Great Plains Region Prepares to Show off Sooner State
Tulsa, Oklahoma, with its rich history and great attractions, will be the site of the 145th Annual National Grange Convention from Nov. 8-12. Registration is now open online as well as through the mail.	Download full issue New Grange Issues New Grange Archives Current Issue Jul - Aug 2011 May - Jun 2011 Mar - Apr 2011 Fan - Feb 2011 Sept - Oct 2010 Jul - Aug 2010 May - Jun 2010 Mar - Apr 2010

BY YVONNE MERITT
2011 Convention Host Committee Chairwoman

It is with distinct honor and great pleasure that I invite you to the 145th Annual Convention of the National Grange to be held this November at the Southern Hills Marriott Hotel, in Tulsa, Okla. The Great Plains Region States: Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma, are making preparations for you to enjoy your stay in Oklahoma and are planning a true “Party on the Prairie.

”We are looking forward to introducing you to the Sooner State culture.

We have many activities planned for you such as the delegate tour; the non-delegate tour including a visit to the Cherokee Heritage Museum; the youth traveling to Oklahoma City to tour the National Memorial of the Murrah Building; and other special entertainment events occurring during the convention.

Within a short distance by vehicle you will find many shops, restaurants and other points of interest, such as the Antique Capital of Oklahoma which is located in Jenks.

Come and join your Grange friends from across the nation this November. We are having a party and we want you to share in the fun. We know your stay will be enjoyable and memorable.

President Luttrell invites Grangers to 145th session

In addition, you be able to watch the delegates in action, watch the policy development process of the National Grange in action and see the election of National Officers.

Come take the Sixth and Seventh degrees Saturday, Nov. 12. Every member should experience the beauty and hear the lessons of the Grange ritualistic work.

Come and celebrate with your fellow members as members and Granges are recognized for their outstanding service and achievements.

Tulsa will be an exciting place to spend the week with your Grange family. I look forward to seeing you there!

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National Grange President, Ed Luttrell

We have all seen members who have achieved great things, spearheaded major projects, and revitalized their Grange. The one trait that they all share is courage.

Courage is exhibited in a number of ways. Trying new things, accepting new challenges, standing up for your opinions, and making sacrifices all are ways that Grange members demonstrate their courage.

Taking on a new project, attending State Grange Session for the first time, showing up for a conference, or even talking to a potential member can take courage. Those members who step outside their comfort zone and do something that is new, and often uncomfortable, demonstrate their bravery. An interesting fact is that once you step outside your comfort zone, it grows to catch up and allows you to again show your nerve by stepping outside it repeatedly.

Being elected to an office, accepting an appointment to a committee, or even entering a contest is another form of courage. Members who accept the responsibility of leadership show their valor by their willingness to be accountable to others. Being a leader is often scary because others look to you to set the example. You may be blamed for mistakes but leaders understand that only those who do nothing make no errors.

When members stand up and voice their concerns, their support or opposition to proposed ideas, or share their dreams with other members, they display their daring. Engaging in debate always entails risk. You may misspeak or even be wrong, but the cost of silence is paid when you are right and fail to speak up.

Grange members are among the most giving and generous people I know. Yet we often fail to recognize the courage that our members exhibit regularly. Members give of their money and resources without question. Thousands of young members over the years have benefited from the generosity of members in financial support of the Youth program. Granges have had donations of money and materials that built thousands of halls. Even more importantly, the personal time that our members give to our organization show the sacrifice that they look forward to giving.

We often recognize those who show their courage in spectacular ways. Soldiers, firemen, and police officers are examples of those who we look up to for their courageous actions. I think we should also look at the little exhibitions of courage that our members reveal on a daily basis.

Every Grange member and every Grange leader should try something new regularly. Make it a mission to step outside your comfort zone often. Accept a new challenge at least once a year, whether you commit to a new role in leadership or recommit to being a better leader in the role you currently have. Attend your Pomona or State Grange and speak to one issue that you’re passionate about, even if your voice shakes. The sacrifices that each member makes also deserve recognition and we should emulate those who give of their time, money, and resources to make others better and to build our organization.

Courage is all around us. Let us recognize it, celebrate it, and use it in our daily lives.

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(Reprinted from the California Grange News) — Is this hall worth saving?

The El Camino Grange sits on one acre in a farming community near Corning. The grand old hall, built in 1931, has been empty for many years. There is nothing sadder than an empty Grange hall.

Now, a new membership has formed with the will and energy to revitalize this Grange.

But they need our help. The building needs lots of TLC. Contributions of cash, materials and labor are needed to return it to its former glory. Can you help? Contact the California State Grange (916) 454-5805.

(Written by Cat Thomas) — Every year the Oregon State Grange opens the doors of the Log Cabin to educate the public about the Grange. The State Master decided that we were getting little return on the dollars spent to open the log cabin doors and put me in charge of creating a new look with new displays (hopefully) making it a marketing tool. One of the questions we hear regularly at the cabin is “Can anyone join? I thought you had to be a farmer.

”To address this misconception I thought we could create a win/win for members and the grange as a whole. We can put the question “Do you have to be a farmer to join the Grange?” on a board and answer the question with (something like) “Our members come from all industries and many members have businesses in their communities thus supporting the local economy. The following business cards are members of the Grange, feel free to take one if it interests you.”

The Grange wins with the message and the members win with the opportunity to promote their business.

I am asking that you forward this e-mail to any Grange member in your county that has a business (including home based businesses) to make them aware of this opportunity.

To the member: If you would like to participate and have your business card displayed in the log cabin, please mail me 24 business cards. Please do not send more than 24. All members who provide the cards will have them prominently displayed somewhere in the log cabin. If you come to the state fair and wish to check the log cabin and replenish your stock of business cards, please feel free to do so. However, the log cabin will not be responsible for restocking business cards (thus the reason only 24 are requested).

Mail your business cards by August 10th to: Cat Thomas, 1649 NE Kane Dr., Gresham, OR 97030-4538.If you have any questions, please reply and ask.

If you have any concerns, I wish to have them addressed.

Many local Granges took the time to hold special events to mark Grange Month in April. Here is just a sampling of interesting Grange activities that brought communities together and gave Grangers another chance to positively impact those around them.

The Swauk-Teanaway Grange, WA, showed their patriotism in April by hosting a concert featuring the 133rd Army Band of the National Guard. Two bands were in attendance; the Brass Quintet and the Dixieland Jazz Ensemble, who both traveled all the way to Cle Elum from Camp Murray near Tacoma. The Brass Quintet began the show with some classical numbers and a Sousa march. The Dixieland Jazz Ensemble followed, marching through the audience while playing a New Orleans funeral march. Closing the show, the bands played a salute to all the branches of the military, asking audience members to stand when their affiliated branch music was played.

A warm crowd of family, friends and members of the community joined together April 15 at the Kuna Grange Hall, ID, to honor this year’s fireman, police officer, educator, community citizen and Granger of the year. Heartfelt descriptions were given that made it very clear why these individuals were selected this year. During National Grange Month, Granges across the nation recognize citizens who give back to the community in ways that go above and beyond the ordinary. This year’s recipients certainly fell into that category: Joe Link, the fireman who regularly goes above and beyond what’s necessary; Weston Bunnell, the police officer who is also a decorated military veteran; Angela Hemingway, the high school science teacher extraordinaire; Richard Cardoza, the straight-shooting city council member; and Mary Johnson, a 40+ year Granger and backbone to the Kuna Grange.

The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance of the Plumsteadville Grange, PA., will be hosting a series of farm evenings this summer, starting on the first Wednesday of the month, from June until September. Each event will include a potluck dinner, followed by a farmer-guided tour of a local small farm. The events will be free and open to all; attendees need only bring a picnic dish to share. This will be an exciting opportunity for both adults and children alike, and is sure to be educational. Starting off the tours will be the Tussock Sedge Farm, who raises 100 percent grass-fed, pasture-finished red angus beef. The following hosting farms for this summer event will be the Purely Farm in July, the Shady Brook Farm in August, and the Snipes Farm and Education Center in September.

The members of the Fernwood Grange in Newburg, OR, used their Grange Hall to host an open house in celebration of Grange Month. Many special guests were in attendance, including Mayor Bob Andrews, our National Master Ed Luttrell, Oregon State Grange Lecturer Susan Noah, Pomona Master Marilyn Reihner, and numerous others. Displays were placed on tables for each participating Grange, while a dance was held in the Hall upstairs. Clothing was also collected to benefit a local veteran’s hospital. The efforts of the Tigard Grange were recognized by several local newspapers, including the Oregonian and the Newburg Graphic.

Six Granges in Whatcom County, WA , joined together to host ice cream socials across the county. All proceeds went to benefit local elementary school libraries and the National Grange’s Words for Thirds Program, also known as the Dictionary Project. Funds for purchasing books at local schools had been cut; at some schools funding had been eliminated entirely. When all was said and done, the Whatcom County Granges were able to donate over $700. In addition, with the help of the Kiwanis Club, the Whatcom County Association of Realtors, the Whatcom Educational Credit Union, and several other donors, the Whatcom Granges have supplied over 2,000 dictionaries to every third-grader in the county during the 2010-11 school year.

The Ross Grange of Falconer, NY, truly made Grange Month an all month event. Starting a bit early in March, members of the Ross Grange attended the WJTN Breakfast Party, and later that day sponsored a “Children’s Day” at the local library. Rainbow the clown was hired for the children’s event, making balloon animals and talking to the kids about the importance of books. On April 2nd, the Ross Grange broadcasted an ad on “Times of Your Life,” sharing their activities with local listeners. April 4 featured the Awards Night Banquet, where they presented various membership awards and the Community Citizen Award. On April 23, members of the Falconer Board of Education were invited to share budget information, new programs, etc. Last, May 9 was 4-H Essay Winners Night. The 4-H Volunteer of the Year award was presented and 4-H members were given New York State Grange scholarships.

The Ammadamast Grange in Enfield, ME hosted an open house on April 9 in celebration of Grange Month. Items were displayed by the several groups who meet in the Grange Hall on a weekly basis. A local music group was featured, the Jammers, and artwork from the painting class was set on display. The 4-H club displayed a quilt for the event and the Northern Lights dance class made a very special performance. Attendees enjoyed pie and coffee and each received a complementary laminated bookmark displaying the Grange emblem. Volunteers for the event swear to its success and have received numerous comments about the event’s exceptional set-up. The local Lincoln News publication took notice of the event as well.

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By Nicole Palya Wood
National Grange Legislative Director | nwood@nationalgrange.org

The House Agriculture Committee has started holding audit hearings on the new 2012 Farm Bill.

In a recent interview, House Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas laid out the tentative timeline for discussions and drafting of the 2012 Farm Bill.

Lucas told Agri-pulse Open Mic listeners that the initial round of hearings at the subcommittee level can be expected this summer with field hearings occurring later in the fall.

With discretionary spending in the Appropriations Agriculture bill being 13 percent less than in the last Farm Bill, many programs will be on the chopping block and the looming budget and debt ceiling debates will have a serious role in the shaping of the new farm bill.

Congress and the White House have until Aug. 2 to come to an agreement on raising the debt ceiling.

In order to fund the federal government through the end of President Obama’s term, approximately $2.4 trillion is needed.

There are three main strategies of how these funds can be created.

The first is driving up the federal government’s revenue by raising taxes and eliminating current tax cuts and exemptions.

The second is cutting federal spending through the elimination of programs, subsidies and domestic aid. The last tactic is one that all parties are in agreement on, which is raising the debt limit.

Republicans say they will not condone raising taxes on Americans during this economic recession while not reigning in Washington’s spending problem.

Democrats say they will not talk about cutting spending without raising taxes.

As far as progressing forward with the next farm bill, the subcommittees of the House Agriculture Committee will meet and hold audits hearings tasked with reviewing the effectiveness and efficiency of currently funded farm programs over the next two months.

There is a reported agreement between the Senate, House and administration to cut at least $34 billion in farm subsidy payments for the next 10 years as part of the stop gap measure passed in the spring.

Look for the repeal of certain ethanol producer tax credits and a phase out of the blenders credit as well.

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