Gary Brumbaugh, Ohio State Grange President, recently wrote to Ohio Humane Society State Director Karen Minton, who requested that he retract an internal e-mail concerning animal care. Mr. Brumbaugh pointed out that he and Ms. Minton have honest differences of opinion regarding the application of anthropomorphic principals to appropriate animal care standards. At issue is the basic philosophy behind the public policy debate related to additional government intervention and regulation of the practice of animal husbandry in Ohio as well as the appropriate definition of what constitutes humane treatment of livestock.

Brumbaugh pointed out that at a time when the entire population of farmers in the United States, as well as in Ohio, constitutes less than 1.5% of the total population, Ohio’s family farmers, including its livestock producers, constitute “a thin green line” that is nearly entirely responsible for domestic production of a sufficient amount of, and a wide variety of, wholesome food choices (including meat products) available to consumers at affordable prices. The alternative is either the increased dependence on food imports or greater levels of food insecurity in the U.S.

Balancing the need for keeping our family farms productive and keeping the production livestock entrusted to them healthy is why the Ohio State Grange strongly supported adoption of ISSUE 2 last November. Ohio State Grange democratically adopted policy supports the appropriate practice of animal agriculture in Ohio as well as the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. Ohio’s voters spoke with a clear voice as to the direction they wanted the state to go related to standards of operation and definitions of appropriate livestock care on Ohio’s family farms when they adopted ISSUE 2 by a nearly 2 to 1 margin. The State Legislature, with the Ohio State Grange’s support, has dutifully followed the direction of the voters and has adopted conforming legislation to implement ISSUE 2. The members of the Ohio State Grange anticipate a vigorous, spirited, publicly transparent, and factually rigorous discussion among various factions with interests in the appropriate animal production practices in Ohio as the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board implements its mandate.

On behalf of the Illinois State Grange, Legislative Director, David Donley recently wrote to members of the Illinois Legislature strongly supporting measures to increase access to advanced telecommunications services in farming and rural communities throughout Illinois. The Illinois State Grange supports modernizing Illinois’ telecom rules by passing House Bill 6425. The goals of this bill are to promote new private investment in broadband infrastructure as well as to grow and retain jobs by updating the outdated telecommunications law in Illinois, somewhat leveling the competitive playing field and by relying on competition and consumer choice. Implementing these goals by passing H.B 6425 will clearly benefit the farming and rural communities of the state.

The Grange supports H.B. 6425 because it provides incentives that will attract additional investment for new technologies that will offer advanced telecommunications services like high-speed internet access and advanced wireless communications to rural communities. These economic investments will, in turn, create new jobs and growth throughout the state. It’s important that Illinois invest in new infrastructure and equipment, rather than maintaining outdated regulations if family farmers and rural small businesses are going to remain economically competitive and prosper in the 21st century.

In addition, H.B. 6425 allows traditional telephone landline providers to be regulated the same way as newer phone companies. It retains Illinois’ strong consumer protections and offers consumer packages with limited rates. Illinois consumers, rural communities and the economy as a whole should reap the benefits of increased competition in the form of more choices, better service, and competitive prices.

An educated electorate is the foundation of a true democracy. You and your Grange can be a part of this education by holding a forum where candidates for local offices present their opinions and visions on issues of local concern issues that can have a direct impact on your community. There will be a primary election in June, in which candidates for state and local offices like Board of Supervisor, City Council, District Attorney, Sheriff, School Board, Fire Board, Public Utility District, and other local offices will be voted on to see who goes to the general election in November. In those cases where a candidates gets 50% or more of the primary vote, they are declared the winner and don’t have to go on to the primary vote, they are declared the winner and don’t have to go on to the general election. So for some offices, the primary election is where the decision is made.

Several Granges throughout the state hold candidates forums. It’s not only a good way to inform the electorate but also a way to let your community learn what the Grange is doing and why they should want to be a part of it. You can get a detailed list of instructions for holding a candidate’s forum, as well as a sample press package with a press release and flyer, by going to the Lecturers page on the new and improved California State Grange website: www.californiagrange.org. Once your Grange sees how easy it is to do, and the benefits to be gained, there is really no excuse not to put democracy in action.