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America's
Oldest Agriculture and Rural Advocacy Group to Hold Its 138th Annual Convention
in Rochester, New York WASHINGTON,
November 3, 2004 -- The National Grange, the nation's oldest rural advocacy organization,
will hold its 138th annual convention from November 9 to November 13, 2004 at
the Hyatt Regency Rochester in Rochester, New York. Approximately 3,000 Granger
members are expected to attend the 5-day session, where delegates will vote on
the Grange's political policies agenda for 2005. Speakers |  | William
"Bill" Steel | | |  | Dr.
Joe Martin | | | | Nathan
Rudgers |
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Enriching
rural lives, supporting family farmers and preserving the rural way of life are
all major goals of the National
Grange. On the national level, the National Grange advocates
for seven legislative areas: agriculture, citizenship and public affairs, conservation
and natural resources, education and healthcare, labor and judiciary, taxation
and fiscal policy, and transportation.
This year, the Grange worked to implement new Medicare laws, secure better water
resource systems, reshape the Endangered Species Act, fix the Universal Service
Fund, eliminate European tariffs on US exports, pass the US-Morocco Free Trade
Agreement and improve Internet access in rural areas - just to name a few. On
November 9th, animal identification, food security, crop insurance, contract agriculture,
agribusiness consolidations, social security reform, and telecommunications and
telemedicine services in rural areas are expected to be major topics of discussion
at the convention.
In the 20th century, the Grange helped develop federal farm programs, organized
farm cooperatives, credit unions, mutual insurance companies and other consumer-owned
enterprises and extended the benefits of electrification, telephone service and
federal highway projects to all Americans. In the 19th century, the Grange's political
advocacy established the government's authority to regulate railroads, utilities
and monopolies, elevated the U.S. Department of Agriculture to cabinet status
and secured Rural Free Delivery mail service. Speakers
at this year's convention include: William "Bill" Steel, National Grange President;
Nathan Rudgers, New York State Commissioner of Agriculture; and, Dr. Joe Martin,
Founder and President of Real World University (RWU). RWU helps students succeed
in college and in life by helping them identify and pursue their purpose, strengthen
their character, overcome life's obstacles, and maximize their potential. A Susan
B. Anthony impersonator and Rochester's famous Gary the Happy Pirate and Puppet
YoHo will also be in attendance. "We
are excited about hosting our convention in Rochester, New York," National Grange
President William "Bill" Steel said. "Upstate New York has a rich agricultural
presence, and we hope to continue our rich history of advocating for policies
that strengthen agriculture and rural America." To
obtain a special media pass to attend the convention, please call Shaletta Espie
at 443-418-8225 or 1-888-447-2643, ext. 116. |
