|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Your Local Newspaper if You See This Cartoon
Recently a very damaging, misleading, and inaccurate cartoon that attempted to explain modern dairy farming practices to young children appeared in numerous newspapers across the country. The author of a syndicated children’s column, Jok Church, typically answers children’s science questions in a cartoon question-and-answer format. The question was, “How can a calf have a baby at only 15 months old?” Read more |
|
|
|
Contact Your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives and Ask Them to Support Rural Education
The Organizations Concerned about Rural Education, OCRE, is a coalition made up of the National Grange and many different types of organizations that include educational, farming, rural, technology, and utility organizations. We are united under the common concern for the economic and educational welfare of rural America. The group is concentrating on several issues, some of which include: revising the funding formula under Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary School Act (No Child Left Behind) to help eliminate the inequalities of the formula for small schools, rural school building infrastructure, and attracting and maintaining high quality teachers in rural schools. Read more |
|
Your Input Is Needed!
National Grange Members have been selected to participate in a public opinion poll conducted by Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), a nonprofit organization composed of scientific societies and many individual, student, company, nonprofit, and associate society members, a non-partisan polling organization. Read more |
|
National Grange Commends the FCC for Providing Broadband Coverage for Rural Areas
The National Grange commends the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on their release of the National Broadband Plan. The Grange hopes that this plan will become the basis for a comprehensive public/private partnership that will finally assure that the benefits of broadband technology are available to every home, farm and small business in America, regardless of geographic location. Read more |
|
|
|
National Grange President Visits Tennessee to Address National Issues
At a Sunday news conference National Grange President Ed Luttrell scolded the Federal Government on its approach to broadband deployment in rural America. He described a recent Grange letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski expressing deep concerns that the Commission’s policy focus is shifting from developing a National Broadband Plan encouraging universal deployment and adoption of broadband services to underserved rural, farming, and tribal communities, to a policy focused on regulating broadband network management practices. Read more |
|
National Grange President Visits South Carolina to Address National and Local Issues
National Grange President Ed Luttrell and South Carolina State Grange President John Hammett, Sr. spoke on national and local issues during a press conference held Saturday at Shealy’s Barbeque House in Batesburg-Leesville. Read more |
|
|
|
|
|
Come and Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Grange Headquarters
Join the Youth, Young Adults and Junior Grangers on June 24 - 27, 2010. Visit and explore the many tourist attractions in Washington DC and learn about how your government works. Read more |
|
Join the Seed Project and Receive 100 Packets of Vegetable, Flower or Herb Packets FREE
The National Grange is happy to announce our partnership with the America the Beautiful Fund, which will allow Granges to participate in their seed program. Local Granges can get 100 packets of vegetable, flower or herb packets for free only paying $14.95 for shipping and handling. This program’s main goal is benefitting the community, whether it is teaching local school children about growing a garden or growing a vegetable garden to help the local food bank or to fundraise by selling the crops or flowers resulting from the seeds. Read more |
|
Watch Videos of the 2009 Legislative Fly-In 2009
If you missed the National Grange Legislative Fly-In 2009, than take a moment and watch videos of various speakers and presenters at this event. Watch Videos |
|
|
|
| Get Your Copy of the Updated Grange Builder Kit" Version 1.2. |
|
Contact Your U.S. Representative and Ask Them to Amend H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009
HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, is an attempt to address food safety from the farm to the national and international market. It addresses domestic food production as well as imported food into the United States. While some parts of the legislation are supported by National Grange policy, an amendment is needed to clarify that farms, farmers markets, and restaurants are not "facilities" and should not be subject to a $1,000 fee or periodic inspections by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read more |
|
The National Grange Calls on FCC to Ensure Rural Underserved Gain Broadband Access
The National Grange, the nation’s oldest general farm and rural public interest organization, called upon the Federal Communications Commission this week to ensure that underserved communities, particularly those in rural and tribal areas, are adequately served by broadband internet as part of that agency’s Notice of Inquiry regarding the formation of a National Broadband Plan. Read more |
|
Large Coalition Beseeches President to Restore AG Export Funding
Over 120 organizations including the National Grange represented by the Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports, recently wrote to President Barack Obama to express strong concern about his FY 10 budget outline proposing a reduction in funding for the Market Access Program (MAP). The budget outline proposes to cut MAP funding by 20 percent from its 2008 Farm Bill authorized level of $200 million annually to $160 million. Read more |
|
Grange Urges U.S. EPA to Delay Oil Spill Prevention Regulations
The National Grange joined other groups as the Agriculture Coalition on the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) to collectively comment on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amendments delaying the effective date of SPCC regulations. While the Coalition stated that much of the regulation changes have been in response to comments made by the agricultural community, particularly the Agency’s inclusion of a definition of a farm as provided by agricultural stakeholders and USDA, the group stated concern over the Agency’s intent to evaluate certain undefined aspects of the rule. Further, the regulation provides no assurance that future public comment periods would be made available if the rule is altered. Read more |
|
|
|
National Grange Writes to House Leaders to Increase AFRI Funding
A group of farm organizations representing livestock and dairy producers and those who grow feed grains, fiber crops, fruits, and vegetables recently wrote to leaders to the U.S. House of Representatives supporting an increase in funding for the USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) until this competitive research program reaches its full authorized level of $700 million per year. As the first step, the group is supporting an increase of $100 million in FY 2010. Read more |
|
| Legislative Round - UP May 2009 Issue |
|
|
|
Soybean Producers May Request a USDA Promotion Program Referendum
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service will conduct a Request for Referendum among eligible soybean producers on May 4, 2009 through May 29, 2009 to determine if those persons want a referendum of the Soybean Checkoff Program. Participation is voluntary. Only those persons who want a referendum on whether or not to continue the Soybean Checkoff Program should participate. Read more |
|
Key Facts about H1N1
The outbreak of disease in people caused by a new influenza virus of swine origin continues to grow in the United States and internationally. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) continues to report additional confirmed human infections, hospitalizations, and the nation’s first fatality from this outbreak. The more recent illnesses and the reported death suggest that a pattern of more severe illness associated with this virus may be emerging in the U.S. Most people will not have immunity to this new virus and, as it continues to spread, more cases, more hospitalizations, and more deaths are expected in the coming days and weeks. Read more |
|
Contact Your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative and Ask Them to Co-Sponsor and Support HR 2057, The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, HR 2057, was reintroduced into the 111th Congress on April 22, 2009. This legislation allows consumers to continue to choose where they have their vehicles repaired. Read more |
|
142 Year Old Grange Organization Declares April "Grange Month"
The nation’s oldest agricultural and rural advocacy organization, the National Grange, has declared April as Grange Month. The theme for this year’s Grange Month is “Opportunity Knocks.” Local Granges will celebrate with open houses, citizens’ awards and community service projects. Many will hold traditional pot luck suppers and pancake breakfasts. Events will be open to the public and those interested in supporting and improving their communities will be encouraged to join. Read more
|
|
National Grange President Ed Luttrell Stresses Telecommunications Reform
National Grange President Ed Luttrell recently wrote an editorial concerning Telecommunications Reform for distribution in Alabama. He stated that one of the most important initiatives before Alabama’s elected officials is attaining fair and equitable access to competitive advanced telecommunications services for all citizens. The National Grange strongly believes that competitive access to communications services will play an important role in delivering jobs and quality of life that will determine the future prosperity of rural Alabama. Read more |
|
Local Grange Public Policy Ideas Could Win Money and Recognition
The Farm Foundation is sponsoring a competition for innovative and promising public policy options to address challenges facing agriculture and the food system. The sponsoring organization is serving as a catalyst for sound public policy by providing objective information to foster deeper understanding of issues shaping the future for agriculture, food systems, and rural regions. The group brings together diverse stakeholders for discussions on issues and public policies. The Foundation addresses significant issues across the face of agriculture and rural America—regardless of geographic, livestock or crop boundaries. Read more |
|
National President Ed Luttrell Declares April 2009 as Grange Month
National Grange President Ed Luttrell officially declared April 2009 as Grange Month! The theme for this year’s Grange Month is Opportunity Knocks, and it is so appropriate! Our history and experience allows each Grange to find an important niche in every community. Grange Month is a chance to celebrate our relevance in today's society. Developing people into leaders and benefiting our communities is just part of what we do. Read more |
|
National Grange Support U.S. Efforts to Negotiate in Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership
The National Grange along with representatives of the vast majority of America’s manufacturing, agricultural, and services sectors, recently wrote to President Obama to communicate strong support of U.S. efforts to join the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (more simply known as the TPP) negotiations. The negotiations present the opportunity to create a new type of trade agreement that will facilitate trade and investment, promote the interests of the participating countries in the areas of intellectual property rights, lower technical barriers to trade, reduce sanitary and philosanitary barriers to trade, provide improved transparency in trade regulations, and create opportunities for U.S. consumers. Read more |
|
Grange Invited to Address Broadband Definition at Public Hearing
Experts and citizens including National Grange Legislative Director Leroy Watson debated the definition of broadband at a public roundtable discussion to help determine what projects receive federal funding under stimulus spending. The discussion was the fourth public hearing by the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utilities Service on how to spend $7.2 billion in broadband deployment grants and loans. Read more |
|
Grange Supports Continuation of the Market Access Program
The Market Access Program (MAP), formerly known as the Targeted Export Assistance (TEA) Program, was created in the 1985 Farm Bill. MAP is administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). It uses funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to aid in the creation, expansion, and maintenance of foreign markets for U.S. agricultural products by forming partnerships between non-profit U.S. agricultural trade associations, farmer cooperatives, non-profit state-regional trade groups, small businesses, and USDA. Read more |
|
| Legislative Round Up - March 2009 |
|
National Animal Indentification System Update
The National Animal Identification System (NAIS) is a modern, streamlined information system that helps producers and animal health officials respond quickly and effectively to animal disease events in the United States. Read more |
|
Competition Targets New Policy Approaches
Anyone have any new and inventive ideas for the betterment of American Agriculture? Would you like to win money for you and your local Grange? If so, you should enter a competition for innovative and promising public policy options to address challenges facing agriculture and the food system sponsored by the Farm Foundation. Read more |
|
A New Program For a New Year - FREE SEEDS
The National Grange is happy to announce our partnership with the America the Beautiful Fund, which will allow Granges to participate in their seed program. Local Granges can get 100 packets of vegetable, flower or herb packets for free only paying $14.95 for shipping and handling. Read more |
|
Don't Miss This Year's National Grange Legislative Fly-In
The 2009 National Grange Fly-In will take place May 17-19, 2009 in Washington D.C. and registration is currently underway. This exciting event will include information workshops, Congressional visits, and effective networking opportunities with Grange political activists from across the nation. Read more |
|
National Grange Commends Congress on Recovery Act
The National Grange along with 22 other like-minded organizations commended House and Senate conferees for their leadership on the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.” The groups urged the conferees to accept the language in the Senate Bill, as well as the Senate Report, which ensured that the comparative effectiveness research (CER) provisions establish a legislative framework that was strong and patient-centered. The changes adopted by the Senate were of vital importance to patients and providers, and promoted government-supported CER that is focused on improving the quality of patient care and empowering provider and patient decision-making. Read more |
|
Stimulus Package Thankfully Excludes Major Provisions to Rewrite the 2008 Farm Bill
On February 17, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) a $787 billion piece of legislation that proponents believe will help our nation’s economy recover from the worst economic down turn in more than 25 years. AARA is also known in the short hand of media and Washington terminology as the “stimulus package.” Many agriculture observers have lamented the fact that a greater portion of the stimulus package did not directly benefit family farmers and ranchers. Read more |
|
| Legislative Round Up - February 2009 |
|
Tyson Foods Withdraws Filing to Use Grange Name - Trademark Protection an Ongoing Effort
Tyson Foods last week withdrew its filing to register and trademark the term “Grange and Grassland” on a new line of natural meat products. The world’s largest meat packer filed an “Express Abandonment” with the U.S Trademark Trial and Appeal Board, thus ending more than a year of administrative actions and negotiations with the National Grange, which holds the trademark rights to the term “Grange.” According to legal sources, Tyson Foods is now precluded from registering the same or substantially identical mark in the future. Read more |
|
National Grange President Congratulates President Obama and Vice-President Biden
National Grange President Ed Luttrell recently congratulated President Obama and Vice President Biden on their historic inauguration. “Our nation faces many challenges, including the current economic downturn sweeping across the nation. During their campaign, the President and Vice President made it clear that they recognized both the important role that our nation’s farming and rural communities play in our economy and the challenges that these communities face in the coming years.” Read more |
|
National Grange Leaders Meet with Obama Transition Team on Agriculture and Trade Issues
On December 11, four National Grange leaders met with members of President-Elect Barack Obama’s transition team in the offices of the United States Trade Representative in Washington, D.C.to discuss agriculture and international trade issues facing the incoming Administration. The Grange delegation included, Mr. Jimmy Gentry, Vice President of the National Grange and President of the North Carolina State Grange; Ms. Betsy Huber, Chair of the National Grange Board of Directors and President of the Pennsylvania State Grange; Mr. Joseph Fryman, a corn and soybean farmer from Blair, NE who is also Treasurer of the National Grange and President of the Nebraska State Grange; and Leroy Watson, National Grange Director of Legislative Affairs. Read more |
|
Economic Stimulus a National Grange Concern
A number of groups including the National Grange recently wrote to Congressional leaders asking them to develop important economic recovery legislation including full funding for the Broadband Data Improvement Act. This legislation would jumpstart comprehensive broadband initiatives in many states, leading to rapid positive economic benefits as broadband coverage gaps are erased and broadband adoption rates rise. Read more |
|
National Grange Writes to FCC Concerning Broadband Lifeline/Link-Up
Recently, the National Grange wrote to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) concerning their review of a petition to establish a Broadband Lifeline/Link-Up program on a trial basis in Virginia, Florida, D.C., and Tennessee. The Grange urged the FCC to consider the concerns of rural Americans explaining how several current programs have been highly successful in helping rural communities stay connected with the nation and the world. The Grange further emphasized the role that broadband can, and will, play in driving an economic engine in rural America.
Read more |
|
National Grange Comments on U.S. EPA SPCC Plans
The Agriculture Coalition on the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC), which consists of organizations representing farmers, ranchers, farmer cooperatives, livestock operation, and related agribusinesses including the National Grange, submitted comments on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed rule amending the dates by which facilities must prepare or amend and implement SPCC plans. Read more |
|
| Legislative Round Up - January 2009 |
|
Digital Television (DTV) Transition Now Phased in Between February 17 and June 12, 2009
Digital television, known as DTV, is an innovative type of broadcasting technology that provides crystal-clear pictures and sound, and more programming choices than ever before. Recently, Congress passed and President Obama signed, legislation to delay the national Digital Television (DTV) transition from February 17, 2009 to June 12, 2009. The “DTV Delay Act” (S. 352) will also allow consumers whose coupons have expired to reapply for replacement coupons and give stations the flexibility to switch to digital prior to the June 12 deadline. Read more |
|
Pharmaceutical Industry Leader Addresses Grange on Need for Health Care Change
Speaking before the 142nd Annual National Grange Convention, Greg Gierer, Director of Policy for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) stated that some 45 million Americans are without health insurance and that 18,000 die each year from lack of coverage and subsequent care. To help improve the quality of care and coverage in the U.S., America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are supporting efforts to ensure that all Americans have access to high-quality and affordable health insurance coverage. Read more |
|
"Preparing for the DTV Transition in Rural America"
Under the law, all full power television stations are required to shut off their analog signals at midnight, February 17, 2009, and from then on, only broadcast in digital. The digital format offers viewers improved picture and sound quality and more programming options. Because it is a more efficient technology, valuable radio spectrum will be freed up for improved public safety communications and new commercial wireless services. Read more |
|
National Grange Elects Officers
The National Grange elected four officers during its annual convention held November 11 to 15 in Cromwell, Connecticut. The election was held on Friday, November 14. Read more |
|
Woodrow Tucker Supports Ritualism During National Grange Speech
Woodrow Tucker, past High Priest of Demeter, spoke before a luncheon crowd during the 142 nd annual National Grange convention discussing the importance of Grange ritualism. Brother Woody joined the Grange in 1939 and has served in many capacities for 69 years including Rhode Island State Grange President and several National Grange offices. Read more |
|
Ed Luttrell, Gives Opening Address
Ed Luttrell, National Grange President, opened the 142nd annual session of the National Grange convention today addressing the organization’s delegates from across the country. Luttrell focused on a number of key issues including the nation’s food supply, conservation and domestic energy production, education, and rural health care. Read more |
| |
