WASHINGTON, DC (May 15, 2013) – The National Grange announced its support of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in the Bowman v. Monsanto case, regarding the sale and usage of self-replicating products such as Monsanto’s genetically modified soybeans.

The case began when Vernon Hugh Bowman, an Indiana soybean farmer, used replicated soybean seeds to create eight successive crops. Monsanto sued Bowman in a lower court, insisting that his subsequent plantings violated their patent and that the self-replicating properties of their genetically modified soybeans did not excuse him from paying for new seeds every year. Both the lower courts and the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Monsanto.

“The National Grange, along with everyone else in the Washington ag community, has been eagerly awaiting the Court’s decision on this case, as it has the potential to be a significant game changer not only for agriculture but for any product that contains a self-replicating element,” National Grange Legislative Director Grace Boatright said. “If the Supreme Court didn’t rule in favor of Monsanto’s argument there would be little incentive to produce and promote inventions if a company or individual lost all profit-making potential after the first sale of a self-replicating product.”

National Grange President Ed Luttrell said the move also assures an abundant food supply into the future.

 “The Supreme Court’s decision is not only good for agriculture and ag business, but it reaffirms the fact that genetically modified products are not only safe but also necessary if we intend to produce enough food to meet future needs,” Luttrell said. “The Grange is a supporter of GMO products and a supporter of the individual farmer’s right to use this technology when available. Until credible scientific evidence suggests that a real danger exists, there is no reason not to utilize GMO technology.”

Monsanto is the world’s largest producer of genetically engineered seeds, with over 650 seed patents. Together with Dupont and Syngenta, Monsanto controls over half the world’s seed production.

Established in 1867, the National Grange, a nonpartisan, nonprofit fraternal organization, is the oldest agricultural and rural community service organization. With more than 2,100 local chapters, the Grange has evolved into the nation’s leading rural advocacy organization and a major benefactor to local communities. There are more than 160,000 members across the United States.

National Grange President Ed Luttrell talks about the merits of May and events that are occurring in the coming months.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 30, 2013) – The National Grange filed an amicus brief Monday in opposition to the estate tax and a recent court decision in which defendants were ordered to pay more in inheritance taxes than what the inherited property was worth.

United States v. MacIntyre, heard by the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, has presented the question: Does the law permit the government to collect more from a donee than the value of the gift received?

The Grange, along with the National Black Chamber of Commerce who initiated the action, and the Sixty Plus Association, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance, and the Center for Individual Freedom, have responded with a resounding “no,” insisting that the government’s pursuance of such funds amounts to little more than greed.

“The Grange has long been an opponent of the estate tax. It does nothing but prevent the American dream from becoming a reality,” National Grange President Edward Luttrell said. “Farmers and ranchers all over the country have worked their entire lives in order to leave their children something substantial that could be passed on to future generations and the inheritance tax does nothing but work to destroy that legacy.”

“So many multi-generational farms and ranches have been lost because of the inheritor’s inability to pay the estate tax on the property. The original owners already worked to pay off this land so their children would be land owners able to support continued operations or realize the investment of ownership,” National Grange Legislative Director Grace Boatright said.

The amicus brief will be put on the record and allows the voices of farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to be heard.

 Established in 1867, The National Grange, a nonpartisan, nonprofit fraternal organization, is the oldest agricultural and rural community service organization. With more than 2,100 local chapters, the Grange has evolved into the nation’s leading rural advocacy organization and a major benefactor to local communities. There are more than 160,000 members across the United States.

It’s Grange Month! It’s that time of year when you open your doors to showcase what it is that makes the Grange so important to your community! National Grange President Ed Luttrell invites you all to participate and wishes your Grange and your community the best!

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Thursday the National Grange sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture along with 228 partner groups in an effort to protect the integrity of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for meat products. The Grange was one of many farm, rural, faith, consumer and environmental organizations from 45 states that contributed in the delivery of this important message.

According to the 2008 Farm Bill there are mandatory COOL provisions for beef, pork, poultry, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables and some nuts. However, before COOL even went into effect, Canada and Mexico approached the World Trade Organization and successfully argued that the implemented rules for meat products are a barrier to international trade. The USDA has issued proposed new rules that simplify and clarify COOL to comply with the WTO decision.

National Grange Legislative Director, Grace Boatright, said, “The National Grange has supported country of origin labeling for quite some time. We’re neck deep in the information age and people want more information about their food, including how it’s grown and where it’s grown, and they have a right to know those details.”

Boatright continues, “I also think that COOL will be great for American agriculture. We have the safest and most abundant food supply in the world and I think that every farmer and rancher in this country would be proud to stamp “Grown in the USA” across our goods.”

The letter was submitted to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack as part of the regulatory comment period. The federal comment period closes on April 11, 2013, and the WTO ruling directed USDA to offer new COOL rules by May 23, 2013.

A copy of the coalition letter can be viewed here: http://fwwat.ch/COOLcoalition

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Established in 1867, The National Grange, a nonpartisan, nonprofit fraternal organization, is the oldest agricultural and rural community service organization. With more than 2,100 local chapters, the Grange has evolved into the nation’s leading rural advocacy organization and a major benefactor to local communities.

Jimmy Gentry, Vice President of the National Grange and President of the North Carolina State Grange, along with other leaders in agriculture, attended a roundtable meeting with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack on March 26 to discuss immigration reform, particularly as related to the need for an affordable guest worker program for agriculture.

The current H2A program provides a means for legally utilizing foreign labor, but many complain that this program is costly and cumbersome.  As a result, illegal workers continue to be used as workers on some farms.

During the discussion at the Charlotte Farmer’s Market in Charlotte, N.C., Vilsack listened as participants shared criticism about the current H2A program, and expressed a need for reform.  Participants agreed that a need exists for a program that is more affordable while providing an ample work force and that it is necessary to reduce bureaucracy associated with the program.

The National Grange and the North Carolina State Grange have advocated for reforms to the H2A program for many years, but Congress has failed to tackle this issue.  However, agricultural labor may be addressed as part of an upcoming immigration reform package.

The National Grange policy regarding H2A, adopted by delegates from State Granges across the country, reads, “The National Grange supports continuation of the legal program to bring guest workers into the United States on a temporary basis for the harvesting of seasonal crops. We support reform of current foreign guest worker programs to allow for expedited processing of foreign guest workers employed in the agricultural sector as well as reform of the H2A program so that the wage costs to farmers when hiring under the H2A program more closely reflects the prevailing local wage.”

 “I am pleased that Secretary Vilsack traveled to North Carolina to meet with farmers, agriculture association leaders, and associated agency representatives, to gather input that may be valuable for crafting new legislation,” Gentry said. “It is extremely important for our agriculture producers to have access to a reliable and affordable labor force.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Feb. 12, the National Grange released “Mentor in the Granges and Homes of Patrons of Husbandry” as a Kindle download available through Amazon’s Kindle Store.

Originally published in 1876, the book was designed to explain the origin, aims and government of the National Grange.

“First Chaplain of the National Grange, Rev. Aaron B. Grosh, paints a picture of all aspects of the Grange in 1876 for those seeking to join the organization and current members,” National Grange President Ed Luttrell said Tuesday.

Luttrell said the book was important at the time and gives those interested in history a view of the Grange and social pressures surrounding it.

“This book is a very thorough manual and was not only a very important read to members of the time but for those who oppose the Grange,” Luttrell said. “Grosh was very careful to use this book as an opportunity to speak to those who opposed the Grange at the time.”

He also said the book has great relevance for members today.

“This book [Mentor in the Granges and Homes of Patrons of Husbandry] paints a picture of the Grange in the late 1800s and reminds us today how the Grange has evolved. It is not only fascinating but important for Grange members to read and understand the history of the Grange,” Luttrell said.

The National Grange has signed a 90-day exclusivity deal for “Mentor in the Granges and Homes of Patrons of Husbandry” with Amazon and the Amazon Kindle Store. The e-book will be added to the Barnes and Noble Nook Store after the exclusivity deal expires.

This is the eighth e-book the National Grange has released. Previous releases include “The Granger Movement,” “Friend of the Farmer,” “Legal and Economic Influence of the Grange,” “Notes and Quotes,” “Proud Heritage,” “First Century of Service” and “People, Pride and Progress.”

“These books tell a very interesting history of the American people, spirit and culture,” Luttrell said.

Luttrell said the organization continues to seek treasures like Grosh’s book that tell the story of the Grange in communities and states throughout the nation as it prepares to celebrate its 150 anniversary in 2017. Any authors wishing to share their work with the Grange should contact National Grange Communications Director Amanda Leigh Brozana by email at abrozana@nationalgrange.org or by calling (888) 4-GRANGE ext. 102.

“Mentor in the Granges and Homes of Patrons of Husbandry” is available as an e-book for $4.99.  BUY IT NOW.

Established in 1867, The National Grange, a nonpartisan, nonprofit fraternal organization, is the oldest agricultural and rural community service organization. With more than 2,100 local chapters, the Grange has evolved into the nation’s leading rural advocacy organization and a major benefactor to local communities. There are more than 160,000 members across the United States.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, the National Grange blasted Congress for its failure to provide reforms for a struggling United States Postal Service following an announcement by USPS that the agency will no longer deliver mail on Saturdays, yet continue delivering packages.

In recent months, the National Grange – America’s oldest advocacy organization for rural America and agriculture – has encouraged Congress to relieve the USPS of their requirement to prepay future retiree health benefits, a mandate that costs the USPS $5 billion annually, as well as liberate the USPS to a private entity, free of congressional control.

“For several years now, our legislators in Washington have watched the Postal Service spiral into financial ruin and done little to stop this inevitable downfall. This comes as no shock to the American people who are growing increasingly frustrated with Congress’ lack of action towards anything,” National Grange President Ed Luttrell said Wednesday. “The Grange has strongly urged USPS to continue six-day-a-week mail service so rural Americans – who often don’t have access to high-speed internet used by those in urban and suburban areas to conduct professional and personal business –wouldn’t suffer.”

National Grange Legislative Director Grace Boatright said elderly Americans living in rural areas could stand to lose the most should more drastic steps be taken or requested by the USPS to remedy its failing financial condition.

“The postal service provides delivery of medicines for many of our citizens in remote areas or who are less-than-agile, along with delivery of medications for livestock. Without dramatic reform from Congress, the USPS may be forced to continue eliminating much-needed services,” Boatright said.

Boatright said the Grange has a long and storied history in supporting rural mail delivery and considers this a key issue of equitability and access for rural Americans.

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Established in 1867, the National Grange, a nonpartisan, nonprofit fraternal organization, is the oldest agricultural and rural community service organization. With more than 2,100 local chapters, the Grange has evolved into the nation’s leading rural advocacy organization and a major benefactor to local communities. There are more than 160,000 members across the United States.

In this February message, National Grange Intern Hayley Tonner sit’s down with National Grange President Ed Luttrell to ask him questions about the Grange.