Good Day V5I1 Spring 2021

Good DAY!

A quarterly publication of the National Grange Vol. 5, Issue 1 l Spring 2021

Small Town Gems Make Us Who We Are The identity of our rural communities is sometimes defined by landmarks that dot the backroads like Grange Halls and historic churches like The Little Brown Church

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Y

GRANGE YOUTH

96

GRASSROOTS & VOICES FROM THE FIELD

30

J

JUNIOR GRANGE

99

I

IDEAS FOR GRANGE PROGRAMS & ACTION

37

H & L

HOBBIES & LIFESTYLE

102

M

MEMBERSHIP NEWS & RECOGNITION

61

F & R

FOOD & RECIPES

109

L

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

69

L W

LAST WORD

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N

NATIONAL NEWS

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PERSPECTIVE: Smalltown Landmarks Revisited

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Cover Photo

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In small towns across the country, there are irreplaceable landmarks. Granges, churches and other buildings are more than just structures. They are home to memories and emotions, the places in which families have started, grown, giggled, gathered and grieved. For the iconic Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, like many Granges, a needed restoration helped one member examine just how places can shape and change people.

Photo credit: Submitted photo

Good Day! Magazine is a quarterly publication of the National Grange. located at 1616 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006.

ISSN: 2688-6030. | All comments and questions can be directed to abrozana@nationalgrange.org Reproduction or distribution of any part of this magazine is prohibited by anyone other than a Grange member or a chartered Grange without written permission from the National Grange Communications Department.

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Staff

WHAT’S THE GRANGE? The National Grange was founded as a fraternal organization for farm families in 1867 – opening its doors to men and women equally from the start.

From rural free delivery of mail to the direct election of U.S. Senators by the people, Grange has influenced many aspects of American life and culture.

Today we continue to advocate for rural Americans and those interested in all areas of agriculture – including those who just like to eat – and our local Granges provide millions of dollars and hours of service to their neighbors annually.

Each Grange operates as a grassroots unit, taking on projects most appropriate for their communities and advocating based on their members’ beliefs.

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Learn more at www.nationalgrange.org.

OUR

Officers

Betsy E. Huber, PA, President betsy@nationalgrange.org F. Philip Prelli, CT, Vice President Executive Committee Chair philip.prelli@snet.net Susan Noah, OR,

Executive Committee Secretary master@orgrange.org Leroy Watson, NH, Executive Committee Member & Grange Advocacy Board Chair leroyawatson@nationalgrange.org Lynette Schaeffer, IL,

Executive Committee Member schaeffr@att.net Stephen Coye, NY,

Executive Committee Member steve@nygrange.org Chris Hamp, WA,

National Lecturer lecturer@nationalgrange.org

OUR

Betsy E. Huber, Publisher National Grange President & President, Grange Foundation betsy@nationalgrange.org Amanda Leigh Brozana Rios, Editor Membership, Leadership Development & Communications Director & Grange Foundation Associate abrozana@nationalgrange.org TM

Good Day!

Stephanie Wilkins, Subscriptions Manager Information Technology Director swilkins@nationalgrange.org Kennedy Gwin Communications Manager kgwin@nationalgrange.org Loretta Washington Sales, Benefits, Programs & Membership Recognition Director lwashington@nationalgrange.org

William “Chip” Narvel, DE, National Steward

Samantha Wilkins Operations Manager & National Junior Grange Director samantha@nationalgrange.org

John Plank, IN, National Assistant Steward Karen Overstreet, TX, National Lady Assistant Steward

Burton Eller Legislative Director beller@nationalgrange.org

Barbara Borderieux, FL, National Chaplain

Sean O’Neil Legislative Assistant sean.oneil@grange.org

Sherry Harriman, ME, National Treasurer Judy Sherrod, TN, National Secretary

Mandy Bostwick Youth Development Director youth@nationalgrange.org

Christopher Johnston, MI, National Gatekeeper Cindy Greer, CO, National Ceres Kay Stiles, MD, National Pomona

Pete Pompper Community Service Director communityservice@nationalgrange.org

Welina Shufeldt, OK, National Flora

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Kim Stefanick Design Director

www.nationalgrange.org

Mujo Mrkonjic Building Engineer

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Betsy E. Huber

In the early days of Grange, when chapters were being organized in every community across the nation, one of the first projects they undertook was constructing or purchasing a building of their own. I’m sure at one point every rural community had at its heart a Grange Hall where citizens gathered for every important event—Grange meetings, of course, but also town meetings, life events such as birthdays, weddings and funerals, and discussions about issues of importance.

Many of these buildings have disappeared but are remembered by the hundreds of “Grange Road” signs we see everywhere. Many former Grange Halls can be recognized by their shape and style, because model plans were distributed for construction of these structures. Often the villages surrounding these Halls have dried up and blown away with the changing times and economy, but the Grange Hall still stands in memorial to those communities.

Often the Grange Hall is the only thing that people know of Grange. It is so important, as we return to normalcy after a year of pandemic shutdown, to fill our halls with life and activity—and be sure to promote every event. We need to open up our activities to show others what Grange is about. So many Granges did so much good for their communities

over the last year that many more people should now have an idea what the Grange is about. We can build on that opportunity to increase our reach.

An important first step is to hold a spring cleanup day to make sure your grounds are cared for; plant some flowers and make sure your Grange sign is in good shape and lists a contact phone number or website. Take an honest look at the outside of your building—could it use some paint or power-washing? If your hall or property looks shabby, it appears that your members are uninterested and don’t really care about the organization.

Your hall is a reflection of your members’ attitudes.

Any major work, or even painting, costs money, and I realize fundraising has been difficult during the pandemic.

Several Granges recently have won grants from community foundations for COVID relief or general assistance. You can also contact local businesses for grants or inkind donations to support your efforts.

Local companies that your members do business with are a good source of help.

Be sure to advertise any donations and thank the donors for their generosity.

And check out the suggested activities list in the Grange Month information on our website for new ideas for fundraisers that you can do now.

Even if you don’t own your meeting

place, you can beautify the location where you meet. After a long, hard winter I think people are noticing more the beauty of spring flowers and gardens. You may even attract attention and gain people who want to learn about gardening.

Grange halls were built by our ancestors who really cared and worked hard to establish a home for their Grange.

They were very proud of their Grange and wanted to provide the best facility possible where their community could gather. We owe it to our forefathers and mothers to restore these landmarks to their original glory and usefulness, physically as well as socially. Is your Grange the center of your community?

What can you do to make it so again?

The time is now!

Fellowship and fun are essential components of Grange life. Both can be found in abundance at Grange Revival, a summer camping event open to all members and

friends of the Grange. The first, held in 2019 in Ozark, Arkansas, was so much fun, and I’ve been looking forward to the 2021 Sturgis event ever since. I hope to see many of you there. Read more on page 18 and register now!

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ADVERTISE WITH US Our quarterly publication welcomes advertisers. Up to a 20% discount may be offered to Grange members on their ad purchases. All rates shown are for pre-designed content submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of press date for an issue. You may request rates for ads to be designed by our staff.

GOOD DAY!™ PRESS DATES 2020-21 Issue Due Date Hits Mailboxes Spring

February 1

April 1, 2021

Fall

August 15

September 15, 2021

Summer Winter

May 1

November 1

June 1, 2021

January 1, 2022

Classified ads are also welcomed at $0.50 per word up to 25 words, $1 thereafter; $2.50 per website, email, or other link regardless of word count; $5 per photo (will appear no larger than 1.5”x1”). Special requests (bold design, font increase) available for extra charge. All copy should be submitted no later than 10 days prior to the due date.

National Grange assumes no responsibility for that which is advertised in Good Day!™ and reserves the right to reject ads deemed offensive or irrelevant.

Please contact Amanda Brozana Rios at communications@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (301) 943-1090 for details.

WRITE FOR US This is your chance! This is your magazine.

Submissions may be made by any Grange member in good standing, especially including Junior and Youth members and must be your own original work.

For Juniors, you may get your parent, guardian or another mentor or adult’s assistance to write or draw the piece, but we expect all those who assist to adhere to high ethical standards and allow the Junior’s work to be reflected without influence by the adult/ older assistant.

All work must be in good taste and appropriate for our audience. The National Grange reserves the right to reject any submissions.

Guidelines & The Fine Print Entries may include: photo essay (at least three photos that together tell a story with captions identifying the people in the photo if applicable and what is happening in the scene); short story (max. 1,500 words); poem; essay/article (maximum 1,500 words and must include at least two relevant photographs with captions); skit (no more than six speaking characters; should not take more than 10 minutes to perform and should not require an elaborate set); D-I-Y (do-it-yourself) project with supply list, step-by-step instructions and photos of each step; or open category (examples include but are not limited to a coloring book page related to Grange or agriculture; comic strip or box; recipes, etc.).

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Each entry must be submitted digitally and include name, address, phone number, email (if applicable) and Grange details (name, number and state of Subordinate Grange and office held). Junior 1+ members can list the Subordinate or State Grange they are affiliated with. E-members can list National Grange E-member.

Submission

is

acknowledgment

that

publication is authorized. In the case of Junior submissions, this is acknowledgment of right to publish by both Junior and their parent/ guardian.

All submissions must be made via email to abrozana@nationalgrange.org.

From the desk of the AMANDA LEIGH BROZANA RIOS

Editor

It’s hard giving things up.

set is not exactly the same as mine. But

For those leading local Granges, you,

But it’s made so much easier when

what knowledge and training she brings

too, have been trusted by those who

you’ve worked with and trained your

broadens and deepens areas under the

welcomed you to the Grange and those

replacement.

Communications banner in ways that I

who elected or appointed you. They

believe will make tremendous impact.

trusted that you would work hard then

This isn’t just a generic observation. It’s something I’ve thought quite a bit about

In this move, there have also been

over the past few months as I’ve taken on

changes

the role of Membership and Leadership

specifically in the layout of the publication.

Change is inevitable and it is through

Development Director from my friend

While I’ll still be taking the helm with

mentorship that we can both create

and colleague Joe Stefenoni, and as

overall content and editorial direction,

continuity and secure our legacy.

I’ve cheered on Kennedy Gwin, who was

Kim Stefanick, who served as my intern

hired after several months as my intern

and worked on the original design and

is key to the survival of our local

to fill the position of Communications

layout for the first and second issues in

Granges straight through the National

Manager for the National Grange.

early 2017, has returned to do design

organization.

With or without knowing it, Joe and I were mentoring the next person who would step into the role we held and move the departments forward.

Joe provided so much insight into the challenges of his role and the places

to

Good

Day!

magazine,

find someone you believed in as they

and assist with some improvements to the flow and focus of future issues.

A great thing to celebrate is that both of these ladies are young, energetic members of the Grange who love the organization.

had believed in you.

For

Grange

leaders,

mentorship

No matter how much a specific role means to us, how much it shapes our identity and makes us who we are, it is only ours for the moment.

If we live to ensure the Grange is perpetual, we must be building for the

where he saw opportunities for growth

The hard part is stepping back

future, training our replacements and

and found Grange succeeding, even in

and respecting that things will change

then cheering for them as they step

these strange and stressful times. It made

with someone new at the helm of a

forward to begin writing the next chapter.

my transition easier because I knew

department that has been a huge part of

Mentoring is not completely selfless.

what to expect, why things had been

my identity for the past decade or this

It’s helping enshrine your own legacy and

put in place and how doing the work

magazine that has become my baby, and

ensuring you’re free to pursue something

with my own unique skillset and view

accepting that the change is not only

new and grow from new opportunities

of the organization could build on his

OK, but needed in order to keep up with

you are able to take on.

framework and hopefully complement

the changing times and remain exciting

and cement a legacy he started.

and fresh.

Some would say mentoring is like offering a person you hope to be your

I also knew because of his love of

Nature and the Grange ritual both

the organization, his respect for me and

teach us that growth only happens

my dedication to our Order and our

because of change and the only direction

good working relationship that he would

things move is forward.

successor your shoes, then taking the time to lace them up for them.

With an organization as storied as the Grange, with many generations and

answer the call whenever I needed a bit

The harder part is trust – trusting that

members helping to shape the offices,

more insight or another set of eyes or

what is most important part of the job –

I believe mentoring is like passing on a

brain to pick. Luckily, I also have several

paid or volunteer, elected or appointed –

cherished recipe.

of his predecessors who have willingly

gets done and meets the needs of those

You do best by providing them the

offered the same.

who have entrusted you with that job.

kitchen, the equipment, the recipe and

For Kennedy, I have offered the

I’m fortunate that I trust these women,

the ingredients to ensure the dish can

same. Her approach to some parts of

and that everyone having a role in my

be replicated – but you must allow them

the job will be different and her skill

transition has trusted me.

to make the meal. They may choose

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to add something new or opt not to

around us, while offering to serve as a

as she presents a workshop on a topic

use an ingredient. They may make a

sounding board or to provide feedback

of her choosing, with lots of information

perfect version or fail and need the

discreetly and directly.

encouragement and assistance to try

Coincidentally,

she gleaned from me as a base, but with

again.

at

regional

conferences this year I will be presenting

We cannot wait until we’re no longer

workshops on mentorship – how to be a

capable of passing on the important

good mentor and how to make the most

things to start mentoring. As soon as we

of the experience as a mentee.

have some mastery, we must be taking

At each conference, I’ll make sure to

time to train others, in piece or whole to

tout the newest and upcoming issues of

carry on the legacy.

Good Day! and show off the beautiful

We must trust that we gave them

layout and some structural changes we’ll

the tools necessary to succeed, and

be making in coming issues that I’m

when they do things differently or begin

excited to have Kim spearhead.

something new, we must be their biggest cheerleaders

to

the

watching

eyes

At a few of the regional conferences, I’ll be in the audience watching Kennedy

her own spin and her own research and experience added to it.

This is the most important thing I may do for the Grange – help the people taking on roles I’ve held dear so they can succeed for all of us.

I hope to see you at a regional event, talk to you about where your Grange will go with someone else filling your big shoes and how you can help lace them up for your successor.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Award recipient reflects on Grange’s influence I’m very honored to be selected to receive the Wib and June Justi Award for Community Service by the National Grange Youth and Community Service departments.

This past year has been rough on all of us, and I’m glad I could do what I could at the start of the chaos to help my local communities and provide them with some safety and comfort.

As soon as I heard there was a need for 3D-printed face shields, I started printing them non-stop for about two months for various places that needed them.

As someone who’s been part of the

Grange family for all of my life, I was always taught to extend a helping hand in any way you can in times of need. That helping hand can be in many shapes and sizes from making multitudes of face shields as I did, to simply calling on a friend to see if they are doing well.

What matters is finding ways you can improve your Grange and community in your own unique way.

Thank you again for this honor.

Fraternally, Eugene Fletcher

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Taskforce looks to ensure Grange is living up to founding principle that ‘all of good moral character’ feel welcome

By Kennedy Gwin Communications Manager In all organizations the necessity to remain relevant in a world that is constantly changing is the lifeline of continued existence.

For the Grange last year, that meant reflecting upon our traditions as well as making plans for the future.

In the summer of 2020, with racial unrest and

swirling around

around the

the

country

National

Grange

Headquarters building in Washington, DC, National President Betsy Huber created a task force with the goal to evaluate the Grange through a social justice lens to make sure that we are as welcoming in reality as we say we are in our literature. The group was also tasked to make recommendations to increase Stock Photo

diversity and improve accessibility and inclusion within the Grange.

Several differing backgrounds, races, cultures, ages, and geographical areas were included on the committee to ensure a diverse panel of Grangers who

The National Grange is making strides to be more inclusive and diverse. Part of this mission includes diversifying marketing to include accurate representations

of all members of the Grange. Steps that are already being taken are the use of more diverse stock photography as seen above.

took extra care in evaluating the best moves for the Grange going forward.

them as well as prospective members’

of Laws was changed when resolutions

The group, known as the diversity

reactions. They noted that while these

were adopted in 2002, 2003, and 2004,

task force, created a report that was

terms as well as the name “Grange”

that allowed for alternative title usage

presented to the delegates at the

were taken from the traditional English

and declared the titles interchangeable,

National

last

farm or manor, historically they have

President/Master,

November. The committee pointed out a

been associated with slavery in America.

Overseer,

few key issues including the usage of the

With intent versus impact at the

words Master and Overseer, marketing

forefront of the committee’s work, they

Resolutions were presented at the

materials that include more racially

all agreed that these terms are dated and

2020 session to eliminate the terms

diverse people, and inclusion of LGBTQ

that it is imperative to update them at all

Master and Overseer entirely, but these

plus families.

Grange

convention

and

Vice Board

President/ of

Directors/

Executive Committee.

levels, moving exclusively to President

resolutions were not adopted by the

the

virtual

and Vice President. Other terms such

delegate body.

was

spent

as Gatekeeper and Steward were also

discussing the controversial officer titles

discussed but no final recommendation

marketing

and members’ own experiences with

was made. The National Grange Digest

more diversity to illustrate to potential

Much committee

time

during

meetings

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The committee also concluded that materials

should

include

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members that all are welcome. While

only introduction to the organization is

Grange Growth Committees’ reports

stock photo services are notoriously

through our marketing material may feel

at the 2020 National Grange session.

lacking

excluded. The task force recommended

The delegates requested the task force

color, especially in non-urban, non-

in

photos

of

people

of

the

of

to continue its work for another year to

professional highly staged images, the

traditional family values be used in

determine any other issues that may

Communications department is working

Grange marketing materials.

need attention.

term

family

values

instead

hard to find ways to meet this need. In

The final topic discussed was respect

addition to continuing to scour stock

of religious affiliation of members. The

services, photos of our own members are

committee noted that not all members

being collected to update our own stock

are Christian, and recommended when

database.

a member passes, during the draping of

These

recommendations

are

an

important first step to help the Grange prove its interest in inclusion both to current and prospective members, Huber said.

Another important topic of discussion

the charter ceremony the local Grange

was the term “traditional family values”

should take into account the deceased

and how that may appear to those who

member’s religion and alter the ceremony

do not feel they fit within this limiting

of draping the charter to respect the

phrase. The committee said that while

beliefs of the deceased. For members

wish to join with us,” Huber said. “There

most of our membership understands

who are not Christian, a different prayer

is still more work to be done, but this is

this to include all types of families, single

from their own faith may be used instead

a great first step. I thank the committee

individuals, couples without children or

of the Lord’s Prayer.

for their diligence and hard work, and I

single parents, LGBTQ-plus families and

The diversity task force report was

more, those outside the Grange whose

adopted as part of the Grange Law and

“Changes such as these make the Grange a more inviting place for all people ‘of good moral character’ who we

look forward to working with them on additional projects this year.

DC office sees policy interns in abundance this spring

By Kennedy Gwin Communications Manager Four new interns have sprung into action here in DC for members across the country.

With a couple of months of experience under their belts and a myriad of projects that pique their interest, Valerie Stewart,

Valerie Stewart

Claire Wubben

Claire Loker

Lindsey Sather

Lindsey Sather, Claire Loker, and Claire Wubben have been working since late January.

Each of the interns have attended many webinars, and worked on a project on chronic pain funded by a grant to Grange Advocacy in addition to taking

written multiple articles on rural health.

Stewart said she feels very comfortable working for Grange members.

“I feel like I am working with family,”

Military Studies.

Sather has been the go-to person for graphic design in regard to the multiple projects the intern team has taken on.

she said. “I have made lifelong friendships

Her sharp eye for design has helped

in this internship as well as expanded

improve the Grange’s social media

on projects that draw on their specific

my understanding of healthcare in Rural

image,

interests and skillsets.

America.”

Kennedy Gwin said.

Communications

Manager

Stewart is a junior pre-medical student

Sather comes from Chicago, Illinois,

“Her designs have helped us provide

at Baylor University who is studying

and is a sophomore at Baylor University.

catchy designs for important topics,”

biology and international studies. Since

She is studying International Business

Gwin said.

coming to the Grange, she has written an

and Management Information Systems

Sather designed graphics for Rural

op-ed that was published. She has also

with minors in Political Science and

Health Week and produced an article for

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Photo by Amanda Brozana-Rios After the 2021 National Fly-In ended, National Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller, left, and National Grange President Betsy Huber, right, stand with three of the spring semester interns and Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil, second from left.

that appears on page 73 of this issue of Good Day!.

many Zoom calls.

been very rewarding.

She has been a lifetime rural advocate

Sather said she has gotten far more from the internship than she expected.

and sought out work at the Grange to continue her passion.

“During my time here I have learned a

lot

about

working

in

advocacy,

communicating effectively with a large

“I came into this job expecting to

She said interning with the Grange

answer phones and organize files and

has “allowed me to learn more about

do mundane internship tasks. Instead,

rural healthcare, which I didn’t have much

multiple projects at the same time,”

the National Grange has assigned me

knowledge of prior to this internship.

Wubben said. “I am encouraged to bring

meaningful work,” Sather said. “My

It has also given me the opportunity

my own personal as well as educational

position at the National Grange has

to work on advocacy projects about

opened my eyes to the needs of the

rural agriculture and and broaden my

rural communities. I have gained major

experiences.”

respect for the rural populations who

Wubben is a junior at Baylor University

have to face so many unequal access

majoring in liberal arts with an emphasis

hurdles to things like healthcare and

in Political Science, English and French.

broadband.”

She has written an op-ed about

Loker from Walton, New York, is a senior in the Agriculture Business Development

program

at

SUNY-

Morrisville.

Loker has been working remotely with National Grange and joining us on

women in agriculture, and articles for this edition of Good Day! Gwin said she has also impressed as an editor, assisting with newsletter and magazine pieces.

Wubben said the experience has

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audience

and

learning

to

balance

background into group discussions as the Grange strives to bring new perspective into their/our work” National Grange President Betsy Huber said the Grange greatly benefits from the time and insight of each group of interns.

“This is a great group of young women with bright futures ahead of them,” Huber said. “We own them an enormous thank you for their work.”

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Role changes for staff offer opportunities for new ideas National Grange Membership and Leadership Development Director Joe Stefenoni has announced his departure from the National Staff effective the end of February.

Stefenoni said he remains dedicated to the organization that has been such a large part of his life and is excited to continue serving in his role as Vice President of the California State Grange and as a deputy for the Nevada Granges.

“The Grange is an incredible organization that I have had the amazing fortune to not just belong to, but work for in service to our members and our mission,” Stefenoni said. “I will always be a part of the Grange and look forward to the many visits to come with my fellow Brothers and Sisters at Grange events.”

Communications Director Amanda Brozana Rios will be taking on the Membership and Leadership Development Director responsibilities. She previously assisted in membership and leadership development efforts in 2016-17 prior to Stefenoni’s return to the National Staff and called the move

Photo by Samantha Wilkins

both exciting and challenging.

“There are big shoes to fill here – big boots that is. Joe Amanda Brozana Rios, right, shows Kennedy Gwin, left, a has done an amazing job producing materials for our leaders program feature she will use frequently in her new role as and members to use to strengthen our organization and bring Communications Manager. Brozana Rios is now serving as

new ideas to the way we do membership and leadership Membership, Leadership Development and Communications development. I’m fortunate to follow such a dedicate staff Director. member who has ensured a solid foundation,” Brozana Rios said.

Brozana Rios has already been in contact with many State Presidents to assess their goals and needs from the National office. In addition, she has begun working with regional teams of selected members to create ideas and products for our membership and our future members.

“This is an exciting time,” Brozana Rios said. “It is such a

providing assistance to Granges, among other tasks.

“I have really enjoyed the transition,” Gwin said. “In my new role I do something different everyday and learn something new everyday. It really keeps me on my toes and makes me excited to start each day. I am very thankful for this opportunity and look forward to my future at the Grange,”

time ripe for Grange membership to grow exponentially. We

National Grange President Betsy Huber said she believes

have learned just how important our communities and service

the hires will provide continuity for our members and excel in

to others is, how important local agriculture and our food

their new roles.

system is, how much we desire human connection, and so much

Programs, Benefits, Sales and Membership Recognition

more out of this pandemic. The Grange is so important and I’m

Director Loretta Washington, IT Director Stephanie Wilkins,

proud to be working to ensure even more of our neighbors and

Operations Manager and Junior Director Samantha Wilkins,

friends come to support and take part in our fraternity.”

Kennedy Gwin, a lifetime member of the Washington State Grange, who has been working as an intern with the National Grange since July, has been hired full-time as the Communications Manager.

Gwin will assume many of the day-to- day tasks carried out

as well as Gwin, will each be taking on a small portion of the duties of Program Assistant Kelly Klingman, who is no longer with the National Grange.

“We wish Joe all the best, but know he’s a shining star in the Grange that will remain with us as a leader in our

by the department including producing this weekly newsletter,

membership,” Huber said. “The dedication our staff has shown

the Patrons Chain, preparing press releases and statements,

to the organization is humbling and we know they will do a

writing op-eds, pitching stories about the Grange to reporters,

wonderful job serving our members and continuing to move

managing the social media accounts of the Grange and

our organization forward in their new roles.”

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Year-long intern hired as legislative assistant Beginning in June, the National Grange will be adding another member to their full-time staff by hiring current intern Sean O’Neil to serve as a legislative assistant.

O’Neil will continue to work under National Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller and assist him with the wide variety of activities the legislative team undertakes.

“We’ve been happy with Sean’s work over the past year as an intern, and look forward to having him join the team full-time,” Eller said. “With Sean’s help we’ll be able to expand our legislative activities and double down on our advocacy for our members” O’Neil said he believes the position will allow him to expand his knowledge and continue in an area he is passionate about.

“I am looking forward to being back

14

National Grange President Betsy Huber said O’Neil’s contributions have been impressive and far-reaching.

“Sean has an amazing network for a young man just graduating from college. He has helped bring to the table individuals and organizations with which he is connected for our Fly-In as well as several other major projects,” Huber said. “His work is excellent and he is always willing to take on a new challenge and prepare materials for our members, our other departments and decision-makers around D.C.” in the office full-time and expanding my role for the National Grange. I have very much enjoyed my work over the past year, and look forward to continuing to advocate for the National Grange’s policy priorities.”

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O’Neil, who has been accepted to Harvard Law in a program with a twoyear deferal to allow students to explore areas of interests, will formally begin working for the National Grange fulltime on June 1.

Welcome Mr. President After a delay due to security concerns, the traditional banner the

Huber shared similar sentiments.

our message stands out and attracts

Grange

“It’s been a tradition here for the

attention to the Grange organization.

hangs to welcome a new president to

last five inaugurations that we hang

It is out hope that the President and

Washington was put up at our National

the banner on the side of our building

his staff see the banner and later when

facing the White House, welcoming the

we approach them about issues we

new President to our neighborhood.

are advocating for, they recognize the

Since we are the only privately owned

Grange name and remember us with

non-governmental building in the area,

kind thoughts.”

headquarters.

The banner was placed on the side of our National Headquarters that faces the White House. This is a tradition the Grange has kept for many years through various administrations, welcoming them and establishing a rapport necessary to work on behalf of rural Americans and farmers.

Legislative

Director

Burton

Eller

assisted in the process of placing the banner.

“In keeping with the tradition the National Grange placed a large banner on the front of the building welcoming President Biden to the neighborhood.

It was a fun experience including the interns in the process and getting the chance to climb on the roof to overlook the White House.”

Eller also mentioned that “the Grange building is the only privately owned

Photo by Amanda Brozana-Rios

building surrounding the White House.”

National Grange President Betsy

National Grange staff members hang a banner to welcome President Biden

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15

As biopharmaceutical researchers keep searching for breakthrough cures they don’t have to look far for inspiration.

In this new era of medicine, where breakthroughs are transforming prevention and treatment options, PhRMA is committed to fixing America’s health care system the right way.

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GRANGE ADVOCACY ADVERTORIAL www.Innovation.org

Grange sought out as respected organization to be face of vaccine push for rural Amerca

By Sean O’Neil Legislative Assistant As the United States moves into a new phase of vaccine deployment, with an abundance of vaccines available, public health officials are turning their focus to combatting vaccine hesitancy.

As

part

of

this

effort,

private

organizations and the government are coming together to work on public advocacy

campaigns

encouraging

everyone who is eligible to get the vaccine as soon as they can.

So far, the National Grange has joined two different efforts to promote the COVID-19 vaccine, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project’s “Count Me In!” campaign and the Biden administration’s COVID-19 Community Corps.

In Spring of this year, the COVID-19 Vaccine Education and Equity Project, a non-profit coalition of health care and community organizations, launched the “Count Me In!” digital campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake. As

coronavirus.

coming from the Grange.

As part of this campaign, the White House has enlisted 275 organizations ranging from NASCAR to the Catholic Health

Association

as

partners

in

spreading the word about the value of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Beyond

these

coalition

efforts

dealing with vaccine hesitancy, the National Grange has also advocated for rural Americans to get increased access to the vaccine. For example, in a recent

Among these organizations, the

letter to Food and Drug Administration

White House extended the invitation

Commissioner Dr. Stephan Hahn, the

to the National Grange to serve as a

National Grange urged the Biden

founding member of the Corps and

administration and the FDA to pursue

an advocate for the vaccine in rural

creative ways to expand access to the

part of this effort, the COVID-19 Vaccine

America,

Education and Equity Project recruited

hesitancy are particularly high.

where

levels

of

vaccine

community organizations of all stripes

The role of the National Grange in

to participate in their public advocacy,

the Community COVID-19 Corps will

including the National Grange.

be

to

communicate

COVID-19 vaccine in rural America from pop-up vaccine clinics to alternative methods of vaccine delivery.

science-based

As the fight to combat vaccine

The National Grange contributed a

information about the vaccine with both

hesitancy in the United States is just

testimonial from President Betsy Huber

Grange members and their communities

beginning to take shape as vaccines

speaking about the value of getting the

through official communications, social

COVID-19 vaccine so that people can

have

media posts, and events.

weeks, the National Grange is leading

get back to work.

Because the National Grange has

In March, the Biden administration announced

the

creation

Community

COVID-19

of

the

been a trusted pillar of many rural communities for over a century, the

become

abundant

in

recent

the way in advocating for the benefits of the vaccine by participating in private sector and government efforts

Corps,

an

National

intended

to

Americans who may be concerned

to promote the vaccine and using its

Americans

as

about the safety and effectiveness of the

own platform to advocate for increased

possible to be vaccinated against the

vaccine will be receptive to information

access to the vaccine in rural America.

advertising encourage

campaign as

many

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Grange

hopes

that

rural

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

17

Summer camping event gets green light Grange Revival is only a few short months away.

The summer event open to all members and friends of the Grange, is slated for July 20 through 25 in Sturgis, South Dakota. Steering committee members sent an email to people who indicated interest in attending the 2021 event or those who attended the 2019 inaugural camping excursion, asking if they had reservations about attending because of the continued public health concerns. National Lecturer Chris Hamp, who is one of the primary organizers, said “100 percent of the respondents said they had no reservations about attending.”

Those who drive to the event or visit an attraction while attending are also encouraged to take photos and submit them to committee member Amanda Brozana Rios at albrozana@ gmail.com or by text at (301) 943-1090 to be part of a slideshow presented during evening dinners. Nearby attractions include Custer State Park, Deadwood and Devil’s Tower.

The biggest, however, might be Mount Rushmore, which attendees will be able to attend in the afternoon and evening of Friday, July 24 to see the manmade feature and enjoy a lighting show where veterans and active duty military members can take part in the event.

This excursion is built into the registration fee. Pennsylvania Grange members Tony and Janet Fishovitz are coordinating the bus charter for the organized excursion and gathering details about sights to see around the area. They will serve as pointpersons for attendees to get the full experience of the area.

In addition to the Mount Rushmore tour, daily dinners and several other meals are included in the registration fee, a move that makes the experience an “extremely affordable family vacation option” organizers said. Karie Blasingame is

Sara Hamza Grange Revival attendees will get to travel to Mount

Rushmore as part of the registration fee for the event and see a night lighting ceremony.

chairing the scheduling of on-site activities, but said there are fewer organized workshops and things than were at Grange Revival 2019 in Ozark,

REGISTER NOW

Arkansas,

because

You can use the form on the following pages or go to online to grangerevival.com to register for the event

indicated they’d like

many attendees have to

do

day-trips

or

enjoy time to relax and socialize

with

other

tournament, a Dutch oven dessert cook-off, and a jelly and jam contest where attendees can bring their homemade sweet spread and it will be used for a peanut butter and jelly lunch and be judged by attendees who will serve as tasters.

There is an ice-cream making evening where attendees can make or learn to make this homemade, hand-churned summer delight.

Grangers.

Hamp

and each other.” Organizers are also holding a corn hole

said

“the

Hamp said those interested in attending may register using

schedule’s there just

the form provided on the following pages or online at www.

like a cruise ship. It gives you options if you’re looking for

grangerevival.com. Attendees should make their housing

something, but don’t feel like you have to sit and do anything

reservations directly with the Days End Campground or with

organized. People are encouraged to go and enjoy the area

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one of the nearby hotels.

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155th Convention tours set, attendees encouraged to take in all Wichita and surrounding area has to offer

By Samantha Wilkins Operations Manager & Junior Grange Director The

155th

National

Grange

convention is set to take place November 9 to 13, in Wichita, Kansas.

Members of the Great Plains Region and the National Staff have been working diligently to prepare for the inperson event, planning some changes and many special moments to add to the excitement as we are able to gather again together.

Lois Barber, National Convention

original City Hall – a landmarked

co-chairwoman, said she is proud to

limestone building constructed in 1890,

155th Annual National Grange Convention

introduce her state and the area of

November 9-13. 2021 · Wichita, Kansas

Wichita to visitors.

ng Connections Cultivati

“There are so many wonderful things that the Wichita area has to offer,” Barber

which in itself is an exhibit.

This stop will showcase life in the area over the centuries, from the Wichita Indian tribe, to the cowboys who drove

said.

their cattle there, to the start of the city’s

Members who go on tour will get a great glimpse of that diversity of

Region Great Plains by the oh sted

interesting culture and history.

role in aviation.

“The Sedgwick County Historical

Wichita, the aviation capital of the

Museum is only one block away from

world, is home to the Kansas Aviation

the hotel, so if you are unable to make

Museum, a destination for members who

the general tour you can visit on your

go on tour during session. The museum

own,” Bostwick said, noting the entrance

is housed in the former art-deco style

fee will be waived for National Grange attendees who show their name badge.

Wichita Municipal Airport terminal that help win the war.

opened in 1935.

Youth and Young adults will set

The tour will include visiting the

Following the tour visitors will go to

Aviation Hall of Fame, where men

the Nifty Nut House, a three-generation

and women who left their mark on the

owned and operated family business

aviation world are recognized for their

started in 1937.

valiant efforts to make a difference in the air.

Grangers will also get to view the Engine

Room,

which

displays

the

evolution of the engines, propellers, and

Convention

out Friday on an exciting adventure to Wichita’s Botanica.

Botanica was opened in 1987 with the

co-chair

intent

to

generate

enthusiasm

Melanie

in horticulture and enlighten people

Bostwick said, “Be sure to bring your

through educational, artistic, and cultural

spare change and treat yourself to one

experiences, according to its website.

of the amazing goodies that you are sure

Botanica is full of beautiful gardens

to find there.”

and different types of flowers and other

innovation in the aviation field. Last but

Once tour-goers get their dessert and

not least tour-goers will visit the World

other treats, they will head to their final

War II exhibit and learn how the city and

stop at the Sedgwick County Historical

expand public awareness of horticulture,

companies of Wichita came together to

Museum, which is housed in Wichita’s

and the staff there are excited to welcome

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

plants.

Botanica

seeks

to

educate

and

23

Grange members to their campus to

displayed throughout the gardens. It

that the Juniors will get to participate

visit several of the more than 30 gardens

takes many hands to create this event

in will have a strong focus in areas

on site. All the gardens are designed to

for the Wichita community and they are

that line-up with the National Junior

emphasize collections in display settings

excited to have our members help them

program,”

that feature plants particularly well-

prepare.

Director Samantha Wilkins said. “Our

National

Junior

Grange

Junior Grangers and their families

Juniors will also get to participate in a

In addition to the tour of the gardens,

are set to have a tour on Saturday to

visit to the ‘dome’ where they will see

Grangers will get to break away and

Wichita’s Famous Exploration Place, a

live

enjoy a ride on the historic Joyland

children’s museum and science center.

entertainment. The day will be full of fun

suited to south-central Kansas.

carousel.

Juniors will enjoy a hands-on science

demonstrations

and

interactive

and discovery for all ages.”

“explorama” class where they will learn

Wilkins reminded that all Juniors

take part in a community service project

about ecosystems - the subject featured

must be accompanied by an adult. Those

to help Botanica prepare for their 2021

in this year’s Junior Grange Agriculture

with questions about this tour should

Illuminations event – a beautiful night

Awareness project - and go on a semi-

direct them to Wilkins at samantha@

exhibit of the gardens that many families

guided tour and self-directed play and

attend during the holiday season. There

discovery in the Children’s Gallery.

Before the tour ends, members will

are hundreds of thousands of lights

“The

interactive

programming

nationalgrange.org or by calling the National Grange headquarters.

Before, after or in place of tours, attendees can also take in the flair of Wichita by visiting downtown areas, jumping on the trolley to explore on their own, stop at local attractions such as the Museum World of treasures, Wichita Art Museum or Great Plains Transportation Museum.

“If you have your own transportation, you might like to take a ride to Hutchinson, about an hour north of the hotel,” Barber suggested.

Barber said there are two great places to visit the Strataca Underground Salt

Mine

and

Museum

and

the

Cosmosphere and International Space museum affiliated with the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, which has an SR-71 Blackbird on display in the lobby.

“You really will not want to miss these,” Barber said.

Registration is now open, having started on May 1.

Members are encouraged to take advantage of the early bird special, available through September 6, 2021, for discounted registration fee.

Registration

is

only

available

online at bit.ly/ng-155reg but those with difficulties can call the National Headquarters and speak to Samantha Wilkins.

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Extraordinary service efforts recognized with new Director’s Award

By Karie Blasingame Senior Communications Fellow How many times have you heard the phrase “Grangers don’t toot their own horn?”

National Grange Community Service Director Pete Pompper has been saying this for years.

As the pandemic was in full swing, Pompper continued to hear of Grange members and Granges doing amazing things to help others, and decided it was time to design something to recognize the most extraordinary of these efforts.

“I was thinking about how to honor a Granger’s service for several years, and felt compelled after the outpouring of continued good works at the beginning of the pandemic to get that recognition going now,” Pompper said. “The award is not because of the pandemic, but the pandemic proved that Grangers will find a way to help even through trying times.”

Even while staying safe at home Grangers were still proving their contributions matter.

Pompper said he wanted something to celebrate the “amazing, out-of-the-box thinking of our Grange members” that was “more than just a thank-you,” but some tangible reminder “of the good that our Grangers perform out of the kindness of their hearts.”

This thought led to the creation of a National Grange Community Service Director’s Award for members whose extraordinary contributions to their Grange and their community go above and beyond expectations. In the fall of 2020, Pompper began distributing the new award to a few deserving individuals via their State Granges at in-person, hybrid or virtual sessions. These winners were recognized with a short ceremony that included the presentation of a pin with the award name in raised gold lettering.

Pompper said a pin was chosen instead of a plaque because “a plaque was not personal enough, and a plaque was not something you can carry with you.”

Submitted Photo A hand-written note from Natioanl Grange Community Service Director to Director’s Award recipient Denny McCloskey accompanied the pin that signifies the honor.

“The lapel pin gives recipients a tangible gift that others will notice and ask about,” Pompper said.

You may have to look hard to find such an award winner, as only 15 National Grange Community Service Director’s Award winners have been selected to date.

“This award is not easily obtainable, it is for those who go above and beyond,” Pompper said.

He said the program does not have a set number of awardees each year or set time at which awards are given or application.

Instead, it is presented based on a Granger’s accomplishments that catch the attention of a secret committee of individuals who help Pompper “make sure they get awarded to Grangers who deserve them.”

The first pin Pompper awarded was to Dick Patten, the first National Grange Community Service Director.

“I’m not sure who it meant more to,” Pompper said.

Patten coordinated a major event in his

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New Hampshire hometown for 49 years - the Concord Christmas Tree lighting.

He was also the chairman of the Concord Christmas Parade among many other roles and service endeavors.

Patten passed away a few months after receiving the award.

Pompper said if a member feels as though there is a Granger in your state or your own Grange who deserves National recognition, you should write a letter or email to him with details about the Granger’s achievements. Pompper said he will discuss the submissions with his committee.

He said members should also be on the lookout for good work of other members and Granges that he collects from individual and Grange social media accounts and posts to the National Grange Community Service and Activities Facebook group.

“Don’t be afraid to share your own Granges activities in the group,” Pompper encouraged. “By sharing we exchange ideas and create a community of giving.”

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DIRECTOR’S AWARD RECIPIENTS Ruth Blasingame (IL)

Richard (Dick) Patten (NH)

Ruth was one of the first Grangers I saw who reached out

Dick was the first National Grange Community Service

to help. She started making masks for individuals and supplies

Director and started the National “of the Year” recognition

instructions on the proper way to make them and supplied

program. Up until his passing, Dick was very community

masks for the National Grange staff at her own expense.

service-oriented, and well known in his community for work

AnnMarie Potts (NJ)

on various events that brought the town together.

AnnMarie not only made masks for many people but also worked with several other organizations to help during these times. Her number of hours given is immeasurable.

Jini Reynolds (CA) Jini has worked tirelessly in her community through the Grange to help in any way she could during the COVID

Holly Hartline (NJ)

shutdowns. She tried to hold events either distanced or

Holly utilized her sewing skills and made masks for

virtually to keep the residents engaged.

untold amounts of individuals at her own time and monies.

Becky Correll (DE) & Betty Richard (DE)

Jack Smithers (TX) & Margaret Smithers (TX) Margaret and Jack helped community service groups

These Grangers work together to make pillows for breast cancer survivors, lap robes and preemie caps for babies.

in their community through donations to help them supply needed items.

Burton Eller (Potomac/DC)

Nancy Williams (NE) & Susan Whitfield (NE)

Burton, through his hard work, has brought the Grange

Nancy and Susan, of Carver Grange, started and lead

back to the forefront with many national agricultural

“No More Empty Pots,” a non-profit organization in Omaha,

organizations and on Capitol Hill.

Nebraska. They have had immeasurable impact on so many

Betsy Huber (PA)

individuals and small independent producers not only in the

As National President Betsy has kept and continues to

city but across several states.

build the Grange name nationally. Her opinion on various subjects is sought out by several National organizations, media sources both print and digital.

Sean O’Neil (DC) Sean has worked diligently with the Grange on legislative issues for the past year, connecting the organization with

Tammy Jurkowski (PA) & Denny McCloskey (PA)

others and with individuals in the new administration and

Tammy and Denny are members of the same Grange

beyond, raising the Grange’s profile and helping to ensure our

and coordinate a monthly food box giveaway along with

members’ concerns are front and center inside the Beltway.

other community service projects.

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Annual legislative event goes virtual with much success

By Sean O’Neil National Grange Legislative Assistant On April 7, the National Grange hosted its annual Fly-In virtually with more than 110 registered attendees.

At the event, Grangers had the opportunity to hear about important policy issues affecting rural Americans from members of both parties, and the private sector.

At the start of the event, following an introduction about the Grange for those attending who are not active Grange members by National President Betsy Huber, Legislative Director Burton Eller talked about the Grange’s advocacy over the last year. In his remarks, he provided a great glimpse into the breadth of issues about which members’ views are amplified in Washington thanks to the Grange.

The first guest speaker to address the National Grange was the Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, Representative Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA).

Thompson praised the N a t i o n a l Grange for its long history of advocacy and spoke about key issues and priorities for the House Rep. Thompson A g r i c u l t u r e Committee this year, starting with infrastructure. On this topic, he spoke critically about President Biden’s infrastructure proposal released in early spring, but noted the importance of broadband as the number one priority of the committee currently.

Next, Thompson talked about climate change, saying that he was in favor of solutions which balance climate

protection with the economic interests of farmers and prioritize innovation rather than regulation in response to climate change.

Thompson also discussed nutrition, another major issue of the House Agriculture Committee, noting his desire to see more oversight and work requirements in the administration of programs like SNAP. He praised the Farmers to Families Food Box Program, and talked about the importance of getting whole milk back into school lunches.

Finally, Thompson concluded by speaking about the importance of maintaining a strong agricultural workforce, and hinted at soon to come negotiations over the next Farm Bill.

For perspective from the Senate, a short video recorded by Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) was aired in which she praised the work of the Grange over the years, especially the Grange in her home state of Michigan. Stabenow is a past recipient of the National Grange’s Champion of Rural America Award.

In her remarks, Senator Stabenow emphasized the challenge that the pandemic has posed for rural America, but extolled the values of the recently passed COVID-19 relief bill, the American Rescue Plan, and the funding it provided to agriculture, rural healthcare, and broadband deployments.

Stabenow talked about what’s on the horizon for the Senate Agriculture Committee, including her bipartisan bill to address climate change, the Growing Climate Solutions Act, infrastructure through President Biden’s American Jobs Plan, child nutrition programs, and the next farm bill.

Building on the Senator’s comments, Senate Agriculture Committee Director of External Affairs Patrick Delaney provided more detail on how the

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American Rescue Plan helps agriculture, what the committee plans to do about climate change, and how the American Jobs Plan can help rebuild rural America.

Delaney also answered questions from Grangers about supporting small farms, addressing consolidation in agriculture, and the coming Farm Bill.

White House Associate Director of Public Engagement Will McIntee then provided an update from the perspective of the Biden administration.

In his r e m a r k s , M c I n t e e followed a similar path to Senator Stabenow, Will McIntee extolling the impact of the American Rescue Plan for rural America and emphasizing the impact that the American Jobs Plan will have if it is passed.

Beyond legislative proposals, McIntee also spoke about President Biden’s vaccine rollout in rural America and creative solutions the administration is pursuing to ensure that all Americans can be vaccinated.

He specifically thanked the National Grange for participating in the White House’s COVID-19 Community Corps, a coalition of community organizations which are working with the White House to provide science-based information and support to their communities about the vaccine rollout.

To wrap up his remarks, McIntee took questions from Grangers about important issues such as climate change, the waters of the US rule, vaccine rollout, and even the White House vegetable garden.

The next speaker helped us transition to the private sector and focused attention on health issues.

National Health Council CEO

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Randy Rutta talked about involved in the effort to challenges in rural health expand broadband in care, beginning first with their community. praising the National Grange The final guest speaker for its long history working was Senior Vice President on issues of rural healthcare, and General Counsel at and emphasized the role the Farm Credit Council community organizations Robbie Boone who spoke such as the National Grange about rural infrastructure have played during the on behalf of the Rebuild Mike Saperstein Robbie Boone Randy Rutta pandemic.

Rural Coalition. Boone Rutta detailed the unique began by praising the impact the pandemic has National Grange for its Association Mike Saperstein spoke about had on rural America, from depleted rural broadband build-out. long history of advocacy on behalf of resources and overwhelmed hospitals Saperstein provided a data-based rural Americans. to online schooling and impacts on background on rural broadband coverage Boone opened by outlining the brief agriculture. and a legislative history of progress on history of the Rebuild Rural Coalition and Rutta then forecasted that following rural broadband expansion beginning in some of their recent advocacy on behalf President Biden’s infrastructure package, the 2009 American Recovery Act leading of rural infrastructure including letters to the next big Democratic priority will all the way up to funding provided in the the White House, meetings with Senator likely be on healthcare, with key changes recent American Rescue Plan.

Michael Bennet (D-CO), and work with a that could affect rural America, such as He then went on to emphasize the wide range of federal agencies. support for rural hospitals, incentives difference between last mile connectivity Next, he detailed some of the key to attract medical practitioners to rural in a high tech and quickly changing rural infrastructure elements of President areas, and programs to ensure that technology like broadband and previous Biden’s proposed American Jobs Plan. medical innovations can be accessed by efforts with simpler technology such as Highlights include funding for rural rural Americans. electrification and phone service and broadband, rural roads and bridges, key For example, Rutta said that he hoped addressed President Biden’s recent waterway infrastructure, rural healthcare, a potential healthcare bill might follow infrastructure proposal, which includes forest management, and much more. previous work done at the Veteran Affairs $100 billion for broadband expansion.

Boone also cautioned that at this point Administration that used mobile clinics Saperstein praised the size of the the American Jobs Plan is just a proposal to provide healthcare to veterans without commitment to addressing the digital from the White House, and that as it goes access to VA facilities by supporting divide which Biden’s plan demonstrates, through a lengthy process in Congress it similar mobile clinics in rural areas. but raised concerns about the emphasis will certainly change significantly.

Rutta also emphasized the importance on municipal broadband, potential for He then offered some forecast on a of telehealth in reaching rural Americans, overbuilding, and price controls. potential timeline for the bill, pointing which requires not just increased However, Saperstein noted that to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) broadband connectivity, but regulatory currently this is just a proposal, and that comments that she would like to move changes to allow doctors to provide much will change before a bill is written the bill through the House by July 4, telehealth services across state lines, and finalized. and also highlighted a potential date in and make more telehealth provisions For more insight into what the plan September which would coincide with available for insurance funding. may look like in its final edition, Saperstein the renewal of the Surface Transportation Finally, Rutta concluded by highlighted the $80 billion broadband Bill. emphasizing the important role proposal offered by Representative James Finally, Boone spent some time talking community organizations such as the Clyburn (D-SC) which addresses some of about his role at the Farm Credit Council, National Grange play in healthcare in the details not yet revealed in the Biden and outlining key trends in the agriculture rural areas, and asked that Grangers proposal. Finally, Saperstein addressed economy such as good prospects for stay engaged in advocacy on healthcare questions from Grangers about pole farm income, potential for decreasing attachment fees, technological options government payments to agriculture, issues.

Next, Vice President of Law and Policy to reach the last mile of connectivity, and a general rise in commodity prices, at the US Telecom – the Broadband and ways that local Granges can get although with some key exceptions.

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We remain committed to our community.

During this unprecedented time, we are providing our covered medicines at no cost to US patients who have lost their jobs and health insurance due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Please call 1-800-721-8909 or visit bms.com to learn more.

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Granger’s dog wins Farm Dog of the Year award Submitted Article Recognizing that work on the family farm takes everyone pitching in and doing their part, including four-legged friends, Farm Bureau launched the Farm Dog of the Year contest three years ago to celebrate farm dogs that work alongside farmers and ranchers.

The 2021 winner was Bindi, an Australian shepherd owned by New York Grange and Farm Bureau member Sonja Galley.

“From rounding up livestock to chasing off predators, a farm dog’s work is never done,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said.

Galley said Bindi, who is five and has been part of the family dairy farm, Silver Spoon Dairy in Garrattsville, New York,

Submitted Photos

since she was a puppy, is a true working dog.

“Bindi is especially good at working in tight spaces to help move animals around the farm. She stays calm even when the calves kick up their heels at her,” Galley said.

Bindi’s also very protective.

ABOVE: New York State Grange member Sonja Galley and her dog, Bindi, take a moment to rest.

RIGHT: Bindi was named Farm Dog of the Year by the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Galley once was pinned in the corner of a pen by a heifer and the ever-

of dog food and other Purina products

helpfulness to the farmer and his/

protective Bindi pushed the cow back.

for Bindi.

her family, playfulness and their role

“We do a lot of things together, and

Bindi was selected as top dog by a

she’s a big source of joy in my life,”

panel of judges with expertise in the

Galley said about Bindi.

pet care industry, veterinary medicine

Purina

donated

prizes

for

the

contest, including the $5,000 in prize money, a trophy plate, a year’s supply

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in making life better on and off the farm. Farm Bureau members submitted

and communications which reviewed

written responses to questions, photos

90 nominations.

and video clips to nominate their dogs

Judging criteria included the dog’s

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for Farm Dog of the Year.

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Inspired by National President, High Desert Grange donates plants to local elementary

By Suzann Gilliland Peterson High Desert Grange

Cool, aromatic, gnarly, aggressive, opposing pairs, hint of menthol. Do you know what this is? It’s a plant. Does that help? OK. It’s mint!

Mint

has

many

uses,

including

culinary and medicinal. But did you know that it can help boost a child’s test scores, reduce childhood symptoms of ADD, and promote good health in children by purifying the air? Studies have shown that plants improve a child’s mental and physical well-being. Inspired

by National Grange President Betsy E. Huber’s September 11, 2020 article titled “Digging into the School Year” in The Patrons Chain, the High Desert Grange recently donated a dozen young mint plants to Logos Christian Academy in their hometown of Fallon, NV for use in their pre-K through eighth grade

Submitted Photo

classrooms.

According to the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture, classrooms with plants have many positive effects

Students and teachers at Logos Christan Academy Elementary School were gifted plants for the classrooms by High Desert Grange #22, Nevada.

for both students and educators and are an important component of creating a healthy classroom environment.

High Desert Grange is a family-

“It was great to know that with our

have! In her article in the Sept. 14, 2019

plants we were going to help classrooms

edition of Psychology Today, Susan

purify the air during this time of

McQuillan MS, RDN, talks about the

on

COVID-19. Schools need a way to keep

“11 Ways Plants Enhance Your Mental

community service. What better way to

their air pure and we were able to help

and Emotional Health.” She pulls from

serve the community than to assist in

with a low cost solution by providing

data analyzed by researchers Charles

the healthy development of its children?

mint.”

Hall and Melinda Knuth at Texas A&M

oriented

organization

focused

Kristi Olivo, Grange member and second

She went on to say that the mint

grade teacher at Logos, delivered the

plants were happily received by the

plants with the help of Granger and

teachers and the students were excited

Logos fifth-grader Ally Mackay, her pre-K

to have the plants in their classrooms.

University and published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture.

Their research “supports the notion that living in or near green spaces, and

If plants inside the classroom are

spending as much time as possible in

beneficial for the health and well-

both natural settings and cultivated

Kristi’s delight in delivering the plants

being of students, imagine what health

gardens, can improve mood, reduce the

was evident as she recounted the event.

benefits an entire outdoor garden would

negative effects of stress, encourage

brother, Jade, and their second-grade sibling, Ash.

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physical activity and other positive

then turn into vegetables. In spring and

She says they have been able to

behaviors, improve cognition, reduce

summer, her son’s favorite thing to do

support their community in ways that

aggression, and enhance overall well-

each day is to check on the plants.

have never been available to them

“Being out in the garden in the

before. They have taken advantage of

morning is calming and can be very

the programs and activities offered by

relaxing. To see the ‘fruits of your labor’

the High Desert Grange, all of which

researchers

is such a rewarding experience as

are focused on family and community,

surround

well. Growing a garden can be a small

many of which are open to both Grange

themselves with plant life and other

accomplishment, but it gives great

and non-Grange members alike. Kristi

forms of natural beauty, indoors and out,

rewards emotionally and mentally,” she

believes

experience emotional and mental health

said.

involvement has made Fallon and the

being in people of all ages under many different circumstances.”

Ms. McQuillan went into greater detail:

“Specifically,

found

that

the

people

who

physical,

donation has shown Kristi and her

the organization consistently looks for

cognitive, environmental, and spiritual

students that they can use natural

areas where it can serve and meet the

well-being.” Some of the benefits include

resources to solve some of their health-

needs of the community, especially in the

stress reduction, reduced symptoms of

related issues. She makes an additional

areas of agriculture and education.

depression, stronger memory retention,

observation: the excitement of growing

The High Desert Grange is looking

higher levels of creativity, higher intellect,

plants in the classroom fosters the desire

forward to touching base with Kristi

and higher productivity and improved

to learn more about other subjects.

during the school year to see how

social,

psychological,

Desert

Grange

community

neighboring towns better places because

their

High

Grange

mint

benefits that have a positive impact on

The

that

concentration in schools and workplaces,

Kristi is glad to have been asked to

well the mint is growing and how the

With the level of stress many students

bring this special donation to Logos. She

donation continues to influence the

and her son have been Grange members

students’ behavior and their excitement

for four years.

in learning.

are

under,

especially

with

COVID

restrictions, adding plants to not only the classroom but also to the home sounds like a prescription for greater well-being for all who enter.

Last year, Mrs. Olivo and her class had the opportunity to germinate and grow some peas. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “Having plants in the classroom was very exciting for my students. More that that, though, it really brought some calmness and focus to our class. My second graders took great pride in watering and observing their plants every day.”

Kristi personally knows the health benefits of growing a garden. She knows it is good for emotional, mental and physical health. She and her 11-year old son grow a garden every year at home.

Peas, tomatoes, squash, and zucchini are their favorites. Leveling ground, carrying bags of soil, setting up planting rows and planting seeds all require physical activity. All of that leads to the joy and wonder her son experiences as he watches the seeds start to grow and

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CONNECTING AMERICA’S HEARTLAND “Blackfoot is standing by our long-held commitment to connectivity by embarking on a multi-year, multi-million dollar network upgrade project to bring fiber to homes and businesses across thousands of square miles of Western Montana and Eastern Idaho.”

– JASON WILLIAMS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, BLACKFOOT COMMUNICATIONS

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n 1954, a group of ranchers, small business owners, and community leaders near Clinton, Montana came together with a goal to better connect their communities. They each pitched in $50 and formed Blackfoot Telephone Cooperative, named after the Blackfoot River that runs through the heart of Western Montana.

That’s how Blackfoot Communications began.

Today, more than 65 years later, that cooperative heritage remains core to the company’s values.

As Chief Executive Officer of Blackfoot Communications, and Chair of the USTelecom Leadership Committee, Jason Williams is building on that legacy and leading from the front. Blackfoot is standing by their long-held commitment to connectivity by embarking on a multi-year, multi-million dollar network upgrade project to bring fiber to homes and businesses

across thousands of square miles of Western Montana and Eastern Idaho. Jason and his team have already deployed hundreds of miles of fiber to deliver faster and more reliable high-speed internet.

Headquartered in Missoula, Montana, Blackfoot Communications’ mission is to connect people, businesses and communities. Thank you, Jason, and all of our nation’s broadband providers, for connecting America’s heartland to today’s opportunities and tomorrow’s dreams.

Learn more about Blackfoot Communications at blackfootcommunications.com.

GRANGE ADVOCACY ADVERTORIAL

USTelecom.org

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The Grange and me... and you?

Then the time came for me to go

By John Harth

to State Grange Youth Camp, my first

Troy Grove Grange #1852, IL

stint away from home longer than an

This is going to take awhile and may seem at first to be an autobiography. It is not. Come along for the ride to see where we’re going.

Mom and Dad were members of Troy Grove Grange #1852 in Illinois. When the time came, I was enrolled in the Juvenile, now Junior, Grange; I think I was 8. We met while the Subordinate meeting took place, with games and crafts and such. When Booster Night came along, welcoming the community at large to come for assorted contests and entertainment and a sales pitch to join the Grange, we youngsters were quite involved. While the adults had crop and baking and garden produce and canning competition, we got to perform. I remember doing a skit with one of my older, adult cousins...something about cherry pie...

overnight. I was a little homesick, but the friendliness and fun and ritual and singing led to some growing friendships. In time, I was elected State Grange Youth Master (now called President). I served several terms and could have served more, but seeking the advice of a visiting National Grange rep (a college student), I did not seek re-election. Letting others have the opportunity to serve was a good call.

Not long after that, then as a college student, I was named Illinois State Grange Director of Youth Activities, a position I held for several years. Somewhere or other I still have some leftover pieces of stationery to that effect.

When the National Grange met in Peoria (1968, I think), I as Youth President was privileged to serve as National Youth President. A photo was taken of me with National President Herschel Newsom, a

and performing on

copy of which I requested but was never

the accordion.

found.

Along the way, Mom

encouraged

Next came a press to submit an entry for the National Grange Prince

me away from Grange locations.

I was hired by our local radio station (WGLC, Mendota, Illinois) as one of two high school students operating the station on weekends. That led me to our sister station in Charleston, Illinois, where I worked fulltime and attended Eastern Illinois University. The draw of career pulled me out of school to work at a radio station in Lakewood, New Jersey, and then another in Cape Girardeau, MO. The final stop in my broadcasting career of 15 years was KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau as a reporter and anchor.

During the latter part of that stay, God messed with me. I eventually quit to go to seminary and am now a retired Catholic

the

competition, which eventually became

State Grange baking

Youth Ambassador. I was runner-up at

contest at my age level, and my sugar

the session in Daytona Beach, Florida.

cookies won 1st place! Somewhere in a

Because of that, I was able to attend the

box (I recently retired and moved), I still

following National session in Boise, Idaho,

have the blue ribbon attached to the

and to represent Grange youth as part of

I’ve described along the way prepared

prize: a Betty Crocker young person’s

a panel with 4-H, FFA, and other groups

me to better deal with people, hone my

cookbook. Another year my entry was

in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the American

skills in writing and speaking, and assisted

misplaced; they found it after the contest

Medical Association Conference on Farm

in laying a solid foundation for my career

and, after eating it, Mom was told that

Health and Safety. I clearly remember

in the media and my years as a priest. The

I likely would have won another first. I

going to the podium when my turn came,

caring heart fostered by family and church

aged, and when the time came (14, I

putting aside my notes, and speaking

and Grangers along the way have served

think), I joined the Subordinate Grange.

extemporaneously.

well to form me into what I hope has been

me

to

enter

As we ventured to area Grange events, Lee-LaSalle

Pomona

meetings,

the

northern Illinois Grange picnic and other gatherings, I grew in many ways.

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Don’t ask what I said; I’m not even sure I could have told you right after.

While I continued membership in Troy Grove Grange, even to this day, life took

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Priest.

So what does this all have to do with the Grange?

I am convinced that the experiences

a good pastor and friend.

So thank you, Grangers from across the years and the fruited plains. You do good work.

‘Meat out day’ and similar initiatives vilify producers

By Cindy Greer Colorado State Grange President

meat — is bad for

at 17 deaths per 100,000 in rural areas

you.

compared to 11 deaths per 100,000 in

Most

of

urban areas.

Food fight!

these laws stem

The constant scrutiny and vilification

Or fight for your life?

from the lack of

adds undue stress and anguish to those

For individuals involved in agriculturein

knowledge

and

experience

on

who already fight each day to provide

Colorado and beyond, proclamations like the recent one by Governor Jared

the farm. These

Polis of a ‘Meat Out Day’, and initiatives

are not farmers

to expand animal cruelty legislation to

making legislation but people who

include meat animals in the ‘Protect

haven’t worked within these farms. Bills

Animals from Unnecessary Suffering and

and proclamations such as these have

Exploitation Act’ have resulted in both.

the potential to kill the meat agriculture

the best care possible to the animals for which they practice husbandry. These

What these measures don’t take into

industry in Colorado. Such a move not

account is the care producers have for the

only deprives consumers of dietary

livestock, and the already back-breaking

choice, but also threatens the livelihood

and near-thankless job that feeding a

of hundreds of thousands of families and

world of nearly 8 billion mouths really is.

the food on their own tables.

producers, often on razor-thin margins – work tirelessly to ensure their livestock are healthy and well-cared for. Many know their animals by name or enjoy a bond perhaps no one except another producer could understand.

Many farmers do what we ask of them: provide a healthy, hearty animal for us to consume.

American producers pride themselves

For those who choose not to eat meat,

the

on doing well-more than an honest day’s

or whose biology determines their diet

proud Patrons of Husbandry, Grange

work for well-less, in many cases, than an

should not include meat, we encourage

members across the state and nation

honest day’s pay. As thanks, they have

you to do what is best for you. However,

are heartbroken to see themselves, their

been targeted by groups who fail to see

in the process, we ask that you respect

friends and neighbors and people they’ve

shades of gray.

those farmers and ranchers who still

As

America’s

advocacy

oldest

organization,

agriculture and

Living in their black and white world

work from sun-up to sun-down to ensure

And like most else these days, our

where any animal consumed means an

we have animal proteins available for

nearly 150,000 members are discouraged

animal killed means a malicious act, is at

consumption.

by the broad unscientific claims of abuse

best naïve and at worst, malicious itself –

in animal agriculture, not to mention the

to our producers.

discredited rhetoric that a meat-heavy

America’s

never met in the industry, vilified.

diet — especially one based around red

This article first appeared in the ranchers

Pagosa Daily Post as an op-ed by Greer, a

commit suicide at alarmingly high rates

third generation farmer.

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farmers

and

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35

Declaration of Purposes still relevant today

By Tom Gwin Washington State Grange President We have been working through one of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history. There is little common ground between the two major political parties.

As both sides become more polarizing, we can only hope to overcome these political opinions that do nothing more than tear our nation and communities apart.

The National Grange Declaration of Purposes, originally adopted in the late 1800’s and readopted in 2014, is quite clear on the Grange’s non-partisan stance: The Grange – Non-Partisan We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft-repeated truth taught in our Constitutional Law, that the Grange – National, State, Pomona, or Subordinate – is not a partisan or party organization.

We acknowledge the broad principle

can develop policy for the Grange. If we

that difference of opinion is no crime

don’t find common grounds, maybe it’s

and hold that “progress toward truth

best to leave that topic alone and move

is

on to a new topic.

made

by

differences

of

Part of this is the beauty of being a

opinion,” while

grassroots organization. Our legislative

“the fault lies

policies all start at the Subordinate

in bitterness of

(local) level and work their way up to

controversy.”

We a

the Pomona (county or area), State and

desire

National levels.

proper

equality, and fairness; protection for the weak; restraint upon the strong; in short, justly distributed power. These are American ideals, the very essence of American independence, and to advocate the contrary is unworthy of the sons and daughters of our Republic.

As a Grange member for over 45 years, I cannot tell you the political party affiliation of the members of my own Grange. Their political affiliationis not my business and my political views are not their business. We do, however, share the common goal of making our

We cherish the belief that sectionalism

community safer and a better place for

is, and of right should be, dead and

our residents. We may not always agree

buried with the past. Our work is for the

on how to accomplish that goal, but we

present and the future. In our agricultural

do respect each other and compromise

fraternity we shall recognize no North, no

in our efforts for the benefit of all.

South, No East, no West.

Once we stop looking at all aspects

These powerful words from the

The principles we teach underlie

of a subject, we will lose the trust of

National Grange Declaration of Purposes

all true statesmanship. And if properly

our communities. When a Grange loses

have guided us for well over 100 years.

carried out, will tend to purify the whole

the trust of its community, it will begin

This has proven to be our staying

political atmosphere of our country;

power. Few other organizations have the

to falter, thus becoming unable to work

for we seek the greatest good to the

longevity and history of our organization.

greatest number.

Part of that staying power can be

We must always bear in mind that no

attributed to our non-partisan stance.

one, by becoming a Patron of Husbandry,

Because we are issue oriented, it is

gives up that inalienable right and duty

expected of Grange members that we

which belongs to every American citizen,

educate ourselves and our Brothers and

to take a proper interest in the politics of

Sisters with facts on every political topic

one’s country.

imaginable. Many times, the Grange

On the contrary, it is right for every

Lecturer will take the lead and assign

member to do all in his or her power,

members to research a topic and to share

legislatively, to influence for good the

their research with their fellow members.

action of any political party to which he

We have to be sure that we research all

or she belongs. It is reserved by every

together and respect each other. Many times, it is the beginning of the end for that individual chapter.

By keeping the eye of the mind open, we will continue to be active in the political arena, but also remain a non-partisan organization that works to educate and elevate our citizens. My best wishes to you as we work together for the betterment of our communities, towns, cities, state, and nation.

aspects of each topic, present it to the

This article first appeared as the

Patron, as the right of a free citizen to

members, and let each member decide

President’s Column in the April edition

affiliate with any party that will best carry

for themselves where we go on the topic.

of the Washington State Grange News.

Where we can find commonalities, we

Reprinted with permission

out his or her principles.

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HOW TO PLAN A...

Road Rally

By Jenn Nauss Pennsylvania State Grange Lecturer On Saturday, March 27, Eagle Grange #1 in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, hosted its first ever Road Rally, a part of its ongoing 150th Anniversary celebration in 2021.

The Rally was essentially a scavenger hunt completed by teams in their own vehicles and was held as a way to involve members of the community, support some local small businesses, and increase awareness about the Grange.

The Road Rally required teams to travel to ten local historic sites, notable places, and small businesses.

The route was around 80 miles in length and took teams around 3.5 hours to complete.

Teams were given clues that they opened when they arrived at each stop.

Once solved, the clues directed the teams to do a specific task at each stop, including posing for certain pictures or certain items to purchase at a business.

Teams were provided a list of stops, but each team was responsible for developing their own route. Additionally, teams were provided a list of “bonus items”, which included places and things they might see on the route.

Prizes were then given in a number of categories, including: • First team to complete the rally • Best costume/decorations (the theme for the Road Rally was “Decades” in honor of the 15 decades that Eagle Grange has been active) • Most creative team picture taken at one of the stops • Most bonus items found • Most supportive of the small businesses Although this was the first of this type of event that Eagle Grange had planned, the event was a success. Thanks to advance planning and publicity, the community response exceeded all expectations.

Submitted Photo Road Rally participants gathered near this vintage car parked outside the Eagle Grange Hall in Pennsylvania, early on the morning of Saturday, March 27 to register for a mobile family-friendly scavenger hunt. The rally was sponsored as a community service by Eagle Grange #1, which is observing its 150th anniversary in 2021.

About 50 people, grouped into 17 teams, participated in the rally. While some of the teams had connections to the Grange, many did not.

This event served to introduce these community members to the Grange and showcase the organization in a new and fun way.

The participating teams complimented Eagle Grange on the organization of the event and shared that they could not wait to do it again next year.

In addition to the interest of the local community, the Road Rally has also garnered the attention of several other

STEP

#1

Identify local stops, including historical sites, other notable places, and small businesses. Consider how much time is allotted for the Road Rally when planning a route. It is also important to consider hours of business to ensure that the stops will be open and accessible during the time of the Road Rally.

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Grangers across the country who have wondered how they can plan a similar event.

Although the locations and other details may be specific to a local Grange or local community, a Road Rally event can certainly be conducted by any Grange, regardless of its location.

For more details, information, or questions about planning a Road Rally or similar event, contact me, Jenn Nauss, a proud Eagle Grange member and Pennsylvania State Grange Lecturer, at jnauss89@gmail.com.

STEP

Run a “test” of the route to make sure it is feasible.

Figure out how long it will take to complete the rally – factor in some extra time at each stop to complete any tasks. Take notes of any unique parking situations, mileage markers for hard-to-find stops, and any other notes that the teams might need in order to complete the rally safely.

#2

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STEP

Decide on rules and other details.

Examples include: • Time incentives provided for additional support of businesses (if the team spends money at a business, take 5 minutes per stop off completion time).

• Pictures must be taken with team included or a small printed car icon in the photo to verify that the photographs were taken that day.

#3

STEP

Determine the cost of the Road Rally. (Eagle Grange charged a minimal fee of $10 per team because it was planned as a way to involve new members in the community who may not have experience with the Grange.)

Many Road Rallies are held as fundraising events. In that case, the registration fee could be more. It should be enough to cover costs or raise funds, without being prohibitive for the teams participating.

#4

Develop clues and puzzles for the teams to solve for each stop.

Eagle Grange’s clues were varied. A few stops had word or number puzzles that needed to be solved. Other stops had a riddle which required the teams to look around the site for a few minutes to figure out what to photograph.

Others had a clear direction of what to do. Eagle Grange’s clues told teams what to do at each stop. An alternative could be for the clues to direct teams to their next stop.

STEP

Figure out how the teams will get information and clues. At Eagle Grange, teams were provided with a packet of their list of stops, instructions, a map, and clues in sealed envelopes immediately prior to departing. Other Granges may wish to station volunteers at each stop to hand out the next clue.

#7

STEP

Celebrate the success of the event!

As with most other events, planning and publicity were the keys to success of this Road Rally. Start the planning process early. Work with a group of other members to plan the event to bounce ideas off of one another and double-check each others’ work. Build relationships with local media outlets and share press releases and upcoming event information with them regularly and frequently. Share the information on social media, have members and supporters share it with their friends and families, and hang up flyers in the area.

#9

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#5

Publicize the event several weeks in advance!

Spread the word through local print and electronic media, social media, word of mouth, flyers, inviting the local radio and television stations, getting local celebrities or politcians to sign up, etc.

STEP

Set up in advance. Granges should consider having participants sign liability releases at registration. Prepare a “check in” checklist to complete as teams finish the Road Rally. As teams show pictures or other items that verify they completed each stop, check it off. If prizes are being given in different categories, keep track of the required items (e.g., bonus items found, receipts/ amounts of purchases, etc.)

#8

STEP

#6

STEP

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SHARE YOUR “HOW TO...”

Do you have a step-by-step process for an event, fundraiser or program that you’d like to share with other Granges?

Contact editor Amanda Brozana Rios at abrozana@nationalgrange. org with details and to get more information about submitting information to appear in a future issue of Good Day! magazine.

A CALL TO ACTION

Still learning ‘in the presence of generations’

By June Colony Oregon State Grange Agriculture Director Lately, I have been thinking about a

and then selling hundreds of pounds of

generations,”

veggies where there are local marketing

say now.

opportunities.

generation

I

believe

mentored me and from that the legacy

Granges across

continued.

our

Now, at 68 years of age, I am being

quote attributed to the singer/songwriter John Denver.

Another

I

approached by young adults.

country

could

become

an agent to pass

While expressing his love of music,

“Teach me to lamb out a flock of

he shared a memory of his grandmother

sheep,” they say. “Teach me to grow and

to the next generation, and continuing

playing the fiddle for an ole-timey dance.

sell produce.”

the legacy of working with the Earth to

I look at the urgency of passing on the

Reflecting on her influence, he said, “We learn in the presence of generations.”

skills of farming, and I see others near my

those skills on

create necessary sustenance for us all for generations to come.

My first gardening experience was

age who have the farming, gardening or

I think Granges could be the place

putting seed into a very short row in my

livestock management skills so sought

where a new kind of apprenticeship

grandpa’s garden. I still feel the warm dirt

out by young adults.

program for farmers, coordinating local

on my hand as I patted the seeds into the

Youth are looking for something to be

farmer- apprentice match-ups that would

soil. I then watched grandpa sprinkle my

passionate about, to learn farming as an

offer an opportunity for generational

planted seeds with a watering can.

art, passed down through generations.

knowledge transfer.

My mother loved her flower garden,

“We still learn in the presence of

Now, how do we begin?

especially the varieties of irises she had planted. That led her to start a small plant nursery devoted to the iris plant.

I later started my own native plant nursery, carrying on her teachings in my own way and helping to continue the path of the generations engaged in gardening.

When I was a young woman, I watched an older Peruvian man herd sheep across the canyon benches. His love for the animals drew me in, and under the guidance of a Basque man, and of a son of a local pioneering family...I learned to be a sheepherder, a small livestock operator, a grasslands manager. I was in my 20’s and my teachers could have been my grandfathers – another connection across generations.

A few years later, an 80-year-old local man hired me to help him on his onion patch. He taught me to grow, dig, clean and market thousands of onions to local stores and individuals. Years later I am growing, digging, cleaning

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A CALL TO ACTION

Individuals in rural communities must organize and advocate for investment, change; Grange can be catalyst

By Gary Marx Attorney and rural advocate Last year’s movie, “Irresistible,” humorously explores the divide between national political influencers and rural and small town Americans. The film’s “punchline” is that Democratic and Republican Washington political consultants are duped into spending millions of dollars locally in a fixed mayoral race in the fictional town of Deerlaken, Wisconsin—a community devastated by a base closing. When the deception is ultimately revealed by Diana--the daughter of one of the candidates and the mastermind behind the ploy—she justifies the deceit by explaining how presidential candidates come to rural and small towns every four years, make grandiose promises, and then do nothing to actually follow through on those commitments. Up to the present time, Diana’s justification seems well warranted.

Over the last decades, the need for comprehensive and robust legislation to revitalize rural and small town America was hardly mentioned by presidential candidates. In 2020, things were not better.

While former President Trump tapped into the anger of many rural and small town Americans, he failed to push for passage of any major rural economic development legislation

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and his campaign did not focus on the issue.

President Biden did a little better in his campaign by setting forth “The Biden-Harris Plan To Build Back Better In Rural America,” a 9,000 word list of initiatives.

However, a large portion of the items in President Biden’s plan were not specifically designed to address the needs of non-urban Americans. More importantly, the demand for comprehensive legislation was not a major focus of the 2020 Democratic Convention nor President Biden’s 2020 general election campaign.

That is not to say, however, that there has not been an increased interest in the economic needs of rural and small town Americans. Many of the Democratic candidates— including Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar—all had significant rural economic development plans. And now (contrary to the premise of Irresistible) Senator Gillibrand has at least introduced in the new Congress the Rebuild Rural America for the Future Act. But, if history is indication, Congress will not enact any transformative rural and small town economic development

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“While former President Trump tapped into the anger of many rural and small town Americans, he failed to push for passage of any major rural economic development legislation and his campaign did not focus on the issue.”

legislation unless individuals who live in such communities organize and actively work for passage of such an initiative.

The underlying premise of this article is that the Grange is the perfect catalyst for beginning such an effort.

While the Grange may not have the necessary resources on its own, it does have the ability through its national and subordinate entities to help create a coalition of non-profit organizations to do the hard work necessary to develop and lobby for much needed legislation in this area.

Grange’s history and reach key As most readers of this article are fully aware, the Grange has a long history as a leader in the struggle to bring economic opportunity to rural and small town Americans.

It was the Grange who initiated the campaign for rural free delivery of the mail.

It was the Grange and its willingness to take on the powerful special interests of the time that led to the “Granger Laws.”

It was the Grange which developed the original Farm Credit Act. It was the Grange that sponsored legislation which led to the Rural Electrification Administration.

And there are many more examples.

Therefore, it would be consistent with the Grange’s past if it were to take the lead today in the nation’s efforts to redress the economic issues facing rural and small town Americans.

Equally important, the Grange has always reflected the best of the values of people living in rural and small town America.

One must only look at the Grange’s Declaration of Purposes to appreciate how its members bring to the political sphere a sense of right and wrong and balance often lacking in Washington.

Accordingly, there could be no better organization to ensure that any major legislative effort to revitalize rural and small town America reflects the

sensibilities and morals of people living in such communities.

Finally, the strong national stature of the Grange in combination with its hundreds of subordinate units throughout the country make it the perfect vehicle for launching the grassroots effort proposed by this article.

Reality of rural affairs In describing the need for new legislation addressing the economic needs of rural and small town America, a summary of Senator Gillibrand’s legislation describes a situation of which rural and small-town Americans are too aware: As the nation transforms in this age of technology, Americans across small towns and rural areas fear for the future, having faced a series of devastating losses.

Family farms have collapsed under industry consolidation and unstable markets.

Main Streets have died as big box stores run by distant corporations replace small businesses run by friends and neighbors.

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Local manufacturing plants and the jobs they create have been lost to automation and foreign countries.

While rural Americans have grown older, sicker, and poorer than the rest of the country, and drug addiction and suicides are at crisis levels, rural health services have declined and become horribly inadequate.

The ingredients that make a strong community—schools, hospitals, libraries, parks, housing—have consolidated, closed, and crumbled. As populations dwindle, fire departments and rescue squads cannot recruit new volunteers and local papers are becoming a thing of the past. In this environment of limited hope for a bright future, young people grow up being told that opportunity is not local, and far too many leave their hometowns with diploma in hand in search of good jobs.

The summary of Senator Gillibrand’s bill further explains the compelling need for an energetic Federal response to the foregoing, but none of this is pre-destined and rural people are not giving up.

For too long, the nation has tried to

43

tackle these complex challenges with

regional revitalization with a cross-

and over 50 offices and sub-agencies.

tepid action, outdated programs, and

section of local leaders’ visions for the

A total of 14 legislative committees

scattered investment.

future leading the way. Once an eligible

have jurisdiction over the authorizing

While waiting for Washington to act,

rural region is certified, they would

legislation for these programs. While

local leaders have taken it upon themselves

automatically receive a commitment of

the U.S. Department of Agriculture is

to innovate and try to transition their

five-year, renewable funding as long as

charged with coordinating federal rural

communities into the new economy.

progress is made on the region’s locally

policy, these programs go far beyond its

developed goals and objectives.”

authority—similarly, today’s rural policy

These challenges demand a new national partnership to reshape Federal

In addition to Senator Gillibrand’s

must go far beyond agricultural policy.

rural policy and make the government a

efforts, think tanks in Washington have

For programs open to many different

more responsive, supportive partner to

also begun to focus on the need for

sized communities, rural communities

local efforts to rebuild rural communities.

bolder and more imaginative ways in

often deal with spending formulas

Just as the country has invested in rural

which the Federal government can assist

or

America’s potential and future at other

rural and small town America in creating

particularly disadvantageous to them.

moments in history, the nation today

wealth. For example, among several

The report suggests three broad

can strengthen the country’s future by

papers published by the Brookings

methods of responding to this situation:

investing in rural America’s future.

Institute in this area, it released a report

(1) launch a domestic development

components

in late 2020 entitled: Reimagining Rural

corporation,

bill

Policy: Organizing Federal Assistance To

capabilities and financing tools; (2)

Maximize Rural Prosperity.

create a national rural strategy and

Among of

Senator

the

various

Gillibrand’s

is

the

establishment of a new $50 billion Rural

eligibility

requirements

modernizing

that

are

technical

Future Partnership Fund, overseen by

In discussing the need to update

undertake associated reforms to improve

a newly created Rural Innovation and

Washington response to the problems

coherence, regional integration, and

Partnership Administration within the

facing rural and small town America,

transparency; and (3) appoint a bipartisan

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

the

Congressional commission to undertake

Brookings

report

notes

that

As described in the summary of the

more than 400 programs are open to

a

legislation, the “Fund would invest in

rural communities for economic and

bipartisan momentum for improving the

people and places by providing multi-

community development, spanning 13

effectiveness of federal rural policy.

year, flexible investment to support

departments, 10 independent agencies,

44

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top-to-bottom

review

and

build

Another prominent Washington think

tank, the Center for American Progress (CAP) also issued a report in late 2020 focusing on rural America: The Path to Rural Resilience in America. Like the Brookings report, the CAP paper recognizes the problems associated with having so many rural economic development programs being run out of USDA – that throughout history, lawmakers have struggled to keep up with rural areas’ evolving economic realities and achievements.

Previous attempts to invest in rural America – such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act, passed in 1933 – have often conflated farming with the broader rural economy while simultaneously excluding and exploiting rural people of color.

This history is reflected in modern rural development policy, which focuses disproportionately on agriculture while underinvesting in the full range of diverse rural American communities.

U.S. rural policy does not have a stated goal or a unifying framework.

There are 88 programs that target rural economic development, and these programs are administered through 16 federal agencies. While the USDA is formally designated as the lead agency, the scope of rural development reaches far beyond its capacity.

The CAP report proposes that Congress: (1) create a specialized and well-resourced Rural Opportunity Administration whose mission would be to foster economic growth and vitality (an idea incorporated into Senator Gillibrand’s bill); (2) shift the rural development paradigm from a topdown approach to a bottom-up strategy by directly funding rural communities and facilitating an asset-based approach to rural development; and (3) strengthen rural labor markets through federal laws to raise wages, expand benefits, promote collective bargaining, and strengthen enforcement of worker protections.

Another notable think tank focusing on rural economic development is the Aspen Institute, which along

with the Northern Forest Center and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities created the Rural Development Innovation Group.

That organization, which is made up of rural development practitioners, intermediaries and others involved in advancing rural community and economic development, describes the current situation as follows: This is a critical opportunity moment for reshaping how our nation invests in rural America.

There are rural regions in this country that are pivoting from economic challenge and decline toward innovation and prosperity, but few know about them.

We want to draw on their experience to shift how government, philanthropy and the private sector focus and structure future investments in the rest of rural America. A strong America requires strong rural economies. Our nation cannot live up to its economic or social ideals if the cultivation of opportunity is concentrated only in urban areas.

In addition to think tanks and political figures, the need for new Federal legislation and action to address the growing urban/rural small town America divide is now being seen in national and local newspapers and has even been raised by notable political commentators and thought leaders such as Tom Friedman and David Brooks.

Grange should take up banner Accordingly, the point of this article is not the need for Washington to take notice of the needs and frustration of rural and small town America. Rather, the point of this article is two-fold.

First, “talk is cheap.”

If there is going to be major legislation to assist rural and small-town America, then individuals living in such communities must generate the political pressure to force the President and the Congress to ensure the enactment of such a law.

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Secondly, assuming there will be a legislative initiative to assist rural and small town America, this article proposes that the solutions to the problems be generated by the people who live and try to make a living in non-urban America.

It may very well be that the solutions proposed by political figures such as Senator Gillibrand and by think tanks such as Brookings and CAP are good ones. But it is hard to imagine that individuals so far removed from day to day life in rural and small town America can have all the answers.

Therefore, this article proposes that the Grange and similar non-profit organizations (the “Coalition”) should take the lead in ensuring that Congress enact major legislation to help revitalize rural and small town America.

As described more fully below, the proposed Coalition should hold a series of conferences and, in connection with an experienced staff, it should prepare a nonpartisan analysis of the type of Federal legislation and other executive actions which the Coalitions’ members believe would be required to fundamentally transform economic development in nonurban America (the “Report”).

The Report should also contain a comprehensive draft of the Rural Economic Development Act (REDA) reflecting what the grassroots believe must be done to enact its recommended actions.

Underlying this proposal is the belief that the best legislation will come from those individuals who know first-hand what rural and small town Americans want and need.

How this proposal could look at fruition Coalition building There are, of course, dozens of nonprofit entities which the Grange could seek to enlist in this effort. Among these organizations would be national groups such as the National Governors Association (and its Center for Best Practices); the National Association of

45

Development Organizations; National

Economic

Association

(REDA);

of

Counties;

National

Association of Towns and Townships; National

Association

of

Development

Act”

• An analysis of each section of the

Regional

proposed legislation;

Councils; Council of State Community

• An appendix of proposals not

Development Agencies; and the Council

included in the draft legislation;

of Development Finance Agencies.

• Statements of each of the organizations

There are also non-profit entities who

participating in the Coalition as to

focus in on rural and small town America

its views on the REDA;

economic development such as the

• Statements by other stakeholders

Center on Rural Innovation and political

who participated in the creation

organizations such as One Country

“the Grange has the ability to be the catalyst...”

of the Report; and

recently created by former Senators

• An appendix of best practices relating

Heidi Heitkamp and Joe Donnelly.

Stakeholder meetings essential piece

to economic development.

And, of course, this coalition could enlist

The primary goal of the Report would

The Report would be the product of

the resources of organizations such as the

be to encourage the introduction of bi-

a series of videoconferences attended

Aspen Institute, Brookings and CAP as well

partisan legislation in Congress along

by members of the Coalition, local,

as academic institutions as needed. These

the lines of the REDA.

state

and

Federal

development

rural

experts,

economic government

organizations, and many more, collectively

Secondary goals would be: (a) to

have the expertise and resources to

create public awareness of the need for

officials, academics, think tanks, and

undertake the proposed analysis based

legislation along the lines of the REDA;

representatives of nonprofits, financial

upon the actual needs and experiences of

(b) to support legislative efforts by

institutions and trade groups involved

rural and small town Americans.

Members of Congress such as Senator

with rural economic development (the

To facilitate the creation of the

Gillibrand; (c) to ensure that current

“Stakeholders”).

Report and a draft of the REDA, the

Members of Congress are forced to go

Again, while there could be many

Coalition would need a staff comprised

on record as to whether they support

different approaches to creating the Report,

of

in

the legislation ultimately proposed by

the following is one suggested schedule:

holding hearings and drafting reports

the Coalition and (d) to make sure that

and legislation. Fortunately, many of

candidates in upcoming

individuals

with

experience

• One

or

more

pre-conferences

would be held between the are

Coalition’s staff and Stakeholders

be members of the Coalition already

compelled to take a position on the need

to develop an initial outline for

employ such individuals.

for the type of major reform that is likely

the Report and the agenda for

The point is that even though a

to be suggested by the Report. Without

an Initial Conference.

single entity such as the Grange could

such political pressure—as suggested by

• An Initial Conference would be held

not alone undertake the work necessary

Diana in Irresistible—Congressional and

where Stakeholders would make

to prepare the proposed Report, the

Presidential candidates will continue to

presentations on proposals, the

Grange has the ability to be the catalyst

talk about and promise major change,

Coalition’s staff could describe

for such an effort.

but it is unlikely to occur.

the process for moving forward

Finally, the nature of Washington is

and working groups would be

Result would be basis for bipartisan efforts

such that, whenever major legislation is

established to develop sections

the organizations who are likely to

Congressional

elections

considered, interest groups will inevitably

of

could take many forms. However, one

try

economic

Subsequent conferences would

proposed format would be as follows:

advantage they perceive in the status

entail meetings of the working

• An introductory narrative section

quo or seek to modify the legislation to

groups and presentations to all

explaining the need for the

its own benefit even if contrary to the

Stakeholders on the progress of

Report, including the impact on

purposes of the act. Accordingly, a third

the Report.

Rural America and the country as

goal of the Report will be to make clear to

• A penultimate conference would

a whole on the economic decline

Congress the feelings of the grassroots as

be held at which the Coalition’s

of non-urban areas.

a counterweight to those groups seeking

staff, in coordination with the

to undermine the goals of the REDA.

working groups, would present a

The Report suggested by this article

• Draft Federal legislation (the “Rural

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to

I

protect

whatever

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

the

proposed

legislation.

draft of the Report for discussion.

• A Final Conference would then be held at which the Coalition’s staff, in coordination with the working groups, would present a final version of the Report for adoption by the Coalition’s members.

Also, at this Final Conference, Stakeholders would be given an opportunity to present their own position papers on issues which they would like to be included in an appendix to the final Report.

The Coalition’s staff would be tasked with preparing follow-up reports apprising Stakeholders on the impact of the Report.

C-Span would be requested to cover parts of the conferences and all the conferences would be made available for viewing over the Internet.

Topics to be covered As noted at the outset, the proposals of Democratic candidates during the 2020 primaries, Senator Gillibrand’s Rebuild Rural America for the Future Act, the Biden-Harris Plan To Build Back Better In Rural America, and the reports

of think tanks such as Brookings and CAP all set forth many good ideas which the Coalition could consider and there already exists substantial work on most of these topics.

However, in general, in drafting the REDA, the Coalition’s members would be tasked with considering the following ideas among others: • How best to coordinate the various existing local, state and Federal rural economic initiatives?

• Which of the various local, state and Federal initiatives have been most successful in creating jobs in Rural America and how can the Federal government best support such initiatives?

• How to ensure better job training and assistance when rural communities lose major employers?

• How best to expand the creation of entities such as the Delta Regional Authority?

• How best to expand and support Public-Private Partnerships?

• How best to duplicate entities such as the Rural Infrastructure

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Opportunity Fund?

• How best to address transportation issues facing rural America including consideration of high speed rail, high speed bus lanes, and assured access to commercial airlines?

• What new tax incentives would best assist in rural and small town economic development?

• What are the priority infrastructure needs of rural and small town America?

• How best to utilize higher education institutions and vocational schools in rural America, including improving communication and coordination among such institutions?

• What is the feasibility of a Federal acquisition preference for goods or services located in rural and small town America?

• How best to promote tourism in rural and small town America both for foreign and US travelers?

• What is the feasibility of locating more Federal facilities in rural America?

• What is the best way to use base closings to facilitate growth in rural America?

• What is the feasibility of the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies giving a preference in grant making for educational and research institutions located in rural America?

• Would there be a benefit to a national rural America certification mark which verifies that a good is produced in rural America?

• Would there be a benefit to the creation of a C-Span type entity to disseminate rural development programing by USDA, state/local agencies, private entities and institutions of higher education?

47

• Are there creative methods to use rural post offices to help sustain communities?

• What Federal regulatory impediments exist impeding delivery of healthcare in rural America and how can healthcare be used a vehicle to create economic opportunity in rural communities • How best can USDA be reorganized to bring efficiency to rural and small town economic development.

The critical task of the Coalition would be to determine which ideas are most valuable and to work with its staff to create legislation to implement the determination of the Coalition’s members.

Parameters of Report The proposed legislation would be national in scope and not favor one section of the country over the other. An emphasis would be on ideas impacting regions as a whole. It would be as comprehensive as reasonably possible.

The Report would contain in broad terms an analysis of both the cost and economic benefits of the proposals.

It would also fully address the social, political and moral implications of the Federal government failing to assist the states and local communities in addressing the decline of economic opportunities in non-urban areas.

Distribution of the Report The Report would be distributed to Members of Congress, the Executive Branch, the media, state and local government officials and other policy makers. It would also be made available on the website of the Coalition’s members and the websites of other Stakeholders who participated in creating the Report.

Funding There are a number of sources for

48

“The key point is that the Grange alone would not have to bear the financial burden.” funding of the Project. There are, of

Conclusion

course, large foundations who may be

The Grange’s Declaration of Purposes

interested such as the W. K. Kellogg

states, in part “the principles we teach

Foundation, The Ford Foundation and

underlie all true statesmanship, and if

the

Bloomberg

Family

Foundation.

There are also foundations with specific focus on rural America such as the Rural Health Foundation and the Foundation for Rural Service of the Rural Broadband Association.

properly carried out, will tend to purify the whole political atmosphere of our country; for we seek the greatest good to the greatest number. We desire a proper equality, and fairness; protection

Other foundations that might be

for the weak; restraint upon the strong;

willing to support the Project because of

in short, justly distributed power. These

their interest in entrepreneurship include

are American ideals, the very essence

the Intuit Foundation, Case Foundation,

of American independence, and to

Kauffman Foundation, JM Foundation,

advocate the contrary is unworthy of the

Mizuho USA Foundation, Inc., PNC

sons and daughters of our Republic.”

Foundation, Heinz Endowments, and the T. Boone Pickens Foundation.

There are also dozens of foundations that

primarily

development such

as

the

focus in

on

economic

particular

Winthrop

regions,

Rockefeller

Foundation, which may be willing to

If President Biden and the Congress are committed to revitalizing rural and small town America, such a principle should be the guide star for any legislation to effectuate that goal.

The Founders of the Grange were

support the Coalition. And there also

bold and progressive individuals with

numerous corporations with an interest

a solid sense of morality and fair play.

in rural America, such as Syngenta, ADM

They accepted personal responsibility

and Poet, that might be interested in

and expected their fellow Americans do

supporting the project.

likewise.

There are also trade groups with an interest in rural America, such as Bio and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, that might also come on board.

Undoubtedly,

the

nonprofit

members of the Coalition will have many other potential sources of support for

Throughout its history, the Grange has never demanded that the government provide rural Americans with handouts, but it did demand that the government provide a level playing field where those living outside urban America had the

the project. The key point is that the

same opportunity to create economic

Grange alone would not have to bear

wealth as those living in the cities.

the financial burden.

Accordingly, there could be no better organization to lead this proposed effort.

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GRANGE ADVOCACY ADVERTORIAL

49

Grange Membership

BENEFITS Below is an overview of some of the benefits that are available to Grange members across the country.

A full, detailed list can be viewed on the National Grange’s website: www.nationalgrange.org/benefits

$

SHOP

We have partnered with Office Depot/Office Max and The Azigo CashBack Shopping Mall. When you shop at these locations or use these services, you are giving back to the National Grange and receiving special deals in the process.

FINANCE

The National Grange has partnered with TSYS Merchant Solutions, which has been serving merchants for more than 30 years and offers a payment processing program tailored to your business needs. If you have a small business, this advantage could help you.

TRAVEL

R/

X

With discounts from Choice Hotels, Wyndham Hotels, Hertz, Dollar Car, and Thrifty rental car services, as well as other hotel and rental car businesses, and RV accommodations with Harvest Hosts, these exclusive Grange benefits are sure to help you when planning your next vacation.

HEALTH

Our partnerships with Comfort Keepers, one of the top companies in the eldercare industry, Life Line, and the Medical Air Services Association, the oldest prepaid emergency transportation and screening organization, are sure to give you peace of mind about your health.

PHARMACY

We have multiple partnerships to help Grange members obtain discount pharmacy cards. CVS Caremark offers the RxSavings Plus Card. The U.S. Pharmacy Card is a free discount prescription card available to Grangers.

Last offer excludes members in NC. Also a partnership with National Affinity Services allows access to the public subsidized government marketplace.

INSURANCE

We have partnerships with United of Omaha Life Insurance Company and MetLife Home and Auto Insurance to give our members discounts on insurance rates and deals. We are proud to announce a new benefit partner, Clouse Insurance Agency.

State-based and property-based restrictions apply. Contact agency directly.

Excludes Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and North Carolina.

... and many more plus new ones added regularly. Check our website for all active benefits. www.nationalgrange.org/benefits

BRIGHT IDEA FOR PROGRAMMING

Protests by India’s farmers give insight into global ag issues

By Kennedy Gwin Communications Manager

and Sean O’Neil Legislative Assistant India, the world’s second most

all-important monsoon season.

The first, The Farmers’ Produce

income. For context, currently the

Trade and Commerce Act, expands

minimum support price only assists

the areas where farm products can be

about six percent of India’s farmers, and

sold from select locations to any given

many had been arguing that the price

market and allows for the introduction

should be expanded prior to these laws.

of ecommerce into agriculture.

populous country and fourth largest

Next, The Farmers Agreement of

agriculture producer, has been gripped

Price Assurance and Farm Services Act

for the past few months by some of the

creates a new format for agriculture

largest protests in the country’s history

contracts which allows for the sale

which have emerged in response to

of commodities futures and create a

new farms laws.

new dispute resolution mechanism for

More than 800 million Indian citizens

they would not be guaranteed an

agriculture contracts.

rely on agriculture as their primary

Finally, The Essential Commodities

source of income, and many perceive

Act allows the government to manage

recently passed laws to be a direct

certain crops quantities and prices in an

threat to their livelihood.

ill-defined period of crisis.

The laws that have triggered such

These laws failed to continue the

a backlash amongst India’s farmers are

popular government guarantee of a

known as the three farm acts, which

minimum support price for agricultural

were passed in June of 2020 during the

goods, leading many farmers to fear

In

response

to

this

perceived

challenge to their economic wellbeing, farmers unions in India have demanded they be rescinded without compromise and organized protests, some of which have garnered more than one million supporters.

Hundreds of thousands of protestors have been occupying the area outside of India’s parliament in New Dehli for weeks. These protesting farmers have also been joined by other unions in solidarity, as well as other groups which are opposed to the current government led by the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

These protests have even gained wide attention, and a number of Indian immigrants to the United States and their allies who are sympathetic to the cause of Indian farmers have protested by the White House near the National Grange building in Washington, D.C., and at the U.S. Capitol.

“These laws are a direct threat to livelihoods that depend on farming,” said a protestor, holding a sign as he demonstrated near the Grange building. He did not provide his name.

These protesters are asking the U.S. to pressure the Indian government to help the nation’s farmers.

The Indian government’s response to these protests has been widely

Photo by Kennedy Gwin Individuals have taken to the streets in India as well as Washington, DC, to support farmers in the South Asian country. Here, protesters who had gathered outside the White House stop for a moment in March in D.C.

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repressive both at in-person events and through online censorship.

From the beginning of protests, police throughout India have violently broken up demonstrations and arrested

51

countless protesters.

Indian leaders have used social media posts as the basis for arresting protest organizers and have censored coverage of the protests that have portrayed the government in a negative light. This authoritarian response to protest follows a concerning trend of increased repression which has emerged from the BJP under the leadership of current Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Nevertheless,

farmers

have

not

given up their demands and have begun to make some progress.

In December of 2020, the protesting farmers struck their first victory when the Supreme Court of India acknowledged

Photo by Amanda Brozana-Rios

their formal right to protest the laws and placed a stay on their implementation.

Despite pushback from the central Indian government, in January the Supreme Court of India created a committee to evaluate the validity of the farm laws which are under protest and hear grievances from farmers who have been affected. The committee has not yet concluded its work, but farmers are hopeful that they will reject the farm laws as they were written.

At the same time, farmers have made other progress at the state level and a handful of states have gone so far as to pass laws condemning or rejecting the farm laws.

Regardless of the outcome of this

52

A billboard in Berks County, Pennsylvania, sends a clear message - No Farms, No Food - and urges people to learn more about and stand with Indian farmers who are protesting.

conflict between Indian farmers and

As well, in the United States and

the government, this topic is relevant

abroad

and not too unfamiliar for American

will continue to at times clash and at

farmers.

For example, in the United States minimum support price style policies

governments

and

farmers

times work together to address the challenges of the agriculture economy.

in states like Pennsylvania, where dairy

So as these protests continue in

farmers rely on government support

India, we can expect to see more

to help maintain their farms, are

coverage on the hot topic of minimum

considered by many to be essential for

support

farmers to continue to thrive in an evercomplex food system.

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

prices

and

the

role

of

government in the agriculture economy at home and abroad.

BRIGHT IDEA FOR PROGRAMMING

6 things to know about genetically modified organisms, foods Courtesy of Family Features You may have heard of “GMO” foods before, but what you may not know is the science and purpose behind them.

“GMO” is a common term used to describe foods that have been created through genetic engineering. A GMO (genetically modified organism) is a plant, animal or microorganism that has had its genetic material (DNA) changed using technology that generally involves the transfer of specific DNA from one organism to another.

Although GMO foods are widely available to consumers, there is sometimes confusion around what GMOs are and how they are used in the United States’ food supply. As part of the Feed Your Mind education initiative, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provides science-based information to help consumers better understand GMOs: 1. Only a few types of GMO foods are sold in the United

States.

Soybeans, cotton, corn, alfalfa, apples, canola, papaya,

potatoes, summer squash, sugar beets, pineapple and

4. GMO foods are no more likely to cause allergies than non-GMOs. You will not be allergic to a GMO food unless you’re allergic

AquAdvantage salmon complete the list of GMO foods

to the non-GMO version of that food. For example, if you’re

currently sold in the U.S. Only a few of these are available in

not allergic to foods made with non-GMO soy, you won’t be

the produce sections of grocery stores. Most are instead used

allergic to foods made with GMO soy. When developing GMOs,

to make ingredients that are then used in other food products

scientists run tests to make sure allergens aren’t transferred

like cereals and snack chips.

2. GMOs can help farmers grow crops that are resistant

to diseases and insects.

from one food to another.

5. GMOs can reduce farmers’ use of pesticides.

Humans have used traditional ways to modify crops and

Some GMO plants contain plant-incorporated protectants

animals to suit their needs and tastes for more than 10,000

to make them resistant to insects. This lowers farmers’ need for

years. Genetic engineering lets scientists take a beneficial

and use of spray pesticides.

gene, like insect resistance, and transfer it into a plant. Results can include higher crop yields, less crop loss, longer storage life, better appearance, better nutrition or some combination of these traits.

6. A “bioengineered” disclosure will be on some of the foods you eat.

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard

3. GMO foods are as safe to eat as their non-GMO

requires bioengineered foods to be labeled by 2022 with

The FDA, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and

bioengineered food symbol or directions for using your phone

U.S. Department of Agriculture work together to make sure

to find the disclosure. Sometimes the terms “bioengineered,”

counterparts.

GMOs are safe for human, plant and animal health. GMO foods are carefully studied before being sold to the public to make sure they are safe. Some GMO plants have even been modified to improve their nutritional value. For example, some GMO soybeans contain healthier oils, which can replace oils

text on the packages that reads “bioengineered food,” the

“GMO” and “genetic engineering” are used interchangeably, but labels required under the Standard use the term “bioengineered.”

Find more answers to your questions about GMOs at fda. gov/feedyourmind

containing trans fat.

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BRIGHT IDEA FOR PROGRAMMING

Agritourism and the Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic of an extra $13,000 a year, so Grange members involved in

By Valerie Stewart

agriculture who have space on their farm or ag-related business

Legislative Intern

may want to contact Havest Hosts to become a host.

Stuck in quarantine and working from home for the past

Many of the hosts were anticipating shutting down during

year, many Americans have been itching to get out and travel.

the pandemic but found ways to adapt with COVID restrictions

However, amidst lockdowns and travel restrictions, there are

to host travelers, keeping them in business.

For many, this agritourism trend is the only thing keeping

few options to do so.

Many Americans are feeling the impact of the economic recession, and traveling just isn’t in the budget. Travel spending totaled only $679 billion in 2020, a 42% decline from 2019 according to the U.S. Travel Association.

The travel industry was hit hard by the pandemic, but there may be a silver lining: the exposure to agritourism.

If you have ever picked apples, wandered through a corn maze, or enjoyed a wine tasting at a winery, then you have participated in agritourism.

This growing industry is exactly as it sounds: a crossroads of tourism and agriculture where travelers visit a farm or any agricultural business. This recent trend of agritourism has been growing over the past decade, and, unlike most industries, has

their businesses and their community afloat during this financial crisis.

This pandemic is nowhere near over, and people still want to stay safe this year, but after a year of staying home, Americans want a change of scenery during 2021.

While most won’t fly across the world, they will drive to the next state. Travel companies like Harvest Hosts are preparing for this national travel surge, and the agritourism industry is ready.

With social distancing already built in, farms, wineries, ranches, and orchards are becoming the most popular travel destinations, serving as perfect COVID-safe getaways while also supporting agricultural communities.

taken off even more during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In place of going across the world to explore a new city, people are finding new options nearby for safe, socially distanced agricultural travel.

Instead of flying to a far-off city to dine in cafes and wander museums, travelers might choose to take a road trip to a nearby ranch to camp and ride horses. Here, they can stay in nature and see new places while limiting their exposure to other people. It is one of the few safe and inexpensive options for those who are itching to get away.

One company that has already been in the agritourism industry for over a decade is Harvest Hosts, a membership for RVers that connects domestic travelers to unique overnight stays.

For under $100 a year, members have unlimited access to 1,900+ farms, wineries, breweries, and other unique locations – and Grange members can enjoy an extra 20 percent discount on membership as a Grange benefit.

During 2020, the 130,0000 Harvest Host members were eager to road trip to these destinations and explore the country in this safe, affordable, and exciting way.

Not only has Harvest Hosts helped people get out and explore, but they have also provided an additional source of income for the farms and other businesses hosting these RVers.

According to CEO Joel Holland, hosts earn an average

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Submitted Photo Plastic trash cans can be used to help you separate what needs to be categorized as trash, recycling, and compost as seen in the above photo.

BRIGHT IDEA FOR PROGRAMMING

The 5 R’s of Sustainable Living - A Focus on Recycling

By Brenda Vanderloop Secretary, Sammamish Valley Grange #286 You’ve heard of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. But to be truly sustainable, we have to look beyond that to incorporate how our lifestyle choices affect our whole waste stream. Sammamish Valley Grange #286 hosted Kelly Rankich for their free virtual community program in February, The 5 Rs of Sustainable Living–A Focus on Recycling.

A Green LEED Associate (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), Rankich is the Facility Manager at 21 Acres in Woodinville, WA (which is home to several Grange members and volunteers) and a WSU Snohomish County Extension Sustainable Community Steward. Grange members and dozens of local residents participated in the discussion and learned more about current challenges. Local resources to “Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot” were made available with ways to live more sustainably and how to get involved in the solutions.

WHAT ARE THE 5 R’S? REFUSE – Refusing is around the idea of living a more minimal lifestyle with less consumerism, and in some ways, it should be the easiest concept. You don’t have to purchase any

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special eco-friendly substitutes or really do anything to Refuse– other than say no to things you don’t need.

REDUCE – Reduce is similar to refusing but is more about a change in habits. Many of us are getting used to the idea of reusable shopping bags and water bottles and there are many more ways to reduce our single use plastics with products such as beeswax wrappers. Buying in bulk, shopping with businesses that provide refillable containers, and purchasing locally-sourced food are ways to help reduce waste.

REUSE – Reusing materials can involve shopping at thrift stores, borrowing from friends and neighbors rather than purchasing, and tool libraries. I’m a fan of local buy-nothing groups, where neighbors freely give reusable items that might otherwise go to the landfill. And repairing items rather than replacing them is made easier with local repair cafes.

RECYCLING – Breakdowns in the waste stream and misinformation about recycling is leading to a global plastic problem – and people of color around the world are bearing the brunt of U.S. plastic waste. Fortunately, many municipalities are doing their part to ensure a closed loop on recycling— even though it may look different than how you first learned about it. To make sure your recycling is effective, the number one thing to do is stay informed by visiting the website of your curbside recycler and print out their recycling guide. Review

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this with your family members and post it somewhere near your waste/recycling collection area.

Every municipality has a different recycling provider and process for their curbside collections. Each provider has unique acceptance criteria which depends on the way they handle their recycling streams–so while you may be able to recycle a clamshell in your home’s curbside bin, you may not be able to recycle it at work. The criteria can change over time in either direction as technologies change and as the market changes.

ROT–Food waste is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions—and this year, reducing food waste is Project Drawdown’s #1 climate solution. Rot means composting food waste and compostable packaging.

Household food waste can be collected with your curbside yard waste or you can make your own compost if you have a garden Your commercial yard waste/compost material, which goes to a commercial facility, operates differently than your home compost bin; a commercial facility operates at higher temperatures and can add microbes to the mix. Therefore, they can accept bones, paper towels, and other compostable products that would not work in your home compost.

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A computer can be reused to reduce technological waster

Submitted Photo

Rankich shared how to get started. “If

“The next step,” she concluded, “is

you are relatively new to making changes

to become aware of your own waste

toward a more sustainable lifestyle, I

streams and start to evaluate ways to

recommend

with

reduce the amount of material going

your own waste and recycling curbside

to the landfill or oceans. Eventually, as

provider at home and at work. This is not

you continue down this path, you will

as easy as it sounds—you may have to

also look for ways to reduce even your

do some digging to find out what you

recyclables. Together, we can refuse,

can truly recycle!—but is a really good

reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot our way

first step.”

toward more sustainable communities.

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becoming

familiar

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BRIGHT IDEA FOR PROGRAMMING

How one company lifts the burden of college debt Article Courtesy of Brandpoint Higher education has become synonymous with debt. The Federal Reserve reported more than $1.7 trillion in outstanding student loans as of Q4 2020 while nearly $120 billion in student loans were in default, according to Statista.

Whether you’re fresh out of high school or returning as an adult student, nobody wants to graduate owing more than they can afford to repay - and run the risk of becoming yet another cautionary tale.

Instead, you’re forced to make sacrifices to make college happen. You opt for a less expensive school that offers you the best possible financial aid package, even though it might not be your top choice. You may abandon your dream career in favor of a more lucrative course of study. Maybe you even decide college isn’t worth it.

Don’t give up just yet. There’s a program that can give you the freedom to invest in yourself.

Help with repaying student loans To help students and their parents overcome both the fear and burden of student loan debt, Ardeo Education Solutions has collaborated with over 200 colleges and universities nationwide to offer students the protection of its Loan Repayment Assistance

Program (LRAP), at no cost to the student.

LRAP awards can help you and your family repay your student loans after graduation.

LRAPs have been providing a financial safety net to students for more than 30 years, with over 20,000 students covered by Ardeo’s program.

The program makes college possible for students across the country and helps the schools offering it improve access to education on their campus.

“LRAP awards provide students with peace of mind by reassuring them that debt won’t hold them back after graduation,” said Josh David, Vice President of Student Service, Ardeo Education Solutions. “Our financial safety net is especially impactful for students who pursue service-oriented careers, such as working for a nonprofit, which positively impact society but don’t typically provide a large paycheck.”

How LRAPs work A growing number of colleges and universities nationwide are using LRAPs to reinforce their commitment to improve access to higher education, student success and graduate outcomes. By committing their own resources, these colleges and universities are putting their own “skin in the game” to ensure their students have successful outcomes. LRAPs cover federal student, private alternative and parent

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PLUS loans. Students must graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the school where they received their LRAP Award.

If your income is modest - typically less than $45,000-$50,000 - an LRAP will help you and your family repay your loans until your income exceeds the threshold or the loans are paid off entirely.

LRAPs provide 3 primary benefits to students: * School choice: Students can attend their preferred college or university, because they are able to focus less on cost and more on the value of their education. * Graduation rate: Students covered by an LRAP may be more likely to graduate, because they know they’ll have help repaying loans once they do. * Career path: Thanks to having an LRAP, students feel empowered to follow their dreams. With an LRAP to help when they graduate, they can follow their passions rather than a paycheck.

Assistance for parents For parents who take out parent PLUS loans or for co-signers of student loans, an LRAP will help repay those loans based solely on the graduate’s income, not yours.

Want to learn more? Talk to your admissions office or financial aid counselor to find out if an LRAP is an option for you.

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GRANGE ADVOCACY ADVERTORIAL

BRIGHT IDEA FOR PROGRAMMING

Take Advantage of Telemedicine for Better Health Courtesy of Teladoc If there is a silver lining to the challenges the past year created for families, it may be the growth, availability and affordability of virtual care for medical and mental health needs. The ability to see a doctor from home, with little notice, offers a level of flexibility in accessing health care that was historically quite rare.

Virtual care, or telemedicine, can span a wide range of services to address a family’s health needs without going to a doctor’s office and provides easy access to experts and specialists via phone and video. Plus, telemedicine services are covered by most insurance providers.

“Telemedicine is a safe and practical way to access health care for the entire family,” said Dr. Desreen N. Dudley, a clinical psychologist and behavioral health quality consultant for Teladoc.

“For example, Teladoc has thousands of care providers across all 50 states that let members quickly connect with a doctor or specialist who can provide peace of mind any hour of the day or night.”

From care for specific illnesses to managing ongoing concerns, learn how accessing telemedicine might be a good fit for your family’s health care needs.

Everyday Illnesses In the past, if your doctor’s office couldn’t get you in to help treat conditions like allergies, sinus infections or other common illnesses, urgent care was one of your few remaining options.

Now, virtual care can be increasingly relied upon to conveniently address non-emergency needs and everyday illnesses in place of urgent care.

Specialty Care Even with a referral, it can take weeks or months to get an appointment with some specialists. One example is dermatology.

Instead of waiting months to be seen by a dermatologist, with a virtual provider, you can seek and receive treatment a matter of hours.

Mental Health As a result of the pandemic and related social implications, many organizations are reporting substantial upticks in requests for mental health support and anticipate telemedicine will outlive the pandemic. In fact, phone and video visits for mental health have been shown to be as effective as in-person treatment, according to the Telemental Health Institute.

Wellness Care Most people think of their health needs in terms of reactive care for known problems, but it can also be useful for wellness care, such as nutrition. With more families cooking meals at home during the pandemic, registered dietitians can provide

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virtual consultations to help ensure everyone, including family members with special dietary needs, receives proper nutrients.

Expert Advice If you’re unsure about a diagnosis, need help choosing treatment, have medical questions or concerns, or want an expert’s advice or second opinion, some virtual care providers can connect you with leading specialists to give you the answers and confidence you need to make informed decisions about your family’s health.

Learn more about how virtual care may work for your family at Teladoc.com.

Take Charge of Your Mental Health Between virtual school, safe playdates and working from home, lives have been interrupted in countless ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those is the impact on mental health. These tips from Dudley can help make your mental health a priority.

Engage in self-care. Self-care should be prioritized along with your work or family priorities. Make time to reconnect with family and friends by phone or video chat and allow kids to do the same. Remember asking for help, including seeking mental health counseling, is a form of self-care, too.

Change expectations. Give yourself and your family grace, embrace flexibility and let go of your pursuit of perfection. Be patient and give yourself a “timeout” when challenges arise.

For example, wait to address kids’ negative behaviors until you are less frustrated and stop apologizing for things like children making noise in the background of calls.

Keep a structured routine. Even if your regular schedule is off due to virtual school or other factors, maintaining routines like regular bedtimes allows for more time to get things done and unwind. Similarly, focus on your responsibilities during the day then catch up with kids and non-essential activities after work hours.

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GRANGE ADVOCACY ADVERTORIAL

Honoring THE BUILDERS OF OUR

MEMBERSHIP ANNIVERSARIES

L egacy

85 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP

50 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP

Ohio • Sara Cullums, Hemlock #2049 • Evelyn Thompson, Mason #1680

Colorado • George C. Guidera, Norfield #146 • Melvin Hewston, Wallingford #33 • Paul W. Keene, Norfield #146 • Patricia Maines, Coventry #75

80 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP Connecticut • Edward Borrelli, Cheshire #23 Massachusetts • Barbara McDonough, Williamsburg #225

Illinois • Dixie Kirk, Flora #1762 • Joe Kirk, Flora #1762 • Tom Ratcliffe, Flora #1762

75 YEARS CONTINUOUS MEMBERSHIP

Maine • Neal Conant, Norway #45 • Harlan Wyman, Norway #45 • Jacqueline Libby, Parkman #305 • Carroll Wayne Libby, Parkman #305 • Lorene Bridges, Parkman #305 • Susan Hackett, Topsham #37

Ohio • Donald Hausch, Sr., Bath #1331 • Kenneth Smith, Bath #1331 • Marvene Weaver, Violet #1949

Maryland • Alan L. Brauer, Thurmont #409 • Ethel A. Brauer, Thurmont #409

Massachusetts • Marjorie Watson, Beverly #306

Massachusetts • Nancy M. Blackmer, North Orange #86 • Janis J. Cox, North Orange #86 • Robert McQueston, Williamsburg #225 • Randall Vaill, Sr, Ware #164 • Terry Vaill, Ware #164

New York • Virginia Rossway, Pleasant Valley #838

Maine • Chrystal Gustafson, Topsham #37 • Priscilla Laganierre, Topsham #37 Nebraska • Marlo Burg, Waverly #369

Nebraska • Daniel Reed, Waverly #369

New York • Robert Albrecht, Pleasant Valley #838 • Anna Van Fleet Green, Cuba #799 • Doris Irving, Ravena #1457 • Shirley Norton, Kendrew #891

New Jersey • Barry Oherly, Stewartsville #121 New York • Gloria Griffin, Almond #1102 • James Perkins, Almond #1102 • Jane Kaszczynec, North Cameron #355 • Sam Kaszczynec, North Cameron #355

Washington • Roy Bartlett, Whelan-Ewartsville #114 • Robert Heller, Ten Mile #399 • Ervin Wheatley, Rose Valley #953

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Ohio • Paul Creighton, Robertsville #1784 • Mark E. McPherson, Pleasant #1615 • Ellen Weir, Sheffield Star #1610 Oregon • Cecelia Beichner, Midland #781 Pennsylvania • Cindy Frick, Fairdale #1157 Vermont • Steve Harran, LakeView #359 Washington • Albert L. Matter, South Lake Stevens #690 • Barbara O’Donnell, Whelan/Ewartsville #114 • Betty Steg, Oroville #985 • Carol Brownrigg, Humptulips #730

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Clarene Ricarte, Stillaquamish #1058 D.A. Nelson, Malo #679 Davona Gwin, Humptulips #730 Dillard Jensen Violet, Prairie #996 Erik W. Johnson, Crescent #1123 Ervin Wheatley, Rose Valley #953 Gerald Brown, Camas Valley #842 Gloria Engelbertson, Oroville #985 Jeff Olson, Prosperity #315 John Mraz, Johnson #118 John Musser, Espanola #698 John Schaefer, Logan Hill #1086 Jon Tapanainen, Minnehaha #164 Joyce Rouse, Columbia Valley #983 Juanita Jensen, Violet Prairie #996 Judith E. Peyton, Fruitvale #348 Judith P. Moilanen, Crescent #1123 Judy Weinz, South Lake Stevens #690 Keith Hodgson, Espanola #698 Kenneth Storrel, Goldendale #49 Lois M. Bremner, Malo #679

• Luther Brownrigg, Humptulips #730 • Mary Ann Enyeart, Goldendale #49 • Mary Ellen Surdyk, South Lake Stevens #690 • Melvin D. Dees, Minnehaha #164 • Melvin L. Kayser, Jr., Sunnyside #129 • Mike S. Cates Camas Valley #842 • Orville G. Pearl, South Lake Stevens #690 • Paul Enwards, Goldendale #49 • Pete H. Bowman, Logan Hill #1086 • Robert Drolz, Humptulips #730 • Robert Hutton, Goldendale #49 • Ronald A. Harder, North & South Palouse #1004 • Terry Surdyk, South Lake Stevens #690 • Tim Crowley, South Lake Stevens #690 • Velda Gile, Ten Mile #399 • Vicky Loomer, South Lake Stevens #690

Idaho community welcomes Grange back after 25 year hiatus On Saturday, April 17, Mountain Home Grange #285 came back to life after being dormant for about 25 years.

The hall remained in good condition and the new group of 27 members were able to gather for the organizatoinal meeting.

This reorganized Idaho Grange elected officers, who were installed by officers and members of the State Grange and National Grange Membership, Leadership Development and Communications Director Amanda Brozana Rios.

None of the new members had previously been part of the Grange, but many talked about the need for a community organization that fosters civil discussion and finds ways to tackle local issues as reasons they came to learn more about the Grange at the organizational meeting and selected to apply for membership.

The new officers watched as Idaho State Grange leadership opened the Grange, then closed the meeting on their own, a first step in their journey as the leaders of the reorganized Grange.

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They will hold their meetings on the

All charter members will be recognized

second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

in the next issue of Good Day! and will

They will call the Mountain Home

receive special Charter Member certificates

Grange Hall, in Potlatch, their home and

from National Grange.

plan to leave their charter application open

Notes of congratulations and welcome

through May 2, hoping to add a few more

are encouraged and may be sent to

new members at their first event, a craft fair

President Nancy Largent at nlargent72@

in the building on May 1.

gmail.com.

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

Welcome New Members to the Grange Family Adna #417, WA • Cindy L. Smith • Jim L. Smith • Casey Lunzman Barberton #571, WA • Michael Hatfield Bethlehem #137, NY • Kathryn Blenis • Mary Carrey • Ray Durloo • Michelle Williams Buckhorn #1119, PA • Chuck Cummings • Jennifer Andry Kovitch • Gladys Cummings Buena #836, WA • Mary Adkins Butternut Valley #1533, NY • Barbara Rossanda • John Rossanda • Morgan Williams Calispel #500, WA • Carol Johnson Cedar Valley #306, WA • Clara A. Grager • Clifford E. McCracken Colonel Harper #1508, NY • Dawn Richards Columbia Valley #938, WA • Marchelle Burnham Corfu #142, NY • Karen Bridge Cuyler#449, NY • Daniel Richardson Deer Lagoon #946, WA • Wayne Flaatenm • Kristin Ledgerwood • Maria Hazelo • Timothy Hazelo • Leslee Austin • Anza Muenshow • Vicky McFarlane • Lee Rebman • Maria Cablao • David Adams • Gary Wray • Joshua Lorac • Linda Pickering • Daniel Anderson • Lois Anderson • Erik Rhode

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Johina Planque Areeya Rhode Romey Rhode Blain LeRoy Clay O’Brien Anthony Trumbull Morgan Cooper Robert Ryan Jeff Clark Paula Sherwood Dennis Bohling Virginia Keck Nathan Wilkie Debbie Wilkie Melody Wilkie Bob Rookstad Laura Rookstad Abby Rookstad Luke Rookstad Isabelle Rookstad Jonathan Rookstad Justin Anderson Michele Anderson Mathew Anderson Mercedes Anderson Jonathan Anderson Steve Magney Keri Woodbridge Todd Parrick Julie Parrick Jim Henderson Charlotte Henderson Robin Flem Marian Flem Marqui Sides Barry Farley Niah Molo Baron Molo Justin Nichols

Diamond Lake #506, WA • Kayola Miller • Tallin Hanes Eagle #1, PA • Doug Bonsall • Helen Collins • Kathy Clees • Philip Vonada

Fairdale #1157, PA • Norma McNeal • Linda Deafenbaugh

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Scott Clauyboe

Finley #415, WA • Larry Ulbricht • Rebecca Ulbricht Fredonia #545, WA • Eva Lynn Perry Fruitland #999, WA • Tyler Clark • Dale Hjeidal • Trent Stewart Goldendale #49, WA • Nancy Mains • Jim Oliver • Janet Town • Ann Fernandez Greenwood Park #590, WA • Maryann Rieckers Hayfield #800, PA • Emily Tau Hickory #1285, PA • Teresa Berlin • Kim Hunt • Judy Bundy • Heather Siverling • Cindy Siverling Lincoln Creek #407, WA • Don Stark Lopez Island #1060, WA • Julie McLeland Lummi Island #926, WA • Tara Bock Marion #276, WA • Jessica Pollard Mayfield #683, NY • Daniel Brower • Tammy Luberto Mountain Valley #79, WA • Alicia LeDuc • David Montgomery North River #946, WA • Silvia Washington

East Wenatchee #1012, WA • Michael Strong • Lori Dewitz

Fairview #619, WA

•

Oakview #311, WA • Dan Grimes • Laurie Grimes • Loren Ackerman • Shelli Ackerman • Cindy Armstrong Ontelaunee #1617, PA • Brenda Spencer

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

•

Joe Spencer

Perry Valley #1804, PA • Janette Witmer Pine Grove #115, WA • Shelba Marthe • Audrey Hanson-Marthe Progress #96, PA • Mary Stoner • Marshall Stoner Prospect Point #1067, WA • Shane Erickson Rose Valley #953, WA • Lauren Anderson • Jacob Anderson • Easton Marshall • Boston Doebele • Jerice Fowler • Tim Fowler • Emma Fowler • Ethan Fowler Roseville #1290, PA • Vicky Ishman • Bob Ishman Russellville #91, PA • Lina Day • Cassandra Kehs • Danielle Kehs • Kay Reyburn • Abbigail Kehs Salmon Creek #849, WA • Jerry Jones • Stuart Ashbury • Austin Slick • Steve Taylor Sammamish Valley #286, WA • Jeannie Desmet • Erik Goheel • Lee Minea San Juan Island #966, WA • Rami Amaro • Katherine Dietzman • Nolan Fike • Lori Hellstron • Delphina Liles • Robert Rock • Allyson Rugge • Nan Simpson • Krispi Staude Schenevus Valley #1201, NY • Regina Weinert Skamokawa #425, WA

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•

Bob Campbell

South Union #860, WA • Beverly York Spring Hill #909, WA • Robert Clouse • Mitchell Clouse Stanford #808, NY • Ronda Secor • Mark Silverman Steele Lake Highline #805, WA • Matt Lord Stillaguamish #1058, WA • Olivia Hurley Stone Church #1561, NY • Elizabeth Goldschmire Stranger Creek #374, WA • Tiffany Barrett Swauk Teanaway #984, WA • Bill Doyle

•

Beverly Schieche

HAS YOUR GRANGE RECENTLY WELCOMED A NEW MEMBER?

Twisp Valley #482, WA • Mary Jane Perry • Peter Jumars • Kasey Gibbs • David Asia

®

Violet Prairie #996, WA • Billie-Jean Williams

Make sure they are recognized!

Waitsburg #1, WA • Lauren Rhode

Anyone may submit the names of new members so they can be recognized in Good Day! magazine.

Waller Road #1111, WA • Tracy Schmidt • Austin League • Emilee Loucks

The easiest way to submit information is by using the online form found at tiny.cc/NewGranger (case sensitive).

Watson #1068, PA • Jacob Gambino

You may also email Membership, Leadership Development and Communications Director Amanda Brozana Rios at membership@ nationalgrange.org or call (301) 943-1090.

Whelan-Ewartsville #114, WA • Keight Kopf • Heidi Kopf • Kenneth Lecleman

NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE: JUNE 15

Terrace Heights #586, WA • John Schieche

MEMORIAL NOTICES GEORGE McGOSKEY

Past President, West Virginia George Edward McGoskey, Past National Delegate 94, of Ravenswood, WV, passed away at his home, on December 12, 2020. He was born on November 6, 1926, in Sprague, WV, a son of the late George and Ardena Dragon McGoskey.

George was a member of First United Methodist Church of Ravenswood. He was veteran of the United States Army, serving his country as a military policeman, stationed in Okinawa, Japan during World War II. He enjoyed 42 years of weaving and enjoyed teaching children to weave.

George was very civic minded. He served as a President of West Virginia

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State Grange, Mountaineer Pomona Grange, Silverton Grange and Ohio Valley Grange. George was a member of the United Steelworkers Association Local 5668 and was retired from Kaiser Aluminum Chemical Corporation, Ravenswood Works.

He and Martha, his wife, were members of the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame. George was recognized by NASA for his part in the Space Shuttle, (Space Transportation System Program) “Astronauts Personal Achievement Award” and was signed by, West Virginia’s astronaut, Jon A. McBride. George was

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responsible for the naming of Eastwood, a community of Ravenswood. George worked in the Cranberry Coal Mine at Prosperity, WV, for several years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Martha; daughter, Marcella (Dave) Curry of Sandyville, WV; sons, George Daniel (Patricia) McGoskey of Long Beach, Mississippi, and Frederick S. (Robin) McGoskey of Ravenswood, WV; grandchildren, Chris Wight, Allison (John) Strickland, Adam (Alicia Alvarado) McGoskey, Seth (Lauren) McGoskey and Jared McGoskey; great grandchildren, Victoria and

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

Garrett Strickland, Taylor, Hadleigh, Tyler, Cole, and Kian McGoskey, Jocilynn Alvarado, Chelle and Erin Wight; sister, Mildred Griffith of Beckley, WV. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant grandson; his sisters, Wilma Vought, Margaret Gillispie, Anna Mary Zukowski and Francis McGoskey (infant sister); brother, Emmett McGoskey.

PHYLLIS WILSON

Past Chaplain, National Grange Past President, Oregon

DARLENE B. ANDERSEN

Past First Lady, National Grange Darlene B. (Denker) Andersen, passed away January 7, 2021. She was born Oct 19, 1927 at the family farm in rural Elkhorn, Nebraska to Chris and Magdalene Denker.

She attended elementary school in rural Douglas County and Elkhorn High School. After graduation, she worked at Union Pacific Railroad, Rob-SeeCo, and Zimmerman Feed Yard near Elkhorn.

While working at the Feed Yard, she met Edward Andersen and they were married on Nov 27, 1947. Shortly after, they started operating the family dairy farm south of Valley, where they raised their children, Robert, Susan, Nancy and Peggy.

During this time, they both were involved in numerous community organizations. Darlene served as a local 4-H Club Leader, Ladies Home Extension Club member, and served on various committees within Bethany Lutheran Church. She was actively involved in the Valley American Legion Auxiliary for many years and held many elected positions.

Darlene and Ed were both dedicated and committed to the Grange for more than 60 years. She held various offices at the local and State level, including Women’s Activities Director for the Elkhorn V.E. Grange and the Nebraska State Grange for several years. With the Grange, Darlene made many stuffed toys for children in need.

Darlene and Ed moved to Washington D.C. in November, 1979, when he was elected as President of the National Grange, and lived there during his term of eight years. During this time, Darlene also worked in the National Grange office and was in the development of a National Grange Cookbook.

In 1988, they returned to their farming roots to be near their family, building a home adjacent to the farm. Darlene worked for 17 years as the bookkeeper for Woods Landing campground while Ed continued his interests in farming. She was a gifted seamstress and made many of her daughters’ dresses, including the bridesmaid dresses for their weddings.

The past five years she was very active within the Bethany Lutheran Ladies quilting group and looked forward to their monthly sessions; at this time, she changed her home office into her “quilting room” where she spent many hours. She loved reading, puzzles, gardening, and her daily lunch outings with family members. She enjoyed time spent with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the cornerstone for the family.

She is survived by her children, Robert and Jackie Andersen, Susan and Terry Gilfry, Nancy and John Prestia, and Peggy and Kent Merryweather; 10 grandchildren and 16 greatgrandchildren; a sister, Marge Grabow; a brother, Howard Denker; a brother-inlaw, Nels Andersen; and many nieces and nephews.

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Phyllis Wilson passed away at her home on December 18, 2020. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mark Wilson, in 2004.

Phyllis worked for the Coos-Curry Housing Authorities (HUD) starting in 1988 and serving as Assistant to the Director when she retired in 2006.

Phyllis was the first woman to hold the position of President of the Oregon State Grange. She was elected in 2006 and served until 2010. Phyllis was elected National Grange Chaplain in 2008 and served until 2011.

Phyllis had a long and enthusiastic Grange career, receiving her 50 year pin in 2019. She and her family joined the Sumner Grange outside of Coos Bay, Oregon, in 1969 after buying a 110-acre cattle ranch in the area. Like many farmers, they turned to the Grange for insurance and found so much more.

It was after Sumner Grange closed and she joined Greenacres Grange in 1988 that she really began “taking Grange seriously and was totally involved” after that.

Besides serving in many offices in her local Grange and Pomona, Sister Phyllis brought many skills garnered from her various positions in her work life to the offices she held in the Oregon State Grange. Executive leadership skills from her position at H.U.D., grassroots Grange experience, an understanding of rural life and a positive outlook and energy were the basis for the ambitious goals she set for the organization.

In addition to her husband, Phyllis was preceeded in death by her son David, 57, in 2019; and her daughter Kelli, 17, in 1979.

She enjoyed a close friendship with her neighbors, Ed and Carol Short, and still visited frequently on the telephone with her Grange “home away from home” Nadine and Ken Telschow.

Phyllis is survived by a sister-in-law and a niece living in Washington State.

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DARLENE HENNINGER

BRAD KEETON

Past First Lady, Illinois

Darlene Henninger, 91, of Belvidere, Illinois, passed away December 15, 2020. Darlene was born July 15, 1929 in Belvidere, the daughter of Walter and Idora (Green) Hopp.

She married Alvin Henninger on November 19, 1948, and they had two sons, John and Scott. Darlene worked 24 years for Belvidere Bank, but her greatest joy was working with her husband in the insurance and auction business for 72 years. She made her spiritual home at Calvary Baptist Church, where she was a life member.

She was a 75-year member of Prairie Grange, and a member of Big Thunder Grange. She was a former leader of the Junior Granges for Prairie and Big Thunder Granges and earned many awards at the National level.

On the State level, Darlene held the offices of Lady Asstistant Steward for eight years and Chaplain for six years.

For 22 years, Darlene served as the Superintendent of Concessions for the Boone County Fair. Al and Darlene received the Friends of County Fairs Award at the Springfield Fair in 2012; Darlene earning the same award again in 2013. In 2009, both Al and Darlene received an award for their years of supporting 4-H. In addition to her parents, Darlene was preceded in death by her son, Scott; and sister, Iris (Harlan) Harnish.

Darlene is survived by her beloved husband, Al; son John (Pat) Henninger; daughter, in-law Pam Henninger; grandchildren, Clint (Teri), Shawn (Lisa), Brad (Stephanie), Bridget (Jason); eight great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

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Past President and Past First Gentleman, Oklahoma Brad Anthony Keeton, 64, of rural South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2021, at his home.

Brad and his twin brother, Bern, were born November 16, 1956, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Clarence T. and Faye Elector (Miller) Keeton. Brad graduated from Lenapah High School in 1975, where he was President of the Lenapah FFA. On June 14, 1980, he married his best friend, Donna Loraine Shufeldt, at the Pleasant View First Church of God in Rural South Coffeyville, Oklahoma and made their home in the same community where he farmed and ranched with his family.

He was a baptized believer and every Sunday you could find him at Pleasant View First Church of God and the First Nazarene Church of Vinita, Oklahoma where he served faithfully on the Church Board and always provided encouraging words of God. Brad and Donna were very active in the community.

They played in a Bowling League in Coffeyville; he played in a softball league, and many days you could find him in a pick-up game of basketball or playing cards

with friends.

His philanthropy never stopped.

He served on many different boards throughout Nowata County, including Nowata County Conservation Board, Nowata County Fair Board, Rural Water District Board #7, Grange Mutual Insurance Board, and Thompson School Reunion Committee.

He was also active in the Native American Fellowship Inc., of South Coffeyville.

In 1980, Brad joined the Grange, where he served many different offices with the most prestigious being State Grange President from 1993 to 1999. During his servanthood with the Grange, he started many different Granges throughout the states of Oklahoma and Arkansas.

He traveled frequently to the National Session and made many lifelong friends all over the country. Brad received Granger of the Year in 2014. He enjoyed debating legislative issues, encouraging the growth of the Youth, and most of all the feeling of family and fellowship that the Grange had to offer.

Brad is survived by his wife of 40 years, Donna Loraine (Shufeldt) Keeton of South Coffeyville, who is

also a past President of the State Grange; his mother Faye Elector (Miller) Keeton of Blue Jacket, Oklahoma; his three children and their spouses, Matthew James Keeton and Sandra Blake of Neosho, Missouri; Ann Marie (Keeton) and Coty Allen of Kellyville, Oklahoma; and Timothy Tyler and Loyce (Chintsanya) Keeton of South Coffeyville, Oklahoma; siblings, Floyd (Dewight) Keeton of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Mark Keeton of South Coffeyville, Bern Keeton of Tulsa; and Betsy (Keeton) Duesi of Blue Jacket; three granddaughters, JackLynn, Keykeigh, Inara; and two soon-to-be born grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father Clarence T. Keeton, a brother Troy Norman Keeton, and sisterin-law Deanna Lea Keeton.

MEMORIAL NOTICE POLICY Past National Grange Delegates, Officers and Directors, whose passing is reported to the National Grange Chaplain within 3 months of their death, may be included in the following issue of Good Day! magazine. Please provide the National Chaplain the link to an online obituary and contact details for the people/person who should receive cards and condolences. Memorial donations in honor of the deceased requested for a Grange or Grange-related fund or charity will be included in the memorial notice.

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RUSSELL GRAY

Past President, Connecticut State Grange Russell Mason Gray, 76, Past National Delegate, of Sterling, passed away Jan. 12, 2021. He was born on Dec. 28, 1944, in Norwich, CT, a son to the late Lillian (Frink) and Clifford Gray.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sue (Emmons) Gray. They were married on Dec. 10, 1971.

He and Sue farmed together, adding farms to that of his parents. They milked more than 100 cows.

Russell was known for his incredible sense of humor, ability to tell amazing stories and love of John Deere tractors.

Russell was currently in his 16th year as First Selectman of the Town of Sterling. As First Selectman, he facilitated construction of the Sterling

Community School as well as moving the town offices and Library to the former Sterling Memorial School in Oneco, which allowed for the expansion of the Sterling Recreational Program. His love for Sterling was only surpassed by that of his family.

He previously held the position of President of the Connecticut State Grange, and held many offices, including President in his local Pomona and Ekonk Community Grange.

In addition to his work with the Grange, Russell was busy with many other volunteer and servant leader positions in his community, serving as Chairman of the Windham County Soil and Water Conservation District,

President of the Windham County Farm Bureau, Advisor to Killingly High School VoAg, Director of Patrons Mutual Insurance Company, and Chairman of the Northeast Council of Governments and National Association of Independent Businessmen. He was also a member of Sterling’s Republican Town Committee, Chairman of the town Water Pollution Control Authority, town Road Foreman, and Snowplow Coordinator.

In addition to his wife, Russell is survived by their children, who all live in Sterling: Rebecca Gervais and husband Allen, Mason Gray, and Deborah Sharpe and husband Nicholas; sister Verna Cole and husband

Jim; grandchildren Jacob (Jasmyn), Clifford, Trevor, Jared and Brianna Gervais and Lillian and Russell Sharpe as well as two great-grandchildren: Hannah Ashlyn and Oliver Russell Gervais; nieces, nephews and cousins, honorary younger brother, Dennis Phelps of Basom, NY, and close friend, Jack Cottrell, West Kingston, RI. He was preceeded in death by his sister, Carol Ann Mongeau and her husband, Maurice and granddaughter, Hannah Kathleen Gervais.

RICHARD PATTEN

Past President, New Hampshire Past Community Service Director, National Grange Richard (Dick) Patten died January 27, 2021. Born July 17, 1952 the son of Clinton and Maxene Patten, he was a lifelong resident of Concord Heights and attended Concord Schools, graduating in 1970.

After graduation he worked at Beede Electric and Towle’s Market and then made a career as a Dispatcher for Merrimack County Sheriff’s Department for 15 years. He then worked as a Driver Licensing Officer for the State of New Hampshire, then started a dispatch center for Pittsfield Police Department and lastly Concord Hospital Security dispatch.

He was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Dick was a lifelong member

of Concord Grange #322, joining at age 5, and serving in various offices including President for many years. He was a very active member of the New Hampshire State Grange, serving in multiple officer roles. In 1994 he was elected as the State Grange President and served in that position for four years. He also served as State Historian from 1998 until his death and has written some books on the history of the Grange.

He was the first National Grange Community Service Director and also served in the same role for the State Grange.

He is also a 3rd and 4th degree member of the Concord Council of Knights of Columbus, an honorary member of the Concord Kiwanis Club.

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He served three terms as City Councilor for Ward 8 as well as four terms as State Representative for Ward 8. He served as Chairman for the Supervisors of the Checklist for Ward 8 for 29 years.

He had an enormous passion for the City of Concord community, serving as chairman of the Concord Christmas Parade for 49 years, working tirelessly on funding and planning. He also took on the responsibility of planning and preparing the festivities for the Concord Christmas Tree Lighting for 49 years.

He was a volunteer host and producer for “Around Town,” a television show on Concord TV for more than 20 years, and hosted and produced a Catholic

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Radio Show, “Faith Speaks,” for the past four years.

He was a huge fan of University of Michigan Wolverines, going to Ann Arbor once a year to a game and sporting or collecting almost every piece of memorabilia ever made.

He is survived by his sister, Debra Patten, Concord; his former wife, Debra Fournier Patten; several cousins; an uncle, Dennis Patten; and many special friends, including Tyler Martel and Juan Aceros, who were like sons to Dick.

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JACK HENDRICKSON

LYNN DAWSON

Past First Gentleman, Washington State Grange Jack Hendrickson, 82, of Des Moines, WA, passed away January 1, 2021.

He was born January 29, 1938, in Lewiston, Idaho, to Fritz Hendrickson and Martha Gehrke Hendrickson. He grew up on the family ranch in Anatone, Washington, alongside his brothers Carl and Fred, who both preceded him in death.

Jack graduated from Anatone High School in 1956 and then enlisted in the Army in 1959. He was honorably discharged in 1962 as an E-5, and earned a Good Conduct Medal. After his military service, Jack attended South Seattle Community College where he completed a four-year electrician apprenticeship.

In 2000, Jack retired from his many years of service as an electrician for King County Department of Natural Resources (Metro),

working out of the Renton Treatment Plant.

During his time in the Army, one of Jack’s buddies, Douglas Preston, talked of his family in upstate New York. Doug thought his cousin, June Fairchild, would be a perfect match for Jack.

They wrote letters and sent taped cassettes to each other across the country.

They fell in love and then finally met in person when Jack went to New York to propose. They married on July 5, 1969. They drove across the country together and settled back in the Seattle area where they raised their family.

Jack continued to stay

active in his community during his retirement years with June. He was a member of the Washington State Grange for 58 years and served as President of the Steele Lake Highline Grange for many years, was a founding member of the Grange Camper Association of Washington, was active in the King County Pomona Grange, a Master Mason member of the Des Moines Lodge and was awarded a certificate of recognition for over 40 years of service. He served for more than 40 years as a Midway Sewer District Commissioner.

He was preceeded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, June Hendrickson.

He is survived by his son, Jeff Hendrickson (Dawn) and daughters, Julie Ziegler (Jeff) and JoAnn Xydis (Jason); six grandchildren, Ahnika, Evan, Hannah, Nolan, Jonny and Joslyn.

HARRY MASSEY

Past Membership and Leadership Director, National Grange Harry Massey, 65, passed away on April 2, 2021 at Friends Homes-Guilford, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Born in Wayne County on September 17, 1955, he was the son of the late Lloyd M. Massey and Eunice Overman Massey.

Harry, a lifelong Quaker, was a member of Woodland and New Hope Friends Meetings before moving to Washington, D.C., where he became a member of Friends Meeting of Washington. Harry worked for the National Grange as

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Membership and Leadership Director for several years, and afterwards several professional electronics associations while living in Arlington, Virginia.

He moved back to Mount Olive, North Carolina, in 2015, and into the Friends Homes in 2018, where he joined Jamestown Friends Meeting.

Harry is survived by his brother, Macon Massey (Karen) of Dudley and Frank Massey (Beth) of Asheboro, North Carolina.

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Past Controller, National Grange Lynn Carol Wagner-Dawson, 81, passed away January 4th, 2021, at her home in Anthem, Arizona. Prior to moving to Arizona in 2007, Lynn lived for nearly 40 years in Gaithersburg, Maryland, while working for more than 20 years as the Controller of the National Grange in Washington, D.C. Although quite shy as a very young child, Lynn became an unusually independent, yet very caring person as an adult. She was an outstanding older sister, fiercely loving aunt and loyal sister-in-law who had a wide group of close friends from college, work, and her neighborhood.

She liked being physically active, greatly enjoyed reading, and loved her family.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, she grew up in the metropolitan Cleveland, Ohio area. She received her B.A. from Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio in 1961, where she was a member and in her senior year the Chapter President of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. She was married to her beloved husband, John Hollyday Dawson, who passed away in 1995, and worked initially as an elementary school teacher, then for DC-area home builders before joining the Grange.

Many things made her happy, including various animals, a variety of music (including the tunes of Jimmy Buffet, Jim Croce and Taylor Swift), food items and favorite places.

On the other hand, she did not care for trees, owls (for reasons only she understood) and in spite of using a computer, cell phone, and e-mail, she definitely was not a fan of modern technology. Lynn had a wooden sign in her living room that perhaps best summed her up: “I’m a Porch-swing girl in a hurry up world”.

She is survived by her brother, Robert L. Wagner of Scottsdale, Arizona, and her niece, Kristin A. Wagner, currently living in Geneva, Switzerland.

GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

Quarterly National Grange

Legislative Update

®

Did you ever wonder... “what’s National Grange doing to help communities like mine?” The answer is a lot, especially on the legislative front. Here is a look at actions taken recently on behalf of our members.

New Administration Gets Started

Regan, and Secretary of the Interior

In late January President Joe Biden was sworn in with the least confirmed

Deb Haaland. Each of these key cabinet officials has been briefly profiled below:

members of his cabinet on inauguration

Biden’s appointee for Secretary of

day of any President in recent memory.

Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has a long history

Due to delays resulting from a 50-

of working in agricultural policy from

50 Senate and the 2nd impeachment trial of former President Trump, as of inauguration day only Biden’s Director of

National

Intelligence

had

been

confirmed. Despite this delay, as of April 1st all but 2 positions in President Biden’s cabinet had been filled, with one nominee awaiting

confirmation

and

another

having withdrawn their nomination. Key cabinet officials with influence over rural America which have been confirmed include Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, EPA Administrator Michael S.

serving as Governor of Iowa to spending 8 years as Secretary of Agriculture in the

Obama

administration.

Vilsack’s

long and notably bipartisan career in agriculture

garnered

him

significant

support from industry groups and even Republican Senators alike, leading him to a resounding 92-7 confirmation vote.

Vilsack’s proponents have argued that his prior experience with USDA is likely to make him an effective administrator, USDA is currently playing an important role during the pandemic as a means of routing food assistance to millions of struggling Americans. Beyond the traditional

agricultural

issues

which

USDA addresses, Vilsack has also made clear that he plans to place an emphasis on issues such as climate change and racial equity in agriculture.

For EPA Administrator, President Biden nominated Michael S. Regan, former Secretary of North Carolina’s

of the United States rule from its current version to some sort of compromise between what the rule looked like under President Obama and what it looked like under President Trump. In response to concerns from agriculture groups and Senate Republicans, Regan has committed to working with agriculture in crafting any policy which may affect their business, a practice he employed frequently and gained bipartisan praise

Department of Environmental Quality,

for during his time in North Carolina.

to serve in his cabinet. Like Vilsack,

Nevertheless, Regan’s confirmation was

Regan has also made it clear that

not as resounding as Vilsack’s, but he

under his leadership the EPA will seek

was ultimately confirmed in a bipartisan

to advance policy addressing climate

66-34 vote.

change in agriculture. Yet more, Regan Tom Vilsack

Michael S. Regan

which is of increased importance as

has committed to redrafting the Waters

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Finally, for Secretary of the Interior Biden

nominated

Representative

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Deb Haaland of New Mexico. The

trillion infrastructure proposal covering

most emphasized aspect of Haaland’s

a wide array of infrastructure needs.

confirmation was that she would be

While details of the plan have not been

the first Native American to lead the

entirely fleshed out and are likely to

Department of Interior, which overseas

change significantly as the bill is debated

the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In terms

throughout the next several months, key

of policy, Haaland emphasized the

provisions for rural America have already

importance of conserving federal land

been outlined.

and decreasing the amount of oil and

Perhaps the most direct allocation of

gas leasing occurring on those lands.

funds for rural America comes in a $100

This policy viewpoint combined with

billion package to support broadband

Haaland’s previous support for the

deployment, with the goal of connecting

Green New Deal and Medicare for All

all Americans by the end of the decade.

made her confirmation one of the most

So far, this goal has received praise from

controversial in Biden’s cabinet.

rural groups and Republicans, however

Ultimately, Haaland was narrowly

Deb Haaland

confirmed in a 51-40 vote with just one Republican Senator voting in favor of her nomination.

With his cabinet in place, President Biden has begun to fully implement his campaign proposals for rural America, beginning with his COVID-19 relief bill the American Rescue Plan, and moving next to a large infrastructure package

broadband service during the pandemic, a reality which has played out across rural America as schools and work have gone remote. Yet more, the $220 billion which the bill allocated for state and local governments was changed at the last minute to allow funds to be spent

dubbed the American Jobs Plan.

“to make necessary investments in water,

American Rescue Plan Passes

meaning that a state could use some

The most significant way in which the Biden administration has pushed

sewer,

or

broadband

infrastructure”

funds to expand broadband access in rural America.

the details of broadband implementation as outlined in the bill have led to concern.

Most notably, the language used to announce the bill referred to ‘futureproof’ broadband connectivity which has led some advocates and politicians to raise concerns that a potential broadband

rollout

could

exclusively

spend money on fiber connections rather than a technology neutral approach. As well, others have raised concerns over the bill’s stated support for municipal broadband networks.

Another key area of the bill which addresses

rural

America

comes

in

policy for rural America so far has been

In selling the American Rescue Plan

relation to climate and conservation

the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill dubbed

to the country, the Biden Administration

proposals. On climate change, the bill

the American Rescue Plan. In the bill,

has also placed an emphasis on how

includes increased support for the Rural

Democrats included $22.7 billion in

other provisions of the bill could help

Energy for America Program, which

agriculture

assistance

rural Americans. For example, in tweets

funds things like manure digestors and

provisions, including $3.6 billion in aid

following the passage of the bill, White

renewable energy deployment on farms,

for the food supply chain and $4 billion

House economic advisor Brian Deese,

and dedicated funding in the Commodity

marked for assisting minority farmers in

who was a lead writer of the bill, argued

Credit Corporation to support carbon-

paying off USDA direct and guaranteed

that changes to the Child Tax Credit

smart farming practices. At the same

loans, a provision pushed by recently

under the bill would benefit roughly half

time, the bill also dedicates significant

elected Senator Raphael Warnock (D-

of all children living in rural areas and

sums to conservation programs including

GA) who garnered crucial support from

that the expansion of the Earned Income

the Regional Conservation Partnership

Georgia’s black agriculture community.

Tax Credit could benefit as many as 1 in

Program, which aims to enable climate

Outside of agriculture, the bill also

4 childless adults in rural areas.

smart practices on 10 million acres of

and

nutrition

targeted significant sums towards rural broadband. For example, the new law created

an

Emergency

Connectivity

agricultural land, the Healthy Forest

American Jobs Plan Announced In

late

March

President

Preserve Program, and money for forest Biden

management and wildfire prevention/

Fund of $7.2 billion to reimburse

announced his next major legislative

response.

schools and libraries for providing free

proposal, the American Jobs Plan, a $2

Finally,

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

the

plan

also

includes

significant

physical

Food banks continue to experience

goal is to get a large portion of the U.S.

infrastructure in rural America. Most

funding

for

record demand to supply families and

population vaccinated to establish a

notably, the bill includes $25 million for

individuals in need of weekly provisions.

“herd immunity” against the virus and

smaller rural bridges, increased funding

The USDA announced it would continue

end the pandemic. Additional vaccines

for the Tribal Transportation Program,

its Farmers to Families Food Box Program

have been approved and injection sites

funding for the USDA rural development

or something similar. The Department

have become numerous. The White

housing programs, investments in Land

will also continue to provide free meals

House asked the National Grange to

Grant Universities, and expansion of

for students until September 2021.

join its COVID-19 Community Corps

the BUILD and INFRA grants under the

Congress is considering several pieces

whose purpose is to share science-based

Department of Transportation to fund

of legislation to include more people

information directly with communities

rural transportation projects.

in feeding programs and to increase

across the country. The focus will shift

Supplemental

Assistance

next to vaccinating a majority of the

projects included in Biden’s American

Program (SNAP) and other feeding

world’s populations to prevent recurrence

Jobs Plan comes a series of tax

program benefits.

of the pandemic.

Along with the many infrastructure

Nutrition

Beyond

the

pandemic,

health

provisions which would pay for the plan

Several bipartisan bills have been

over a 15 year period. Most notably, the

introduced to assist local meat processors

insurance costs and coverage benefits

plan calls for an increase in the corporate

sell products directly to local customers

will continue to be a top-of-mind

tax rate to 28%, a global minimum tax

and meet inspection requirements for

issue as Congress conducts hearings

of 21% to tax multinational corporations

consumer sales across state lines. Local

and considers legislation. A national

on

tax

demand for such services has skyrocketed

voter exit poll during the fall elections

preferences for fossil fuel extraction, and

during the pandemic. Congress seems

indicated voters are worried about

increase enforcement of tax collection by

sympathetic to act on these bills at some

protecting

providing more funding to the IRS.

point.

insurance coverage and out-of-pocket

Food and Nutrition Policy Get Attention

Focus is on Health Care

earnings

overseas,

remove

pre-existing

conditions

costs. Also, prescription drug prices are a multifaceted problem with no

As the COVID pandemic begins to

COVID-19 vaccinations continue to

easy solution. Imported drugs can be

subside, food and nutrition issues remain.

dominate the health care arena. The

dangerous and ineffective unless their source and safety can be verified. Price

GRANGERS’ “MAN IN WASHINGTON” Burton Eller has been the Legislative Director at the National Grange since 2014 and previously worked at many agriculturally-based organizations, including the USDA and the Farm Service Agency.

Contact Burton by email at beller@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114.

DO YOUR PART TO MAKE GRASSROOTS EFFORTS WORK Remember, our advocacy is only as good as our policies - researched and well-written, debated with passion and civility - and our members’ grassroots efforts. Be part of the campaign to keep rural America moving forward by staying informed and answering the calls to action sent by your State and National Grange.

Make sure you’re receiving the View from the Hill monthly e-newsletter and other legislative alerts by email from the National Grange and take part. Make sure to take a copy with you to your Grange meetings so other members can stay informed as well. To ensure you’re on our email list, provide your name, Grange name, number and state and your email to National Grange IT Director Stephanie Wilkins at swilkins@nationalgrange.org today and thank you.

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GOOD DAY!™ MAGAZINE www.nationalgrange.org

controls can stymie innovation and the development of more effective drugs. Nonetheless, patient opinion says drug prices are too high, so the Biden administration and Congress are listening. Watch for the White House to float administrative actions Health and Human Services can implement to lower drug prices while Congress conducts hearings

to

consider

drug-pricing

legislation.

The

National

Grange

has

been

actively advocating the approval of several new cancer-fighting techniques.

One new innovation treats normal cells in the body to fight cancer cells without the devastating effects of traditional treatments. Another new innovation uses a simple blood draw to screen for several types of cancer in their early stages to allow for more effective treatment

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regimens and longer life expectancy.

Climate Change Gets Top Billing Climate change (carbon capture, greenhouse gases, clean energy, etc.) tops the action list for the White House and Congress. Every agency of the federal government has been charged to create a climate change action plan. Numerous “green” bills have been introduced and congressional committees are busy with climate change hearings.

Farmers, ranchers and forest owners are deemed to have a huge role in capturing carbon in the soil with voluntary production practices. The challenge will be to create climate mitigation solutions that are practical, economically feasible, results-effective,

allow

for

transition

periods and protect the post-pandemic economy.

Ag Labor Legislation Passes the House On a bipartisan vote of 247-174, the House of Representatives passed the Grange-supported Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R. 1603) sponsored

by Lofgren (D-CA) and Newhouse (RWA). The legislation allows 20,000 year-round worker visas per year, allows this number to increase or decrease depending upon demand, streamlines the

H-2A

application

process,

and

more controversial parts of immigration

the construction of rural broadband

reform. Ag labor relief could hit a

networks. Phase 1 of RDOF will target

roadblock in the senate as it has several

rural locations that are most difficult

times before.

to serve. The RDOF initiative expects internet providers to deploy high-speed

Rural Broadband is “in”

internet to over 5.2 million unserved

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised public awareness and sentiment about the large areas of “digital desert “without

homes, businesses, farms and ranches over the next ten years.

Congress’

COVID

relief

package

high-speed broadband in the United

in January contained $7 billion new

States. A large share of unserved and

broadband

underserved locations are rural. School

individuals and communities, telehealth

buses delivering homework and books

expansion, funds for state and local

instead of students to homes without

online learning support, and additional

internet has been a stark wake-up call for

broadband mapping support (to more

by paying a fine and continuing to work

public policy wonks and politicians alike.

accurately determine the “digital desert”

in agriculture for an additional period of

Elderly patients and others with chronic

areas).

time.

conditions

helps employers renovate or build worker housing. Farmworkers already in the country can get temporary legal status if they’ve worked in agriculture at least 180 days over the past two years.

Farmworkers can also earn a green card

were

unable

to

funding

for

low-income

receive

From all sources of funding (Congress,

Moving ag labor legislation through

medical care without connectivity for

FCC, USDA), we now have over $22

the Senate will be a tougher row to

telehealth consultations with their doctor.

billion to close the connectivity gap

hoe. A bipartisan group of senators

Small businesses suffered without the

nationwide. The National Grange has

support the passage of stand-alone

capability to conduct business online.

been beating the broadband drum for

Communications

well over a decade and appreciates the

bipartisan group of senators want ag

Commission responded by rolling out

heightened levels of awareness, funding

labor wrapped into a comprehensive

the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund

and

immigration package that addresses the

(RDOF) to invest billions of dollars in

closing America’s digital divide.

ag labor package. However, another

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targeted

toward

Grange’s study shows most members’ lives impacted by chronic pain

By Claire Wubben Legislative Intern According to a recent study conducted by the National Grange with members, chronic pain is a major issue in rural America.

The results are in and they fall in line with several other studies done over the years by the CDC, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Farmers Union, and the National Rural Health Association, among others, who have all shown that rural Americans suffer to a greater extent with chronic pain.

Chronic pain is a debilitating condition that, without the proper treatment, can make it almost impossible for people to do even the simplest daily activities.

Results showed that three out of every four Grange members are reported to be living with chronic pain, and 67% of Grange members with chronic pain admit to it impacting their quality of life. This condition is one that can be managed in a way that allows those suffering from it to live a life close to free from pain if properly diagnosed and given good treatment.

While 34% of those surveyed have found the diagnosis to their pain, they said the diagnosis took several visits, sometimes to multiple doctors, to get an answer. Rural America’s lack of doctors and specialists as well as the distance barrier make multiple visits a greater challenge for those seeking help.

In addition, 7% of those who took the survey admitted to giving up on trying to find a diagnosis for their chronic pain.

Most Grange members – 54% – attribute their chronic pain to arthritis.

However, for those who did not receive a diagnosis but only believe this to be the cause, other serious medical conditions may be overlooked and treatment ineffective.

In previous studies, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that 24% of rural adults suffer from chronic pain, compared to 18% of urban dwellers. This

difference is too large to be written off as merely a coincidence.

Various factors may play a part, including the lack of access to specialized healthcare, and other various barriers to equitable healthcare for rural Americans.

This includes the hard-to-reach services that some in well-served urban and suburban centers have taken for granted, especially when adding telehealth to the mix that requires broadband connectivity.

While 20% of Americans are currently living in rural areas, yet only 12%of physicians and only 8% of specialists practice in these areas. This alone proves there is not equitable access, therefore it can be seen as no surprise that experts believe living in a particular zip code could mean a 20-year difference in life expectancy, said National Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller who headed the study.

A lack of adequate and specialized treatment for rural Americans can and has led to many persons depending upon

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painkillers to aid them in their daily tasks, Eller said.

While often effective, opioids are highly addictive and often not the best treatment for pain alleviation – another sign that treating the healthcare disparities and underlying causes of things like chronic pain are of significant importance for rural America right now, Eller said.

The National Grange is using the results of the study and others to advocate to the FDA Advisory Committee for a greater pursuit of new non-addictive pain management treatments and therapies in order to end prolonged unnecessary suffering and allow relief to those who live with chronic pain.

“Equal

access

to

healthcare

is

something that all Americans should have, regardless of how remotely they may live,” Eller said. “The National Grange works hard to represent these isolated communities and show the rest of America how important it is to hear their voices.”

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Personal encounters make State Grange’s efforts even more meaninful away from a drug overdose.

By Jennie Gentry

First

are

classes

and

12-step

It absolutely devasted me.

recovery meetings. In the next track,

As someone who has had a front

fully committed residents will stay

Several years ago, I was suffering

row seat to watching a few close friends

longer and become responsible for the

from back and neck pain after a fall. I

battle pill and alcohol addiction, I was

daily operations of the facility such as

needed a doctor and decided to start

happy and proud when the North

cleaning and tending to the gardens.

with an orthopedist.

Carolina State Grange decided to assist

They

with fighting the crisis by supporting

continue

Healing Transitions.

complete job readiness and life skills

North Carolina State Youth Director

After an exam and x-rays, the doctor shared the results. He could not find a

Located

recovery

accountability, sessions,

and

Healing

classes. After this track, residents focus

sarcastic

on obtaining outside employment and

tone, he stated,

where those suffering with addictions

housing as they establish a plan to

“Well, I guess I

to alcohol and drugs can retreat to

transition into the community. Finally,

can call it a ‘neck

overcome their battles with addiction.

alumni can visit the facility to offer peer

sprain’ and give

This includes a long-term recovery

support and even teach classes.

you this since

program, a non-medical detox, and an

we both know

overnight emergency shelter.

and

what

Raleigh,

peer

Transitions is a place of recovery

single thing wrong. Then, in a very rude

in

develop

Last year, Jimmy and Anita Gentry, along with Jeff and Laurie Barnhart,

you’re

The mission of Healing Transitions is

toured Healing Transitions with North

really here for,”

to offer peer-based, recovery-oriented

Carolina Senator Jim Burgin, who is also

while he scribbled a prescription for

services to the individuals that seek

a member of NC Grange. Jeff Barnhart,

Oxycodone and shoved it to me.

their help. They turn no one away, and

Capitol Grange member, lobbies pro

their program is designed to renew a

bono for Healing Transitions, and Laurie

person’s desire to return to a meaningful

Barnhart has lobbied the NC General

and productive life.

Assembly for appropriations for Healing

I

was

completely

shocked

and

appalled.

I took the prescription, tore it up,

In 2015, through Grange member

handed it back at him and walked out.

Transitions as well. They walked through

I was upset by that doctor’s quick,

Barden Culbreth, the NC Grange started

the

wrong judgment of me. While I know

a new partnership with Randolph Cloud

residents can participate in, witnessed

that most doctors are not like him, I was

and Associates, a lobbying firm that

the detox area, and saw every aspect of

surprised at how easy it was to get that

works on health-related issues.

the innovative program.

prescription.

different

recovery

tracks

that

As a result of this partnership, three

When asked about the tour, Anita

different grants have been attained

Gentry said, “I was extremely impressed

for our state and nation. According to

from

with the level of care the residents

the National Institute on Drug Addiction,

Transitions. This most recent grant in

in North Carolina, an estimated 79% of

the amount of $1,500 was matched

Their tour guide was a resident who

drug overdose deaths involved opioids

by the North Carolina State Grange

had completed the program at Healing

in 2018.

and a check for $3,000 was presented

Transitions. He was very passionate

Opioid addiction has become a crisis

PhRMA

to

support

Healing

receive.”

North Carolina medical providers

to the facility in November by Laurie

about the services that are provided and

wrote 61.5 opioid prescriptions for

Barnhart, Legislative Director for the

the positive impact the program makes.

every 100 persons compared to the

State Grange.

average U.S. rate of 51.4 prescriptions.

One thing that stands out about

Healing Transitions is unique.

Healing Transitions is its goal to never

More Powerful NC states on their

It is a long-term recovery facility and

define people by their problems, but to

website that more people die from

most importantly, clients can come free

see the people behind the problems.

opioid overdoses in our state than car

of charge.

They re-instill hope in those seeking

Residents can stay for many months

healing, which is completely evident

after detoxing to engage in several

when you see the testimonials of

levels of recovery.

people who have changed their lives by

crashes.

A few months after my incident with the doctor, a dear friend of mine passed

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75

entering Healing Transition’s doors.

but also offers family services. Today,

of Medical Economics, Todd Shyrock

One such story is that of Courtni,

Courtni continues her sobriety. She has

writes that opioid addiction is being

who started drinking at age 14. When

a job, rents a home, is engaged to be

exacerbated because of stress, isolation,

she was 19, she was the mother of a

married, and lives with her beautiful

three-year-old son and started abusing

children who are living healthy, happier

and financial hardship associated with

prescription medication.

lives.

She can remember the negative changes that her pill addiction created

Courtni is just one of many who have benefited from Healing Transitions.

the pandemic.

With the pandemic taking over the news, it is even more important that we stand up and continue supporting the

in her family, especially her son. Courtni

When I read the testimonials and

reflected, “He [her son] went from

see the amazing things that Healing

being a very happy, outgoing little boy

Transitions is doing, it feels good to see

from substance addictions. Drug and

to a very quiet, reserved one. When

the Grange assisting such an important

alcohol addiction does not discriminate.

I crossed that line and turned into a

cause.

It affects all ages, races, genders, and

different person, I saw him cross that line and turn into a different child.”

In her testimonial, Courtni continues, “A year before I came to Healing

Partnerships like this and increased

Addiction does not care what kind of

have really shed light on the drug

job you have or how much money you

epidemic.

make. It can hit anyone.

Today, doctors are writing fewer

just one week, I lost my mom, my house,

opioid prescriptions, and it is rare to

and was in the process of losing my kids.

run into situations like I did with that

I didn’t want to live anymore but I was

orthopedist years ago.

needed help.”

nationalities.

education by groups all over the nation

Transitions, I literally lost everything. In

too afraid to die. That’s when I knew I

work being done to help those suffering

However, the crisis is still ever present.

When the State Grange stands up against addiction and supports an amazing place like Healing Transitions, it makes me even more proud to be a member!

Healing

In fact, studies are showing that

For more information on Healing

Transitions, Courtni’s life has changed

opioid overdoses have increased since

Transitions and to read more inspiring

for the better. The program not only

the Covid-19 pandemic started. In

success stories, visit their website at

assists people to battle their addictions,

an article published in a 2020 edition

www.healing-transitions.org.

After

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months

at

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RALLYING TOGETHER TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES In the midst of an already challenging year, the opioid epidemic continues to sweep through communities across the country. By working together, we can ensure a better future.

The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative (RALI) is working with The Grange to increase awareness of prescription drug misuse & connect rural communities with helpful resources to help prevent substance misuse and abuse.

LEARN MORE AT RALIUSA.ORG

®

A rural look at President Biden’s first 100 days

By Sean O’Neil Legislative Assistant Since taking office on January 20, President Joe Biden and his administration have gotten off to a quick start, from signing a flurry of executive orders in his first week to recently passing the massive American Rescue Plan intended to combat the ongoing coronavirus and economic crisis.

Amongst all of these executive actions and bills, important changes have been made which effect rural Americans, this article will summarize a few of the most significant.

Like most of his recent predecessors, President Biden spent his first few weeks rapidly changing policy through executive orders, with more than 50 signed already at the writing of this article.

So far, none of these executive orders have explicitly targeted rural Americans, however executive orders on climate change and changes in personnel will have an impact. In his first week, President Biden signed an executive order

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declaring his intention to make climate change a priority throughout every facet of his administration. As part of this order, President Biden explicitly called for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to “collect input from farmers, ranchers, and other stakeholders on how to use federal programs to encourage adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices that produce verifiable carbon reductions and sequestrations and create new sources of income and jobs for rural Americans.”

Beyond this executive order, Democrats in Congress have followed up with hearings on the interaction between climate change and agriculture, with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announcing that she will reintroduce her Growing Climate Solutions Act with Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) which would create voluntary carbon markets in agriculture amongst other changes.

As well, a change in leadership at USDA and the Environmental Protection Agency has come with a change in focus to include climate and racial equity amongst priorities in agriculture and rural

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America.

Beyond executive orders and personnel changes, the most significant way in which the Biden administration has pushed policy for rural America has been the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 bill dubbed the American Rescue Plan.

In the bill, Democrats included $22.7 billion in agriculture and nutrition assistance provisions, including $3.6 billion in aid for the food supply chain and $4 billion marked for assisting minority farmers in paying off USDA direct and guaranteed loans, a provision pushed by recently elected Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) who garnered crucial support from Georgia’s black agriculture community.

Outside of agriculture, the bill also targeted significant sums towards rural broadband. For example, the new law created an Emergency Connectivity Fund of $7.2 billion to reimburse schools and libraries for providing free broadband service during the pandemic, a reality which has played out across rural America as schools and work have gone remote.

Yet more, the $220 billion which the bill allocated for state and local governments was changed at the last minute to allow funds to be spent “to make necessary investments in water, sewer, or broadband infrastructure” meaning that a state could use some funds to expand broadband access in rural America.

In selling the American Rescue Plan to the country, the Biden Administration has also placed an emphasis on how other provisions of the bill could help rural Americans. For example, in tweets following the passage of the bill, White House economic advisor Brian Deese, who was a lead writer of the bill, argued that changes to the Child Tax Credit under the bill would benefit roughly half of all children living in rural areas and that the expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit could benefit as many as one in four childless adults in rural areas.

With the American Rescue Plan passed into law, the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats are turning their focus to new priorities which may affect rural America.

In late March President Biden announced his next major legislative proposal, the American Jobs Plan, a $2 trillion infrastructure proposal covering a wide array of infrastructure needs.

While details of the plan have not been entirely fleshed out and are likely to change significantly as the bill is debated throughout the next several months, key provisions for rural America have already been outlined.

Perhaps the most direct allocation of funds for rural America comes in a $100 billion package to support broadband deployment, with the goal of connecting all Americans by the end of the decade.

So far, this goal has received praise from rural groups and Republicans, however the details of broadband implementation as outlined in the bill have led to concern.

Most notably, the language used to announce the bill referred to ‘futureproof’ broadband connectivity which

“Like most of his recent predecessors, President Biden spent his first few weeks rapidly changing policy through executive orders.” has led some advocates and politicians to raise concerns that a potential broadband rollout could exclusively spend money on fiber connections rather than a technology neutral approach. As well, others have raised concerns over the bill’s stated support for municipal broadband networks.

Another key area of the bill which addresses rural America comes in relation to climate and conservation proposals. On climate change, the bill includes increased support for the Rural Energy for America Program, which funds things like manure digestors and renewable energy deployment on farms, and dedicated funding in the Commodity Credit Corporation to support carbonsmart farming practices. At the same time, the bill also dedicates significant sums to conservation programs including the Regional Conservation Partnership Program, which aims to enable climate smart practices on 10 million acres of agricultural land, the Healthy Forest Preserve Program, and money for forest management and wildfire prevention/ response.

Finally, the plan also includes significant funding for physical infrastructure in rural America. Most notably, the bill includes $25 million for smaller rural bridges, increased funding for the Tribal Transportation Program, funding for the USDA rural development housing programs, investments in Land Grant Universities, and expansion of the BUILD and INFRA grants under the Department of Transportation to fund rural transportation projects.

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Along with the many infrastructure projects included in Biden’s American Jobs Plan comes a series of tax provisions which would pay for the plan over a 15 year period. Most notably, the plan calls for an increase in the corporate tax rate to 28%, a global minimum tax of 21% to tax multinational corporations on

earnings

overseas,

remove

tax

preferences for fossil fuel extraction, and increase enforcement of tax collection by providing more funding to the IRS. Beyond

infrastructure,

Democrats

have also begun to move on other areas of interest to rural Americans.

For example, as previously mentioned, the Growing Climate Solutions Act has continued its momentum from last Congress with early hearings in the Senate, and recent bipartisan approval from the Senate Agriculture Committee.

As

well,

shortly

following

the

passage of the American Rescue Plan, Democrats in the House were joined by 30 Republican members in passing the Farm Workforce Modernization Act which would provide a path to legal status for undocumented farm workers, reform the H-2A program, and require farms to start using the E-Verify system to ensure that their workforce is legally eligible.

Altogether, the early days of the Biden administration

have

seen

significant

changes in policy for rural America, and more seems likely to come throughout the rest of the year and beyond.

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The Biden administration can eliminate food insecurity in the United States – here’s how

By Craig Gundersen

problem to fix with the right political will.

COVID-19.

Importantly, the Biden administration

Food insecurity increases the risk of

has inherited a food ecosystem and

many health issues, including diabetes,

social safety net that has the potential to

depression and poorer general health –

The Biden administration faces many

make it possible with only a few relatively

all of which lead to dramatically higher

challenges, some of which may prove

minor – albeit not inexpensive – changes

health care costs.

to be intractable. But in one key area

to the system. is

But the extent of food insecurity and be

the consequences would be far higher

it is well-positioned to attain a truly

transformative for millions of American

were it not for two salient characteristics

monumental achievement – the near

families.

food

of the U.S. food economy, which could

total elimination of food insecurity in the

insecurity

U.S.

be leveraged to nearly eliminate food

U.S.

government as “the uncertainty of

affecting tens of millions of Americans,

What

By –

at

stake

sharply defined

could

reducing by

the

insecurity.

This may at first glance seem a little

having, or unable to acquire, enough

far-fetched. After all, despite numerous

food due to insufficient money or other

efforts from the administration of John F.

resources” – the Biden administration

The United States has an agricultural

Kennedy through that of Donald Trump,

would be ensuring that all Americans

supply chain that, I believe, serves as

the achievement of a hunger- free

have the right to food and tackle what is

a model to the rest of the world. This

American has been elusive.

a leading indicator of well-being.

manifests itself in the astounding variety

Agricultural supply chain

But as someone who has spent over

The extent of the problem is large

of food that comes from farmers and

25 years investigating the causes and

– more than 35 million Americans lived

food manufacturers from the U.S. and

consequences of food insecurity, I know

in food-insecure households in 2019,

around the world on our supermarket

that this is a relatively straightforward

with a higher number projected due to

shelves and in our restaurants. Some of

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this food is, of course, quite high-priced,

Those

who

get

SNAP

benefits

130% and 185% of the poverty line – are

and other items are not particularly

receive an electronic benefit transfer

nutritious. But America’s food retail

card that they can use at over 250,000

By increasing the gross income

outlets are generally filled with safe and

supermarkets and other retail food

nutritious food that is low-priced.

outlets in the U.S. The amount they

threshold to 200% of the poverty line,

The

existence

accessible

food

of

these

stores

readily

across

our

receive is usually inversely related to their net income.

With SNAP, the Biden administration

country has led to substantially lower

food security who currently fall through

Netherlands, Denmark, South Korea and

government program – it sets out to

the social safety net. The total cost,

Taiwan.

alleviate hunger, and to a degree it

according to my estimate, would be in

succeeds. But it doesn’t pull everyone

the region of $70 billion.

intact

as

evidenced by food prices remaining low and our shelves full. In short, the nation doesn’t have to redesign its food system

is

the

could move millions of Americans to

quintessential example of a successful

remained

what

test at $25,000, the Biden administration

with higher food prices such as the

chain

disposal

of the poverty line and setting the asset

has

supply

its

raising the net income threshold to 130%

food insecurity rates than in countries

During the pandemic, this agricultural

at

food-insecure.

out from food insecurity despite its size and success.

need to protect the agricultural supply chain

To a hunger-free America?

These two realities – a robust and

to alleviate food insecurity.

sustainable food supply chain and a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

government

Third, the Biden administration will

program

designed

to

underpinning

these

potential

gains so that it can continue to produce affordable food. Of particular note, they need to consider any trade-offs that exist

reduce food insecurity – provide the

between meeting environmental goals

The most critical component of the

bedrock upon which a concerted effort

and food prices. For many Americans,

social safety net against food insecurity

to end food insecurity in the U.S. can be

the potential price increases can be

in the U.S. is the Supplemental Nutrition

built. There are three steps the Biden

borne and are perhaps worth paying for

Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly

administration can take to build on this

if they lead to improved environmental

known as the Food Stamp Program. For

platform.

conditions. But for those who are facing

almost 60 years, this program has served tens of millions of Americans who have

First, the government can increase the maximum SNAP benefits.

nowhere else to turn during their times of need.

As others and myself have previously shown, an increase of roughly $160

economic hardship, higher prices would lead to more food insecurity.

I believe the Biden administration, in constructing its new environmental

SNAP’s success in alleviating food

per month in the maximum benefit

insecurity has been demonstrated in

would lead to an over 60% drop in

policies, should take care that any cost

study after study after study. Research

food insecurity among SNAP recipients.

to low-income Americans is not too

has shown that SNAP recipients are up

Biden has announced an increase to

excessive. One solution could be to

to 30% less likely to be food-insecure

the maximum benefit level of 15% in

find ways to compensate people for any

than people who are eligible but don’t

response to the COVID-19 crisis. While

resulting higher prices. Again, this could

get these benefits.

this is a good idea during a pandemic-

be achieved through increased SNAP

Households are eligible for SNAP if

induced economic downturn, the same

they satisfy three criteria: Their overall

arguments for higher benefits also hold,

benefits.

income must be less than 130% of the

I believe, outside of this time of crisis.

poverty line, although it can be higher in some states; this income after deductions

Eligibility

for

SNAP

could

be

expanded as a second step.

The tools to nearly eliminate food insecurity in the U.S. are at the disposal of the Biden administration. If it takes up these tools, it would constitute a truly

cannot exceed the poverty line; and their

Millions of Americans have incomes

total assets, not including the value of a

that are too high to get these benefits.

home, cannot exceed $2,250 – although

For example, one in four of those who

this test is waived in most states and set

are designated near-eligible for SNAP –

Originally published by The Conversation.

at a higher rate in others.

that is, with household incomes between

Republished with permission

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monumental achievement.

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5 Ways Biden administration can help rural America thrive and bridge growing divide

By Ann Eisenberg, Jessica A. Shoemaker and Lisa R. Pruitt

It’s no secret that rural and urban people have grown apart culturally and economically in recent years. A quick glance at the media – especially social media – confirms an ideological gap has also widened. City folks have long been detached from rural conditions.

Even in the 1700s, urbanites labeled rural people as backward or different.

And lately, urban views of rural people have deteriorated. All three of us are law professors who study and advocate intervention to assist distressed rural communities. The response we often hear is, “You expect me to care about those far-off places, especially given the way the people there vote?”

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Our answer is “yes.”

Rural communities provide much of the food and energy that fuel our lives. They are made up of people who, after decades of exploitative resource extraction and neglect, need strong connective infrastructure and opportunities to pursue regional prosperity. A lack of investment in broadband, schools, jobs, sustainable farms, hospitals, roads and even the U.S. Postal Service has increasingly driven rural voters to seek change from national politics. And this sharp hunger for change gave Trump’s promises to disrupt the status quo particular appeal in rural areas. Metropolitan stakeholders often complain that the Electoral College and U.S. Senate give less populous states disproportionate power nationally. Yet that power has not steered enough resources, infrastructure investment and jobs to rural America for communities to survive and thrive.

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So, how can the federal government help?

Based on our years of research into rural issues, here are five federal initiatives that would go a long way toward empowering distressed rural communities to improve their destinies, while also helping bridge the urban/rural divide.

1. Get High-Speed Internet to the Rest of Rural America The Covid-19 era has made more acute something rural communities were already familiar with: High-speed internet is the gateway to everything. Education, work, health care, information access and even a social life depend directly on broadband. Yet 22.3% of rural residents and 27.7% of tribal lands residents lacked access to high-speed internet as of 2018, compared with 1.5% of urban residents.

The Trump administration undermined

progress on the digital divide in 2018 by reversing an Obama-era rule that categorized broadband as a public utility, like electricity. When broadband was regulated as a utility, the government could ensure fairer access even in regions that were less profitable for service providers. The reversal left rural communities more vulnerable to the whims of competitive markets. Although President Joe Biden has signaled support for rural broadband expansion, it’s not yet clear what the Federal Communications Commission might do under his leadership. Recategorizing broadband as a public utility could help close the digital divide.

2. Help Local Governments Avoid Going Broke It’s easy to take for granted the everyday things local governments do, like trash pickup, building code enforcement and overseeing public health. So, what happens when a local government goes broke?

A lot of rural local governments are dealing with an invisible crisis of fiscal collapse. Regions that have lost traditional livelihoods in manufacturing, mining, timber and agriculture are stuck in a downward cycle: Jobs loss and population decline mean less tax revenue to keep local government running.

Federal institutions could help by expanding capacity-building programs, like Community Development Block Grants and Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants that let communities invest in long-term assets like main street improvements and housing. Rural activists are also calling for a federal office of rural prosperity or economic transitions that could provide leadership on the widespread need to reverse declining rural communities’ fates.

3. Rein in Big Agriculture Only 6% of rural people still live in counties with economies that are farming dependent. Decades of policies favoring consolidation of agriculture

have emptied out large swaths of rural landscapes. The top 8% of farms in America now own more than 70% of American farmland, and the rural people who remain increasingly bear the brunt of decisions made in urban agribusiness boardrooms.

Rural communities get less and less of the wealth. Those in counties with industrialized agricultural are more likely to have unsafe drinking water, lower incomes and greater economic inequality.

What many rural people want from agricultural policy is increased antitrust enforcement to break up agricultural monopolies, improved conditions for agricultural workers, conservation policies that actually protect rural health, and a food policy that addresses rural hunger, which outpaces food insecurity in urban areas. Access to affordable land is another huge issue. Beginning farmers cite that as their biggest obstacle. Federal support for these new farmers, like that imagined in the proposed Justice for Black Farmers Act

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or in other property-law reforms, could help rebuild an agriculture system that is diversified, sustainable and rooted in close connections to rural communities.

Biden’s plan to bring former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack back in the same role he held in the Obama administration has cast doubt on whether Biden is really committed to change. Vilsack built a suspect record on racial equity and has spent the past four years as a marketing executive for big dairy, leading many to worry his leadership will result in “agribusiness as usual.”

4. Pursue Broad Racial Justice in Rural America One in five rural residents are people of color, and they are two to three times more likely to be poor than rural whites. Diverse rural residents are also significantly more likely to live in impoverished areas that have been described as “rural ghettos.” More than 98% of U.S. agricultural land is owned by white people, while over 83% of

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farmworkers are Hispanic.

Criminal justice and law enforcement reforms occurring in cities are less likely to reach small or remote communities, leaving rural minorities vulnerable to discrimination and vigilantism, with limited avenues for redress.

At a minimum, the federal government can enhance workplace protections for farm laborers, strengthen protections of ancestral lands and tribal sovereignty and provide leadership for improving rural access to justice.

5. Focus on the Basics People who live in distressed rural communities have important placebased connections. In many cases, the idea of “just move someplace else” is a myth.

The greatest historic progress on

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rural poverty followed large-scale federal intervention via Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal and Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty. Although these reforms were implemented in ways that were racially unjust, they offer models for ameliorating rural poverty.

They created public jobs programs that addressed important social needs like conservation and school building repair; established relationships between universities and communities for agricultural and economic progress; provided federal funding for K-12 schools and made higher education more affordable; and expanded the social safety net to address hunger and other health needs.

A new federal antipoverty program – which urban communities also need – could go a long way to improving

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rural quality of life. The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act targeted many of these issues. But urban communities’ quicker and stronger recovery from the Great Recession than rural ones shows that this program neglected key rural challenges.

Some of these steps will also require Congress’s involvement. So the question is, will federal leadership take the bold steps necessary to address rural marginalization and start mending these divisions? Or will it pay lip service to those steps while continuing the patterns of neglect and exploitation that have gotten the U.S. to where it is today: facing an untenable stalemate shaped by inequality and mutual distrust.

Originally published by The Conversation.

Republished with permission.

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All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

Paper correspondence is helping to bridge the digital divide in vaccine rollout process in our military of their eligibility, and

By Jim Haigh Keep Me Posted North America

how and where to schedule and receive

“Unprecedented” and “an historic challenge” are some of the terms medical experts use to describe the efforts to get COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of entire populations as quickly as possible.

The science was its own miracle, and the extreme temperature-controlled logistics from manufacturers to local vaccination sites is a marvel in progress that continues to be fine-tuned.

As demand dwarfs current supply, many communities are experiencing challenges planning, communicating and executing this critical mission, which is unlike any they’ve ever attempted. Failures and frustrations are being learned from.

Pathways to success are being shared, and while some solutions are scaling, there are no one-size-fits-all approaches for diverse populations and geographies.

This is particularly true of many bestintentioned outreach efforts to groups who are eligible for the precious vaccines as they become locally available. At this early stage of the mass vaccine rollout, the bulk of communications about eligibility, local access and scheduling is happening only online. Vaccine supplies are being dispensed as quickly as local health partners receive them, even as alarms are sounding about vulnerable populations having serious challenges accessing critical communications that allow them to secure their lifesaving medicine.

While there are merits to digital approaches, we are past the point where digital-only is acceptable for communicating vaccine eligibility, availability and scheduling appointments. Enormous populations do not have broadband availability or affordable access, do not have the devices, nor have the facility to navigate obstacle courses of websites and apps. But as some

Administration

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their vaccines, because the Veterans established

inclusive

communications policies.

Mailed

invitations

for

vaccine

appointments are being sent to patients of the Mayo Clinic as soon as they are eligible, and with regional health systems like Essentia Health based in North Dakota and DuPage Medical Group serving populations surrounding Chicago doing similar off-line outreach, more case studies in bridging the digital vaccine divide will be cataloged, studied and replicated. The reason given for mailing paper correspondence about the vaccine rollout, informing of eligibility status and opportunities to get vaccinated: we want to make sure nobody falls through the cracks.

It is interesting that other tech savvy nations have built their communications hierarchy shaped like pyramids grounded on the most accessible communications foundations. Japan is mailing vaccination Stock Photo

communities begin to recognize these realities and begin to provide offline options like phone numbers to call and humans to talk to, others are rushing to build even more websites and apps.

To conquer COVID-19, we need to bridge the massive digital divide with practical and inclusive solutions. Thankfully, there is no need to reinvent the wheel.

Paper and mail are a time-tested way to deliver important information to vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, and forward- thinking organizations are charging ahead with paper communications related to vaccines.

Letters delivered by the U.S. Postal Service are informing those who served

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tickets with unique QR Codes to its citizens, with options to reserve their vaccines with a phone call or form to complete online.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom and Scotland are mailing essential vaccine information, including RSVPs to get lifesaving jabs in their arms, working with experts on physical communications design that grabs attention.

We

cannot

allow

our

friends,

neighbors and loved ones who are digitally disadvantaged to fall through the cracks as the vaccine rollout expands.

Communication and process need to catch up with the physical realities. One more website or app is not going to help the disconnected. Paper and mail can and should play a critical role in making vaccine access available to all.

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PP-GRE-USA-0344 © 2020 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. March 2020

PERSPECTIVE

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Landmarks

On the Backroads

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By Grace Boatright

The humble brown paint covering the

a job as the Legislative Assistant at the

Lecturer, Potomac Grange #1, Washington, D.C.

humble little structure is so unassuming

National Grange.

and innocent, it grants onlookers a deep sense of serenity and peace.

Although I didn’t grow up in the Grange, I knew from my first job

Thinking about it now, I can instantly

interview at the Grange Building that

feel the drastic contrast between that

this incredible organization was the

sweet, wholesome church and these cold

voice of the America I was raised in and

concrete buildings that populate the

precise, which has stood quietly and

wanted to see thrive. Not many people

streets of Washington, D.C., my home

faithfully in Nashua, Iowa, since before

love their first job out of college, so I

and work environment for more than a

the Civil War.

felt very lucky to be there fighting for

decade.

America’s farmers, ranchers and other

“There’s a church in the valley by the wildwood…”

A little brown church to be more

For those who attended services or

Needless to say, it’s been an overly

Christian schools in their youth as I did,

hostile

William Pitt’s hymn, “The Little Brown

in

Church in the Wildwood,” is a familiar

pandemic, an unusually vicious election,

favorite. But like me, you probably never

protests and marches, an insurrection at

considered that this church might be a

the Capital and so many naked displays

real place with real believers gathered

of raw hate and violence, it’s been easy to

to listen to a real pastor – who since

lose sight of why I first came to live and

2018 happens to be my stepfather, Drew

work here: America. More specifically,

McHolm.

rural America - the essential yet often

and

contentious

Washington.

Between

year a

here global

The Little Brown Church - an honest

overlooked part of our country that

name for an honest place – sits so serenely

through hard work and tradition keeps

along the side of the road nestled among

our nation fed and fueled.

the trees and surrounding gardens that it

I now feel very blessed that upon

seems more like a painting than real life.

arriving in D.C. in 2010, I soon landed

rural Americans and working to elevate each and every person who make rural their landscape of choice.

Rural has its own way of life – hope, charity, and fidelity – which seems all too fleeting from today’s world. The voices of the great Americans groups like Grange and The Little Brown Church represent are increasingly drowned out by the angry and acrimonious talk of politicians, association leaders, and other advocates claiming to make the world a better place.

Admittedly, the constant contention and disagreement in Washington has taken a toll on me over the years and caused both my energy and passion to wane a bit – something not even a monthly Potomac Grange meeting could completely revive.

No doubt the dramas of 2020 have caused many of us to wonder about our futures and what we can count on in this vast world of conflict and uncertainty. I know that for me personally, 2020 was a year full of reflection and reevaluation about what is truly important in life, and I’ve spent a great deal of time in the last year trying to revive this passion that took me to Washington in the first place.

Perhaps it was God’s timing then when my mother asked me to write something about The Little Brown Church, and in

Submitted Photo Members of the Little Brown Church gather inside the church to celebrate Christmas and hold fellowship

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doing so, I found myself reflecting on the rural landscape churches like this one help to define. Like Granges, churches

Submitted Photo The small details inside the Little Brown Church not only speak to the history of the building, but add tremendously to the charm and atmosphere of the congregation. like The Little Brown Church are not just landmarks, but pieces

Levi Hubbele, less than 10 years after construction of The Little

of identity, places where people’s lives are forever changed and

Brown Church was complete. Like many Granges halls, the

institutions that help build some of the greatest elements of a

story of The Little Brown Church includes construction by its

community’s identity.

faithful members without so much as a dime borrowed.

The vast similarities these two institutions share. In fact, as

More importantly though, the Grange and The Little Brown

luck would have it, there was once a Grange in Nashua, Iowa

Church share an incredible devotion to preserving their histories

– Nashua Grange #118, organized on February 2, 1872 by a

and restoring their wholesome historical structures back to

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Submitted Photo

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their original majesty. I didn’t realize this particular similarity until I returned to Iowa in December to spend the holidays with my mom and stepfather.

Sitting in an original church pew built in the 1860’s, I listened to my stepfather preach his Christmas morning sermon to a small congregation of loving Christians, gathered to celebrate the birth of their Savior on one of our most sacred days in Christianity.

In that thick, commanding Scottish accent that makes God’s word seem all the more powerful, Drew reminded

Submitted Photo

attendees that the church would be closed for most of January as a long-

Members of the Little Brown Church ring the bell before a service.

awaited restoration came underway.

I learned the members of the Little

“It’s very important that we preserve

watched families walk to their cars, many

Brown Church had recently voted to

things as they were so our grandkids can

couples even holding hands despite the

embark

restoration

know and love the same Little Brown

cold Iowa winter in full swing. Their kids

project that would return the church

Church that we knew as children,” he

skipped around the parking lot, happy

back to its original condition, allowing

said.

to return home to play with their new

on

a

$100,000

members and visitors alike to rediscover

Just as The Little Brown Church takes

the original grandeur of that wholesome,

on the incredible process of restoration,

In that moment, I couldn’t help but

sacred place.

so too have many Grange Halls been

see another heartwarming similarity

Christmas presents.

Drew explained they had hired

fighting to do the same in recent years.

between Grange and The Little Brown

two companies specializing in historic

Both the members of this church and the

Church – love. Not so much love in the

renovations to properly replaster walls

members of these Granges understand

Christian sense of the term but rather,

and treat woodwork and pews without

that there’s little point in surviving history

the romantic version. One of my favorite

damaging the original patina - Riehle

if you don’t preserve it for the next

things about Grange has always been

Decorating of Cresco for the interior and

generation.

hearing the love stories of the many

Yoder Construction for the roof.

Following

Drew’s

benediction,

I

couples who met there and began their lives together within those precious

“It’s very important that we preserve things as they were so our grandkids can know and love the same Little Brown Church that we knew as children” P

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walls.

For many, the Little Brown Church in the Wildwood has become synonymous with this kind of love and is really what draws thousands of visitors there every year.

Since the church’s founding in 1860, more than 76,000 couples have said “I do” at the beautiful, and now newly restored, Little Brown Church. This means that more than 152,000 individuals have been married at the altar of this landmark in its 161-year history, including Senator and Mrs. Chuck Grassley (1954).

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Couples from all over the country travel to this place of history to begin their own wholesome, loving history together – just like they do in Grange.

Even

during

the

pandemic,

many

Granges found ways to nurture love in their communities, with some still used for limited-capacity weddings and anniversary parties.

Standing outside the church that day, I nearly burst into tears.

Maybe I was just feeling overly emotional from an overly difficult year, or maybe I was overwhelmed with the realization that my journey to rediscover what’s important had taken me right back to where I came from – my mother’s house.

Family, history and the preservation of both – that is exactly what’s important in life and what should matter most to all of us. When times are tough, it’s our families, our churches, and our Granges that we run to first – the people who truly love and cherish us and those we can count on to remind us of what’s most important in this world.

It seems obvious then that if we hope to preserve that love and history, we must first preserve the institutions that foster it. Community landmarks like churches and Granges provide a unique space where love can be planted, grown and harvested and those spaces need to be consciously guarded and maintained for future generations to build upon.

Submitted Photos ABOVE: The altar at the Little Brown Church.

RIGHT: Pastor Drew preaches at the Little Brown Church

Because at the end of the day, the foundation upon which to continually reconstruct our lives is really based on love and trust in the simple truths that God has bestowed upon us all: faith, hope, and charity.

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Esto Perpetua Ensure the

Grange future in 4 easy steps

Contribute to the National Grange Building Fund or Other Worthy Projects

With necessary repairs like the new roof, the National Grange is in need of your help. You can make a difference by donating directly to the National Grange. Donations to the Grange Foundation help in many ways to strengthen our organization and ensure it truly lives on forever.

STEP 1. SELECT FUNDS OR PROGRAM(S) YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT.

Please indicate the amount you wish to donate to each fund or project. Choose as many as you wish to support and indicate the percentage or amount of your total donation you wish to go to each fund or project selected. If you do not indicate amounts, an equal distribution of your donation will be made to each. Unspecified donations will be credited to the Grange Foundation General Fund.

NATIONAL GRANGE

STEP 2. CALCULATE YOUR TOTAL DONATION. 100% of all proceeds go to the programs you wish to support.

A nonprofit, agricultural fraternity designated as a 501(c)(5) by the IRS.

I am making a $_________ donation to National Grange.

$______ National Headquarters Building Fund

I am making a $_________ donation to Grange Foundation.

$______ Internship Program $______ Legal Protection Fund GRANGE FOUNDATION

A nonprofit organization, focused on the betterment of rural America and agriculture based on education and leadership development, designated as a 501(c) (3) by the IRS. Donations to the Grange Foundation may be tax deductible. Consult your financial advisor.

$______ General Fund

STEP 3. PROVIDE YOUR PAYMENT DETAILS. Check one. _____ I have enclosed checks made payable to National Grange and/or Grange Foundation. _____ I wish for my donation to be made via credit card.

(Visa, MasterCard and Discover accepted) Name on card ___________________________________

$______ Junior Grange Fund $______ Grange Youth Fund $______ Community & Leadership Development Fund

Card Number ____________________________________ Expiration Date ________/_________ CVC __________

$______ American Arts and Culture Fund $______ Kelley Farm Fund $______ Communication Fellows Program

Signature _______________________________________ You may also go online to www.nationalgrange.org/give or call Amanda Brozana Rios (301) 943-1090 to make your contribution today.

STEP 4. SEND YOUR COMPLETED FORM to the National Grange at 1616 H St. NW, Washington, DC 20006 and relax, knowing you have honored our past and helped to secure our future.

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www.nationalgrange.org

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Grange Foundation to host telethon to benefit Youth and Juniors this June The National Grange Youth and Junior Grange departments are teaming up with the Grange Foundation to host the first annual Virtual Telethon this June.

This exciting all-virtual event will be the first of its kind for the Grange Foundation.

“This year we are doubling down on our efforts to ensure the next generation of our nation’s leaders includes strong voices grown and developed in rural America,” National Grange Youth Director Mandy Bostwick said.

The one day, eight-hour event, hosted by Bostwick and Junior Director Samantha Wilkins, will include a variety of talent entries from Grangers across the nation and testimonies from members who are part of or are proud alumni of the Grange Youth or Junior/Juvenile Grange programs.

Wilkins said they are still looking for members to provide pre-recorded videos of talents or testimonies about what support and training through the Junior Grange and Grange Youth program has meant to them.

The directors said Grange Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, provides the funding for Youth and Juniors to participate in this training at the National level and transfer their knowledge to other youth in national, regional and local conferences held across the country.

“Over the last 150 years the Grange has been unique in its approach to involving young members as an equal and vital part of its existence,” Wilkins said. “In today’s high-paced society, we are even more reliant on the skills these young members can bring to the table. We want to continue to work to instill the values and rituals of the Grange within them but also provide them with life skills that will benefit them in today’s world.”

“In order to be able to continue these trainings we have always relied on the support of our members,” Bostwick said.

They said in 2019 hundreds of children and young adults were trained in leadership, civic engagement, and community service that they were then able to put into practice in their home communities and schools.

“Rural communities produce some of the most hardworking, talented individuals, but too many have not been afforded the opportunity for leadership training to develop to their highest potential,” Wilkins said. “It is the goal of the Grange Foundation along with the National Youth and Junior Grange Directors to continue this training for the current and future generations to come through their programs.”

The directors have set a goal to raise at least $20,000 in order to secure the next year of programming.

“While the goal of the telethon may seem hefty to some- it is roughly the same amount spent each year traveling youth and Juniors to regional conferences and bringing them to National Session to receive vital training that they can in turn bring to their home Granges,” Bostwick said.

She said the directors are focusing much effort on garnering corporate sponsors, but are also hoping members and Granges will step up to ensure this legacy can continue.

Wilkins said Grangers can give through the telethon website at www.grangefoundation.org/telethon through June 8.

“For every donation over $75, you can get a free T-shirt and you will be a recognized donor at the 2021 National Grange Session,” Bostwick said.

“Your support will enable us to continue our educational efforts and provide seed money for even more opportunities for rural young people,” Bostwick said. “With your support, we have the potential to reach more than 1,500 communities through local Grange chapters in rural and small-town America by increasing programming, contests, and skill building opportunities for our youth ages 5 to 35.”

Submitted Photo

The altar of Little Brown Church

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Regional conferences will go on in 2021 with changes

By Samantha Wilkins Operations Manager and Junior Grange Director

Grange regional conference season is just around the corner and we are excited that most will be happening in person this year.

In

March,

Potomac

Grange

#1,

Washington, D.C., hosted a fully-virtual two-day Mid-Atlantic Region with more than 60 participants logging on for the various presentations, workshops and rounds of BINGO. Although Youth and Junior contests were not held during this virtual event, they are planned for individuals in the region, to be held later

in the summer.

The second regional conference is set for June 11 through 13 for the Great Plains Region in Claremore, Oklahoma.

Oklahoma State Grange has been generous enough to waive all registration fees and has an exciting weekend full of educational workshops, fun, and games planned, including a corn hole tournament.

The Mid-West Leaders Conference will follow from June 25 to 27, slated to be held at the Boone County Fairgrounds in Belvidere, Illinois. The region has chosen to host a hybrid option for those wishing to participate in person or virtually.

Those attending in person will get the opportunity to take part in the “Paint on State” event at a local heritage days

festival where members will create some Grange art in chalk on the town’s State Street.

The Northeast Youth Conference will be held entirely virtual, and is slated for July 9 through 11 with Vermont as host.

The Western Regional Leaders conference, set to take place August 6 through 8 in Boise, Idaho, is still being planned.

Finally, the Southeast Leaders conference is tentatively scheduled for July 30- August 1 in Virginia. More details are to come soon.

As decisions are made related to these conferences, you can find updates in the weekly Patrons Chain newsletter and on the National Grange website under Events.

JUNIOR POETRY SUBMISSION

For Our Times

By Nettie Hartley Junior Master, Moosup Valley Junior Grange #27, Foster, RI

Country people climb beautiful hills.

While others march for our nation.

For the most part the sea is almost quiet.

Bridges were rebuilt and burdens started going away.

Our nation was in flames and some people were broken and hurt because The Peace was broken.

While others grieved for their country, while some couldn’t.

Police officers and military were in harm but they had to be brave and fierce to rebuild the nation but at the same time they were tired.

The nation was in shatters.

Eyes were really opened to what was going on.

Girls and boys were scared and confused by the big catastrophe.

The country felt like it was going to divide in half but we overcame.

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We can still and always dream for a better future and hopefully we can all sing in harmony, and our world can be in polished and be in pristine condition.

Then the sun came, the light was forced on the hill.

We have to carry on, stop gazing and speak up.

The world can’t stop and show mercy for us or our culture so we just have to push through TOGETHER.

Nettie Hartley serves as the Junior Master of Moosup Valley Junior Grange #27 in Foster, RI. She is a 7th-grader at Scituate Middle School, where she plays the flute for the school band and is an Altar Server at St. Joseph’s Church in Scituate.

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National, State Youth and Junior departments see success with virtual monthly meetups

By Kennedy Gwin Communications Manager With various Grange events canceled across the nation, leaders are using innovative ways to continue cultivating connections - building friendships and deepening the fraternal bonds, especially in our youngest members who are virtual world natives.

Several State Grange Junior and Youth Directors have established monthly meetups to fill this void, in addition to programs planned by the National Youth and Junior directors.

Using Zoom, directors from Massachusetts and Pennsylvania have gathered members over the past few months to bake together, play games together, paint together and make memories.

National Grange Youth Director Mandy Bostwick and National Junior Grange Director Samantha Wilkins are hosting meetings at 9 p.m. Eastern on the third Sunday of each month – Juniors happening on “odd” months and Youth on “even” months.

“We’ve seen that virtual meetings are successful in connecting people and of course, youth and kids are used to having virtual events to take part in especially since the pandemic started,” Bostwick said.

For her Youth Yammerings, 14- to

35-year-olds are invited to invited to attend and talk about programming, share ideas and generally fellowship together.

“I want to keep connected with youth enthusiasts this year as we have more of a possibility to meet in person as things open up,” she said.

Wilkins said the events, titled Junior Jibber-Jabber for leaders of local and State Junior Granges, will encourage exploration of programs and activities they may not normally focus on or know about.

“We hope this opens some doors for our kiddos, especially those whose Junior Grange or Subordinate Grange they affiliate with as 1+ members haven’t been very active over the past year,” Wilkins said. “I think it is going to be really important to have folks join so we can learn from one another and continue the legacy of the Junior Grange.”

The directors are also inviting special guests to present at various times. One such example is National Lecturer Chris Hamp, who was invited to attend a Junior Jibber-Jabber to talk about integrating contests into Junior programming.

At the State level, Massachusetts State Grange Youth Program has been a trail blazer for these type of virtual hangouts.

The State has been hosting monthly meet-ups since last October, held on the second Sunday of the Month, after seeing the impact isolation had on Youth members.

Youth co-directors Mary Jordan and Theresa Kane were brainstorming one night on the best way to remedy this frustration and came up with the idea of “GYM”- Grange Youth Mixer.

This led to the catchy tagline: “Meet you at the GYM,” which Youth members came up with.

About a dozen or more youth typically attend, and they have focused on getting to know each other or becoming reacquainted with each other and find or welcome new Grange Youth.

Philip Vonada, the new Pennsylvania State Grange Junior Director recently launched monthly Junior meetups called JOG for Junior Online Gathering, with a variety of activities both inside the meeting and leading up to the event.

A recent program had Juniors, sometimes with the help of older siblings or adults, make homemade cereal bars.

Previously events included a look at pollinators and future events are planned encouraging kids to take photos of their surroundings and much more.

“These meetups have been a fantastic wat to see our Juniors across the state,” Vonada said. “In a time where we’ve all been separated from each other for a year, crossing the digital divide to keep our kids connected has become pivotal. Every time we JOG together we make sure to do something educational as well as activities whole families can participate in.”

Junior Grange reorganized in Washington after more than 55 years The Valley Junior Grange in Washington State has been reactivated.

This Junior Grange, which was inactive since 1964, was recently reorganized in Eastern Washington, north of Spokane, with the assistance of Dorene Isaacs, who will be serving as the Junior Leader.

National Junior Grange Director Samantha Wilkins said she is “excited to have a new

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Junior Grange in Washington State, and we greatly look forward to seeing what they will accomplish.”

The excitement is contagious.

“We are thrilled to have a new Junior Grange in that area and for it to provide new opportunities for kids in Valley,” Washington State Grange President Tom Gwin said.

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NOTES FROM A SMALL TOWN

Some Things I’ve Noticed

Column by Christopher Dean Massachusetts Grange Member

When I was in elementary school, a half-century ago, I

children were powerless and had no say in anything.

would sit and stare at the lesson books and wonder why they

All of those TV shows that showed the crazy situations that

never told kids what life was really going to be like. Why didn’t

adults could get into just made it clear to me how unrealistic TV

they teach us about how to keep a bank account or how to

was: the adults I knew would never make stupid decisions like I

apply for a job.

the ones I saw them make.

Of course, at the age of 10, those are questions that really

I was fascinated by listening to the adults talk about the

don’t need to be answered right away, but I didn’t know that

world, the Vietnam War, new movies, travel, new books, and

then.

I wanted to know more about them all, but there was a lot to

I was in a hurry to be an adult; I was impatient about getting away from barely literate ten year olds. I wanted to be a growup in the worst way.

learn, much came from experience and can only come from experience.

I was still a pretty normal child of course, and I had many

I got good grades and worked hard, and I was smart and knew it. What I wanted, more than anything else, was to talk like an adult to adults because I was one, the world was theirs,

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of the usual childhood experiences to go through, but I was impatient for other, bigger, things.

It all happened of course, everything in its time came to me

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pretty much on schedule, though some

that seemed small once I’d done it. And

scented by the wool’s wetness. And there

were earlier and some were later than

I haven’t done it in years, maybe 45. But

are those memories that are so tied up

other people experienced them.

the first time I did it, I felt exhilarated, I

in my mind that thinking back on them

talked my mother into buying me an ice

holds an inescapable power that’s hard

I didn’t do anything colossally stupid that put me in a military school or juvenile

cream cone to celebrate.

prison, I went to college, graduated,

All those things, like being allowed

moved away, moved back, got my first

to walk to school or the neighborhood

apartment, fell in love, got married.

cinema alone, driving a car after getting

to describe, but I’ll try with just this one.

When I was 10, my brother and I went to the neighborhood cinema to see the Sunday matinee movie, “The Wizard

These things were all separated by

my license, signing my first apartment

years, there was no rhyme or reason to

lease, buying my first house. Those are

of Oz.” It was 1970, and like most of

any of it. It happened when it happened,

just the basic things that everyone does

the children in the theater we’d seen it

often when I wasn’t ready for it, usually it

at one time or another.

before on television, we knew the story

turned out that I was but didn’t know it.

The big things, the things that people

backwards and forwards. It was all very

As I’ve got older I’ve discovered that

talk about, are the most important ones.

familiar and very exciting to see it on

I really like not having anything to do.

Like how we relate to other people, how

the big screen instead of our little TV at

I spent time when I was young doing

they see us, the friends we make over the

things all the time, but never sat back

course of our lives, those we keep and

home.

and really savored that feeling of sitting

those we lose, all matter.

on the back porch talking to my cousins

I learned, perhaps a little too late,

when they came to visit us. We just had

that, to paraphrase Maya Angelou,

fun, hung out, and went to the beach.

people usually don’t remember exactly

Now I think back on the memories that those experiences created. We’d sit

when the storm came we were already

Feelings matter after all, and we’re

different things were from one place to

think.

We have our friends, the people we keep close to us and we take them for

light as evening fell, our child-voices in

granted and we cherish them, even if we

the warming morning, the sensation of

don’t realize how much we care about

family all together, at a cook-out, kids

them until after they’re gone.

terror or excitement that left a big imprint

prepared for the big landing.

What we didn’t know was that when Dorothy opened the front door the

Now what I think of is the failing

We’ve all had those moments of

trip aboard the farmhouse, taking her

exactly how you made them feel. part of communities no matter what we

and unchangeable in my mind.

doggy on sight, and knew about her from drab Kansas to magical Oz. And

and talk about our hometowns and how

running around, everything just as it was,

the Rainbow”, we liked Dorothy’s little

what you say, but they always remember

on the porch at my grandmother’s house

the other.

We knew the song “Somewhere Over

We are all the sum of many parts, and they don’t all work together as well as we might like them to, that’s all part of the human condition.

movie, and her world, would turn from black and white to color. All she did was open the door and there it was.

There was a pause in the room, I could feel it in the air, then everyone said “Oooooh” at once.

In the darkened room we all shared the moment of discovering that the

on us. I once saw a big neighborhood

I know that I’m closer to the end of

movie was in color, it moved everyone

dog attack a little girl I was playing with

my life now, than I am to the beginning,

in the crowded cinema, we shared that

and I’ve not trusted big dogs since

and I’m reasonably comfortable with

moment with strangers, but we shared it.

that day, and I shun them when I can;

that knowledge, mostly. I know that the

experience is a stern task-master.

future for me is less time than I want.

I find wonder in the memory of that moment, it fills me with awe that humans

And once I climbed the rocks at

If I could go back and redo things, fix

Front Beach down the end of the street

them, I’d definitely do it, but I’d also like

all the way around the peninsula that

to just sit, sit and feel whatever it was I

separated Front Beach from Back Beach,

felt at the time. I want to feel cool sand

it was something I’d never done before,

under my bare feet; smell the lilac trees

also part of the human condition and it

something that I’d heard other kids talk

in spring and cook-outs in the summer;

took me a lifetime to learn that.

about and then I did it; a bucket-list item

to feel that warm sensation of putting on

of sorts, but a small one, or at least one

mittens, freshly dried by a radiator, still

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share so many things, that we can create such beauty just by telling stories, singing songs, holding each other close. That’s

Just by being human there’s so much we can do. We only have to try.

Book Review

Grange Youth pens first novel in series

By Claire Wubben Legislative Intern Townsend, the first book in the EverVigilant Series, written by Winslow Dixon-Jackson

is

an

inspirational

example of including previously silent perspectives in a traditional literature form.

Dixon-Jackson, a Grange member who has held membership in Ohio, North Carolina and now Florida, wants to inspire those who may be suffering through her writing with the message that “you might not have the life that you planned, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t have a beautiful experience.”

Submitted Photos

Townsend Jade Everly shows the dayto-day perspective of someone suffering

ABOVE: The first book in a series written by Grange member Winslow Dixon-Jackson, is now available.

from chronic pain while still having the same expectations as someone who does not have the burden of disease on them. Starting off as a lost young

LEFT: Dixon-Jackson, who recently moved to Florida, has already begun work on the next book in the series.

woman working in a job that she doesn’t believe in, and unable to understand her own purpose in life, Townsend is visited by a mysterious Native American woman named Elsu. This woman reminds Townsend of the importance of working to help others instead of simply working circumstances. Elsu guides Townsend to

are taken from Dixon-Jackson’s own

We are quickly brought into a life that

the Native American reservation close by

experiences of them in her youth from a

Townsend is much more comfortable

in order for her to better learn about her

community nearby where she grew up.

in, geriatric healthcare, as she shows

roots.

for the almighty dollar.

The authenticity of these memories

firsthand the dedication and love these

It is in this local village that Townsend

make this book all the more realistic as

essential workers have for those who

meets Gawonii, an attractive Native

Dixon-Jackson isn’t attempting to write

would otherwise be helpless.

American man who is open in both his

in the voice of anyone else but herself,

affections and his explanations of her

and this authenticity shines through and

inherited culture.

pulls the reader in all the more.

At this job Townsend meets Neal, a quiet coworker who appears to enjoy blending into the background, but is

The ceremonies and traditions that are

The action picks up when the book

often caught in the middle of mysterious

depicted on the reservation in Townsend

takes a sharp turn into the supernatural

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with the introduction of angels, both good and bad, the EverVigilants, and abilities beyond human comprehension.

Dixon-Jackson has created a world that is unlike any other YA series written, but its familiar trope of good vs. evil and a hero looking to find herself fits right into the genre. Creating a hero who has struggles that are so common and yet so underrepresented in popular literature was important to Dixon-Jackson. She explains that her villain was inspired by this fight for normalcy in a world that expects so much from a person already doing so much. Townsend had to fight her own demons in addition to all the traditional struggles of a hero. “When you have a chronic illness or disease...you are always chasing after health and it kind of feels like the angel of death is coming after you” just as the villain unrelentingly chases after Townsend.

Townsend is a book that shows that anyone can be a hero, and just because one aspect of your life may be over, it doesn’t mean you have to be done living.

Dixon-Jackson is a published author of several books, including Cortisol Pump 101: A Patient’s Guide to the Cortisol Pumping Method, Adrenal Insufficiency 101: A Patient’s Guide to Managing Adrenal Insufficiency, Chronically Stoned: The Guide to Winning the Battle against Kidney Stones and UTIs, and The Shivering Sunbeam, a children’s book which explains disability in a way young minds can understand.

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Book Review Former National President Ed Luttrell publishes first novel

By Valerie Stewart Legislative Intern “A Journey West,” by past National Grange President Edward Luttrell, is a book that weaves adventure, romance, and murder masterfully from cover to cover.

Readers will follow in the footsteps of main characters Jasper and Martha as they struggle their way across the United Submitted Photos

States in the hopes of a better life for them, their child, and Martha’s elderly

ABOVE: Past National Grange President Edward Luttrell has authored his debut novel.

parents.

Faced with danger and heartache the further west they travel, readers will see how the characters’ lives and relationships fare through the hardship.

It is notably the relationships that make

LEFT: “A Journey West” is available for download or purchase through Amazon.

this story riveting.

Whether it be the bonds between the couple, other family members, or with the friends they meet along their journey, the compassion the characters have for one another can be felt through the pages.

Between Jasper and Martha, you see their relationship build through flashbacks and flourish as a married couple in the present scenes. Between the family and those they encounter, you see friendships form that will not break, even in the face of tragedy.

In this novel, people come together

Ostracized for the opinions they hold,

through situations and as a better

the family embarks to find communities

marksman than her male counterparts,

where acceptance will abound. It is

she is relied upon to hunt and defend her

therefore relieving when they encounter

home and family from the enemies that

communities that place harmony and

threaten them.

friendship above differences in ideas. It truly comes as a reprieve when individuals in the story seek to create a space, a Grange, where contrasting ideas can be discussed in an amiable manner, as good

and rally behind their neighbors, to the

will and representation are at the core of

extent that a local Grange is suggested

the fraternity.

This book takes on the task of dismantling ideas about gender roles, religion, and colonialism throughout the course of its 100 pages and does so skillfully.

The story is truly a page turner with the ideas it encloses and the exciting

as a further display of their unification.

In regard to representation, too,

This camaraderie, however, is not the

this book differentiates itself from other

plot that is possesses. Given its length,

norm for the family.

historical dramas, in that it depicts a

it can easily be read multiple times and

Many times throughout the novel,

formidable woman who fights just as

with its quality, worth doing so.

clashes occur, enemies are made, and

much as her husband to protect those

lives are lost.

she loves. Able to bluff her way amazingly

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The book is available through Amazon as a paperback or Kindle edition.

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Chickpeas are original magic

By Ann Olson Bercher

Beans

President, Minnesota State Grange Certified Culinary Specialist Springing ahead while writing this article on chickpeas also known as garbanzo beans got me to thinking about stories about beans.

I am reminded of Jack and the beanstalk, and those magic beans that he traded his mother’s cow for.

If those beans had only been garbanzo beans, it would have saved him a lot of energy climbing up and down that beanstalk.

Garbanzo beans are so versatile, Jack could have made his fortune in selling all the goodies that can be prepared with them!

I’m talking about more than just Hummus, although Hummus is probably the reason most of us in the United States have heard of them.

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are native of Southwest Asia and have been cultivated there for over 9,000 years.

Remains of chickpeas have been found during archeological digs of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, which means these plants were being domesticated and farmed before humans could produce pottery.

There are two general types: desi and kabuli.

Desi is the wild version of chickpeas (Cicer reticulatum) and are small seeds with a tough, thick seed coat and a dark color. They are mainly grown in Asia, Iran, Ethiopia and Mexico.

Kabuli (Cicer arietinum) is the larger, cream colored seed with a thin, light seed coat and resemblance to a ram’s head complete with curling horns. These are most common in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines.

The name chickpea derives from the

French “chiche” and Latin “cicer” which

you will also benefit from 34-45 grams

means chickpea and was first found

of carbohydrates (canned chickpeas are

in English print in 1338 and later cited

on the lower end), 9-12 grams of fiber

in mid-18th century dictionaries. The

(dried, cooked chick peas are on the high

legume became known as a chickpea

end), 4 grams of fat, 6 grams of sugar,

after the French word “pois chiche”

10–15 grams of protein (dried, cooked

traveled across the English Channel and

chickpeas have more protein), and as for

became “chiche pease.” The “s” may

your daily requirements of nutrients, you

have been mistaken for a plural, and thus

get 8% calcium, 40% fiber, 22% iron (for

concluded that one “chiche pease” was

dried cooked, 8% for canned) 70% folic

a “chick pea.”

acid (15% canned), and 39% phosphorus

“Garbanzo” comes from the Spanish

(17% canned.)

world for chickpea, a compound of

Canned chickpeas are convenient,

“garau” meaning seed and “antzu”

and tasty, but if you really want greater

meaning dry.

nutritional

Today, more than 12 million tons of Chickpeas are grown worldwide, with India being the largest producer.

value,

purchasing

dried

chickpeas and using them isn’t that difficult.

To begin with, there are a few measurements to keep in mind. One

They are also grown in the United

cup of dried chickpeas will equal roughly

States with the largest producers found

3 cups of cooked beans. Each can

in Washington, Idaho, Montana, North

of chickpeas contains about 1 ½ cup

Dakota and California.

cooked beans.

The nutritional benefits of chickpeas are plentiful.

At 269 calories per a one cup serving,

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Before cooking dried chickpeas, soak them overnight in a large bowl covered with water.

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They will expand a lot so use a BIG bowl and covered with several inches of water. Drain and rinse the beans before soaking.

Don’t have that kind of time?

Never fear. There is a quicker method.

Place the chickpeas in the bottom of a large stock pot and cover with water by several inches. Bring the chickpeas to a boil and let them boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let then cool for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before cooking.

When you are ready to cook your beans, place them in a large pot and cover with 1 quart of water for every cup of beans. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.

You may add 1/8 teaspoon salt for every 1 quart of water, if desired.

Let the beans cook for 60-90 minutes until desired doneness; more tender for hummus, more firm for soup or stew.

If you wish to freeze cooked beans, they will freeze best if

kept on the firmer side.

To store beans for future use keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator three to four days.

To freeze the beans, pat them dry with toweling and place in a Ziplock bag in a single layer. You can stack several bags lying flat on top of another.

Or you can spread out the beans in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper, freeze for 30 minutes, and then bag up as desired. Frozen beans will keep for up to a year.

Following are some recipes that will transition us well from spring into summer and those days when it might just be too hot to cook, or it might be nice to whip something up quickly for a picnic or impromptu outing. Of course, I had to include a hummus recipe. But this one is unique in that kids love it! It’s made with honest to goodness “magic beans” and beets.

Mushroom Patties

Chickpea

½ cup red or black quinoa, rinsed Salt ½ cup olive oil 2 14.5 oz cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 tsp. garlic powder ½ tsp. smoked paprika 8 oz. baby Bella mushrooms, cut into ¼ inch pieces ¼ cup tahini ¼ cup white miso ¼ cup all-purpose flour 8 slices cheddar cheese

1. Cook quinoa in lightly salted boiling water until tender. Drain well and cool 10 minutes.

2. Heat ¼ cup of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add chickpeas (be sure they are well drained) and cook, tossing occasionally until lightly browned.

3. Add garlic powder, paprika and toss to coat. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool 5 minutes.

4. Add mushroom, tahini, miso and ¼ cup olive oil to the chickpeas and mash with a potato masher or use a food processor to combine. Do not process into a paste.

5. Add quinoa and flour and mix by hand until the mixture holds together when squeezed in your hand.

6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7. Form into 8 patties on a parchment lined baking sheet.

8. Freeze until firm, at least 2 hours. (Patties may be kept frozen up to three months in a freezer bag).

9. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

10. Drizzle frozen patties generously with olive oil on both sides on a rimmed baking sheet.

11. Bake patties until browned and crisp, 25 – 30 minutes.

12. Place a slice of cheese on top of each patty and bake until cheese is melted, about a minute.

13. Serve on toasted buns with mayonnaise, mustard, lettuce, and pickles if desired.

You can try these on your outdoor grill but be sure to place them on a solid surface, such as a foil pan as they are fragile.

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Smashed

Chickpea Crispy

Chickpeas

1 (14.5 oz.) can chickpeas, drained, rinsed, dried w/ toweling 1 Tablespoon olive oil ½ teaspoon dried rosemary ½ teaspoon dried parsley ½ teaspoon dried chives ¼ teaspoon mustard powder ¼ teaspoon sweet paprika ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon salt (more can be added after roasting) freshly ground pepper Here are two cooking methods (times for each method may vary depending on the brand of canned chickpea or if you are using dried chickpeas that you have soaked and cooked.)

Oven baking – Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Salad Sandwiches

1 (14.5 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained ½ small red onion, finely diced ¼ cup pickle, finely diced 1 medium stalk celery, finely diced 1/3 cup shredded carrot ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar 2 tsp whole grain mustard ½ tsp ground turmeric ¼ tsp salt Freshly ground black pepper

1. Place half of the rinsed and drained chickpeas in a bowl and mash with a fork.

2. Add the remining chickpeas, onion, pickle, and celery to the bowl and combine.

3. Add remining ingredients and stir to combine.

4. Serve on whole grain bread or in pita pockets or in wraps with lettuce, arugula or spinach and sliced tomato as desired.

For a more Mediterranean flavor combination, try replacing carrots and celery with tomatoes and cucumbers and the mustard with ¼ teaspoon each of cinnamon, ground coriander, and cayenne pepper, and the apple cider vinegar with white vinegar. Then add 1 cup of coarsely crumbled feta cheese.

1. Be sure chickpeas look matte dry and are dry to the touch.

2. Combine chickpeas with olive oil and sprinkle with salt until evenly coated.

3. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 – 30 minutes, shaking pan every ten minutes.

4. Chickpeas are done when they are golden and slightly darkened, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

5. Toss the chickpeas with the spices, stir to coat and season with additional salt and pepper as desired.

6. Serve while warm as they will gradually lose crispiness.

Air Fryer – preheat air fryer to 350 degrees 1. Combine all of the ingredients except the salt and pepper 2. Scrape chickpeas and seasoning into the air fryer basket 3. Cook at 350 degrees for 6 – 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

4. Transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.

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UN-

beet

-ABLE Hummus (From Minneapolis Public Schools)

2 (14.5 oz) cans garbanzo beans (3 cups), drained 1 c beets, peeled and diced ¼ c olive oil 1 Tbsp tahini ¼ c lemon juice 2 Tbsp chopped garlic 2 tsp ground cumin Water Salt & pepper to taste

Chickpea

Peanut Butter

1 (14.5 oz) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 3 large eggs ½ c creamy peanut butter ½ c maple syrup (or honey) 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt 1/3 c dark chocolate chips plus 2 Tbsp to sprinkle on top

1. Peel beets. Dice into ½ inch cubes. Cover with water and cook at a slow boil until tender. Drain and rinse with cool water.

2. Combine all ingredients (except water) in a food processor. Puree until smooth; adding water as needed for desired consistency.

3. Serve with veggies, pita chips or other dippables.

Muffins

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line 10 muffin tin cups with muffin liners (yes, only 10). Spray muffin liners with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Place chickpeas and one egg in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the beans are well blended.

4. Add remining eggs, peanut butter, maple syrup or honey, vanilla, baking powder and salt.

Process again until smooth.

5. Fold in 1/3 c. chocolate chips

6. Divide batter evenly between the 10 muffin cups. Sprinkle remining chocolate chips on top.

7. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean.

8. Place on a wire rack to cool for ten minutes, then remove muffins from the tin onto the wire rack to cool completely.

9. Keep muffins for a day at room temperature then transfer to the refrigerator in an airtight container.

President Recipe

Favorite recipes shared by President Betsy E. Huber

Calico Beans ½ lb hamburger

4 tsp vinegar

½ lb bacon

¾ cup packed light brown sugar

1 large onion

30 oz can pork & beans

½ cup ketchup

15 oz can chickpeas

2 tsp salt

15 oz can kidney beans

2 tsp prepared mustard

10 oz frozen lima beans, thawed

Cook hamburger, bacon and onion in skillet until Meat loses color and onions are tender. Drain fat. Stir in ketchup, salt, mustard and vinegar. Combine remaining ingredients in three-quart casserole, stir in meat mixture, cover. Bake 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

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THE LAST

Word

By Joe Stefenoni

Past National Membership & Leadership Development Director California State Grange Vice President Although this is the second time that I have had to write a parting piece, the words come no easier than they did the first time.

It has been one of the greatest privileges of my Grange membership to work as the National Grange Director of Leadership and Membership Development.

It’s fitting that this section is called “The Last Word,” so please allow me to share my appreciation as well as my observations about the future of our great organization.

During my two tenures, I had the opportunity to travel across the country to 22 states, covering more than 10,000 air miles, countless road miles and interact with as many of our members as possible.

It was also my privilege to attend the annual sessions of eight State Granges.

During a total of 43 months working for the National Grange, we were able to organize or reorganize a total of 23 Community Granges in 11 states, representing an initial total of almost 500 new members.

When I came back to work for National Grange in October 2018, one main goal was to update or produce materials available to members that helped to pass the trove of institutional knowledge to the next generation of Grange members.

It was apparent that a pool of new leadership was on the sidelines waiting to step up and fulfill leadership roles in Community Granges across America, but we were institutionally limited on the number of members who had or could pass this institutional knowledge to this next crop of leaders.

Over the last 18 months, we have

rolled out six new or revised resources for use in the field: the Grange Resource Binder, President’s Handbook, Secretary’s Handbook, Treasurer’s Handbook, Grange Organizer’s Handbook and State Grange Deputy Handbook.

In all, these volumes total close to 1,000 pages of institutional knowledge and educational resources. The Grange Resource Binder alone has 400 pages of tangible worksheets, documents and forms that Community Granges can use on a regular basis to keep their business activities transparent, organized and in order.

Our organization has a rich history and tradition that I am extremely proud of, and I hope all of our members share that pride.

Our history and traditions should educate and inform the direction we move as an organization in the years to come.

As we think about the future of the Grange and write resolutions or create programs, we have to ask not only “who are we” as an organization, but also “who do we want to be?”

The answer to the former influences that latter and enlightens what improvements or updates need to occur to remain successful.

While we share a rich history, this cannot be the only drive of our membership development. An organization that rests on its laurels and uses its history as the reason to join is an organization that has set itself on a perilous path.

The mission and purpose of the Grange is as relevant today as it was in 1867, but how we communicate, interact with and

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engage the next generation of Grange members will be the key to our success.

Our society is as politically polarized today as it was during the Grange’s infancy.

The Grange’s commitment to non-partisan legislative advocacy should be a main “selling point” as we work to attract new members and engage those currently on our rosters.

Community Granges should look at how they can create community conversations that help to inform the public, dispel misinformation and elevate the level of debate on issues.

Creating a space where multiple points of view can be shared then debated in a civil manner will help to reveal that we share many commonalities with each other when not in our own echo chamber.

The Community Grange should be known as the place for upholding great ideals and for defending lofty civic and moral principles.

As I travelled across the country and observed various Grange traditions or expectations, I had the opportunity to ponder what the essential elements of our organization are from my perspective and to observe what are precisely the elements of success.

The answers to the two thought questions manifest themselves in different ways depending on where you are in the country.

The universal theme is that our Granges at all levels need to understand what their purpose is and how their work impacts their community. At times it seems like we struggle with our identity as an

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organization at the community and state levels.

Are we an agricultural organization?

A community service organization?

A legislative advocacy organization?

Being all things to all people is a recipe for disaster, but we can incorporate all of these elements into an exciting, relevant and healthy program of activities for our Community Granges.

Over the last year Granges have adapted to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This has been a positive opportunity to challenge the idiom “that’s the way we’ve always done it” Typical dinners and breakfasts have transitioned to drive-throughs. Community service has gone on with individual members pooling the results of their labors rather than working on group projects.

Most importantly, our regular meetings have moved to virtual formats and as we have been able to meet in person again, incorporated elements of technology into our regular format meetings.

As we move back towards in-person activities, keeping a virtual element to your regular meetings can be a tool to engage more members in your activities; especially those who cannot always attend a regular meeting in person.

Not just virtual meeting technologies, but other tech platforms that get your Grange’s information out to the masses are critically important to our future.

Put yourself in the shoes of someone who wants to learn more about your Grange, now do a Google search to see what information is available.

Any person should be able to quickly and easily find out on the internet basic information about your Grange like where and when you meet, who can join, what the values of the Grange are, what events/ activities you have and who to contact for more information.

The National Grange provides every Grange in the country with a free basic website that can communicate this information.

Also use this time to learn other

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platforms like Facebook that help to spread this message and connect it to those who wish to be members.

Remember, technology is not the enemy, it is the greatest (and most cost effective) resource we have at our disposal.

It is no secret that as an organization we have encountered difficulties in attracting, engaging and retaining members, but we should not let this deter us from our goal of building healthy and vibrant Community Granges.

When facing how to surmount these challenges, keep in mind the directive to “overcome them, remembering that difficulties are but opportunities to test our abilities.”

The evolution we will witness over the next decade will need to be driven by strong leadership, looking to the future, the point in which all our hopes center.

As new members become involved at the Community Grange level, communicate to them the various opportunities that the

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Grange offers and let them tell you how they would like to become more involved, giving of their time and talents as they are able.

Encourage members new and experienced alike to look through our ritual and reflect on it’s lessons.

Review legislative policies at a State and National Grange level to evaluate what needs to be updated, removed or added.

Let us be cautious, but progressive.

The vitality of the Grange is built on action.

Remember that the course of the Grange is set by its members and carried out by leaders and members working together.

Lend your voice to the discussions and debates on the direction of our organization, step into a leadership position and help to attract the next generation of Grange members ever practicing the motto in essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.

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