serve rural America." For
Steel and the National Grange, helping community Granges does not end with leadership
support or educational programs. Whenever time allows, Steel is working hand-in-hand
with community Grange members. In January 2004, he helped the Pennsylvania State
Grange at the Pennsylvania Farm Show by making milkshakes to support the New Life
Center for Girls, a Pennsylvania drug rehabilitation facility for women with children,
and ARMS, a Pennsylvania organization that provides living quarters and assistance
for handicapped adults. In
March 2004, Steel also helped organize a sausage and pancake dinner along with
the Big Knob Grange (in Beaver, County), the Big Knob Boy Scouts chapter, and
the Big Knob Antique Tractor Club. The dinner served more than 400 people and
raised more than $8,000 to help pay for the medical bills of a community member
struggling with brain cancer. The
Grange is also focusing its attention on helping rural youth through a variety
of community programs and sponsorships. Many community Granges are participating
in the Words for 3rds Program. Under this program, community Granges give third
graders in community schools a personalized dictionary. The dictionaries are used
and treasured by these children for years and are financially beneficial to schools
and teachers. The
Grange has also worked hard to form a long-term relationship with the National
FFA organization. The Grange is helping the organization with its effort to secure
national funding for agriculture programs in public schools. Since budget cuts
have jeopardized agriculture education curriculums in public schools, the Grange
has begun pressing Congress to revisit the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical
Education Act of 1998, which provides funding for secondary and post-secondary
vocational-technical education programs. Grange
Is Still Relevant
With
a strong leadership philosophy, an active membership, a community focus and a
voice on Capitol Hill, one thing is clear - the Grange is not dying. Its messages
and missions are far from irrelevant. "For
137 years, the Grange has worked to advance the interest of rural Americans by
providing a legislative voice for their political concerns and by showing them
how to strengthen their neighborhoods through community service," said Steel.
"We want our community to know that the Grange is a living organization that has
a lot to offer it."
That's why the Grange has declared April 2004 "Grange Month." Granges all across
the nation are inviting their community members to learn more about their achievements
and activities and discover how they can improve their way of living by being
more active in their communities. The
Grange gives its members a unique opportunity to serve their neighborhoods through
community service projects that make a difference in the lives of everyone. "Our
communities are constantly changing, and each of us contributes to that change
in some way," said Steel. "Each and every person should ask themselves, 'What
changes would I like to see in my community?' Everyone should want to make a difference
in their community, and at the Grange, you can discover how to make that difference."
The
Grange also provides its members with a forum to voice their political concerns
and teaches them how to strengthen their community through legislative action.
In recent months, Granges across the nation have assisted their communities with
a variety of legislative actions. Some have organized petitions to improve roads
and public safety, while others have encouraged local governments to put more
funding in public schools and transportation, enhance medical facilities, or build
community playgrounds.
In addition to its political and community purposes, the Grange provides fun-filled
and educational activities for its members. Some Granges host college prep nights,
square dancing, community fairs, and bingo events, as well as sponsor credit rebuilding
seminars, retirement planning sessions, and craft workshops. Whether
you are interested in improving your community, helping individuals in your community,
expressing your political concerns, or just having fun, the Grange has something
to offer everyone. For more information on Grange Month click
here, to find a Grange near you click here,
call (888)-447-2643, or send an email. | 
