DIAMOND VALLEY GRANGE FORMS IN EUREKA, NEVADA
Elko County Brings the Classroom into Agriculture
By Suzann Gilliland Peterson
by Rachael Buzzetti, Chair of the EACC
Eureka, NV is home to one of the newest Granges in the country, Diamond Valley Grange #31! Formally organized on May 23 at the Eureka County Fairgrounds, Diamond Valley Grange (DVG) is the 31st Grange in Nevada. The DVG #31 organization was facilitated by Gloria Montero and Carl Clinger, National Grange Deputies for Nevada. With a set of by-laws, officers, and insurance, this 501(c)(3) organization is ready to serve the Eureka community. The National Grange of the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry (the Grange) is one of the oldest organizations in America. Its focus is on family, community, agriculture, and beyond. The Mission of the Grange is to provide opportunities for individuals and families of all ages to develop to their highest potential in order to build stronger communities and states, as well as a stronger nation. It does this through Fellowship, Service and Legislation in chapters throughout the United States. Fellowship. The Grange offers its members the opportunity to meet with and get to know their neighbors in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. It provides a place where children, youth, and adults can grow, develop their talents and social skills, and learn leadership techniques. Service. The Grange family provides its members with the opportunity to discover and solve community needs, give assistance to individuals in crisis, and network on a continual basis.
Legislation. The Grange supports a grassroots approach to state and federal legislative change by giving its members a voice in state and federal government forums. Kim Archuleta, DVG Lecturer, was instrumental in making this Grange chapter a reality. When asked why DVG was formed, she replied, “To provide family and community activities, education, and support.” DVG Secretary Becca Kellett added, “To give more opportunities to youth in Eureka. We chose Grange so that families could join and participate together.” Enthusiasm was high about creating a Grange chapter. Only six days separated the initial discussion about forming a Grange in Eureka to the inaugural meeting. Thirty people were in attendance, forty-three people became Grange members at that meeting, including eight registering as family units and ten as juniors. Currently, DVG activities include general meetings, workshops, and educational opportunities. According to Adeline (Addie) Callaghan, President, “We are still www.progressiverancher.com
Welcome, Diamond Valley Grange! Want to learn more about Grange? Visit nationalgrange.org in the early days, but we have big plans – it’s highly dependent on what our community needs/wants. Youth and adult clubs, dances, potlucks, community service, and educational opportunities for people of all ages are in our future.” One of their strong interests is a Youth Livestock Program where eighteen youth are eligible to show their animal projects. DVG Treasurer June Adkins is thrilled with the direction this chapter is heading. “We are so excited to bring more community outreach to our area,” she says. Kim added, “Eureka is the perfect place for a Grange chapter because of our isolated, rural location and our small agricultural and mining community.” Says Becca, “The sky is the limit. We’ve got so many big-hearted people all seeking to make our town grow!” Diamond Valley Grange officers are: • President – Addie Callaghan • Vice President – Spencer Bateman • Lecturer – Kim Archuleta • Chaplain – Ashlee Frei • Secretary – Becca Kellett • Treasurer – June Adkins • Greeter – Chloe Callaghan • Steward – Rylee Callaghan The next Diamond Valley Grange meeting is on Tuesday, June 13, at 6:00 PM at the Eureka County Fairgrounds. The meeting is open to members and non-members. Up for discussion is what activities to offer immediately and in the future. For more information about Diamond Valley Grange, check them out on Facebook at facebook. com/diamondvalleygrangenv. For more information on Grange chapters in Nevada, contact Gloria Montero at 775-427-8210. The Progressive Rancher
The Elko Ag in the Classroom Committee along with the Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission (NRRC) and the Elko County CattleWomen brought agriculture education to 25 teachers and more than 400 students in Elko County. The one day training for teachers in early March allowed them to bring their students to the Ruby Shadows Ranch to learn about all things in agriculture.
Teachers Teachers from all over Elko County attended an 8-hour training in the spring to learn about how they can incorporate agriculture into their lesson plans. All Ag in the Classroom resources have been developed to meet the Nevada Academic Content Standards, so training and resources are designed to contextualize their curriculum in the areas of science, social studies, nutrition and career, and technical education.
For four days in May, first grade through high school students from throughout Elko County had the opportunity to visit the Ruby Shadow Ranch. There were about 100 students each of the four days and all had the chance to visit eight stations to learn more about agriculture. The Elko County CattleWomen taught about beef byproducts and how producers use everything but the “Moo” including: leathers, hides, hair, lubricants, and plastics. The NV Department of Agriculture Staff educated students about livestock branding and why livestock need to be identified. Students even got to stamp their names using brands symbols. They also learned about animal health, nutrition and gestation from local 4-H members. They learned about Bees, went on a hayride, got to walk through a cattle truck, learned about ranch safety, and even got to learn about different breeds of sheep and their habitat on the rangelands.
Nevada Agriculture in the Classroom is a shared responsibility Bringing agriculture into the classroom (or in this case, bringing the classroom out to the ranch!) is a shared responsibility, and it wouldn’t be possible without the support, donations and time committed by volunteers from all over the community. Funding for this event was provided by the Ruby Shadow Ranch, Nevada Rangeland Resources Commission, Nevada Woolgrowers, Nevada Farm Bureau, Elko County CattleWomen, area ranchers, teachers, and many other generous members of the community to make the event possible. JULY-AUGUST 2023
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