| National
Grange to Hold Its 137th Annual Convention in Burlington, Vermont Washington,
November 4, 2003 - The National Grange, the nation's oldest rural advocacy
organization, will hold its 137th annual convention from November 10 to November
15, 2003 at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in Burlington, Vermont. Approximately
2,000 Grangers are expected to attend this weeklong business and educational session,
where delegates will vote on the Grange's political policy agenda for 2004. Speeches,
educational seminars and an entertainment and folk arts show, Celebrate Vermont
Festival, will be interspersed with the business sessions. The
Celebrate Vermont Festival is open to the public and no admission cost is required.
More than 3,000 Grangers and Vermont/New York residents are expected to attend.
The Festival will feature entertaining and educational programs, such as make-up
and skin care instruction and folk art painting, highlight some of Vermont's finest
products and folk arts and showcase several of Vermont's country and bluegrass
bands, such as Banjo Dan and the Mid-nite Plowboys (Saturday, November 15, 2003,
3-5 p.m.). The show hours are as follows: -
Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
-
Friday, November 14, 2003 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
On
Monday, November 10, 2003, National Grange President Kermit Richardson will
deliver his keynote address, which will feature a state of agriculture discussion.
Also, on Monday, Vermont Governor Jim Douglas will discuss Vermont agriculture
and rural advocacy at an evening ceremony.
On
Tuesday, November 11, 2003, Vermont Secretary of Agriculture Steve Kerr, Former
President of the National Farmers Organization Gene Paul and National Farmers
Union President David Frederickson will discuss issues affecting agriculture in
the United States. In addition, Frank Bryan, Associate Professor of Political
Science at the University of Vermont, will discuss "Democracy and Rural Politics
in the 21st Century." On
Thursday, November 13, 2003, Richard Waybright, co-owner of the Mason-Dixon
Farm in Gettysburg, PA, will address the delegates and the public. Mason - Dixon
farm is considered by many to be one of the most productive and successful dairy
farms in the world. Waybright's talk, "Change is Inevitable, Success is Optional,"
will focus on the need to stay technologically current in farming, business and
all endeavors. On
Friday, November 14, 2003, Former National FFA Organization Secretary Seth
Heinert will discuss how the FFA is preparing young adults for futures in agriculture
and how organizations, such as the Grange, can help with their mission. On
Saturday, November 15, 2003, Vermont Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie will close
the 137th Annual Convention by looking ahead to the future of agriculture and
rural development. "Being
a family and community-orientated organization, we open parts of our convention
to the public to foster a better understanding of the Grange and its role in the
community. Before we leave Burlington, our youth group will perform a community
service project, and we will turn over a Christmas tree with beautiful hand-made
ornaments to a children's charity in Burlington," President Richardson said. The
Grange youth will participate in community service events on Thursday, November
13, 2003 at the Ronald McDonald House (9 -11:15 a.m.), the King Street Youth Center
(8:45 - 11 a.m.) and the Stern Center (8:30 - 10:45 a.m.).
Founded
in 1867, the National Grange is the nation's oldest general agricultural and rural
advocacy organization. It has grassroots units in 3,600 local communities in 37
states, with over 200,000 members. It serves farm, non-farm, rural families
and communities on a wide variety of economic, educational, legislative and family
issues.
To
obtain a special media pass to attend any of the events listed above or to schedule
interviews,
please contact Shaletta
Espie at 1-888-447-2643, ext. 116 or 443-418-8225. |
