148th State Annual Session:


148th Annual Session of the California State Grange! The 148th Annual Session of the California State Grange will convene in Petaluma, CA, September 20 - 24.

The Annual Convention is a place for all members to interact and learn to better aid their Granges and to set the direction of the State Grange for the upcoming year.

 

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday September 20, 2023

  • Receiving of Grange Expo Entries
  • Official Opening of the 148th Annual Session
  • Training & Workshop on the use of Narcan
  • State President's Annual Address
  • Resolution Processing ▪ Official Convention Photo
  • Reception & Rededication of the Bennett Valley Grange Hall (ticket required)

Thursday, September 21, 2023

  • Workshop by Chris Hamp, National Grange Vice President
  • Grange Expo Opens
  • Nomination & Election of Officer(s)
  • Resolution Processing

Friday, September 22, 2023

  • Ag Tour
  • Workshops/Round table discussion at fairgrounds (for those not on tour)
  • Announcement of Election Results
  • Runoff election (if necessary)
  • Resolution Processing
  • Talent Show & Awards Presentation

Saturday, September 23, 2022

  • Resolution Processing
  • California State Grange Foundation Annual Meeting
  • Election of Foundation Directors
  • Livestock Judging & Nutrition Seminar
  • Workshop (topic TBD)
  • 5th Degree Presentation by Mendo-Lake Pomona #10
  • 6th Degree Presentation by the Officers of the California State Grange
  • Harvest Feast & 150th Anniversary Celebration

Sunday, September 24, 2022

  • Memorial Service – Under the direction of Barbara Geiger, Chaplain, CA State Grange
  • Installation of Officer(s) ▪ Presentation & Adoption of Resolution Committee Final Reports
  • Resolution of Appreciation
  • Closing the 148th Annual Session of the California State Grange

BENNETT VALLEY GRANGE REDEDICATION

The Bennett Valley Grange Hall is the oldest Grange Hall in continuous use in the United States. Join the officers of the California State Grange and members Bennett Valley Grange for a reception honoring this milestone and to witness the impressive Grange Hall Dedication ceremony. Ticket required as seating is limited.


AG TOUR

The California State Grange is excited to offer a tour to convention attendees. The tour will depart from the Petaluma Fairgrounds at 8:00 am and return by 1:00 pm. Lunch will be included with the tour. Tour cost is $40 per person, limited to 54 participants. Singing Frogs Farm (SFF) opened in 2007 as a regenerative, intensive, ecological no-till vegetable and flower farm. Through their regenerative farming systems, including no-till soil management, SFF have more than quintupled the organic matter and carbon in their soil all while producing over six times the state average of harvest revenue per acre per year. SFF use no sprays of any kind, not even organic sprays.

 

National Grange Guest - Chris Hamp

Christine E. (Chris) Hamp, a fourth-generation Granger, was raised on a dairy farm homesteaded in the 1880s by her great-grandfather in Monroe, Washington. Chris joined Tualco Junior Grange #341 at the age of 5 and then Tualco Grange #284. Today, Chris serves as Secretary at Five Mile Prairie Grange #905 in Spokane County, where she is an affiliate member.

In 2021, Chris was elected Vice President of the National Grange, having previously served as National Lecturer from 2016-21, National Lady Assistant Steward from 2013-16 and National Pomona from 2011-13. Earlier in her Grange life, Chris was named the Washington State Outstanding Junior Granger in 1981, the Washington State Outstanding Young Granger in 1986, National Youth Ambassador in 1986 and President of the National Youth Officer Team in 1996. Chris also served as the Washington State Grange Lady Assistant Steward from 1990-95 and as a Washington State Grange Special Deputy from 1999-2011.

Chris served as a member of the National Grange’s Strategic Planning Task Force initiated in 1999 and led the most recent review of the National Grange mission statement as well as the development and revision of the Washington State Grange mission statement. Currently, Chris is the chair of the National Convention Advisory Work Group tasked with identifying how to make our national convention the most important Grange event of the year. Chris retired in early 2023 as a chief officer in the fire service after more than 30 years in state and local government.

Currently, Chris is proud to be a member of the Board of Directors of the Quilts of Valor Foundation, a position she has held since 2022. Chris earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington; a Master of Public Administration degree from The George Washington University in Washington, DC; and an associate degree of technical arts in Fire Command Administration from Edmonds Community College in Edmonds, Washington. Chris and her husband Duane, a past President of the Washington State Grange, live outside Spokane, Washington.


DEADLINES - FORMS - MORE

Resolutions:

All resolutions to amend the bylaws of the California State Grange must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Friday, July 21, 2023. All other resolutions must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Submit your resolutions using our online secure form, click here.

Registration:

Registration is due by 11:59 pm on Friday, September 1, 2023. Fees: $25.00 if you electronically download the Delegate Packet and all printed materials. OR $50.00 if you want the traditional printed binder. Registration form can be accessed by clicking here.

Delegate Certification:

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. Click here for Delegate Certification form.

Serve on Session Committee:

If you want to serve on a session committee, including Chairman, please click here for online form.

Serve As a Session Volunteer:

If you want to serve as a session volunteer? Please click here for online form.

Memorial Service:

Need to report a name for the Memorial Service. Typically we recognize Past State Officer, Deputies, Subordinate and Pomona Master and spouses, ect. Please click here for online form.

Expo Forms:

Available on the Expo Page (Click here to view)

Session Related Forms:

Click here to view online session related form.

Lodging

Looking for lodging at or near the State Session? We have compiled a list of options and prices. (Click here to view)