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WHAT WE STAND FOR

Agriculture Policy Statement

Agriculture is foundational to America’s economy, providing directly or indirectly through value-added processing, approximately 5.6% (1.53 trillion) of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For over 150 years, the National Grange has been working to improve agriculture in America and the welfare of those who work the soil or care for the creatures of the field. Our roots are in agriculture, and our future is tied to our faith in the perennial cycle of planting and harvest.

Farm Bill

A current U.S. Farm Bill is crucial for the health of our economy, the vitality of our rural communities, and the security of our food supply. We advocate for fast passage of a new Farm Bill that would address many of the following points:

Research and Development:

  • Advocate for increased investment in biotechnology (e.g., CRISPR, Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats).
  • Support educational programs on nutrition (e.g., Farm to Table).
  • Favor voluntary labeling of genetically modified products.

Agricultural Chemicals:

  • Promote healthy pollinator populations.
  • Support education on the risks of Neonicotinoids and the benefits of untreated seeds.

Dairy Policy:

  • Push for fair pricing structures for small and medium dairy producers.
  • Advocate for defining "milk" strictly as a mammalian product.

Disaster Assistance and Risk Management:

  • Support funding for USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Risk Management Division and crop insurance programs.

Farm Policies

  • Encourage reclassification of small farms based on gross income ($150,000 or less).
  • Call for equitable treatment for all farm sizes and commodities.

Farm Labor:

  • Urge provisions in the Farm Bill for reliable seasonal and year-round labor.
  • Streamline the H-2A application process, where possible.

Food Safety:

  • Advocate for a single federal agency (preferably USDA) for food safety inspections.

Livestock Production:

  • Support science-based state regulations of agricultural practices, that do not interfere with interstate commerce.
  • Supports the principle that the term “meat” can only be used to describe animal protein derived from harvested production livestock, poultry, seafood, or wildlife, wild or domestic.

Marketing and Cooperatives:

  • Encourage USDA programs like Farmers to Families Food Box Program.
  • Support labeling of products as "Product of the USA" if they meet specific criteria.

Environmental Regulations:

  • Advocate for fair water rate structures and oppose expanded EPA authority.
  • Support funding for conservation programs.
  • Advocate for the education of proper disposal of agricultural materials.

Food Security:

  • Addressing concerns of foreign ownership of agricultural land, impacting food security.

Energy:

  • Support agrivoltaics and responsible regulations for dual use of agricultural land.
  • Advocate for research into alternative fuel sources to reduce greenhouse gases.

Broadband:

  • Supports the use of Federal Funds to efficiently build out high-speed internet access to “the last mile.”

Citizenship Policy Statement

Broadcasting

The National Grange supports public broadcasting concepts, improved service for our rural communities, and continuing federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through self-supporting sources of financing.

Broadband

Broadband and cellular connectivity must be priorities to ensure every American equitable connectivity.

Elected Officials

The National Grange urges all elected officials to work across party lines to ensure the best outcome for all persons they represent. The National Grange supports an amendment to the United States Constitution that should read: “Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to Senators and/or Representatives, just as Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States.” Further, when the federal government is shut down because Congress has failed to pass proper funding, Congress should not be paid for the period of the shutdown.

Elections

The National Grange urges all of its members to exercise their right to vote. We further recommend that all ballots and pertinent instructions for all elections be printed in the English language only. Proof of citizenship is to be required at the time of voter registration, at the polls and/or anyone requesting an absentee ballot with federally approved photo identification to verify they are a legal voter within this country and proper state. We oppose same day registration voting laws.

Government and Legislative Affairs

The National Grange believes all government-mandated programs and agencies must contain “sunset” provisions, including a target termination date; systematic and continuous reviews of all mandated programs be made periodically by an appropriate board of review and all mandated programs must be funded and financed by the government of origin and that at any point funding is not provided, the mandate will be removed.

The National Grange strongly opposes the use of any commission, council, or other consortium of non-elected appointees to create legislative mandates that Congress must adhere to, that are not subject to judicial review or the American system of checks and balances.

Government Service

The National Grange encourages the federal government to provide assistance immediately following the successful request by a State Governor for a declaration of a national disaster in the United States, supports efforts to improve the collection and dissemination of accurate and timely statistical data by all federal agencies, encourages legislation to require the Commerce Census Bureau to return to inclusion of a separate category for farm families.

Government Spending

The National Grange strongly advocates for Congress to put aside partisan politics to pass a balanced budget, prevent federal government shutdowns, and ensure a permanent solution to our deficit problems. The National Grange believes the issuance of Social Security, other critical social service monetary supplements, military salaries, benefits, or expenses should not be affected, delayed or reduced, should a federal government shutdown occur.

Native Americans

The National Grange supports the continuation of all rights and privileges enjoyed by Native Americans as U.S. citizens, including fulfilling all responsibilities associated with such citizenship, which includes being subject to the same laws as other citizens.

Patriotism, Prayer, and Religious Observances

The National Grange strongly supports joining with like-minded organizations along with churches and individuals to protect our religious freedoms and the First Amendment.

Social Security

The National Grange encourages Congress to positively reform the Social Security System to ensure its future solvency and use Social Security funds for Social Security programs only.

Social Welfare Programs

The National Grange supports legislation that would require drug testing to be included in the eligibility requirements for
welfare recipients. The National Grange supports requiring additional means to facilitate the identification and location of each
child’s parent for purposes of welfare recovery.

Veterans Affairs

The National Grange supports the continued operation of all Veterans’ Hospitals and veterans’ eligibility for medical care
and benefits.

Miscellaneous

The National Grange supports the creation of a Presidential Blue-Ribbon Commission on the preservation of the American
Dream to ensure that our country is stronger tomorrow than it is today.

The National Grange supports a simpler, legal route to employing guest workers, which will permit them to enter the country,
work for a specific time in a specific location, and then return home.

The National Grange supports all rights that are granted in the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights and urges
Congress not to consider legislation eliminating or repealing these rights.

Taxation Policy Statement

Business, Investment, Capital Gains, and Inheritance Taxation

We support depreciation schedules for agricultural capital assets that accurately reflect the useful life of those assets.

Personal Income Tax

The National Grange supports developing a simpler and fairer federal income tax code, written in precise, plain and understandable language. We further support simplifying the language that is used in the government’s instruction pamphlets for filing individual income taxes.

Sales, Excise Taxes, and Internet

The National Grange opposes the enactment of any national sales tax or any form of value added tax.

Taxes - General

The National Grange supports the tax treatment of agricultural cooperatives as non-profit entities

Conservation Policy Statement

We encourage responsible stewardship of our natural resources. We define responsible Stewardship as a balance between use, preservation, and the environmental standards appropriate to regional needs. The National Grange is a strong advocate for land stewardship. We believe protection of the environment and conservation of natural resources are vital. We further believe education of the public regarding the importance of natural resources is an absolute necessity. 

The National Grange advocates for conservation programs. These programs should encourage farmers to operate in an environmentally sound manner, focusing on scientific and technical assistance, research, education, loans, and cost-share programs.

The National Grange seeks a strong and effective Farm Bill that is critical to producers and consumers of American agricultural goods. It is fishers and hunters who look to the Farm Bill to secure access and preservation of land through conservation titles.

The National Grange understands agriculture is part of climate change and efforts to accomplish Net-Zero greenhouse emissions in the United States. We demand American agricultural data, rather than worldwide data, be used to provide a more accurate picture of greenhouse emissions in our nation and consistent sources of data be used. The National Grange supports the use of Best Management Practices and any mandates regarding agriculture reducing emissions be accompanied with economic incentives to lower the impact on agricultural producers.

We recognize plastic and other non-biodegradable materials are a significant environmental nuisance. The National Grange supports legislation that will promote the use of shorter life plastic and biologically degradable materials.

The National Grange recognizes the unique role agriculture plays in land and environmental management. The National Grange supports transparent data disclosure of any environmental testing and/or modifications conducted by any governmental agency. We advocate for flexibility in the interpretation of environmental laws for traditional land uses taking into consideration environmental situations across the country and encourage agricultural producers to engage in Best Management Practices in their operations.

The National Grange supports coordination among Federal, State and Local Governments in developing land use management plans. We urge Congress to include voluntary incentive-based assistance for conservation practices by farmers, ranchers, foresters, developers, and landowners in future Farm Bills, maintaining a commitment to conservation. We urge the United States Department of Agriculture to use scientifically based research when crafting regulations to implement the conservation portions of the Farm Bill. The optimum result should be the environment be protected with the least amount of prime, productive farmland taken out of production.

The EPA Waters of the United States has emerged through court rulings and legislative activity, with the potential to overreach into farms as it has before. The National Grange stresses navigable waters remain in the definition of the Clean Water Act.

Food waste is a problem, as approximately half of the food grown in the country is thrown away without being consumed.  The Grange should be involved in efforts to reduce food waste while helping the environment

Education Policy Statement

The National Grange’s mission is to strengthen individuals, families and communities through service, education, nonpartisan grassroots advocacy and agricultural awareness. This includes a commitment to protecting America’s education and healthcare system. Below are the main focuses that guide our approach to ensuring our membership has access to:

  • The National Grange encourages a balanced approach to education. We support a fair delivery of all available
    financial aid as well as some federal targeted loan forgiveness programs to all that qualify.
  • Encourage our school systems to find ways to increase the availability of appropriate counseling and volunteer efforts
    to work with our schools.
  • Encourage legislation that provides funding for free quality meals for all school students in pre-K through 12th grade,
    to strengthen all students and the future of our country.

Health Policy Statement

  • We encourage bipartisan congressional legislation as it relates to research and development of vaccines, affordable
    healthcare, and lower out-of-pocket medication costs.
  • We seek passage of the Farm Bill to continue programs such as: affordable childcare, SNAP, WIC, and school
    lunches.
  • We will continue to be the voice in raising awareness about these disparities and inequities for rural residents related
    to healthcare access, affordability, and more. We will continue to partner with organizations to educate our members and the
    public about ways in which this gap can be closed.
  • We endorse the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and The National Agricultural Crisis Hotline to provide
    24/7 access to trained responders in response to the nationwide rural mental health crisis. In addition, we request the
    Veterans Administration (VA) to increase treatment options for veterans with mental health issues.
  • We support the Medicare flexibilities allowing for increased bandwidth for telehealth use, vaccines, mental health
    coverage, breakthrough Alzheimer’s treatment, opioid abuse programs, and for hospitals at risk of closure. In addition to new
    technologies such as Multi-Cancer Early Detection tests with increased rural access for these technologies. We support
    Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform as being necessary oversight so that cost savings are passed along to the consumer.

Labor Policy Statement

The National Grange supports the rights of employers and employees to thrive in an environment of prosperity and safety.

We believe America’s workforce deserves to earn a fair wage with adequate retirement benefits. We encourage the preservation of existing private and public pension benefits.

We support improved efficiency in agricultural guest worker programs for temporary and permanent workers.

Judiciary Policy Statement

The National Grange is a staunch defender of the U.S. Constitution and the rights and privileges it protects for all persons.

We ask for the creation of a Presidential Blue-Ribbon Commission on the Preservation of the American Dream.

The National Grange strives to support and respect the hard work and bravery of the nation’s first responders.

The National Grange believes citizens and elected officials are the appropriate individuals to adopt the laws by which we will be governed. Administrative agencies and other governing bodies should be prohibited from implementing regulations that dramatically impact our daily lives without periodic review by elected officials. We further oppose the use of eminent domain to take private property for private commercial use.

We support legislation to increase cybersecurity for all personal banking and credit card data by all internet providers to prevent fraudulent use of that data. We encourage citizens to apply due diligence in protecting themselves from cyberfraud.

Transportation Policy Statement

The National Grange believes our nation’s overall infrastructure (broadband, transportation, drinking water, waste management, ports, aviation, parks, schools, etc.) is in critical need of repair and upgrade. We encourage Congress to appropriate adequate funding to repair/upgrade our nation’s infrastructure. We also support the posting of fuel tax amounts on every fuel pump.

We support laws requiring drivers to slow down and move over while passing an emergency vehicle that is stopped with lights flashing. All drivers must guard against distractions from cell phones and other devices. We support enhancing the visibility of school buses, construction, farm equipment, rail cars, bicycles, motorcycles, trucks, etc. We encourage walkers, joggers, bicyclists, etc. to wear highly reflective clothing.

The National Grange urges all states to have the same criteria/standards for Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDL) drivers.