October 2023

September 2023

09/29/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

Washington Overview

Agriculture and Food

• Farm Bill Timeline Keeps Slipping
• Six Trends Shaping the Future Structure of Agriculture

Conservation / Environment

• Biden Administration Announces Creation of Climate Corps

Health Care

• Vaccine Access for Underserved Populations
• Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Legislation
• Modernize the Prescription Process
• The Ambulance May Not be on the Way

Telecommunications

• Extend the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Preserve AM Radio in Vehicles

Of Interest

• Trust a Farmer
• Perspective

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09/22/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• Engage potential members where they’re already doing good
• SHIPmates set sail on maiden voyage
• A note from Pete Pompper
• Vote for the NGYOT t-shirt
• Register for National Grange Convention
• Convention Feature: Community Service reaches Community Missions of Niagara Frontier
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Consumer voices needed!
• Participate in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on Rural Mental Health
• R2S2 - Reaching Rural Surgical Seniors
• Order Grange-branded apparel in this Flash Sale
• Grange Supply Store offerings
• Grange Member Benefit: Budget Rental Cars

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09/15/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• National Grange brings vaccines to the Big E by Betsy E. Huber
• Ambassador encourages Juniors to grow and flourish by Nettie Hartley
• Advocacy Playbook: Don’t have Broadband yet? Try fixed wireless by Burton Eller
• Introducing the National Grange Youth Officer Team, 2023 Horizon Leadership Class, and Junior Ambassador Candidates
• Learn about participating in consumer standards
• Register for National Grange Convention
• Convention Feature: Dr. Daniel Pinti presents “Leadership Dialogue” workshop for youth
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Participate in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on Rural Mental Health
• Rural Minds presents suicide awareness webinar
• R2S2 - Reaching Rural Surgical Seniors
• Grange Supply Store: New Junior Grange pin
• Grange Supply Store offerings
• Grange Member Benefit: Choice Hotels

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09/08/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• Lancaster County showcases farm-to-table by Betsy E. Huber
• Grange fair booths inspire and inform by Pete Pompper
• Grange Foundation seeks Board of Directors candidates by Joan C. Smith
• Huber selected as Chair of DC institution
• September Heirloom
• Register for National Grange Convention
• Convention Feature: NY Assemblyman to speak at Advocacy Luncheon
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Join Membership Matters
• Participate in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on
• Rural Mental Health
• Rural Minds presents suicide awareness webinar
• R2S2 - Reaching Rural Surgical Seniors Contract
• Grange Supply Store: New Junior Grange pin
• Grange Supply Store offerings
• Grange Member Benefit: RxSavings Plus Card

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August 2023

08/31/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

Washington Overview

Agriculture and Food

• FFA and MANNRS Sign MOU
• Farmer to Farmer Education
• Rural Veterinary Workforce Act
• Rural Energy for America Program

Conservation / Environment

• WOTUS Rule Revised to Comply with Court Ruling

Health Care

• Huber Points to Rural Mental Health
• National Agricultural Crisis Hotline Act
• Don’t change Coverage for Phosphate-Lowering Therapies
• Kidney PATIENT Act Introduced
• Make Fall Vaccines Available ASAP

Telecommunications

• Extend Affordable Connectivity Program
• More Rural Broadband Service Coming

Of Interest

Perspective

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08/25/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• Be a part of connecting rural America
• National Lecturer’s contests and events
• Deadlines approaching for National Grange Contests
• Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Distinguished Granges!
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Register for National Grange Convention – Early Bird registration closes next week
• Convention Feature: Niagara Falls Culinary Institute
• Participate in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on Rural Mental Health
• Rural Minds presents suicide awareness webinar
• Grange Supply Store: New Junior Grange pin
• Grange Supply Store offerings
• Grange Member Benefit: Start Hearing

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08/21/2023 --- Welcome to New Grange! - Scott Valley Grange

WELCOME SCOTT VALLEY GRANGE!

On August 21st, Scott Valley Grange #386 in Greenview, CA was reorganized by Field Representative John Pomeroy assisted by State President Joseph Stefenoni. Welcome to our new Brothers & Sisters!

08/18/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• The Grange can help amplify your voice by Betsy E. Huber
• Communication Fellows ready to tell the story by Philip J Vonada
• Introducing the SHIPmates by Amanda Brozana Rios
• Rotate your crops to ensure proper growth by Christopher Heath
• Deadlines approaching for National Grange contests
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Register for National Grange Convention – Early Bird registrations end soon
• Participate in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on Rural Mental Health
• Upcoming National Grange events
• Grange Supply Store: New Junior Grange pin
• Grange Supply Store offerings
• Grange Member Benefit: Wyndham Hotels

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08/10/2023 --- Click to View Session Information

Delegate Certification
Due Date: September 1, 2023

The 148th Annual Session will begin Wednesday, September 20, 2023, at 10:00 am. It will end on Sunday, September 24, 2023 mid-afternoon.

Each Community and Pomona Grange in good standing is entitled to send two delegates to vote on State Grange business. There are 3 types of delegates

• Regular Delegate - A Regular Delegates are the regularly elected President, and their Spouse, of a Community Grange, or Pomona Grange.

• Selected Delegate - In the event the President is single or their spouse is unable to attend, the Grange may select a second Delegate, who is a member in good standing of your Grange. This action must be recorded in the minutes of your Grange.

• Alternate Delegate - In the event the President and spouse are unable to attend any meeting of the State Grange, the Community Grange or Pomona Grange may select two members of their respective Grange to represent it at any meeting of the State Grange. This action must be recorded in the minutes of your Grange. Granges are required to submit a Delegate Certification form.

Please note:
THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THE REGISTRATION FORM. Delegates must register for the convention as well.
If you have any question, please feel free to contact me.

Fraternally,

Lillian Booth, Secretary
California State Grange

Click to go to the Delegate Certification Page.

08/11/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• Use your voice to affect policy
• National Grange Youth deadlines approaching
• Advocacy Playbook: Farm Bill hurdles come into view
• Urgent Action Needed! Join the Grange in Supporting the Kidney PATIENT Act to Protect Access to Lifesaving Medicines
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Register for National Grange Convention – Early Bird registrations end soon
• Participate in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on Rural Mental Health
• 5 Ways to make the most of your health coverage
• Grange Supply Store offerings
• Grange Member Benefit: MemberDeals

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08/08/2023 --- Click to View

The newest issue of the California Granger newsletter has been emailed to the member whom we have email addresses. You can view Volumn 3 of the newsletter by clicking below.

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July 2023

July 2023 --- Click to View

POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS JULY 2023 WRAP-UP

Washington Overview

• Lawmakers in Washington are heading home (and abroad) for their traditional August recess and will return to the nation’s capital on September 12. They leave with most of the heavy legislative lifting waiting for action. The majority of the annual appropriations bills are still in committee. The President has threatened to veto the House USDA/FDA appropriations bill if it cuts domestic spending to levels below those agreed upon with Speaker McCarthy in earlier budget negotiations. Xochiti Tores Small, a former congresswoman from New Mexico and the granddaughter of farm workers, has been sworn in as USDA’s new deputy secretary. USDA plans to begin hearings in August on the conflicting proposals from milk producers and dairy processors for modifying pricing formulas under the federal milk marketing order system. The New Hampshire “first in the nation” presidential primary season has begun. Former Vice President Mike Pence held a town hall style meeting at the WicWas Lake Grange in Meredith, N.H. Look for President Biden and Vice President Harris to shift into campaign mode focusing on race, rights and the economy while Congress is on recess leaving the press looking for political news. Former President Trump’s legal issues and the Biden family’s influence peddling allegations are fueling speculation of third-party candidates entering the fray.

Agriculture and Food USDA Targets Anticompetitive Acts

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture has joined 31 states to target price-fixing and other anticompetitive behavior in the food and agriculture sectors. USDA’s partnership with the bipartisan group of states attorneys general will focus on antitrust enforcement and concerns about price fixing and gouging.

Foreign Land Ownership Targeted

• Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) have introduced the Farmland Security Act of 2023 to further boost transparency in foreign ownership of U.S. farmland. The bill would require greater transparency for foreign purchases of U.S. ag land, impose stronger penalties for reporting non-compliance, and mandate USDA to audit a minimum of 10% of foreign land ownership reports annually. Then, just before adjourning for their August recess, the Senate overwhelmingly voted 91-7 to bar investors from China, Russia, North Korea and Iran from buying more than small amounts of U.S. farmland. The measure also adds USDA as an ex officio member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U. S.

Conservation / Environment
USDA to Improve Greenhouse Gas Emissions Accounting

• The agriculture community is applauding USDA’s plan to improve greenhouse gas emissions accounting and reporting, including the launch of a national soil carbon monitoring network and updated conservation practice standards. The goal is to improve measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification of greenhouse gas emissions. Producers support climate policies that are voluntary, market-based, and scientifically sound.

Health Care
Mental Health and Addiction Top the List of Rural Health Concerns

• For the last 20 years, health care access has been the biggest concern of rural stakeholders, according to surveys conducted by the Southwest Rural Health Resource Center. But the latest polling puts mental health as the top rural health issue and addiction ranks number two. Survey participants included health care workers, public administrators, educators and more. Surprisingly, the rankings were the same across all ages, races, occupations and regions of the country. Rounding out the top ten rural health care concerns are access to and quality of health care, weight and obesity, drug and alcohol abuse, nutrition and healthy eating, older adults, preventive care, diabetes, and economic stability. As Grange members have noted, the National Grange has partnered with Jeff Winton’s Rural Minds to elevate the rural mental health movement, provide the platform to spotlight personal stories, raise awareness, share best practices, and engage participation and support. Grange members and guests can hear Jeff Winton and his staff at the National Grange convention this November in Niagara Falls, New York. In addition, the National Grange, Rural Minds and New York Farm Net will co-present a moderated panel featuring cross-generational participants from the Silent Generation to GenZ. The three organizations will also present a workshop about rural mental health first aid and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Talk Saves Lives” program.

Ag 24-Hour Crisis Helpline Needed

• The National Grange is working with Senators Baldwin (D-WI), Ernst (R-IA) and Gillibrand (D-NY) as well as Representatives Caraveo (D-CO-8) and Finstad (R-MN-1) to establish a 24-hour crisis helpline staffed by trained and experienced professionals who come from rural communities or are familiar with Rural, farming and ranching culture. The helpline would be an expansion of the Farm and Ranch Stress Network first authorized in the last farm bill. Support for Early Cancer Detection

• A total of 1,592 letters went from the National Grange headquarters in Washington to members of Congress and their staff members in support of the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act in both the House and Senate. The Act would require Medicare to pay for a new procedure that is capable of detecting many types of cancers with a simple blood draw in the early stages of the cancer’s development. In the letters, the Grange referenced its recent survey that found cancer deaths in rural areas are 14% higher than urban areas and late-stage diagnoses of lung and colon cancers are significantly higher in rural communities. Detecting cancer early means more treatment options and higher success rates.

Rural Health Caucus Launched

• Representatives Dana Harshbarger (R-TN-1) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI-2) have announced formation of the Congressional Bipartisan Rural Health Caucus. It will provide a forum for members of Congress to advocate for legislation and action that that help increase access to quality, affordable health care and mental health services for all rural residents.

Telecommunications
Prioritize Broadband for Rural West Virginians

• The Charleston Gazette-Mail published a letter to the editor from National Grange president Betsy Huber highlighting West Virginia’s need for the Broadband Equity and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to finally close the rural digital divide in the state. BEAD supports broadband accessibility and ACP ensures affordability for eligible families with a monthly subsidy. However, funding for the ACP is expected to run out by March 2024 and the National Grange is urging Congress to extend the program in order to reach the 30% of the state’s rural households and businesses currently lacking adequate broadband access.

ACP Helps 21st Century Rural Communities Thrive

• The Washington newsletter RealClearPolicy published an op ed by National Grange president Betsy Huber that called upon Congress to finish closing the country’s digital divide. In establishing the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), Congress recognized that millions of Americans still face financial challenges to obtaining broadband connectivity. Huber called upon Congress to extend funding for ACP in order to connect hard-to-reach high-cost rural households and businesses across the country. Of Interest Commodity Checkoff Opponents Eye Farm Bill

• Commodity checkoffs are programs established by agriculture producers and operated under the supervision of USDA that are responsible for promotion and marketing the commodities they represent and for conducting research inro the expanded use of those commodities. Checkoff programs can be established or dismantled through producer referendums. These programs have always been tangled in politics. Proponents argue that the research, promotion and marketing efforts they fund are important to keeping producers competitive. Opponents say they question whether the money from mandatory fees producers pay is spent properly. New restrictions on checkoff programs have been proposed in the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming (OFF) Act introduced by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) along with Representatives Nancy Mace (R-SC-1) and Dina Titus (D-NV-1). OFF would prohibit contracting research and promotion work to organizations that lobby Congress or federal agencies, require checkoff programs to publish their budgets, require contracts to describe the goods and services provided, and require periodic audits by the General Accountability Office and USDA’s inspector general. Most of the proposed requirements proposed in the OFF Act are covered by current law governing checkoff programs. The exception is the prohibition for checkoff boards to contract research and promotion work to organizations that also lobby Congress or federal agencies. `This provision could cause sparks to fly during the upcoming farm bill debate. The 22 current checkoff programs represent a diverse mix of products from blueberries to cotton to milk to Christmas trees and are all funded through mandatory fees paid by the producers of each commodity.

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07/21/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• EPA restrictions harm potential crop yields in buffer zones by Betsy E. Huber
• Community Service threads through Grange Degrees by Pete Pompper
• Grange Feature: Clarkes Grange #261, Oregon
• Closing soon: Order your 2023 Grange shirts
• Advocacy Playbook: Farm Bills are tough to pass
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Register for National Grange Convention
• Participate in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on Rural Mental Health
• Grange Supply Store: Grange Socks
• Grange Supply Store: Raised Right Here Vinyl Stickers
• Grange Member Benefit: ODP Business Solutions

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07/14/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• Relaxed Grange events draw people together by Betsy E. Huber
• No time like the present by Samantha Wilkins
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Register for National Grange Convention
• Convention Feature: The Lamb Family
• Participation in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on Rural Mental Health
• Order your 2023 Grange shirts
• Introducing USPS Ground Advantage
• Grange Supply Store: Grange Socks
• Grange Supply Store: Raised Right Here Vinyl Stickers
• Grange Member Benefit: Rx Savings Plus Card

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07/07/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• Kickoff for Affordable Connectivity held at Goodwill Grange by Betsy E. Huber
• Believe in yourself so others will believe, too! by Philip J Vonada
• July Heirloom
• NAITC offers FREE Summer Virtual Conference
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Register for National Grange Convention
• Participation in Multigenerational Panel Discussion on Rural Mental Health
• Order your 2023 Grange shirts
• USDA Launches Feds Feed Families 2023
• Grange Supply Store: People, Pride and Progress
• Grange Supply Store: Raised Right Here Vinyl Stickers
• Grange Member Benefit: Nationwide Pet Insurance

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June 2023

June Wrap Up --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

WASHINGTON OVERVIEW
   • Debt Ceiling Deal Becomes Law
   • Appropriations Fights Loom

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD
   • Are You Ready for Lab Grown Chicken?
   • America Grows Act of 2023 Introduced
   • Validity of Food Label Claims to be Assessed
   • Barriers to Ag Innovation

Conservation / Environment
   • Waters of the U.S. Court Decision Gives Ag Guidance

Health Care
   • Medicare Should Pay for Cancer Screening
   • Continue Rural Stress Hotline
   • Lessons from the Pandemic
   • Give Us Clear Guidance
   • RSV Vaccines Needed for Older Adults

Right to Repair
   • More Agreements Inked

Telecommunications
   • Broadband Funds Released

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06/23/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• 150th Anniversary celebrations bring fun and renewed interest
• Celebrating June!
• NAITC offers FREE Summer Virtual Conference
• Participate in a National Grange service project
• Register for National Grange Convention
• 2023 Grange Shirt sale is now open
• Land’s End becomes distributor of National Grange logo items
• Rural Communities Are Upbeat About the Future Despite Persisting Issues
• Grange Supply Store: New 4th Degree Pin
• Grange Supply Store: Jumpstarts & Roundabouts
• Grange Member Benefit: Avis Car Rentals

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06/16/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• General aviation will benefit from sustainable biomass fuels
• Junior Ambassador goes on Grange adventures
• Webinar: Mental Health Benefits of Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise, and Mindfulness
• “Service Project Sweeping the Nation”
• Advocacy Playbook: Family Farm and Small Business Families to Face Higher College Costs
• Register for National Grange Convention
• 2023 Grange Shirt sale is now open
• Land’s End becomes distributor of National Grange logo items
• Grange Supply Store: New 4th Degree Pin
• Grange Supply Store: 10” Decal
• Grange Member Benefit: Worldwide Hotel & Car Rental Discounts

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06/09/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• Join National Grange in promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program
• Leadership is being someone to look up to
• Webinar: Mental Health Benefits of Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise, and Mindfulness
• Register for National Grange Convention
• Land’s End becomes distributor of National Grange logo items
• Volunteers Needed for the Tree Care Standards Committee
• Grange Supply Store: New 4th Degree Pin
• Grange Supply Store: Years of Service Jewelry & Awards
• Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo

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06/06/2023 --- New Issue of Ca Granger

A new issue of the California Grange is now available.

Click here to read this issue online.

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06/02/2023 --- Click to View

IN THIS ISSUE

• Supreme Court WOTUS ruling a win for farmers
• “You don’t know how many people are in line waiting for you to lead”
• Register for National Grange Convention
• National Grange Convention reimagined – and better than ever!
• In Post Pandemic America, Healthier Communities Are Within Our Reach
• June Heirloom
• Participate in a new Affordable Connectivity Program with your Grange
• Grange Supply Store: New 4th Degree Pin
• Grange Supply Store: Community Citizen Awards
• Grange Member Benefit: Lenovo

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October 2023

September 2023

August 2023

July 2023

June 2023

May 2023

April 2023

March 2023

Februrary 2023

January 2023