Ohio State Grange Supports Tax Exempt Status for OH Grange Halls
Ohio State Grange is supporting H.B. 170 and S.B. 58, legislation which would make property owned by qualifying fraternal orders and used primarily for administrative or meeting purposes, exempt from property tax. Qualifying fraternal orders are the Ohio State Grange, Knights of Columbus, Odd Fellows, Masons, and Prince Hall Masons. The Grange is telling their elected state officials that the community service and donations to the community far outweighs the value of the taxes paid on these properties, and their presence insures the longevity of viable volunteer based organizations in their communities.
Pennsylvania State Grange Supports Agriculture Education
Pennsylvania State Grange testified recently at a PA State House Agriculture Committee hearing on agricultural education and careers. The testimony focused on today’s agriculture involving far more than what many people think of as farming. The testimony showed that “agriculture” career choices are as diverse as healthcare, science, business, manufacturing, mechanical engineering, genetics, animal husbandry, etc. The Grange concluded that the availability of various educational opportunities play a key role in the future efficiency, productivity, and profitability of all agriculture-related careers.
Vermont Grange Promotes Food Stamps at Vermont's Fairs
The Vermont State Grange recently began a new initiative aimed at helping low-income seniors eat healthy and stay active. During the Vermont State Fair in Rutland, VT, which ran from Friday, August 31 through Sunday, September 8, Grange members promoted the Food Stamp program by staffing an interactive display booth with games and prizes, distributing outreach materials to visitors and educating seniors about their eligibility for the program. A similar effort was scheduled to take place at the Tunbridge World's Fair, in Tunbridge, VT in mid-September. The program is part of a partnership between the Vermont State Grange and the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, which was launched in February.
Save the Date: December 27th - December 30th, 2007 for the National Grange NH Presidential Primary Fly In, Manchester NH
Registration for the National Grange's New Hampshire Presidential Primary Legislative Fly-In 2008 is currently under way. The New Hampshire Fly-In will take place from December 27th through December 30th, in Manchester, New Hampshire. The New Hampshire Presidential Fly-In of 2004 was a great chance for Grange members to learn about, and participate in, the first-in-the-nation New Hampshire Presidential Primary. This year’s event is hosted by the National Grange and the New Hampshire State Grange. As in the previous New Hampshire Fly-In, this will also give participants a chance to volunteer on a Presidential Primary Campaign of their choice. The NH Presidential Primary Legislative Fly-In is open to all Grange members.
Invited Speakers include : William Gardner, NH Secretary of State, U.S. Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, and Arnie Arnesen, host of WMUR TV’s “Political Chowder”, among others!
Volunteering for a presidential campaign is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Sign up for the NH Fly-In today!
Time is getting short. All participants must complete the basic conference registration form and submit it directly to the National Grange legislative department via e-mail, fax or regular mail by November 30, 2007. In addition, The Highlander Inn, conveniently located near the Manchester Airport at 2 Highlander Way, Manchester, NH will be our headquarters for this event. Grange members must contact The Highlander Inn directly to make their reservations at 1-800-548-9248. Reservations at The Highlander Inn must be made before December 17 th 2007, to get the special National Grange room rate.
Look in the New Grange, National Grange Action Alerts, and on the National Grange website for more information about the NH Presidential Fly-In, including registration forms. Please contact Samantha Johnson, Legislative Program Assistant, at sjohnson@nationalgrange.org or 888-447-2643 ext. 109 foradditional information.
