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Future Leaders in Ag Student leaders from the National Grange, FFA, 4-H, AFA, and MANRRS attended National Ag Day events in Washington, DC, advocating for a stronger future for agriculture. Also inside: • National Grange Virtual Legislative Fly-In • Grange Foundation's 1-in-1000 Club • A new Junior Grange passport • Recipes featuring seafood
A quarterly publication of the National Grange
Vol. 8, Issue 1 l April 2024
PROCLAMATION
GRANGE MONTH 2024
WHEREAS, The Grange’s mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities through grassroots action, service, education, advocacy, and agriculture awareness; and WHEREAS, for 156 years The Grange has played an essential and lasting role in building rural and small-town America, and ensuring its resiliency through advocacy and direct service; and WHEREAS, The Grange today is growing because it is an active, rooted, resilient, and united organization in thousands of communities across the country; and WHEREAS, The Grange continues its unique role in connecting rural America to urban America through agricultural appreciation and education, and by advocating for strong, common-sense, best-for-everyone public policy; and WHEREAS, The Grange emphasizes civic responsibility and the involvement of citizens in the legislative process; and WHEREAS, The Grange offers opportunities for civil discussions among people of all viewpoints and opinions, serving as a safe space for exploring important social and legislative issues of the day; and WHEREAS, even through a worldwide pandemic, The Grange continued to promote service to the local community and volunteerism to improve the quality of life and economic well-being of its members and residents across America; and WHEREAS, The Grange is proud to be “Grange Strong: Rooted, Resilient and United,” and encourages Granges and community members to come together in celebrating hometown pride and sustainability; and WHEREAS, Grange members everywhere desire and deserve to celebrate and express their pride in the legacy of such a highly-respected organization; therefore be it RESOLVED, I, Christine E. Hamp, President of the National Grange, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as Grange Month, and further, I encourage the participation of every Grange and Grange member in this celebration by planning and executing programs and activities that will highlight the Grange in every American community, that will guarantee the Grange is stronger tomorrow than it is today, and that ensures we always stand Grange Strong!
PRESIDENT National Grange
WWW.NATIONALGRANGE.ORG
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GRANGE NEWS & VIEWS
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LEGISLATIVE
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FOUNDATION
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THE STATE OF RURAL AMERICA
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IDEAS FOR GRANGE PROGRAMS & ACTION
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MEMBERSHIP NEWS & RECOGNITION
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JUNIOR GRANGE
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GRANGE YOUTH
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F & R
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HOBBIES & LIFESTYLE
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FOOD & RECIPES
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THE LAST WORD
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PERSPECTIVE The Future of Ag
On the cover: The 2023-2024 National Grange Youth & Junior Leadership Team were among student leaders advocating for a stronger future of agriculture in Washington, DC, during National Ag Day. Photo by Philip J Vonada
Follow us on Social Media National Grange @nationalgrange @nationalgrange National Grange @nationalgrangeofficial @national_grange_youth @national_junior_grange
Good Day! Magazine is a quarterly publication of the National Grange located at 1616 H St. NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006. ISSN: 2688-6030. | All comments and questions can be directed to pvonada@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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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.
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John Benedik, NJ,
Vice President jbenedik@grange.org Lynette Schaeffer, IL,
Executive Committee Chair lschaeffer@grange.org Susan Noah, OR
Executive Committee Member snoah@grange.org Leroy Watson, NH Executive Committee Member & Grange Advocacy Board Chair leroyawatson@nationalgrange.org William “Buddy” Overstreet, TX, Executive Committee Member boverstreet@grange.org Tom Gwin, WA,
National Lecturer
Christopher Johnston, MI, National Steward
Christine E. Hamp, Publisher National Grange President President, Grange Foundation President, Grange Advocacy champ@nationalgrange.org Philip J. Vonada, Editor Communications Director pvonada@nationalgrange.org Stephanie Wilkins, Subscriptions Manager IT Director swilkins@nationalgrange.org
Amanda Leigh Brozana Rios Membership & Leadership Development Director & Grange Foundation Associate abrozana@nationalgrange.org
Walter Hartley, RI, National Assistant Steward
Loretta Washington Sales, Benefits, Programs & Membership Recognition Director lwashington@nationalgrange.org
Kathy Gibson, MA, National Lady Assistant Steward Kay Hoffman Stiles, MD, National Chaplain Joe Goodrich, VT, National Treasurer Debbie Campbell, PA, National Secretary
HEADQUARTERS PHONE (202) 628-3507 HEADQUARTERS ADDRESS: 1616 H ST NW SUITE 200 WASHINGTON, DC 20006
David Allen, NC, National Gatekeeper Cindy Greer, CO, National Ceres Barbara Foster, WV, National Pomona Welina Shufeldt, OK, National Flora
lecturer@nationalgrange.org
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Staff
Burton Eller, Advertising Partner Legislative Director Executive Director, Grange Advocacy beller@nationalgrange.org
Officers
Christine E. Hamp, WA, President champ@nationalgrange.org
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www.nationalgrange.org
PRESIDENTIAL Perspective Christine E. Hamp
Strengthening individuals, families and communities through service, education, nonpartisan grassroots advocacy and agricultural awareness. In the absence of your own, I encourage you to utilize the updated National Grange mission statement as a measuring stick for your member engagement, membership development, programming, and projects throughout the year. Engage. Involve. Connect. These three verbs are keys to strengthening individuals, families, and communities and as a result, will help you grow your Grange. If at the same time your Grange is recruiting new members it is engaging, involving, and connecting your current members and your community you are fully on the path of success. I find magic happens when we can break down the goal, any goal, into manageable, identifiable, bite-size pieces. For example, it is hard and can be defeating to try to go from 12 members to 20, 30, 50, or 100. So, take a breath and set your goal to be the recruitment of one couple, two people, by the end of the quarter. You can probably identify members of your community who would be receptive to your ask – start with this hand-picked group. Success! Do it again. You will soon find that your cumulative efforts multiply exponentially. Why? Because it is human nature to want to be a part of something exciting and fulfilling. To be a part of a winning team. To have fun! Remember also that Grange is not a spectator sport but should be a lively
place where active engagement takes center stage – a dynamic organization that thrives on participation rather than passive observation. The true essence of the Grange lies in the shared commitment to mutual growth, meaningful connections, and a handson approach to building strong, vibrant, and interconnected communities. The importance of this interconnectedness cannot be overstated. Interconnected communities foster collaboration, enabling members to pool resources, share knowledge, and collectively address challenges. This collaborative spirit promotes resilience, as diverse skills and perspectives converge to find innovative solutions. Beyond personal benefits, interconnected communities contribute to societal resilience, creating a network that can withstand and adapt to change.
flexible and open-minded, the Grange By being
can evolve with the changing landscape, securing its position as a and force within each community.
impactful
vital
Adapting to new situations and ideas helps us stay relevant, learn, and grow. Indeed, change is essential for the Grange’s continued relevance and effectiveness. Embracing change is about accepting that it’s a natural part of life, and by doing so, we not only
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cope better with transitions but also set the stage for positive transformations in ourselves and the world around us. Each of us must ensure the Grange is dynamic and responsive to the needs of its members and the community and that it fosters innovation, encourages growth, and enhances our ability to address current challenges effectively. By being flexible and open-minded, the Grange can evolve with the changing landscape, securing its position as a vital and impactful force within each community. My challenge to every community Grange, for this the 2nd quarter of 2024, is to identify a couple of goals, to break them down into doable tasks, and to hold yourself accountable for making the effort to reach said goals. Write them down. Share them with your members. Assign tasks. Track your progress. Make it fun. Celebrate your success! I look forward to hearing your success stories. Read President Hamp’s 2017 Good Day! article on writing a mission statement on pages 13 & 14.
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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!™ 2024-25 PRESS DATES Issue
Due Date
Hits Mailboxes
V8, I3
August 31
October 2024
February 28
April 2025
V8, I2 V8, I4 V9, I1
May 31
November 30
July 2024
January 2025
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 Philip Vonada by email at pvonada@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (814) 404-7985 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.
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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 pvonada@nationalgrange.org.
From the desk of the PHILIP J. VONADA In his book The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community, author and sociologist Ray Oldenberg introduced the concept of the Third Place. If home is your first place, and your workplace is your second place, what’s a Third Place? According to Oldenberg, “your Third Place is where you relax in public, where you encounter familiar faces and make new acquaintances.” The Third Place can be a place of worship, a gym, a community garden, or a place where people engage in hobbies (music, theatre, art) – where likeminded people come together for a common goal. For others, it’s a coffee shop (you know those people who are always sitting at Starbucks), a library, or a public park – places they can come and go, recognize people, but also have some privacy and comfort. In pop culture, consider the bar in Cheers, Central Perk in Friends, or The Max in Saved By the Bell. It’s a place away from home and work (for most characters) where they are able to relax, make plans, and just be themselves for a while. The Third Place has a few characteristics: • Neutral Ground – everyone has a choice to be there • Leveler – nobody’s background or social status matters; there is no prequisite or discrimination • Conversation – this is one of the main activities, but not necessarily the only activity. • Accessibility and accommodation – open and easy for people to get to and use, and those who are there feel that their needs have been fulfilled • The “regulars” – you are able to recognize the people who help “set the mood” of the Third Place, but it’s also open to newcomers, who are made to feel welcome • A low profile – a wholesome, unpretentious location, with a low barrier to entry – in other words, a place with a low cost (financially, physically, and emotionally) to enter • Playful mood – Third Places should be free from tension and hostility, but instead be playful and community-focused • A home away from home – In a way, it’s an extension of the home – people feel rooted and regenerated by being there. Do you know what this sounds like to me? It sounds like a Grange. Our Declaration of Purposes states “We propose meeting together, talking together, working together, and in general, acting together for our mutual protection and advancement. We shall constantly strive to secure harmony, good will, and brotherhood, and to make our Order perpetual. We shall earnestly endeavor to suppress personal, local, sectional, and
Editor
national prejudices, all unhealthy rivalry and all selfish ambition. Faithful adherence to these principles will insure our mental, moral, social and material advancement.” Since the Covid pandemic, having a Third Place to get out of the house and connect has been especially important for mental and social wellbeing. There is a growing realm of virtual “Third Places” – from massive multiplayer online roleplaying games (MMORPGs) like World of Warcraft and videogame streamers on Twitch, to Reddit chatrooms and Pokemon Go. So how can we bring people back to actual reality and inperson Third Places – especially in the Grange? For me, the Grange is certainly one of my “Third Places” – I also have my gym and the local community theatre – different Third Places engage different parts of my well-being. I don’t necessarily mean the Grange Hall, either. To me, the Grange is wherever Grange members and friends are gathered – whether it’s at a meeting, performing community service somewhere, at a baseball game in the summer, or hanging out around a fire pit in the early fall. If you view “going to Grange” as a chore instead of a pleasurable experience, maybe it’s time to evaluate whether your Grange and its members live up to the characteristics of a Third Place, and determine if there’s something you can do about it. Is your Grange welcoming and open to new members; are your meetings tension-filled or is there abundant laughter and playful, encouraging discussion; are you meeting in an accessible location? One way to encourage the growth of the Grange as a Third Place is to occasionally consider purely social activities – not every meeting of the Grange has to be a meeting. Organize Grange outings on off-nights from your regular meeting nights. Consider a Grange meet-up at a local winery or pottery class or minor league baseball game or bowling alley. If you have a Grange Hall, consider hosting a bimonthly game night or movie night – open to the community-at-large to encourage newcomers. It’s a very low barrier to entry for them to learn the social aspects of the Grange. The idea of sharing a meal – breaking bread with strangers and friends with great conversation – can be the perfect way to break the ice and invite the community in. Beyond advocacy and service, many Granges are known for their potlucks and meals. Use what you’re already doing to your advantage! For many, Grange is already an unintentional Third Place. With a little effort and evaluation, it can become intentional – by encouraging people to be their true selves at Grange functions, share in conversation and service, and find where they belong outside of their home and workplace.
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Virtual Fly-In connects members to advocacy process by Philip J Vonada National Grange Communications Director On Monday, March 18, the National Grange presented the Virtual Legislative Fly-In, hosted live from the National Grange offices in Washington, DC. The event was presented on YouTube this year. Burton Eller, Legislative Director, said that by offering the annual Fly-In in a virtual format, more Grange members and legislators would have the opportunity to take part in learning about the Grange’s advocacy process. Each year, the National Grange and Grange Advocacy hold the Legislative Fly-In to connect Grange members to the work that is being done on their behalf in Washington, DC, and issues that are important to the Grange. Nearly 100 Grange members and leaders from around the country tuned in for the 3-hour event. Participants were able to send in their questions ahead of time to give presenters some guidance on what Grange members wanted to hear, and others sent in questions via YouTube. The event started with updates from Grange leaders, including Eller and Christine E. Hamp, National Grange President. Each presented updates on where the National Grange is currently positioned, with Hamp giving a “30,000foot view” of what is trending in the Grange and where she hopes the Grange will continue to grow. “Grassroots advocacy is not just a term, but is part of the Grange’s DNA,” said Hamp. “It’s the process of neighbors coming together to discuss issues; to discuss issues civilly, of finding what is best for all of us.” She encouraged Grangers to “hog the center” of the road, to continue being wellvetted and using common sense in proposing policy. Updates were presented on the National Grange’s programs and projects that have been undertaken in the last year, including the National Grange’s vaccination efforts – to educate the public and provide free immunizations at several events – as a part of a grant from USAging; the Reaching Rural Surgical Seniors program, which is an ongoing project supported by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI); and the “Roots of Connectivity” grant program, which is currently winding down. Amanda Brozana-Rios, the Grange’s Roots of Connectivity program manager urged Grange members to continue pushing the federal government to renew the Affordable Connectivity Program.
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Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Chairs of the Senate and House Ag Committees, respectively, each sent in videos to give updates on how the government is working for rural Americans. Senator Stabenow spoke on her upbringing in rural Michigan, saying, “We all want to see our rural communities... thrive. We want young people to go off to college and choose to come home, work on the farm, start a small business, raise their family in the community where they grew up. We want our small towns to have strong schools and quality health care and child care, high-speed internet, and vibrant Main Streets.” She followed by saying that there is a need for investment in rural America to create new opportunities “on and off the farm.” She spoke on the successes of the investing in infrastructure in rural America, but admitted there’s still more to be done. “The Ag Committee is blessed with incredible opportunities to support our farm families, the backbone of rural America, by strengthening rural communities and rebuilding a robust rural economy,” said Thompson, introducing the ongoing discussions surrounding the Farm Bill. “If you’re not at the table, you’re probably on the menu,” he said, encouraging Grange members to be a part of the discussion and efforts to ensure funding gets to the people who need it most. Both Thompson and Stabenow highlighted the need for stronger and more reliable internet in rural America, an issue which the National Grange has been working on for over two decades. Their videos were followed Senator Debbie Stabenow (top) and by members of Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson each provided video remarks for the Virtual their staff giving a Legislative Fly-In. broader view and
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Screenshots from National Grange YouTube
Internet for All, and the NTIA’s B r o a d b a n d Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, and encouraged Grange members to get involved. His presentation is available for download at http:// www.grange. biz/NTIAslides – this can be a valuable tool to National Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller stands help educate your at the podium during a question-and-answer session with Grange about the Charlie Cook (pictured on the television) during the Virtual ways they can be Legislative Fly-In. Photo by Philip J Vonada involved in the process. answering members’ questions. The final speaker was Charlie Cook, Randy Rutta, CEO of the National a political analyst and founder of the Health Council – of which the National Cook Political Report. Renowned for Grange is a member – provided his nonpartisan analysis of the current information on how Grange members political landscape in DC and across can protect their own health and also the country, Cook served as editor and work to protect the health of others in publisher of the Report for 37 years. their communities. Cook presented an analysis of current Lukas Pietrzak, Special Policy election trends in order to educate our Advisor for the Office of the members about the political process Assistant Secretary, National and outlook. With the Grange priding Telecommunications and Information itself as a nonpartisan organization, this Administration (NTIA), presented segment was aimed to help make our information regarding the NTIA’s members as informed and educated ongoing work to keep getting rural as possible leading into this year’s America connected. He highlighted
Presidential election cycle. Throughout the afternoon, the Virtual Legislative Fly-In reminded Grange members, friends, legislators, and issues partners, that the Grange’s grassroots legislative process is what helps the National Grange advocate for not only Grange members, but for everyone living in rural and small-town America. The Fly-In is available to view on the National Grange’s YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube. com/@nationalgrange/streams) or by scanning the QR code below. Members are encouraged to share the information with other Grange members and those who are interested in the Grange’s ongoing advocacy work in Washington, DC, and beyond.
Scan this QR code to access the Virtual Legislative Fly-In on YouTube.
No Winners Circle Under New Labor Regulation By Julie M. Broadway, CAE President, American Horse Council & Horse Council Foundation The equine industry is coping with a trifecta of challenges— lingering effects of inflation, weather patterns that jeopardize forage and feed supplies, and now a new regulation issued by the U.S. Department of Labor which will cause hardship to many workers and employers.
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What’s at stake is how the government defines employees versus independent contractors. Many stables and equine-related businesses employ a mix of the two worker categories. Successfully. That may not be the case after March 11, 2024, when the Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, kicks into effect. The regulation replaces the previous, simpler, process of employee classification with a complex, confusing and subjective six-point checklist to determine if workers should be reclassified as employees or independent contractors. For employers this means significant increases in payroll costs to cover overtime pay, minimum wage, unemployment
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Working together for stronger communities
April is Grange Month