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Celebrating 50 Golden Years at the
National Grange Building |
From left: President Newson addresses attendees at the dedication; the ground breaking ceremony, the National Grange Building at completion; the
limestone carving on the front of the building marks its erection. |
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By Molly Thompson, Programs Assistant
This is a special year in the history
of the National Grange’s
presence in Washington, DC.
This summer marks the 50th anniversary
of the National Grange
Building and in order to honor this
momentous occasion, the National
Grange is holding a Building
Rededication Ceremony June
26th. The National Grange has
always had a presence in Washington,
DC, but it wasn’t until 50
years ago that we established a
permanent position in the heart
of the District. The story of the
National Grange Building is truly
an inspirational one for anyone,
Granger or not. The dedication
of Grange members across the
country and the National Grange
staff to erect a permanent place
in our nation’s capital is a true
testament to the drive and commitment
that is such a part of being
a Grange member.
The roots of the current National
Grange building can be
traced all the way back to the
beginning of the organization.
Our fore founders recognized
the need for our members to be
represented in Washington, DC.
The earliest Grange offices were
held in the homes of National
Grange officers. From 1918 until
1943, the National Grange rented
various office spaces throughout
DC. In 1943, the National Grange
purchased its first building at 744
Jackson Place, facing Lafayette
Square and just across the street
from the White House. This first
National Grange building was
purchased by funds raised from
7,000 Community and Pomona
Granges across the country.
However, the National Grange
was not destined to reside in that
building. The Federal Government
tried several times to seize
the land the National Grange
had purchased and owned outright.
In 1958, the government
was successful in seizing control
of the land, but Grangers would
not stand for this without a fight.
Thousands of Grangers lent their
voice to this unfair seizure of their
property. After an extensive battle,
the Grange and the government
came to an agreement. The National
Grange would “swap” their
property with a piece of Federal
Government property double the size and just around the corner.
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National Grange building in 1959 |
With this new piece of property
to work with the Grange constructed
a building specifically for the purpose of housing its headquarters.
The ground breaking
ceremony for this new building
took place in 1958, with the dedication
of the building occurring on
June 29, 1960. National Grange
President Hershel D. Newsom
presided over the ceremony; and
as a testament to how influential
the Grange is, President Dwight
Eisenhower and Secretary of Agriculture,
Ezra Taft Benson, also
attended and participated in the
Dedication Ceremony. During this
momentous occasion, State Masters
and National Officers from 34 different states attended this ceremony,
as well as 3,500 grassroots
Grange members.
As one can imagine, building
an entirely new building would not
come cheap. The total cost of this
undertaking was $1,174,014.00.
Grangers from across the country
once again held bake sales,
chicken dinners, and various
other fundraising activities to
contribute to this enormous sum.
However, the National Grange
still needed to borrow $800,000.
This amount of money would not
be an easy debt to pay off for
any company, but particularly a
grassroots, non-profit organization.
However, in true Granger
spirit, a cookbook was created to
help pay off the mortgage. It was
during John Scott’s term, who
served as National Master from
1968-1979, that the efforts to
pay the mortgage off paid off. According
to John, Judy Massabny,
National Grange Information Director,
Jenny Grobusky, National
Grange Women’s Activities’ Director,
and his wife, Dorothy, had
the idea to sell a Grange cookbook
to pay off the remainder of
the mortgage. “The three of them
collected thousands of recipes from Grangers and put the book
together. The cookbooks sold like
hotcakes! The books just flew off
of the shelves! Just thousands of
them! It was only 6 months until
we raised all of the money to pay
off the mortgage,” recalls John.
Please see the “What’s Cookin’ in
the Grange” section to discover a
recipe from this cookbook. It took
a total of 17 years, but in 1977,
the debt was officially paid off and
a Mortgage Burning Ceremony
was held.
Today the National Grange
building exemplifies the values
and character of this organization.
It stands as a reminder of the
trials and tribulations Grangers
have overcome, represents our
beliefs, and celebrates our rich
tradition as a part of this nation.
The National Grange building is
not just simply an office building.
Yes, the staff operates out of this
building, but it is more than just
office space. Within these walls,
Grangers can discover their history.
Would you like to see an
original charter from your state
from the 1800’s? Those are on
file here. Would you like to look
up if your relative was a National
Officer in a particular year?
The Grange has a complete set
of Journal of Proceedings. The
William Saunders memorial library
offers additional volumes
on Grange history. Are you interested
in the lobbying process?
The National Grange is the longest
continuously run lobbying
entity in the District. Leroy Watson,
National Grange Legislative
Director, hosts an annual legislative
Fly-In at the Grange building
and can offer valuable insight into
getting your voice heard. The
opportunities to gain knowledge
and personal growth through
the National Grange building are
endless. After all, this building is
your building. As Grangers, you
built and paid for this building
and each of you should have a
chance to experience the tradition
and history that comes along
with it.
In addition to the rich historical
value the National Grange Building
offers to its members, it is the
single most valuable asset to the
organization. You, as members,
own, free and clear, one of the
most prime pieces of real estate
in the heart of our nation. Today,
the National Grange operates out
of only the 10th and 11th floors,
while the rest of the building is
rented out as commercial space.
45 percent of the organization’s
income is generated from this
building, which is larger than any
other type of income. The monetary
asset is one of the reasons
the National Grange can maintain
inexpensive annual dues as well
providing a multitude of resources
to its members.
The National Grange building
is truly a unique asset to its members
and one that we should all be
proud of. Each and every one of
you are invited to experience the
history, tradition, and uniqueness that this building has to offer. The
National Grange is hosting a 50th
Anniversary Building Rededication
Ceremony on Saturday, June
26th. The staff of the National
Grange encourages all Grangers
to come to Washington, DC to
experience this unique milestone
in the history of the Grange. The
offices have received a fresh coat
of paint and are ready for your
arrival. Grangers can sign up for
a building tour, witness National
Master, Ed Luttrell rededicate the
building, and experience everything
that the nation’s capital has
to offer. If you would like more
information on this exciting experience,
please contact National
Grange Meeting Planner, Jessie
Cope, at jcope@nationalgrange.org or 1-888-4GRANGE.
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 Some of the trends that I am
observing worry me. Have my
fellow citizens forgotten that the
community is America?
When I say the community
is America, I am talking about
the bedrock of our society and
culture. I grew up being taught
that national and state government
was there to fulfill certain
requirements and that local
government should be making
many of the decisions that impact
our lives.
The trend of the Federal
Government dictating how we
live our lives through tax incentives
or punishments is not one
that leads to liberty for citizens.
The idea that elected officials or
government bureaucrats know
what is best for me and my family
worries me. The perception
that they need to protect my
family scares me.
The actions of many state
governments are similar in the
sense that bills are passed during
every legislative session that
set new limits on our freedoms to
pursue happiness as we find it.
A fundamental principle of
America is that we elect our local
leaders to conduct the business of government for us. After
all, they live next door to us,
they go to the same community
meetings, their kids go to school
with our kids. At the community
level we know the people we
elect to serve us as our appointed
officials.
Government at the local level
requires that state and federal
government fund the mandates
necessary at that local level. As
a result, local control is rapidly
becoming a thing of the past.
America has always been
about opportunity for our citizens.
There has never been a
guarantee of success, only the
chance for each of us to pursue
the dream we have. Many people
choose to play it safe and
they are not punished anymore
than the few who risk their money
and time in pursuit of their
dream.
Success or failure is viewed
as temporary in America. As
long as you get up from your
failures and try again, success
can be yours. Those who rest
upon their laurels often find success
can be fleeting. Our communities
give each person the
opportunity to achieve success
as they see it. It is your local
neighbors who encourage and
support you as you work toward
fulfilling your dreams. The folks
in local communities are the
ones who work together to create
the attitudes that are so necessary
to a healthy and prosperous
community.
I heard a local government
official say that he thinks that
those who believe in giving to
the community are now outnumbered
by those who believe
the community should be giving
to them. He went on to explain
that many people seem to expect
benefits in the form of tax
dollars from the government or
community.
Who do you want to rely on
in an emergency? The Federal
Government? Your state government?
Or do you expect your
local community to pull together
and each help as they can? I
know that I expect the local deputies
and the volunteers in the
fire department to work with local
neighbors if a disaster ever
strikes my community. I don’t
expect the state or Federal Government
to solve the immediate
concerns of people struggling to
deal with any emergency.
You’ve now heard my opinion
of why the community is
America. You may agree with
some of these examples, you
may not. The reason that I share
this with you is that I want you to
go to your next Grange meeting
and discuss the important things
that face your community.
I also believe that the
Grange is the community. We
give people the ability to unite
without the burden of partisan
politics or sectarian religious issues.
We empower every member
to become involved and
active in strengthening their
neighborhood through a fraternal
bond. We believe in family
and interdependence while giving
each member freedom to do
the things they believe are relevant
to their lives.
Each member has the opportunity
to learn and grow as a
leader and each is encouraged
to reach their full potential as a
full participant in community life.
One member can start a movement,
one member can initiate
action that leads to renewed
vigor in their community, and
one member can make a positive
difference in another persons’
life. How will you use your
Grange opportunity this year?
For all of these reasons and
more, NOW IS OUR TIME. NOW
is the time for the Grange and
NOW is the time for you to create
the future that you desire!
I hope and pray that America
doesn’t forget that our heart and
soul is the community. I believe
that the Grange and other civic
organizations have the power
to ensure that the American experience
continues to be something
unique in the world and
that this philosophy continues
far into the future.
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Around Washington, D.C. and Beyond |
| What Is Food Policy |
By Jim Miller, Colorado Agriculture
Director
For over a year, Colorado State
Grange has been working with
various groups to form a Food
Policy Council focused on how
the “food system” can better
serve society. It’s an interesting
collection of expertise; there are
farm planners, health advocates,
humanitarian organizations and
community activists.
The focus of the group is to explore
how the “food system” can
better serve society and address
problems of obesity, hunger, access
to wholesome and healthy
food, and interestingly enough,
encourage the consumption of locally
grown food. The fact is, there
is a growing trend among U.S.
consumers to favor food products
grown and processed locally. If
you’ve been to a farmer’s market
recently, you’ll know what kind of
crowds they attract.
This new trend and the thinking
behind a local food policy
council are very positive. After
all, who can oppose supporting
local food banks, encouraging
exercise and healthy diets, and
helping consumers gain access
to high quality food products? But
there are other motives and agendas
at work that arise from time to
time. For instance, some believe
that “wholesome” food must be
organically grown. Others might
argue that a “healthy diet” is one
that avoids red meat or any type
of animal product.
There will be legislation introduced
to the General Assembly in
January to create a Colorado food
policy council. It is critical that
Grange members contact their
state representative and senator
and urge them to support creating
a food policy council that is comprised
of people whose foremost
concern is improving access to
wholesome, fresh food supplies
and advocates for healthy diets
that include moderate amounts of
red meats.
| Grange Member Appointed as Deputy Commissioner in Colorado |
Colorado Commissioner of
Agriculture John R. Stulp recently
announced that longtime Grange
member and former National
Grange Assistant Legislative Director
Jim Miller had been appointed/promoted to serve as the
Deputy Commissioner to oversee
Markets, Inspection and Consumer
Services, Conservation,
Plants and Brands divisions, as
well as the Department’s Communications
Office. Congratulations
Jim!
| California State Grange Testifies on Water Issues |
By Mike Green, California Government
Affairs Director
The California State Grange testified before the Joint Informational
Hearing of the Senate Natural
Resources and Water Committee
and the Assembly Water, Parks
and Wildlife Committee on the
subject of Delta/Water Legislation.
The Grange endorsed the
recommendations of the CALFED
Bay-Delta Program and the
Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task
Force and committed to work for
their implementation as a Public
Trust for all the people of California.
The Grange believes that
the recommendations of the Task
Force’s Strategic Plan offers a comprehensive and integrated
guide solving California’s immediate
water problems and is a
management tool for managing
this precious resource for water
quality and quantity.
California State Grange believes
the use of the Tulare Lake
basin for above and below surface
water storage should be
given serious consideration as
part of the overall solution to
our state’s water problems. The
Grange committed themselves
to work for the preparation of a
study of the feasibility of use of
the Tulare Lake basin as a surface
and ground water storage
hub with river and canal interties.
The Grange cited a 2002 engineering
study showing the use
of the Tulare Lake basin for water
storage would help restore the
San Joaquin River in addition to
offering water recovery and reuse
potential. Additionally the Delta
Vision report showed groundwater
storage and conjunctive use
is a much more effective and efficient approach to water management
on a regional basis.
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| Pete Pompper, New Jersey State Grange President |
By Molly Thompson, Program Assistant
 Pete Pompper is a familiar face
to many Grangers because he
has been a fixture on the National
Grange landscape over the last
several years. Many of you may
know him as the current New
Jersey State Grange President,
a position he has held since his
election in 2004, or as a former
member of the Board of Directors.
Pete is a lifetime Granger
who has held multiple positions
at all levels of the organization.
He is also a retired police officer
who served with distinction for 25
years. But what excites Pete most
is his new role within the Grange.
At the 143rd Annual Convention,
last November, Pete was elected
as the new National Grange Lecturer.
This is a role he has embraced
as a new challenge and
is looking forward to bringing new
ideas and programs to Grangers
across the country.
One of the projects Pete has
been heavily involved with is the
planning of the National Grange
Building Rededication Ceremony.
As an immediate past member
of the Board of Directors, Pete,
along with Marty Billquist, current
member of the Board of Directors,
were asked by President Ed
Luttrell to spearhead a campaign
to recognize the 50th anniversary
of the National Grange Building.
Recognizing this as a momentous
occasion in Grange history,
both Pete and Marty began
the planning process almost two
years ago. “A year and a half ago,
two years ago, the thought process
began. We knew the event
was coming up, but what should
we do? We knew we wanted to
do some type of rededication ceremony
to show the importance of
the building not only to the members,
but to the community at
large,” explained Pete.
So began the process of planning
this event. Pete, along with
Marty, and the members of the
National Grange staff, began to
put the pieces together for this
historic occasion. In working with
these various people, Pete has
helped plan an event that will
truly be a unique experience for
each Granger. The 50th Anniversary
Rededication Ceremony
will offer building tours, a special
building sales item, entrance into
the rededication ceremony taking
place at the U.S. Chamber
of Commerce, and a multitude of
other unique experiences.
In order to prepare for this
event, the National Grange building
has been undergoing a sprucing
up. Even throughout this process
Pete has been extremely
hands-on. Because he lives only
a few hours away from Washington,
DC, Pete has, on several occasions,
made his way down to
the National Grange building to
help pick out paint samples as
well as artwork for the walls. Pete
stresses that one of the most important
aspects of this event is
the opportunity for the youth to
get involved. “Allowing the youth
to host tours at this event gives
them an opportunity to be an active
participant and developing
leadership skills,” he says.
Pete cannot stress enough
how exciting this event is for
Grangers. “I’m looking forward
to showing the building off. It is
something to be proud of as a
member. The building belongs to
each and every one of us, and we
should be proud to show it off,” he
explains. If you would like to meet
Pete and be a part of this momentous
occasion in Grange history,
plan your trip to the National
Grange building 50th anniversary
rededication ceremony now.
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 Hello Grangers! I’m delighted to
be working as your new Communications
Director. As a former
member of a small community,
I’m excited to focus on issues that
are so near and dear to my heart.
My grandfather was a farmer in
Texas for more than 30 years. I
enjoyed playing on his farm during
the summers, making arts
and crafts out of the vegetables
from my grandparents’ garden,
naming the cows (my favorite
was Maybelline whom my grandmother
named because of her
perfectly black lined eyelashes),
and running around at large family reunions.
Now I live in Silver Spring,
MD with my husband, David,
and our two sons, Ben and Sam.
I’ve worked in communications,
sales, and marketing for more
than 10 years, 5 of those specifically focused on non-profit issues.
I’m delighted to put this experience
to use here at the Grange
who so passionately represents
rural America.
While I live in a city now, I still
welcome the time I spend in rural
parts of Maryland, Virginia, and
Texas. My husband and I like to
make sure our children are exposed to many wonderful parts of
the country and there is no better
way to do that than having them
visit rural parts of America where
nature is at its finest.
I look forward to meeting
you all at the many conferences
and meetings I’ll be attendcess ing in the years ahead. Please
email me if you have any comments
or thoughts you would
like to share. I can be reached
at 1-888-4-GRANGE, ext. 102 or
by emailing lauerbach@nationalgrange.org.
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