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WEEKLY PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 21, 2019
Master's Message: Merry Christmas!
My favorite part of this season is the music, the old familiar Christmas carols we’ve sung for decades and a couple new ones that are so meaningful. This year I’ve been moved by a different carol, one that I’ve sung for years but its words are really speaking to me this year. The third verse of “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” could have been written for today. Download to read more
Lecturer's Letter
It is exciting to look ahead to a new year of promise and opportunity, of challenges, and of growth and development. May each of you do your best to make 2020 amazing!
2020 Quilt Block Contest | 2020 Publicity Item Contest
New resources coming in 2020.
The National Grange is unveiling four new resources for Granges in 2020. The new “Grange Resource Binder” is designed to be a “one stop shop” for Subordinate/
Community Granges. Pre-order yours today. Download to read more
New Good Day!™ magazine at the press
The winter issue of Good Day! magazine has gone to press and is due in mailboxes in the early part of January. Don’t forget to renew your subscription if you are due! This issue features:
• WWII Veteran Recognized while Another Laid to Rest
• 153rd Annual National Grange Convention
• Food Waste Resources for your Grange to use
• Road Safety a Priority for DE Member, OR Grange
• Grange Revival 2021 Information & Registration
• And much more! Download to read more
3 Great Benefits Can Help During the Holidays
It’s time to get your 2020 calendar and other office and tax supplies. You can do so while saving thanks to this member benefit. We have partnered with Office Depot/Office Max. Members can purchase supplies at a discount when using the Grange Office Depot/Office Max Discount Card.
Visit the website
The National Grange is pleased to announce our new partnership with
TicketsatWork. Now you’ll have access to exclusive savings on movie tickets,
theme parks, hotels, tours, and more - all great
stocking stuffers for those special people in your life.
Company Code: TNGFUN
Download to visit the website
Let the National Grange help you save or, if you’re a small business owner, improve
your bottom line with competitive rates on UPS® shipping services. Save up to 34%* on a broad portfolio of shipping services. You can receive these discounts even if you already have a UPS account.
Download to visit the website
Grange Supply Store announcements
The Grange Supply Store will be open during the holiday season, however orders will not be processed until Jan 6, 2020.
Special Thanks
A very special thanks to everyone who helped during the 153rd Annual National Grange Convention. We will not call names because we might forget someone whose service made the entire event run smoothly - from the Showcase, to the Grange Store, taking tickets at the door and the many other venues, events and activities that were part of the convention.
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
NOVEMBER 2019 WRAP-UP
Agriculture and Food
Battle of the Burgers
The non-meat burger was unfurled this fall amid massive media fanfare. Everyone from major investors, venture capitalists, food companies, grocery stores to restaurants and burger chains jumped on board to try the meat imitator products. More recently, some backlash has developed in the form of media campaigns and legislative efforts. Recently a full-page ad in the New York Times asked, "What's hiding in your plant-based meat?" indicating the "ultra-processed imitations" were filled with mysterious non-plant ingredients. Burger King shot back, "the Impossible Burger has none of the noxious slaughterhouse contaminants that can found in almost all ground beef." Additional ads followed in theWall StreetJournal and USA Today. Introduction of bipartisan legislation soon followed that would stop food companies from using the word "meat" to market plant-based products. Traditionally, organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society have advised eating less meat and proceeded foods. But recent studies published by the Annals of Internal Medicine argue that eating red meat is only minimally risky for most people and recommends that most people can continue eating meat at current levels.
So Let's Conduct Real Research
The National Grange joined nearly 100 research, academic, agriculture and food groups in urging Senators to support and cosponsor the America Grows Act (S. 2458) by Senator Durbin (D-IL). The bill would significantly increase our nation's investment in agricultural research and development with an expected return on investment of $20 to $1.
Are Regenerative Agriculture and Sustainable Food Synonymous?
Regenerative agriculture is a new name for the emerging use of many old tried and true farming and land practices. Many of these practices became victims of large-scale farming amid the push for more productivity. Soil productivity appears to be responding to soil-health and land management practices that emulate nature. Some of the more popular practices are:
• Cover cropping
• Crop rotation
• Conservative tillage
• Reducing use of fertilizers and pesticides
• Cattle grazing to naturally stimulate plant growth
Health Care
Drug Price Disclosure
The House has unanimously passed the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, H.R. 2115. Beginning January, 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must publically disclose information on Pharmacy Benefit Managers' rates, fees, rebates, discounts, and other price concessions with health plans and pharmacies in a manner that also prevents disclosure of confidential information. Rebate and discount transparency is a top priority for the National Grange. H.R. 2115 will need to be reconciled with a plethora of health care bills moving through the Senate.
Support Health Equity Guidelines
The National Grange joined several organizations that represent diverse communities across the country to urge Congress not to overlook underrepresented segments of our population during the health care policy-making process. There are socio-economic health determinate disparities such as rising health care costs, under-resourced hospitals, insurance coverage gaps, lack of addiction care services, underrepresentation in clinical trials for cures, lagging innovation, and more where the health care industry needs to focus on diverse communities
Urban-Rural Health Gap Widens
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rural residents are far more likely to die from preventable diseases than people living in cities and that gap continues to widen. Major diseases in this category include cancer, heart disease, and chronic lower respiratory disease. Issues complicating rural health improvement include cigarette smoking, obesity, substance use disorder and concentrated poverty.
The "Pelosi Plan" to Lower Drug Prices
The Lower Drug Costs Now Act of 2019, H.R. 3, (dubbed the "Pelosi Plan") passed on party line votes by committees with jurisdiction and is on its way to the House floor where it could pass on a party line vote in December. The bill is extremely expensive for tax payers and its "pay for" could deem it dead on arrival in the Senate.
Immigration/AG Workforce
The National Grange joined a majority of American agriculture and allied industry groups to urge House Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader McCarthy to move the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act (H.R.5038) through the House to address the labor crisis facing agriculture throughout the country. The bill cleared the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 18-12 the week before Thanksgiving and could reach the House floor before Christmas. Sponsors of the bill are Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-19) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA-4) with 24 Democrat and 20 Republican cosponsors. The bill does have Republican opposition to its provision that allows current experienced farm workers to earn legal status.
Paper Please
The National Grange and the Coalitions for Paper Options have been waging a campaign to allow consumers the option to continue receiving paper bills, reports, statements, account updates, etc. instead of being forced to receive these electronically. A 2019 Toluna consumer survey indicated that 86% of Americans want the right to choose how they receive their communications. The coalition supported 38 House cosigners on a letter to the Secretary of Labor to oppose a proposed rule requiring mandatory electronic disclosures by default.
Taxes
Tax Extenders
Reinstatement of biodiesel tax credits have been included in a package of green energy tax incentives proposed by House Democrats. The proposal would extend the $1 per gallon tax subsidy through2021 then phase out over several years. It's been about two years since the biodiesel industry has received a subsidy. On the Senate side, Finance Chairman Grassley (R-IA) wants to reinstate the credit for 2018 and 2019 but has been unable to reach a deal with Senate Democrats on a narrow extenders bill to extend expiring or recently expired tax breaks.
Death Taxes
The National Grange joined scores of small business, agricultural, land owner, food, citizen and retiree groups to support the pending introduction of the Death Tax Repeal Act by Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Representative Jason Smith (R-MO-8).
Telecommunications
Support for Oklahoma Lifeline Program
The National Grange and the Oklahoma State Grange filed a brief with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in support of its proposed funding increase of the Oklahoma Lifeline Fund. Lifeline supplies wireless services for millions of low-income Americans, especially those in remote rural areas with no access to robust broadban
USDA Awards Connectivity Grants
The USDA has awarded $42.5 million to 37 states and two provinces for 133 projects under its Distance Learning and Telemedicine grant program. These grants will allow 5.4 million rural residents to take advantage of economic, health and educational opportunities without having to travel long distances. Applications were available to state and local governments, businesses, tribes, nonprofits and other eligible entities. The National Grange supported this funding through the FY'19 appropriations process in Congress.
Trade
Hope Building for USMCA
There's an old saying in Washington that negotiating trade agreements is like watching molasses pour on a cold morning. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement continues to make two steps forward and one step back. The House Democrats have been demanding stronger enforcement policy to assure that Mexico will not backslide on its labor and wage commitments to keep U.S. manufacturers from relocating south of the border. They also want to see text of the final agreement before they vote. Negotiations have now been elevated to direct talks between House Speaker Pelosi, Ways and Means Chairman Neal and the White House. There is guarded optimism that a trade deal could clear the House before Christmas but the timeline for review by several House committees and scoring by the Congressional Budget Office may be too short in December. The National Grange continues to urge passage of this package that is so economically important to agriculture and rural areas.
China is Still the Elephant in the Room
The "phase one" trade deal with China may morph into something bigger amid escalating demands from both sides. China has yet to commit to the specifics of large agricultural purchases while demanding the removal of tariffs imposed during the trade war. The U.S. is balking unless China addresses the core issues of intellectual property and technology theft. This elephant now moves to 2020 for any resolve. Pessimism is increasing among trade experts and China-watchers who fear "phase two" and maybe even "phase one" will become embroiled in the overriding politics of 2020.
Some Good Trade News
Meat exports set both volume and value records this year. Pork export volume jumped 12%, beef exports rose 4% and lamb exports doubled. China is lifting its four-year ban on U.S. poultry opening the way for hundreds of millions of dollars of U.S. exports.
Transportation
Support for National Aviation Network
The Washington Times published an article by National Grange President Betsy Huber and Alliance for Aviation Across America Executive Director Selena Shield which stressed the importance of general aviation and airports of all sizes to our national economy. There are over 5,000 airports around the country but the majority of commercial air traffic goes through only about 30 of these. This means that for thousands of communities around the nation, this smaller airport network used largely by general aviation aircraft is a literal lifeline to small and mid-size communities. The two leaders applauded recent actions by Congress to secure long-term funding for the Federal Aviation Administration to continue building modernization technology into our air traffic control system.
Trucker Hours of Service Legislation
Minnesota's Angie Craig and Pennsylvania's Lloyd Smucker along with several cosponsors have introduced bipartisan H.R. 4919, The Responsible and Efficient Agriculture Destination Act (TREAD), to give farmers and ranchers more haul time flexibility when transporting live animals and perishable goods. The National Grange supported introduction of TREAD and will urge its passage by Congress.
Give Fly-In for Christmas
Be sure the dates of February 7-9, 2020 are marked in red on your calendar. Then give a gift to the National Grange Fly-In 2020 for Christmas. Look for all the details coming your way soon. We will participate in the "First in the Nation" Presidential Primary in New Hampshire that has become a tradition for Grangers. We'll fly into Manchester, N.H. on Thursday and depart on Sunday. If you can't make it on Thursday, catch up with us on Friday. You'll have the chance Saturday to campaign for the candidate of your choice and see the world's media concentrated in one staging location.
Perspective
A battle lost or won is easily described, understood, and appreciated, but the moral growth of a great nation requires reflection, as well as observation, to appreciate it. ~ Frederick Douglass
In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction. ~ Audre Lorde
People are like dirt. They can either nourish you and help you as you grow as a person or they can stunt your growth and make you wilt and die. ~ Plato
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. ~ George Washington
There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder. ~ Ronald Reagan
Growth itself contains the germ of happiness. ~ Pearle S. Buck
GRANGE FAMILY HERITAGE WEEKEND
Come one, come all to our GRANGE FAMILY HERITAGE WEEKEND! President's Day Weekend 2020. You are part of our Grange family, so it's sure to be a good time. Hands on workshops; fun, family, and fellowship; even learn to bake bread and cheese. Open to Juniors, Youth, Young Adults, Families, and the young at heart.
Saturday, February 15 - Monday February 17, 2020
Registration starts at 1 PM on Saturday and we will be done by 10 AM on Monday.
See map to Orangevale Grange Hall
Orangevale Grange Hall, 5807 Walnut Ave, Orangevale, CA 95662
Online Registration form coming very soon. Price: Junior (age 4 1/2-14) $25.00; Youth (age 14-20 inclusive) $35.00; Adult (age 21+) $25.00
Conference registration includes Saturday night dinner, all meals on Sunday, and Monday Breakfast, as well as all conference materials and supplies.
Hope to see you there.
Martha Stefenoni was elected to the position of Priest Annalist
At the recently held annual session of the National Grange, the Assembly of Demeter met for the purpose of elections of officers. At that Session Martha Stefenoni was elected to the position of Priest Annalist, who is the keeper of the record.
Sister Stefenoni is a member of the Bennett Valley Grange No. 16 and was f former First Lady of the California State Grange. We extend congratulations to Sister Stefenoni on her election to this high position in the Assembly of Demeter.
Most members of the Grange know little about what the Assembly of Demeter purpose and how it functions. In order to provide this information we printing a excerpt from the book “The Grange Friend of the Farmer 1867 - 1947” written by Charles M. Gardner who was High Priest of Demeter from November 1913 to November 1947.
“For the information of many members of the Order who do not clearly understand the relation of the Assembly of Demeter to the Grange structure, some concise information may be welcome.
The Assembly of Demeter membership comprises all those who have been instructed in the Seventh Degree of the Order and who retain good standing in some Subordinate Grange. It represents the highest rank in Grange ritualism and has entire responsibility for the Seventh Degree, conferring it once a year in conjunction with the annual session of the National Grange; it is the custodian of the Sacred Record of the Order; the authority on all the secret work; and the, source of each year's passwords.
As the Master of the National Grange is the supreme administrative' officer of the organization, so the High Priest of Demeter of the Assembly is the supreme authority on all matters pertaining to the esoteric work of the Order; and it is his responsibility to supervise annual exemplifications of the Seventh Degree and to interpret every question relating to the secret work.
It is also his personal duty to originate the annual passwords Subordinate, Pomona and Juvenile—and to communicate them officially to the Master of the National Grange in conjunction with the conferring of the Seventh Degree.
In the earlier years of the Order the Seven Founders were designated as life members of the Assembly of Demeter and were entitled, if they so desired, to receive their annual words directly from the National Master at the time of their communication (near the close of each national session) to the masters of State Granges and to officers of the National Grange.
In 1927 the sealed cipher method of communication of the annual words to masters of State Granges was authorized, supplement in their annual communication by word of mouth from the National Master. Likewise, by sealed cipher method, occurs the transmission of each year's passwords to local units throughout the nation.
While all Seventh Degree members are enrolled in the Assembly of Demeter, only those are entitled to vote in its deliberations who are officers of the Assembly, present or former masters of State Granges, and their wives or husbands. However, all Seventh Degree members are entitled to admission to every convocation of the Assembly, conditional, however, upon their maintaining good standing in a Subordinate Grange.
The Assembly of Demeter establishes its own by-laws and rules of procedure, and holds three sessions each year (with special convocations possible when necessity may require). The three sessions are as follows:—
1. The session at which the Seventh Degree is conferred.
2. The annual ritualistic convocation, to be held usually during the forenoon following the day of the Seventh Degree.
3. A business convocation to be held at a later date during the period of the National Grange session, for the transaction of routine business and to consider any matters made necessary by the action of the National Grange.
A quorum of the Assembly shall consist of not less than thirty voting members, representing not less than a majority of the states entitled to representation in the National Grange.
The elected officers of the Assembly of Demeter, chosen biennially, are:—High Priest, presiding officer; Priest Archon, ranking officer; Priest Annalist, keeper of the records.
Any voting member of the Assembly is eligible to election to office therein and must be chosen singly and by secret ballot. In addition to the elected officers already named and Ceres, Pomona and Flora (elected by the National Grange), all others are appointed by the High Priest and hold office in accordance with his will.
The Assembly of Demeter is also the supreme court of the Order, constituted as a trial court for all officers of the National Grange, but under such rules and regulations as the National Grange itself may from time to time provide. Power is also vested in the Assembly to act as a trial court on charges brought against any of its own elected officers; and in the event of such charges being brought against the presiding officer, the Priest Archon shall be required to assume the sta¬tion of High Priest and to preside therein during the trial of the pending issue.”
The following is a statement released by the Board of Directors explaining legeal actions being taken to recover Grange proprety from break-a-way Granges who became Guilds.
November 22, 2019
To whom it may concern:
The California State Grange has filed a number of lawsuits against local Guilds and other community groups that improperly claim ownership of Subordinate Grange property. Before we take further legal action, we want to make sure everyone fully understands the situation. When the California State Grange won its case against Bob McFarland and the Guild, all property that the Guild had wrongfully claimed was returned, by order of the court, to the California State Grange. Faced with the certainty of complete defeat in the courts, the Guild agreed to the other relief the Grange sought in various lawsuits, including the payment of over $3,000,000 and the end of any claim that the Guild was ever entitled to control the California State Grange’s corporation created in 1946. The litigation against the California Guild was a total victory for the California State Grange.
Notably, the settlement did not apply to any Subordinate Grange property claimed by local Guilds—that means the California State Grange retains all rights to pursue lawsuits to recover that property.
Now that our Grange rules have been affirmed by the courts as the legal rules under which all Granges operate, we are in the process of inviting back into good standing any and all who want to return to the Grange in good faith. We are also going to continue to take action to reclaim all of our Subordinate Grange properties. Our hope is that, with the central legal issues decided, we can heal the breach and mend our Grange family. That means returning our Halls and other property to their rightful owners, using legal action if necessary.
If we have to take legal action, the courts will follow the established law, which means they will enforce our Grange rules, just as they did at the State level. There is no question that Grange rules require all Subordinate Grange property to be turned over to the State Grange upon revocation of a Subordinate Grange’s Charter. The applicable section of the National Grange Digest of Laws was adopted decades ago—long before the Guild was created in 2013—and is below:
Article XII - PROPERTY OF GRANGES WHICH SURRENDER THEIR CHARTER OR WHOSE CHARTER HAS BEEN REVOKED
4.12.1 Property of Subordinate and Pomona Granges - Whenever a Subordinate or Pomona Grange surrenders its Charter, in dissolution or abandonment or has its Charter revoked, such Grange shall be determined to be an Inactive Grange. The net assets of Inactive Granges shall be retained by the Order for use in accordance with the general purposes of the Order, subject to the following terms and conditions:
(A) All right, title and interest as to all real and personal property owned by an Inactive Grange shall become the property of the State Grange having jurisdiction over the said Inactive Grange. The said State Grange shall hold such property in a custodial account for the benefit of the Inactive Grange in the event said Grange is reorganized pursuant to Grange Law.
Any local Guild or group that is sued for the return of Grange property will be required to return that property and will also be responsible, as the losing party, for any monetary damages and costs awarded to the California State Grange. We sincerely hope that all local Guilds and other groups claiming Subordinate Grange property reconsider their position and do the right thing.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of the California State Grange
Lillian Booth, Secretary
California State Grange (916) 454-5808
www.CAStateGrange.org
Legal Update
Brothers and Sisters,
As many you know, the California State Grange and the National Grange, on the one hand, and the California Guild, the Heartland Foundation, Robert McFarland, and certain current and former officers of the Guild, on the other, reached an agreement in principle to resolve the long-running litigation over the control of the California State Grange and its property earlier this year. The Grange and the Guild finalized that settlement agreement on October 18. Settlement checks now have been received from the Guild’s insurer and judgments have been entered in the state and federal lawsuits granting the Grange the non-monetary relief they had sought in those courts. As a result, the lawsuits involving the California State Grange and its property are now at an end.
The settlement is comprehensive and resolves all disputes regarding control of the California State Grange and its property. In exchange for a release by the California State Grange and the National Grange of all claims against the California Guild involving California State Grange property, and the conclusion of five pending lawsuits involving that property (the main state court action filed in 2012, two trademark actions prosecuted by the National Grange in federal court, a lawsuit involving charitable funds held by the Foundation, and a lawsuit against Robert McFarland seeking to recover the $80,000 “retirement package” he received out of Grange funds in 2016), the Grange received $3,050,000.00 (split evenly between the California State Grange and the National Grange) from the Guild’s insurance company and the entry of stipulated judgments in the state and federal actions that grant virtually all of the non-monetary relief sought by the Grange in the lawsuits, including:
· declarations that the California State Grange headquarters property, the funds in the California State Grange’s bank accounts, and the receivables on loans made to Subordinate Granges are Grange property belonging to the California State Grange;
· a declaration that only the California State Grange is entitled to control the non-profit corporation created by the California State Grange in 1946 (Secretary of State entity number C0210454);
· orders that the California Guild is prohibited from representing that it is or was authorized at any time after the revocation of the California State Grange’s Charter on April 5, 2013, to control the 1946 corporation, or that the Guild is entitled in any way to the history and goodwill of the 1946 corporation;
· an order that the California Secretary of State shall strike from its records all corporate filings made by the Guild on behalf of the 1946;
· orders that the California State Grange shall file all paperwork necessary with federal and state agencies, including the California Secretary of State and the federal Internal Revenue Service, to accurately reflect that the California State Grange controls the 1946 corporation;
· orders that the California Guild “and all other persons acting in concert with” the Guild are permanently prohibited from using any Grange trademarks or claiming any part of the history and goodwill of the California State Grange; and
· orders prohibiting the California Guild “and all other persons acting in concert with” the Guild from making false statements to Subordinate Granges, including that they are not part of the Order or that they should “disaffiliate” from the Order.
The Stipulated Judgment entered in the state court action is available here, and the Stipulated Final Judgment and Permanent Injunction entered in the federal court is available here. As always, the California State Grange encourages you to read the actual court documents. As we have seen all too often in the past, the “spin” and “propaganda” that the Guild spews serves only to distract from clear legal rulings and judgments.
So what does this mean for the Grange going forward? The headquarters property, the Halls of several inactive subordinate Granges, and all of the Grange money that the Guild did not spend now have been returned to the California State Grange. The settlement funds received from the Guild’s insurer have returned some (but not all) of the over $5 million in Grange funds that the court-appointed receiver found that the Guild wrongfully spent after April 5, 2013. The bogus claims that Subordinate Granges were part of the 1946 corporation rather than the Order and that they would face tax consequences because of the Guild’s wrongful attempt to hijack that corporation are now thoroughly debunked. And, of course, five lawsuits requiring significant amounts of attorneys’ fees and costs are now over. Simply put, this settlement is nothing short of a complete and total victory in the litigation involving the California State Grange and its property.
It is important to note, however, that this settlement explicitly does not affect claims involving control of Subordinate Granges and their property. Persons affiliated with the Guild have attempted to divert a number of Subordinate Granges and their property to the Guild. The California State Grange already has taken steps to begin addressing these attempts to take Grange property and, with the resolution of the litigation over State Grange property, will turn to the Subordinate Grange issues in earnest.
That said, the California State Grange remains committed to the restoration of our Order in California and putting this unpleasant chapter of Grange history in the rear-view mirror. The California State Grange sincerely wishes to welcome back to good standing all Subordinate Granges and Patrons that wish to honor their obligations to the Order, even if in the past the confusion engendered by the Guild’s actions caused them to take steps to leave the Grange. Indeed, just in past few months, multiple local groups have agreed to return to good standing in and/or return Subordinate Grange property to the Order. If you are a member of a Subordinate Grange that fell under the sway of individuals affiliated with the Guild, or if you know any members of such Granges, we encourage you to reach out to any officer of the California State Grange to discuss what can be done to return to good standing. Given the clear rules of the Order and the Court of Appeal’s opinion from 2017, any litigation to compel the return of those Subordinate Granges and their property to the Order can have but one outcome, so it would be far preferable for all to resolve any issues now.
Finally, the California State Grange wishes to thank all Grangers and Patrons for their steadfast support over these last seven long years. It was only through every Granger’s belief in and love of the Order that the Grange was able to survive the existential threat that the Guild’s attempt to steal the California State Grange and its property represented. This settlement marks a moment to celebrate and reflect on the people and the values that make the Grange special. The California State Grange’s efforts to restore and grow our Order in this state so it is stronger than ever will continue, and I look forward to working in solidarity with all of our brothers in sisters in achieving that goal.
Fraternally yours,
The Board of Directors - Present and Past - of the California State Grange
Jan Saxton, Acting Master, Overseer
Lillian Booth, Secretary
Kent Westwood, Master/President
Martha Stefenoni, Executive Committee Member
Will Shaw, Executive Committee Member
Erica Kroesen, Executive Committee Member
Christina Webster, Treasurer
Gary Abreim, Past State Grange Treasurer
Bob Clouse, Past State Grange Executive Committee Member
Inger Bevans, Past State Grange Executive Committee Member
In Memoriam:
Ed Komski, Past State Grange Master
Johnny Squire, Past State Grange Executive Committee Member
Download The Settlement Document.
November 21, 2019 Issue
In this Issue:
• Master's Message: Just a few heroes recognized at national session
• Juniors receive awards, new ambassadors chosen
• Grange featured on Maryland Public Television
• It pays to compare using Medicare's new plan finder
• Members can choose Medicare plan right for them through new partnership
• Rural aviation an integral part of infrastructure
• What we need is a resurgence of Grange Halls
• Call for interested parties to create Grange motorcycle club
• Investment in telemedicine, distance learning will benefit rural
• Growth is contagious
• Lecturer shares 2019 contest results
Download To read full issue.
A new updated Youth Fair Program Handbook has been released.
If you are part of the Youth Fair Program, you should download this handbook.
If you are interest in the Youth Fair Program, the handbook is a great source of information.
Download Handbook Now
Instead of reinventing the wheel, we are linking to the new edition of the California Granger, that features news, photo, resolutions adopted and more.
Download California Granger Now
Day 1 - In this Issue:
• Welcome to the 153rd Convention
• Little touches by host committee elevate event
• Master's Message: Off and running on the road to make history
• Fellows already hard at work to keep you in the know
• The Old Homestead
Day 2 - In this Issue:
• Host Banquet sets tone for great week
• With this ring, I..... become an honorary delegate?
• Newly Elected Minnesota Master Serving as Honorary Delegate
• Grange expands horizons, serves as second
Day 3 - In this Issue:
• Huber highlights accomplishments of Grange in 2019 in internal address
• Huber lauds work, sets delegates on course to look past recent challenges during external address
• Youth invite you to feel like a founder with donation
• At lunch, state Commissioner of Ag talks need for industry advocates and young blood in field
• Quilt block contest continues to be o' sew popular
• Masters Message: Get your Grange gear today at Store
• Young adults in Grange sometimes struggle to find place in Order
• Grange connects with 70,000 FFA members in Indy
• Location, dates of 2021 Grange Revival revealed
• 2020 theme highlights return to roots and everyday actions
Day 4 - In this Issue:
• 13 members receive Quilts of Valor at moving ceremony
• Lunch speakers talk about need for rural perspective in D.C.
• Emergency causes 2 from California to serve as first-time delegates
• Legacy member complete first year as youth director
• Masters Message: "The future is present" with Youth arriving today
• 'Grange baby' looks back at what organization means for next generation
• Author meets, greets Grange to introduce new program
• Grange Store now open for shopping pleasure in Edina room
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
OCTOBER 2019 WRAP-UP
Grange Fly-In and Campaign for President
Mark your calendar for February 7-9, 2020 to come to New Hampshire and participate in the "First in the Nation" presidential primary. As has become a National Grange tradition, we will take the Grange Fly-In on the road to work on presidential campaigns of your choice the weekend prior to the first national primary balloting on Tuesday in New Hampshire. We will visit the historic N.H. state capital building in Concord, work on campaigns in Manchester, visit the headquarters for national and international media covering the candidates and campaigns, and look for opportunities to rub shoulders with the next President of the United States. In 2016, a major portion of participants were high school and college students, so grab your student and hold the dates of February 7-9. Watch for hotel reservations and additional information.
Agriculture and Food
Long-Awaited Hemp Rules
Everyone in the hemp chain from grower to processor to consumer has been anxiously waiting for the USDA regulations governing industrial hemp that were announced October 29. These regulations will govern the approval of plans submitted by states and Indian tribes for the domestic production of hemp by licensed growers. The rule lays out procedures for tracking land where hemp is grown, testing concentration levels of THC (the psychoactive ingredient), disposal of non-compliant plants, and sharing information with law enforcement. Interested growers should contact their state department of agriculture for a license. In the meantime, growers of the 2019 hemp crop are struggling to find sufficient processing capacity.
Good Ozone News
The hole in the Earth's ozone layer has shrunk to the smallest size on record since it was discovered in 1982, according to scientists at NASA. The hole that naturally grows and shrinks every year due to temperatures in the Artic is determined to be a normal yearly phenomenon related to the ban on ozone-harming chemicals and not related to climate change.
Farm Finances Deteriorate
The Federal Reserve Bank says farm conditions continue to deteriorate across the country because of bad weather, weak commodity prices and trade disruptions. The upper Midwest seems to have suffered most where in addition to low prices, crop yields could decrease 10-20 percent.
Profile of New and Beginning Farmers
USDA's latest overview report of beginning farms and farmers finds:
• Beginning farmers are more likely to rely on off-farm income
• They are generally smaller and younger than established farms
• Beginning farmers have higher debt-to-asset ratios, are more likely to receive government payments, and to receive financing from FSA
• They tend to specialize in beef cattle and row crops.
Grange Supports Research
The National Grange continues to urge Congress to pass the America Grows Act, S.2458 and H.R 4174 introduced by Senator Durbin (D-IL) and Representative Bustos (D-IL). These bills authorize a 5 percent annual increase in USDA research funding for the next 5 years.
Health Care
Health Care Moves to Center Stage
At both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue and most of the space between, drug prices, surprise medical bills, drug rebates, imported drugs, copays, premiums, Part D, Part B, Medicare for some and Medicare for all is Washington's elephant-in-the-room political footfall this Fall. The President has a plan, the Senate Finance Committee has a plan and House Speaker Pelosi has a plan. There are good and bad sections of all these plans, but they're far apart philosophically. Compromise is now a foreign language in Washington so a near-term end game is difficult to see. The National Grange will continue to fight for the good of patients as these plans unfold.
Patient First?
The National Grange joined the Academy of Physicians in Clinical Research in urging Congress to restore the patient as the central focus of their health care efforts. The Office of Inspector General at HHS found that in 2017, Part D beneficiaries experienced 84 million rejections when they tried to fill a prescription, but 73% of these denials were wholly or partially overturned when appealed. Unfortunately for patients with progressive, degenerative conditions the disease advances unchecked during the weeks or months the insurer drags out the appeal only to acknowledge the prescription should have been filled in the first place.
What About the Pay-For?
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget is a nonpartisan, nonprofit group, former members of Congress, former Cabinet officials, economists and other professionals committed to educating the public on issues with significant fiscal policy impact. The Committee found Medicare for All could be financed by largely unrealistic options such as:
• A 32%payroll tax
• A 25% income surtax
• A 42% value-added tax
• More than doubling individual and corporate tax rates
• An 80% reduction in non-health federal spending
"Cadillac Tax" Repeal
The National Grange is urging Senators to permanently repeal the 40% "Cadillac Tax" on employer sponsored health coverage. The bill, S.684, Middle Class Health Benefits Tax Repeal Act of 2019 has 63 cosponsors in the Senate. The House passed a similar measure 419-6.
Immigration/AG Workforce
Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced their bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act to overhaul agriculture labor programs on October 30. The Ag Workforce Coalition worked with the sponsors on the legislation. The Act would allow ag workers to earn legal status, limit ag worker wage fluctuations, increase access to green cards, authorize year-round workers and establish a mandatory E-Verify system for ag workers.
Backing for the bill includes the United Farm Workers and most ag groups. The National Grange will work hard to get an ag worker bill through Congress and the White House.
Telecommunications
STELAR Reauthorization
Approximately 870,000 Americans are not served by major broadcast networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox. The Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR) Act protects consumers by encouraging broadcasters to negotiate in good faith with satellite providers for national, regional and local programming. The National Grange is urging Congress to renew this important legislation to allow isolated rural areas to continue receiving pertinent and affordable programming.
Support for Lifeline Voice Service
National Grange is asking Senators to weigh in with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to urge the FCC to rethink their plans to eliminate full support for voice service until the FCC concludes its 2021 Lifeline Study. The FCC plans to drop support for voice services on December 31. A whopping 42 percent of Lifeline customers subscribe to plans that qualify based on their voice service offering.
Support for USDA ReConnect Program
National Grange joined multiple rural service providers to urge the leadership of the Senate Appropriations Committee to include $605 million in their Agriculture Appropriations Bill for the UDSA Broadband ReConnect Program. The House bill does include $605 million for ReConnect.
Trade
China Trade War Continues with Hope
By all accounts U.S. and Chinese negotiators plan to finish "phase one" of their trade deal by mid-November. The Administration maintains the deal includes Chinese pledges to purchase $40-$50 billion in U.S. agriculture commodities annually. The agriculture community is guardedly optimistic "phase one" can come to fruition but is anxiously awaiting final details. Analysts predict additional phases of the deal that lift tariffs and solve issues of technology and intellectual property are much more difficult to negotiate and will take much longer.
USMCA Close Yet so Far
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is set to replace the North American Free trade Agreement (NAFTA). USMCA has wide bipartisan backing along with industry and labor support, but a few members of Congress keep moving the goal posts. Mexico has already ratified the agreement and Canada has committed to complete their ratification process as soon as the U.S. House of Representatives brings it up for a vote. A vote by Thanksgiving is still possible.
Perspective
None so empty of grace as he that thinks he is full. ~ Thomas Watson
Grace follows us even when we are going the wrong way. ~ Ricky Maye
Man is born broken. He lives by mending. The grace of God is glue. ~ Eugene O'Neill
Our worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace. ~ Jerry Bridges
Courage is grace under pressure. ~ Earnest Hemingway
Feedback and questions are welcome.
Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
OCTOBER 18, 2019
Still time to decide to attend National Session
By Betsy E. Huber
National Grange President
The weather here in DC is still in the 60s and 70s so it is hard to believe we are past mid-October and only two weeks away from National Grange Convention! Advance registration has closed, but you can still register on-site at the DoubleTree Bloomington-Minneapolis South, November 5-9. It’s not too late to decide to attend!
Twenty-one out of our 33 State Granges hold their State Sessions in October, so it’s really a busy time for most Grangers— the wrap-up of the year’s activities and a new beginning. Let’s all pledge to make an extra effort to work for the Grange in the new year—increase activity, increase publicity, increase membership.
Our theme of “Grange Heroes in our Hometowns” is ending—although our heroic work is not— and we will have a new theme for 2020. I’m keeping it a secret until my Master’s Address on November 5th, so be sure to tune in to Facebook Live or watch your email to see what the new theme will be. It’s a good one!
National Grange Fly-In
TENTATIVE DATES: FEBRUARY 7-9, 2020
MANCHESTER & CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE
2019 Men's Division Quilt
Block Contest
Last Call for Lecturer's Contest, Items
Impact of U.S. Foreign Aid at
Home ‘Too Often Overlooked’
We have crested the middle of October hill and are sliding down the back side to November and straight into our 153rd annual convention in Bloomington, Minnesota. If you intend to participate, and I do hope you will, it is time to get a move on.
DOWNLOAD TO READ MORE
An op-ed recently published in Agri-Pulse, written by Peter McPherson, who serves as the President of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities, addressed the
issue of foreign aid and it’s benefits at home.
DOWNLOAD TO READ MORE
The Grange Teams up with Oliver the Ornament
Evening of Excellence
2019
Oliver the Ornament is a 7-book series and related gift line that celebrates the tradition and stories of Christmas ornaments.
DOWNLOAD TO READ MORE
The Evening of Excellence is a showcase for Grange talent. Each State Grange Best of Show entry will receive $100.
DOWNLOAD TO READ MORE
Remember to Visit our Grange Store ™
www.promoplace.com/grange!
Order on line or call Monroe Classic, Inc.
1-800-868-2330 | or email sales@monroeclassic.com
APPAREL | PROMOTIONAL ITEMS l JEWELRY
REGALIA | FUND RAISING PROGRAMS
OCTOBER 11, 2019
TRAVELS DEEPEN AWE OF GOD'S CREATION
By Betsy E. Huber
National Grange President
I am continually awed by the beauty God created in this world. As I travel to different parts of the country the scenery is very different but all so beautiful. This week I had the opportunity to attend Degree Day at Freedom Plains Grange, NY, presented by Duchess County Pomona. The teams did an excellent job presenting the first five degrees with a wonderful dinner and fellowship in between. This Grange is located directly north of New York City. The next day I drove east to west across the entire state of New York, (6.5 hours,) to Buffalo to visit a hotel being considered for a future convention. The highway for quite some distance followed the Erie Canal, a marvel of engineering that opened up transportation and commerce for much of the region. The trees are beginning to change colors, and through the rain, sun, showers, and even a rainbow, the scenery was beautiful.
October 12 is the Last Day to Register for Convention, Meals
You may still register for convention on-site after Oct. 12, but there will be a late fee and no meal tickets will be available for purchase.
REGISTER ONLINE
North Carolina Granger Recognized for Connecting Consumer with Farmer
Reprinted from nclocalfoodcouncil.org
In between pruning in the vineyard and the beginning of this year’s honey flow, farmer David Allen is preparing for the opening of the new farm store at Tranquility Farm in Mooresville, North Carolina. Allen’s
impact in local food is rooted in selling farm products directly to customers.
Download to READ MORE
Texts Keep Members Informed, Will Remind of Live Events from 153rd Convention
Members are encouraged to text the GRANGE to the number 24365 to sign up for automated alerts about contest and program deadlines, information about advocacy opportunities and much more.
Lecturer's Reminder
Grange members and friends, it is time to quit procrastinating and to act! There are just a couple of weeks left to submit your public relations items and your quilt blocks. Guys, I am especially looking for more quilt blocks from you! Check out the National Grange website for all the details and entry forms.
News Briefs
USDA invests $152M in high speed internet - U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Donald “DJ” LaVoy announced this week that USDA is investing $152 million in 19 projects (PDF, 121 KB) to provide or improve rural broadband service in 14 states.
$16.2M in grants set aside for disadvantaged, veteran farmers - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this week it will issue $16.2 million in grants (PDF, 325 KB) to provide training, outreach, and technical assistance to underserved and veteran farmers and ranchers.
Specialty crop research awarded $11M by USDA - U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Under Secretary Scott Hutchins announced today that the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has invested $11 million in research that will support specialty crop farmers.
Download To READ MORE
Remember to Visit our Grange Store ™
www.promoplace.com/grange!
Order on line or call Monroe Classic, Inc.
1-800-868-2330 | or email sales@monroeclassic.com
APPAREL | PROMOTIONAL ITEMS l JEWELRY
REGALIA | FUND RAISING PROGRAMS
GRANGE INSURANCE ASSOCIATION
ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2020-2021
Grange Insurance Association (GIA) Chairman of the Board, D. Thomas McKern, is
pleased to announce that GIA will again fund 25 scholarships for the 2020 – 2021 school
year, totaling $33,500. In addition, GIA is honored to award the $1,000 Paul and Ethel
Holter Memorial Scholarship, funded by a gift of Mrs. Holter’s estate, and the $1,000 Dee
and Ina McKern Memorial Scholarship, funded by a gift from the McKern family.
Applicants may apply for either an academic or a vocational scholarship. Three of the
awards will be for students wishing to pursue vocational studies and 22 awards will be for
academic studies. The top winner in each category will receive a $2,500 award and the
remaining winners will receive $1,000 - $2,000 each.
Eligibility requirements (applicants must meet one of the following):
1. Current GIA policyholder (or children of GIA policyholder)
2. Children of current GIA company employees
3. A previous recipient of a GIA scholarship
Please note that children or legal wards of officers, directors or agents of GIA are ineligible.
These scholarships may be used at any institution offering courses leading to a certificate
or a degree in a recognized profession or vocation, including: community colleges,
business colleges and technical institutes. Vocational scholarships are aimed specifically
for those students not pursuing a college diploma, but seeking further education and/or
training in a vocation often not covered by more traditional colleges or universities.
The committee will base its awards on the following:
Complete and legible application
Scholastic ability (official grade transcript required)
Handwritten or typed Essay by Applicant
Please tell us about yourself, your family and your future goals
Also include any leadership or volunteer-related programs or
projects in which you have been involved in high school, in the
community, or elsewhere
What college, university, or trade school do you plan to attend and
how will this scholarship assist you
Application deadline is March 1, 2020. (Postmarked) Funds awarded for the 2020-2021
school year.
Please complete the following request form for an application for a Grange Insurance
Association Scholarship:
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Please send a GIA Scholarship
Application to:
GRANGE INSURANCE
ASSOCIATION
Attn: Scholarship Coordinator Name:
P.O. Box 21089 Address:
Seattle, WA 98111-3089
APPLICATION FORMS CAN ALSO BE DOWNLOADED AT OUR WEBSITE:
www.grange.com
144th Annual Session, Oct 12-15, 2019.
Packing List.
Your State Grange Convention Packing List:
1. You
2. Friends
3. Basket of local goodies for Raffle.
4. Tropical Attire for Sunday
5. Your Super Hero Super Power for Monday
6. Grange Expo Entries
7. Talent for the "Grange's Got Talent!!"
8. Project Posters/Photos for an Idea Exchange
9. Listening ear for our guest speakers;
Emily Luncombe, “Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change”
Trathen Heckman, Daily Acts
Jeff Skinner, California State Grange Attorney
Brian Weller, California State Grange Strategic Plan Facilitator
Tom McKern, President Board of Directors, Grange Insurance Association
Susan Noah, National Grange Executive Committee Member
And the last item is: FUN and LAUGHTER!! __
"What happens at State Grange Convention? Why should I attend?"
Answer: You come away with a deeper understanding of what the Grange is. We work on resolutions to help guide legislation as a benefit for all communities. We have competitions and talent shows. We make new friends, exchange ideas, and network.
Grange is the place where we can have a really good debate over an issue. The majority vote is upheld, and if situations change the next year, it can be brought back again to further educate and elevate our members. The Grange continues to evolve to meet the needs of the members and the citizens in our communities.
Be a part of something special.
Location
Rincon Valley Grange Hall
5055 Rincon Ave, Santa Rosa, CA
From the intersection of Hwy 12 and Calistoga Road, follow Calistoga Road north for 1.7 miles. Turn left on to Rincon Avenue. Signs will be out to help you find it.
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
SEPTEMBER 2019 WRAP-UP
Agriculture and Food
So We Can Eat Red Meat?
A large group of international researchers say yes in a paper published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. The international collaboration of experts says evidence that red meat causes cancer and heart disease is weak at best. The new analyses are among the largest evaluations ever attempted and may influence future dietary recommendations. The analyses raise questions about the longstanding dietary guidelines urging people to eat less red meat. "The guidelines are based on papers that presumably say there is evidence for what they say, and there isn't," says Dennis Bier, director of the Children's Nutrition Research center at Baylor College of Medicine. The American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and T.H.Chan School of Public Health at Harvard have expressed criticism of the new analyses. On a cautionary note, some dietary advocates are bringing climate change and environmental concerns into the diet and health debate. These are two entirely separate issues.
What Should Young Children Drink?
A consensus of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association says plain unflavored, unsweetened, uncarbonated drinking water is the best way to quench a child's thirst (sounds like your grandmother's advice?). Sugary drinks, diet drinks and plant-based toddler milk should be avoided. Children 12-24 months old should be introduced to plain pasteurized whole milk they say.
What About That Plant-Based Burger?
In what could be called a classic "me too" marketing case study, restaurants, fast food chains, branded food companies and grocery stores are jumping on the meatless meat bandwagon. Plant-based eating, however, may not mean vegetables, fruits, chick peas and nuts as we have long presumed. Food manufacturers are developing ultra-processed burgers out of pea or soy protein, methylcellulose and maltodextrin, and liquid "eggs" out of mung bean protein isolate and gellan gum. With almost everyone in the food industry jumping into the market at once, this will be a good test of sustainable consumer demand.
Food Insecurity Drops
Defined as those who "had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all members of their families due to lack of resources," food insecure households have declined to prerecession levels, according to USDA's Economic Research Service. The decline from a high of 14.9% in 2011 to 11.1% in 2018 is good news. Most food insecure households surveyed had recently participated in federal nutrition assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and the National School Lunch Program.
EPA and Corps Scrap WOTUS Rule
The EPA and Corps of Engineers are formally repealing the 2015 Waters of the U.S. rule in advance of publishing a new WOTUS rule in a few months. This action makes pre-2015 Clean Water Act regulations the law of the land. This is welcome news for farmers, ranchers, landowners and local government jurisdictions. Post 2015 WOTUS regulations greatly overstepped the authority of the Clean Water Act according to several court rulings.
Grange Urges Ag Research Support
The National Grange, together with a huge number of agriculture, food and supplier groups, asked leaders of the Senate appropriations committees and subcommittees to support and fund the America Grows Act sponsored by Illinois Senator Durban. The Act authorizes a five percent inflation- adjusted annual increase for research to keep our nation a world leader in food and agricultural science.
Health Care
Rural Hospitals in Trouble
Rural America is facing an access-to-health-care crisis: 113 rural hospitals have closed since 2010. This alert was conveyed to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Wyden by the National Grange and members of the Rebuild Rural Coalition. The coalition urged the leaders to adopt policies to stop payment cuts such as Medicare sequestration cuts and bad-debt cuts, and to invest in sustainable new delivery models which give local communities flexibility to meet the needs of their unique rural community. The coalition stressed that rural broadband infrastructure is a must for future rural health care.
Excise Tax Hurts Medical Device Innovation
The National Grange joined a large group of innovators and patient groups on a letter to Senate and House leaders requesting Congress to permanently repeal excise taxes on medical devices before the current suspension expires on December 31, 2019. Prior to suspension, the medical device tax had a devastating effect on device R&D the three years it was in effect.
Congress and White House Focus on Drug Price Legislation
The price of prescription drugs las long been a growing concern of patients, particularly those on high cost specialty drugs. Now the House, the Senate and the President have elevated drug prices to a public policy priority. The Senate Finance Committee passed a bipartisan package in July without the support of a majority of Republicans on the committee. Speaker Pelosi and the House leadership introduced a sweeping partisan legislative package, H.R. 3, on September 9. President Trump says he wants to see drug prices drop at the pharmacy counter and is focusing on numerous administrative changes to be undertaken by HHS. Drug pricing is a confusing process and the chain between manufacturer and patient has become complicated. As Washington works through the drug pricing dilemma, the National Grange will continue to sort the good, the bad and the ugly of the various proposals with the patient in mind.
Immigration/AG Workforce
The Labor Department has taken steps to administratively streamline the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. A new rule eliminates the requirement to advertise job openings in print newspapers and shifts to advertising on DOL and state workforce agency websites. A second DOL action will update and simplify H-2A forms and its online filing process.
Telecommunications
Rural Areas Still Need Satellite TV
In rural America, 870,000 households still rely on satellite to access basic broadcast programming in places where over-the-air signals can't reach. The National Grange sent a formal letter to the committees of jurisdiction on the Hill to request congressional action to reauthorize the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act (STELAR) before it expires on December 31, 2019. STELAR calls for good-faith negotiations between broadcasters and satellite providers to prevent customers from experiencing programming "blackouts".
Rural Broadband Needs Mixed Technology
The Des Moines Register featured an article by National Grange president Betsy Huber reiterating that over 19 million Americans lack access to broadband and many more cannot access the internet at today's broadband speeds. Earlier this year, the Federal Communications Commission took a strong step toward removing regulatory barriers to wider deployment of TV White Spaces in rural areas. "The National Grange supports a mixed technology model to eliminate the rural broadband gap. Our goal is to build connected farms of the future," Huber says.
Trade
Japanese Trade Deal Good for Agriculture
American agricultural products are among the biggest beneficiaries of United States-Japan Trade Agreement signed on September 25 which goes into effect January 1. Japan agreed to cut or eliminate tariffs on $7.2 billion worth of ag commodities and raise new quota levels for more. National Grange president Betsy Huber issued a statement calling the agreement a big win for agriculture producers, and "It will give farmers and ranchers more access to our country's third largest food and agricultural export market."
USMCA Gains Traction
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is gaining political ground in Washington. House Speaker Pelosi appointed a group of House Democrats who have been meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Lighthizer to resolve labor and environmental differences with Mexico and pharmaceutical patent concerns with both countries. All former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture since the Reagan Administration - Block, Espy, Glickman, Veneman, Johanns, Schafer, Vilsack - announced strong support for USMCA in a press conference and with a letter to congressional leaders.
Tariff War with China Continues
The U.S. and China remain at loggerheads over intellectual property rights, technology concerns and trade imbalances. Tariff escalation continues on both sides. In the meantime, China is buying large amounts of American ag commodities and has committed to buy more. Talks between the two countries broke off this summer but are scheduled to resume in early October.
Transportation
The current definition of an agricultural commodity has become an issue in drafting new hours of service regulations for truckers. Agriculture commerce has changed over the years and the definitions of ag commodities have not kept pace. The National Grange joined state and national commodity groups and trucking associations in official comments to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration suggesting workable definitions for commodities and livestock in transit under new hours of service rules.
Perspective
I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves. ~ Ann Drake
No spring or summer beauty has such grace as I have seen in one autumn face. ~
John Donne
For man, autumn is a time of harvest, of gathering together. For nature, it is a time of sowing, of scattering abroad. ~ Edwin Way Teale
Winter is an etching, spring a water color, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. ~ Stanley Horowitz
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
Saturday, October 12, 2019
9AM – Registration Opens / Expo open to receive entries
10:00 AM Welcome from Kent Westwood, State Master/President
Workshops
Resolutions – Inside the Grange System.
Grange Essentials – What they are and how to use them.
Lunch – on your own
1:30 pm KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Emily Lunscombe: “Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change”
3:30 PM Day of Excellence – Talent Contest
Dinner – on your own
7:00PM – Opening of the 144th Annual Session in the 6th Degree
Presentation of the 5th Degree of Pomona and 6th Degree of Flora
Closing of the Grange
Sunday, October 13, 2019
California Casual - In honor of State Master/President Kent Westwood - wear your favorite Tropical attire!!
8:30 AM Registration Opens
Day Includes:
Memorial Service
Resolution Processing
State Master’s Annual Address
Jeff Skinner, Important Legal Updates
2020 Budget
* Nomination & Election of Officers: State Master, State Overseer, and State Executive Committee Member (3 years)
Strategic Plan - Review and Adoption
Monday, October 14, 2019
8:30 "A Day of Heroes" Wear something to show off your own Superpower!!
8:30 AM Registration opens
Day Includes:
Resolution Committee Reports
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Susan Noah, National Grange Executive Committee Member
Salute to Veterans
And more!!!
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
8:30 AM Opening of the State Grange in the 4th Degree
Completion of business
Resolution of Appreciation
Installation of Officers
1PM Closing of the 144th Annual Session
Schedule subject to change
WEEKLY PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 27, 2019
Hotel Reservation Deadline Ends SEPTEMBER 27, 2019!
TODAY is the deadline to reserve your
hotel room at the Grange rate.
I would love to see all of you there!
BOOK YOUR ROOM By SEPTEMBER 27, 2019
Master's Message: There's still time to register for Convention
Here we are already at the end of September and five days into Fall. There are only 37 days left until the opening of the 153rd National Grange Convention, November 5th in Bloomington, MN. I would love to see all of you there! Online registration ends Oct. 12. Meal tickets WILL NOT be available for purchase in Minneapolis.
Food Waste takes center stage at Grange’s Farm Aid booth; program available for all Granges to use
State leaders and national staff attended Farm Aid in East Troy, Wisconsin, introducing the Grange to a large number of the more than 30,000 event attendees. Wisconsin State
Grange Vice President Duane Scott, dressed as a browning banana, tested attendees’ knowledge of food waste and provided them tips and tricks on how to reduce waste in their homes.
Oliver the Ornament author to attend convention, sign books
The National Grange partnered with the author of the children’s books that focus on anti-bullying and kindness. As part of that partnership, Author Todd Zimmerman will be at convention for a Q & A and throughout the day outside the Showcase to sign books.
Grange issues statement on Pelosi’s drug pricing package
“Every day, rural Americans encounter a multitude of obstacles when it comes to accessing basic health care and treatments. Unfortunately, this new proposal does nothing to address the challenges facing these patients” the Grange said.
Grange sends letter encouraging Congress to reauthorize local broadcast act
“Rural residents should not be needlessly punished and their access to network entertainment should not be curtailed because they live in a less convenient area to service,” the Grange said.
Deadlines in Spotlight
Membership Display Contest
Sept. 30, 2019
Contact
Junior Community Service Reports
Oct. 1, 2019
Entry Form
All Lecturer's Contest/Programs
including quilt block & PR contest
Oct. 31, 2019
Entry Form
Remember to Visit our Grange Store ™
www.promoplace.com/grange!
Order on line or call Monroe Classic, Inc.
1-800-868-2330 |
or email
sales@monroeclassic.com
GRANGE'S GOT TALENT
Yes, that big national television show is finished for the season, but that doesn't mean your Grange can't showcase your talented members. The California State Grange Talent Show is scheduled for 3:30 PM on Saturday October 12, 2019 at Rincon Valley Grange, 5055 Rincon Ave, Santa Rosa, CA. There are 3 classes: Instrumental, Variety, and Vocal. Best of Show earns the opportunity to represent California at the National Grange Session in Minnesota in November. Please preregister with California State Grange Lecturer Katie Squire as soon as possible: see below.
Kind regards,
Katie Squire, Lecturer
AB857 - Public Banking
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
AB 857, the Public Banking Act, has passed both the California State Senate and Assembly with our support and now sits on the Governor’s desk for his signature. There is concern that he may not sign it without people from all over the state pressuring him to give Californians a chance to create banks which serve their needs with no shareholder profits in mind. This means money placed in accounts locally will be invested locally, helping to recirculate dollars over and over again where they were originally earned.
Please take a moment to write Governor Newsom. One of our partners supporting AB 857 (Friends of Public Banking Santa Rosa) has made this easy:
Let's remind the governor he expressed support for public banking on the 2018 campaign trail when he declared: "We must break Wall Street’s choke hold on state finance and develop our own state bank."
We need all supporters to email the Governor via his website.
Email the Governor using the button below
(Where the form asks you to choose a subject, scroll down to "AB00857\Public banks.")
If you're crafting your own message, try to incorporate three important points:
1) AB 857 is safe, sound and solid policy,
2) The bill has widespread popular support,
3) Gently remind the Governor he stated his support for public banking in 2018.
Thank you for letting the Governor know that the California State Grange Members are active citizens working for the betterment of their communities.
Michael Evenson, Legislative Director
California State Grange
(707) 629-3506
Contact Govenor Newsom
WEEKLY PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
CHOOSING SITE FOR CONVENTION CAN BE COMPLICATED
By Betsy E. Huber | National Grange President
I’ve recently been visiting hotels to identify a site for the 2023 National Grange Convention in the North East Region and I thought you might be interested in the steps that go into selecting a location.
We have begun this year working with an outside convention planner who sends out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hotels in cities in the region. We’re open to suggestions and recommendations from State Masters in the Region.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
YOUR INVITED TO SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE
WITH JUNIOR GRANGE THROUGH PASSPORTS
By Samantha Wilkins | National Grange Junior Grange Director
Sometimes it’s hard to know the exact formula to help a child succeed, but we all can agree that knowledge is power. The Junior Grange passport program provides an opportunity for our youngest members to learn about a variety of subjects and continue traditions of Grangers throughout the past century and a half. The Junior Grange department is seeking help from members across the country in developing new passports - short lessons providing steps Juniors can go through to learn about specific topics.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
5 TO COMPETE FOR 2020 JUNIOR AMBASSADOR
The National Junior Grange is proud to announce five candidates for the 2020 Ambassador. The candidates are Carlie Conrady of Oklahoma, Bryce Danko of Pennsylvania, David Lehmann of Massachusetts, Sarah Jacoby of Iowa and Brianna Gervais of Connecticut.
NATIONAL GRANGE YOUTH OFFICER TEAM CHOSEN FOR 2019
This year’s Youth Officer Team will meet with the National Grange Officer Corps on for an exclusive meet and greet where they will talk to their officer counterpart and others about what it takes to perform their duties throughout the year and how the Grange has been part of their lives from Youth age on.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
DEADLINES IN SPOTLIGHT
Grange in Action
Sept. 25, 2019
Membership Display Contest
Sept. 30, 2019
Junior Community Service Reports
Oct. 1, 2019
All Lecturer's Contest/Programs
including quilt block & PR contest
Oct. 31, 2019
Remember to Visit our Grange Store ™
www.promoplace.com/grange!
Order on line or call Monroe Classic, Inc.
1-800-868-2330 | or email sales@monroeclassic.com
APPAREL | PROMOTIONAL ITEMS l JEWELRY
REGALIA | FUND RAISING PROGRAMS
Download Now for more information
Speakers Announced for: SustainAbility - 144th Annual Session of the California State Grange
Join us for the 144th Annual Session of the California State Grange at the Rincon Valley Grange Hall, 5055 Rincon Ave., Santa Rosa CA. October 12-15
Scheduled speakers include:
Emily Luscombe: "Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change"
Jeff Skinner, Schiff, Hardin, Attorney's at Law: Legal Updates
Susan Noah, National Grange Executive Committee Member and Oregon State Grange Master/President.
And more.....
Don't miss out on the fun!!!
Registration Deadline is October 1st. Don't be left out!
Dates: October 12-15, 2019
Location: Rincon Valley Grange Hall, 5055 Rincon Ave, Santa Rosa, CA
Get Registration Form Here!!
WEEKLY PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
POSITIVITY CAN EXPAND POSSIBILITIES FOR ORDER
By Amanda Brozana-Rios | National Grange Communications Director
This past weekend I was blessed to attend the Iowa State Grange 150th Annual Convention. Held in Kellogg, the group that gathered turned out to truly have that “good Grange spirit” all through their bones that was contagious.
They also paid homage to the man to first bring Grange to Iowa - Andrew Failor - who organized Newton Grange #1. Instead of holding the traditional memorial service on Sunday of their session, they held a graveside service from the Grange manual, a ceremony that had not been conceived as Failor and others began their Grange journey.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
DISCOUNT AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS WITH RV'S
By Amanda Brozana-Rios
National Grange Communications Director
Several members traveling to and from Grange Revival in Ozark, Arkansas, in July found a fun way to incorporate agritourism and savings into their journeys.
Duane and Chris Hamp from Spokane, WA, and Barbara, Roland and Kasey Giguere, of Shelburne, MA, had purchased memberships for the Harvest Hosts program, which has more than 825 partner sites across the U.S. and Canada that allow members to stay one night free on the property of an agriculturally-oriented business.
Because of their positive feedback, the National Grange reached out to Harvest Host and has secured a 20% off discount for all Grange members.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
DEADLINES IN SPOTLIGHT
Grange in Action
Sept. 25, 2019
Membership Display Contest
Sept. 30, 2019
Junior Community Service Reports
Oct. 1, 2019
All Lecturer's Contest/Programs including quilt block & PR contest
Oct. 31, 2019
Download Now for more information
PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
SEPTEMBER 6, 2019
WATCH OUT FOR CONTAGIOUS SWINE DISEASE
By Betsy Huber | National Grange President
Last week I wrote about the invasive insect pest Spotted Lanternfly which has the potential to severely impact grapes, fruit trees, hardwoods, and other crops, and is already in the Mid-Atlantic states. This week I will tell you about an even worse threat to American agriculture.
African swine fever is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease affecting both domestic and wild pigs of all ages. ASF is not a threat to human health and cannot be transmitted from pigs to humans. It is not a food safety issue.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
CHILDREN RETURNING TO SCHOOL NEED YOU TO TAKE ACTION
This is the season when students nationwide are headed back to school. Unfortunately, millions of students will start the school year still stuck on the wrong side of the digital divide. With your help, we can advocate for solutions to improve the pace and scale of broadband deployments in underserved communities nationwide.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
‘RURAL HOMECOMING’ CELEBRATION ANNOUNCED
Rural communities across the country will celebrate the inaugural Rural Homecoming Oct. 18-20 by hosting events and engaging members of their community as part of a national movement that is rooted in local connections. Rural community across the country are invited to participate, free of charge.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
SETTING UP AN ONLINE PAYMENT PLATFORM FOR YOUR GRANGE
Setting up an online payment platform can allow your Grange to collect dues on a semi-annual or quarterly basis, which can be an incentive to someone looking to join the Grange who may not carry checks or have a large chunk of single-time disposable income.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
GRANGES AWARD VETS WITH
QUILTS OF VALOR
On Friday, June 14, 60 members and guests attended the regular monthly meeting of Turkey Hill Grange #1370 (IL). The program consisted of celebrating Flag Day and honoring military veterans. Quilts of Valor were awarded to three special veterans for their service to our country.
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
ADAPTING TECHNOLOGY TO AN OLD SYSTEM
Many of our Granges have record books dating back to their founding that includes dues payments made by members. Even today, collecting dues is a major part of any Grange Secretary’s job.
If we are being frank, our dues collection system is antiquated, with members paying a lump sum by cash or check once a year. What if we could offer our members the option to pay their dues semi-annually or monthly with an electronic platform?
To read more, see link at bottom of page.
LATEST ISSUE OF GOOD DAY! MAGAZINE ON THE WAY TO SUBSCRIBERS
The 10th issue of Good Day!™ magazine will soon be in mailboxes of subscribers across the country and available for single-issue purchase through the Grange Supply Store at grangestore.org.
This issue provides detailed coverage of the first Grange Revival held this summer and details about a new partnership that provides a member discount for those who like to travel by RV. It also has several policy-oriented pieces and a look at the good work of Granges, just to name a few.
“We cannot wait to open our mailbox when we know it’s on the way and find a new issue,” Melanie Bostwick, of Kansas, said recently. “It’s such an uplifting magazine - one of the best things out of National Grange that shows off our organization.”
If you have not yet subscribed, do so today! For only $16 annually, you will receive this quarterly high-quality publication with information relevant to members and of interest to those who have not yet joined the Grange.
Remember to Visit our Grange Store ™
www.promoplace.com/grange!
Order on line or call Monroe Classic, Inc.
1-800-868-2330 | or email sales@monroeclassic.com
APPAREL | PROMOTIONAL ITEMS l JEWELRY
REGALIA | FUND RAISING PROGRAMS
Download Now to read full issue.
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
August 2019 WRAP-UP
Agriculture and Food
Hemp Farmers -Be Enthusiastic but Cautious
New hemp farmers should be excited about the huge potential of industrial hemp ranging from medical uses to bioplastics, chemicals, fuels, paper and animal feed. But they are advised to proceed with caution. That's the advice USDA Under Secretary Greg Ibach gave to the National Industrial Hemp Council recently. Lots of regulatory work must be done before hemp can be a commonplace commodity option for producers. Ibach has been working with numerous other federal agencies to develop rules and regulations to fully legalize production, sale and interstate commerce. This new regulatory framework should be in place this fall to include testing requirements, farm inspections and the destruction procedures for any hemp crop that tests above 0.3 percent THC. In the meantime, the FDA is moving as rapidly as possible to issue regulations but says it is moving cautiously because there is still too much we don't know about CBD such as cumulative exposure risks and long term effects.
Cities like Denver, Colorado are selling CBD-infused beer, food and dog treats. But an American Herbal Products Association conference there recently heard FDA's concern about unsubstantiated heath claims that CBD cured everything from Alzheimer's to cancer. It is prohibited to add CBD to food at this time because there is a significant amount of data needed to understand the effects on human exposure and the long term effects of regular consumption.
Another Court Finds "Waters of the U.S." Rule Legally Deficient
A federal district court in Georgia has ruled the EPA and Corps of Engineers overreached their jurisdiction in asserting federal authority over activities in interstate waters, tributaries and adjacent waters. The judge found the WOTUS rule's vast expansion of jurisdiction over waters and land traditionally within states' regulatory authority cannot stand absent a clear statement from Congress (congressional intent) in the Clean Water Act. Since no such statement has been made, the WOTUS rule is unlawful under the CWA according to the court.
Grange Supports Ag Research
The National Grange sent a letter to the leadership of the Senate agriculture and appropriations committees in support of the American Growers Act unveiled by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) in early August. He intends to formally introduce the bill with cosponsors in September. The Act would authorize a five-year 5% inflation-adjusted annual agriculture research funding increase for the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, Agriculture Research Service, Economic Research Service and National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Presidential Candidates Pay Attention to Ag
Democratic presidential candidates are beginning to court agriculture more than usual as they roll out farm policy platforms to woo voters in Iowa. Senator Bernie Sanders has a sweeping 10-year plan to carry out the Green New Deal and reshape U.S. agriculture through regulations and subsidies to reduce its environmental impact and push farmers into smaller scales of production and organic methods. Specifically he would pay farmers to capture carbon in soil through environmental practices, pay states to develop food recovery systems, transition large-scale confinement animal feeding operations into "ecologically regenerative practices", pay urban and suburban dwellers to transform their lawns into food-producing or reforested space that sequesters carbon and saves water, and bring back Depression-era supply management and grain reserves to prop up commodity prices and cut food waste. Senator Elizabeth Warren's ag proposal would break up big corporations such as meat packers and pesticide manufacturers, encourage climate-friendly practices, control overproduction, guarantee prices at the cost of production (known as "parity"), and rely upon the government to stabilize the market by storing surpluses. Senator Amy Klobuchar takes a more moderate approach to focus on expanding farm support programs, tie farm subsidies to the cost of production, increase the portion of crop insurance premiums covered by taxpayers and expand rural jobs. The one common theme of all Democratic candidates from top to bottom of the polls is climate change and that farmers will benefit from addressing it.
Health Care
Where are Seniors' Drug Rebates and Discounts Going?
A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) addresses the growth of manufacturer discounts and rebates in the Medicare Part D program. Patient costs for health care have become a focus of public policy on the Hill and in the Administration. Patients are intended to share in the $166 billion in rebates and discounts biopharmaceutical companies pay to insurance companies, the government, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and others in the drug supply chain. Here are some facts about the report's findings.
• The bulk of these savings are not reaching America's seniors at the pharmacy counter. Insurance companies say they use rebates and discounts to keep premiums low. But a Kaiser Family Foundation February poll found a majority of seniors said a lower copay for prescription drugs at the pharmacy was more important than lower insurance premiums.
• The three largest PBMs own or are owned by insurance companies. The lion's share of PBM rebates are passed through to insurance companies. But the PBM and insurance markets are heavily integrated as evidenced by CVS Caremark's merger with Aetna, Express Scripts ownership by Cigna and OptumRx ownership by United Healthcare.
• Fees paid to PBMs have quadrupled in the past two years. Regardless of whether they pass rebates to insurers, Part D is a significant revenue stream for PBMs.
The National Grange continues to work with other patient groups to find ways to reduce the price of prescription drugs at the pharmacy counter.
Canadian Patients Who Cannot Wait Come to America
The Fraser Institute reports that 63,000 Canadians left their country to have surgery in 2016. The Canadian universal health care system is often referred to by proponents of nationalized or socialized health care. Surgeries in both Canada and the United States are normally scheduled after patients are seen by the surgeon after first being referred by their own physician. In the U.S., 70% of patients were seen by specialists within four weeks after referral whereas in Canada less than 40% were seen in four weeks. After being advised a procedure is necessary, 61% of Americans had their surgery within a month compared to only 31% of Canadians. Our American health care system needs to be improved and made more cost effective. However, the Canadian system may not be the best model to follow.
Telecommunications
AT&T and T-Mobile Team Up to Counter Robocalls
AT&T and T-Mobile working together have begun to deliver caller authentication technology that works across both their networks. This is an important first step toward industry-wide call verification. Nearly 48 billion robocalls were received by U.S. mobile customers last year. Unwanted robocall attempts will continue but caller verification will help customers better decide which calls to answer or ignore. A call that is "spoofed" showing a faked number will fail the SHAKEN/STIR Caller ID verification and will not be marked as verified. Conversely, verification will confirm a call is coming from the identified number.
Future Farming Will Demand 5G Wireless Internet Service
An op-ed by National Grange President Betsy Huber and published by Agri-Pulse says that expanding wireless internet access in rural areas will continue to fuel the truly game-changing advances made by precision agriculture. These include new ways to grow crops by using less water, seed, fertilizer and pesticides. Made possible by a faster mobile internet, precision agriculture will continue to support new innovations like driverless tractors, robots and drones which are already increasingly handling farming tasks.
Keep Voice Services in the Lifeline Program
In a letter to the commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), National Grange President Betsy Huber urged the Commission to maintain support for Lifeline voice services at the December 1, 2018 levels and to not eliminate support for voice services as proposed for 2021. Many senior, handicapped and veteran rural Americans still depend upon voice services to access health care, contact social services agencies, find jobs and keep connected to family and friends. The Washington Post recently published a letter to the editor from Crystal Rhoades, a member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission, who pointed out that federal Lifeline program smartphones are the simplest and most efficient way to connect low income Americans. She says she relied on Lifeline to gain a solid footing and pursue her education as a single parent.
Trade
Some Good News
During the recent G7 summit in France, President Trump and Prime Minister Abe of Japan announced they had reached an agreement in principle to lower Japanese tariffs and increase market share for U.S. agricultural commodities. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer who led the negotiations says the new deal will eventually pave the way for an additional $7 billion in agricultural exports to Japan. The agreement is expected to be a major benefit for beef, pork, wheat, dairy products, wine, ethanol and a variety of other products. Earlier in August, Lighthizer announced a deal whereby the U.S. would get exclusive access to a large portion (80%) of Europe's tariff rate quota for beef. The agreement is expected to go into effect later this fall following European Parliament approval.
Some Bad News
The economic effects of the trade war with China that affected so much of agriculture is now spreading through the American landscape. True, it is a war that needed to be fought to curtail China's monetary and intellectual property shenanigans that threaten so much American business. But trade wars take their toll on both countries and this one is no different. High tariffs and more expensive goods cut into the economies of both countries. More tariff escalation is set to go into effect September 1. In the meantime, President Trump has announced that talks will resume with China. Our best analysis is...."Stay tuned".
Hold the Date for the Fly-IN
Mark your calendars for the tentative dates of February 7-8, 2020 for the "First in the Nation" presidential primary in New Hampshire. The National Grange has traditionally held its fly-in every four years in New Hampshire to allow Grangers to participate in the presidential campaigns of the candidates of their choice. It has proven to be an outstanding experience for Grange youth and young adults. Note: If another state sets their primary earlier than February 11, New Hampshire will adjust their date to match it in order to continue their "First in the Nation" legacy.
Early Bird Registration Ends Sept. 1
Don't Delay Register Today!
There's still time to register for the 153rd Annual National Grange Convention. Register and submit your payment by Sept. 1 to take advantage of the Early Bird Registration and save $5.
NOTE: Meal tickets will not be available for purchase if you register on site so please plan ahead.
VISIT www.nationalgrange.org/convention
Perspective
If the power to do hard work is not talent, it is the best possible substitute for it. ~ James A. Garfield.
I would like to be remembered as someone who did the best she could with the talent she had. ~ J.K. Rowling
Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade? ~ Benjamin Franklin
To be successful, the first thing to do is fall in love with your work. ~ Sister Mary Lauretta
Your talent is God's gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God. ~ Leo Buscaglia
Talent is God-given. Be humble. Fame is Man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful. ~ John Wooten
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
Conceit is self-given. Be careful. ~ John Wooten
Download This Issue
NATIONAL GRANGE PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 23rd 2019 ISSUE
BEWARE OF THE SPREAD OF THIS PRETTY PEST
There is a new invasive pest threatening agriculture—the Spotted Lanternfly. This leafhopper was first discovered almost five years ago in Berks County, Pennsylvania, having been introduced to the U.S. from China, Vietnam, or India where it is native. Strict quarantine regulations have slowed the spread and limited the infestation to Pennsylvania and some surrounding counties, but it may soon spread across the U.S.
IT'S A GOOD DAY! TO WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Starting in the Winter 2019/20 (V3I4) issue of Good Day!, we will welcome new members into our Order whose information has been submitted online. Anyone can submit this information, not just Subordinate Secretaries. We hope you all will help to make sure new members feel welcome and connected to the Grange immediately upon joining.
Please use the following link to ensure new members for all of 2019 are recognized in the next issue and keep up throughout the year as you welcome new Brothers and Sisters into your Grange.
LIFT UP
YOUR HANDS
20 Songs in
Sign Language.
$1.50 each.
Order Now!
Contest Deadlines - Use download link to get application/forms
JUNIOR AMBASSADOR APPLICATION
Sept. 1, 2019
JUNIOR MENTOR APPLICATION
Sept. 1, 2019
JUNIOR HISTORIAN AWARD APPLICATION
Sept. 1, 2019
GRANGE IN ACTION
Sept. 25, 2019
MEMBERSHIP DISPLAY CONTEST
Sept. 30, 2019
JUNIOR COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORTS
Oct. 1, 2019
ALL LECTURER’S CONTESTS/PROGRAMS
Including quilt block & PR contest
Oct. 31, 2019
Holiday Greeting Cards
including Thanksgiving Cards, Birthday, Thank You
& Sympathy Cards.
Napkins & Coasters, Business Stationery.
Can be ordered at Gragne Store Now!
Remember to Visit our Grange Store ™
www.promoplace.com/grange!
Order on line or call Monroe Classic, Inc.
1-800-868-2330 | or email sales@monroeclassic.com
APPAREL | PROMOTIONAL ITEMS l JEWELRY
REGALIA | FUND RAISING PROGRAMS
Download Now for more information
NATIONAL GRANGE PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 16, 2019 ISSUE
New Item Available in Supply Store
The 2018 Journal of Proceedings from the 152nd Annual Convention, Stowe, VT, is now available in a softbound edition. Also available are JOP issues from 2013 – 2017.
Get Ready, They're Coming
The 2019 National Grange Communication Fellows have begun work and work they will for the next few months and hopefully well beyond on behalf of the Grange at all levels
Grangers Enjoy Back to School Savings
It is that time of the year for back to school sales and Grange members can cash in on savings offered exclusively through our partnership with Lenovo.
Letter from the National Lecturer
The first Grange Revival was fantastic and exactly what we hoped it would be – a great gathering of Grangers intent on having fun, learning, sharing ideas, making new friends and spending quality time with old friends. Oh, and eating – lots and lots of eating! Duane and I traveled over 4,300 miles round-trip which included 11 BIG states and we saw the most amazing natural wonders, learned a ton of American history, visited with cherished friends and laughed and smiled at the most quirky of roadside attractions. We’d do it all again tomorrow in a heartbeat if I could figure out how to work from the road.
Please keep your eyes open for information about the next Grange Revival in 2021 and plan on joining us for a Grange experience like none other.
Quilt of Valor Presentation
Searching of Grange Veterans or active-duty personnel who will be present at the National Grange Convention in Bloomington, MN the evening of Wed., Nov. 6th and who have NOT yet been presented with a quilt through the Quilts of Valor Foundation.
Quilt Block Contest
Remember, the National Grange Quilt Block Contest is open to members and non-members alike. Also, there is a junior division for those 5-13 years of age and we just added a men’s division in addition to the adult division
Public Relations Contest
This contest is less about the contest and more about the sharing of ideas – ideas for both events as well as ways to advertise. Please share EVERY flyer, poster, Facebook event notice, etc. that you create to advertise your Grange.
DEADLINES ON THE HORIZON
Membership Contest
Deadline: Sept. 30
The goal of this contest is to create a display promoting your Grange and to use it in the community your Grange serves. Grange displays should promote the active role your Grange takes in its community by highlighting the activities and functions your Grange puts on, the community service projects it engages in, and the future vision of the membership. The displays can also briefly highlight the history of the organization.
Strive to be a Grange in Action
Deadline: Sept. 25
The newest recognition program of the National Grange has a quickly approaching September 25th deadline. The Grange In Action program is designed to encourage all Granges to be active in their communities and complete events or projects, no matter how small. Any Grange that does not complete the application for Distinguished Grange can participate in this program.
PREMIUM GRADE SATIN SASH
(3" X 72")
For use at parades, school events, fundraisers, grand openings, conventions and Special Events!
$4.10 each for 10 or more
Remember to Visit our Grange Store ™
www.promoplace.com/grange!
Order on line or call Monroe Classic, Inc.
1-800-868-2330 | or email sales@monroeclassic.com
APPAREL | PROMOTIONAL ITEMS l JEWELRY
REGALIA | FUND RAISING PROGRAMS
Grange Foil Seals Have New Low Price
$5.10 for a roll of 100
shipping not included
Download and View this Issue
THE GRANGE IS A GRASS ROOTS ORGANIZATION.
Policies of the California State Grange and the National Grange come from members who submit resolutions to their local Grange, vote on them, and if passed, these are forwarded to the State Grange.
At the Annual State Session, the delegates from each of the local Granges then consider, debate, amend, and vote on those resolutions to become California State Grange policy. Any National-level resolutions passed by the delegates are sent on to the National Grange for consideration to become policy on a National level.
Resolutions can be on any subject important to that member or community where they think the State Grange and/or National Grange can help promote progress.
Deadline for Resolution Packet: September 30, 2019
Any resolutions submitted after that date or brought to Session will go to the Resolution Committee. The Committee will then review it and determine if it will go before the delegates as a Committee Resolution.
Submit Resolutions:
Resolutions must be verified by the submitting Grange Secretary and sent by
(1) Mail with the signature of the Grange Master, Grange Secretary and Seal of the Grange
OR
(2) Submit through the State Grange website at the link below. Files may be copied and pasted or uploaded.
Resolutions are reviewed by the State Grange Secretary for formatting only and assignment to Committees. No changes are made to the original text as submitted. Duplicate resolutions from different Granges may be combined only if they are exactly the same.
"SustainAbility" -- 144th Annual Session October 12-15, 2019, Rincon Valley Grange Hall, Santa Rosa, CA
Submit Resolutions online
NATIONAL GRANGE PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
AUGUST 9, 2019 ISSUE
TODAY IS THE DAY!
If you haven’t registered for the 153rd Annual National Grange Convention, today is the day. From tours of the Kelley Farm to watching spirited debate among delegates, attendees can add to their #GrangeStory in a variety of ways. Connect with members from all over the country and truly experience the fellowship Grange has to offer.
Early bird registration closes on Sept. 1
The discounted registration rate goes from $30 to $35 after the early bird deadline passes through Oct. 12. Registrations after October 12 will be assessed at the on-site rate of $40. To receive your discount, early bird registrations must be paid online or by check mailed to the National Grange office by Sept. 2. Registrations from Sept. 2 through Oct. 12 must be paid by October 12 to receive the $35 rate.
NEW JUNIOR PASSPORT AVAILABLE
Some of the Junior passports have come out over the past two years and we’re looking to add more regularly. Some simple ones, based on the previous Junior badges, will become available this month. The first of those, Junior Attendance, can be found here. A preview of new passports in the Patron’s Chain and/or Good Day! magazine.
MEN'S QUILT BLOCK CONTEST
I am happy to announce the addition of a men’s division for the 2019 National Grange Quilt Block Contest. There will be a first, second and third place awarded with the same $50, $30 and $20 prize money. Come on guys, let’s see who has what it takes to sew a quilt block (or two or three)!
Grange Youth Logo - 17oz VACUUM INSULATED STAINLESS STEEL BOTTLE
Keeps beverage hot or cold for up to 12 hours,
screw-on rubber-seal cap.
Hand wash only.
10.0" H x 2.75" Diameter.
Item Color: Lime Green
Laser engraved with the Grange Youth logo.
Item # ABTJP-MAARK
$12.50 each
Remember to Visit our Grange Store ™
Order on line or call Monroe Classic, Inc.
1-800-868-2330 | or email sales@monroeclassic.com
APPAREL | PROMOTIONAL ITEMS l JEWELRY
REGALIA | FUND RAISING PROGRAMS
Granges Encouraged to Participate in “of the year” Recognition Program
By Pete Pompper, National Grange Community Service Director
For the past several years on the national level we have honored a Teacher, Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter/EMT of the year from nominations that are sent in from each State Grange. This is a great way to honor those in your Community for all they do and several community Granges do this throughout the year. Granges have a special recognition meeting where they present awards to the winners and you do not have to limit it to these categories. You can honor any hometown hero any time. If you do not I hope you will start and I would be glad to help your Grange get started.
Do’s and Don’ts of Award Winning Community Service Books
By Pete Pompper, National Grange Community Service Director
As this Grange year starts coming to the close, I want to share with you the suggestions we have come up with when you put together your Community Service books. I need to preface this with these are just suggestions to make the books flow better and make it easier on the people putting it together. Different State Granges may have different ideas or suggestions. There were some good projects in some of the larger books but they were difficult to identify because of the way the books were organized. More pages (fluff) or larger books are not always better. Good organization is important. This is not a history book of everything your Grange did in a year, just the Community Service projects. This was an issue the judges this year had to sort through. It is important that the name of your Grange is on the front of the book. If you have to special order a bigger book it might be to “fluffy”.
For more information, download the newsletter.
SustainAbility - Theme for 2019 California State Grange Convention
"SustainAbility" IS THE THEME FOR THE 144TH ANNUAL SESSION OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE GRANGE
DATES:
▪ Saturday October 12 through Tuesday October 15, 2019
LOCATION:
▪ Rincon Valley Grange Hall, 5055 Rincon Ave., Santa Rosa, CA
WHAT TO BRING:
▪ Yourself, your family, your friends, an attitude for fun, good conversation, diverse opinions, and good Grange spirit.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN THERE:
▪ "A Taste Of...." Workshops
▪ Talent Show
▪ Exemplification of the 5th & 6th Degrees
▪ Legislative Resolutions
▪ Grange Expo!!
▪ Project Sustenance
GRANGE CONVENTION - WHERE IT ALL COMES TOGETHER
More information coming to your email in the very near future. Watch for updates!!!
Visit CSG Website Convention Page
A Virtual Barn Raising!!
In previous times, when someone needed a barn built, the community came together for a good old-fashioned barn raising. Neighbors and friends made it a day of work, socializing, food, laughter, and, at the end of the day, the barn was raised.
Today, our Granges are in need of help with their buildings so we designed a Virtual Barn-Raising event to help support each other in our Grange community.
This Virtual Barn-Raising is for Jacinto Grange in Glenn County. They asked for a loan to fix the ducting under the building to help cooling and heating the building for their events. Jacinto Grange is busy in their community, supporting the 4-H, hosting community events, and raising funds with lunches, dinners, and card parties. The State Grange was able to grant half of the amount and arranged a loan for $4,300 for the other half.
This virtual barn-raising is to ask the community of Granges help Jacinto Grange pay off the loan. All donations would go directly to the principal. If your Grange is able, please make any donations payable to "California State Grange" and mark the memo field "Jacinto Grange". The State Grange will notify Jacinto Grange of each donation received on their behalf.
Send to: California State Grange, 3830 U Street, Sacramento, CA 95817. If you have any questions, please contact the State Grange Secretary, Lillian Booth at 916-454-5808.
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
July 2019 WRAP-UP
Agriculture and Food
Wall Street Leaving Farm Sector
When the housing and real estate crash occurred ten years ago, Wall Street banks went hunting for new ways to expand loan business beyond the troubled mortgage sector. They found those new opportunities in the rural Midwest and piled into the agriculture sector. It was easy to lend to farmers who had plenty of income and collateral as commodity and land prices surged. Now, as farm income falls, the U.S.-China trade war intensifies, and farm debt rises to $427 billion this year, Wall Street players are headed for the exits. Chapter 12 federal court filings, a type of bankruptcy protection largely created for small farmers a few years ago, increased from 361 filings in 2014 to 498 in 2018.
Pathway for Hemp Hits Regulatory Bump
The effort to implement the legalization of industrial hemp authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill is complex. The USDA is working on crop insurance, the Food and Drug Administration is trying to determine health risks to humans and animals of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD) and the EPA is looking for research on crop protection chemicals that are safe to use on hemp. The agencies are scrambling to publish regulations this fall.
Rewrite of Contract Grower Rule Expected
For many years, producers who grew animals (mainly broiler chickens) on contract for meat processors have accused those companies of unfair preferential treatment among growers. They have become more vocal that their relationship with the integrator - the company providing the chicks, feed and veterinary care to contract growers - has become more and more strained. Growers feel pressured into costly repairs and upkeep while fearing retaliation (sudden cancellation of contracts) for speaking out publically. Several Farm Bills directed the USDA to propose enforcement criteria to address such concerns but annual appropriations riders prevented funding to be used for their development. USDA recently announced it intends to publish proposed regulations later this summer to specifically address the issue of undue preference.
Farm Prices to Suffer as Increasing Productivity Outpaces Demand
According to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), global demand for agricultural products will not keep up with agriculture's productivity growth over the next decade. This will cause inflation-adjusted prices of the major commodities to remain at or below their current levels. Yield improvements and higher production intensity are being driven by technological innovation which will result in higher output even as agricultural land use remains nearly constant.
Democratic Presidential Hopefuls on Rural Issues
It's still early, but here's what we know about candidates' support so far:
• Biden wants to invest in climate-friendly farming, strengthen antitrust enforcement, grow the bioeconomy, invest in clean energy, support deployment of methane digesters, invest in rural broadband, expand the Conservation Stewardship Program, give persistent poverty counties more federal funding, protect and build upon the Affordable Care Act, "decarbonize" the food and agriculture sector, and is endorsing the Green New Deal.
• Sanders endorses the Green New Deal, and wants to address climate change, transition to regenerative family farming practices, and transition to more sustainable management for livestock systems.
• Warren wants to invest $2 trillion over the next 10 years in green research, manufacturing, and exporting that links American innovation directly to American jobs, and helping achieve the ambitious targets of the Green New Deal. She supports family farms, likes country-of-origin labeling on food products and is committed to breaking up agribusiness monopolies.
• Harris wants to forge a Green New Deal to tackle the climate crisis, build a clean economy that creates good-paying jobs for the future, and confront environmental injustice head on.
• Klobuchar vows to get the United States back into the Paris climate change accord and wants rural housing reform.
• Buttigieg wants to implement a Green New Deal with all available tools including a carbon tax-and-dividend for Americans, and major direct investment to build a 100% clean energy society.
• O'Rourke wants a 10-year $5 trillion climate change investment, allow farmers and ranchers to profit from capturing greenhouse gasses, and have government procurement programs create a new "buy clean" program.
• Booker is a vegan who is critical of concentrated animal feeding operations and committed to addressing climate change with an eye on vulnerable communities.
Ag Workforce/Immigration
Changes Proposed to the H-2A Farmworker Visa Program
The Labor Department is proposing to allow more workers, overhaul wage requirements and streamline the H-2A application certification process in a 489- page notice released in mid-July. Grower groups and worker advocacy organizations are pouring through the proposed rulemaking document to offer expert comment to the DOL. Farmers and ranchers are generally pleased so far with the proposed changes. Demand for certified H-2A applicants has increased sharply year-over-year with a 21 percent increase from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018 as an example. For several years the National Grange has asked the Department of Labor to revise and streamline H-2A regulations and will work to finalize a much-improved rule.
Mexico's Migration Crackdown
The number of people taken into custody along the U.S. southern border fell 28 percent in June, a drop U.S. authorities say reflects the early impact of Mexico's crackdown on Central American migration. In May, President Trump agreed to withhold additional tariffs on Mexico and Mexican President Obrador agreed to dramatically increase enforcement efforts on the Mexican side of the border.
Health Care
Senate Urged to Keep Part D Intact
The National Grange along with 28 additional groups with a focus on senior citizen health, urged the Senate Finance Committee to reconsider many of their plans to restructure the Medicare Part D program. The groups raised concerns that the Committee's proposed changes to Part D have been discussed without meaningful stakeholder input and reportedly lacks significant reforms to address seniors' out-of-pocket cost sharing. The Committee should first address high senior out-of-pocket costs in any reform proposal, not just government savings. The National Grange had previously sent the Committee a cautionary statement that adding an inflation rebate penalty to Part D could arbitrarily target innovative medicines and may hamper patients' access to new and innovative treatments.
"Cadillac Tax" Repeal
The National Grange has joined numerous patient advocacy groups on letters to both the House and Senate urging repeal of the so-called "Cadillac Tax." This is a 40% tax on higher cost employer-provided health care benefit plans. This tax is especially onerous for middle income families and small businesses that already struggle to offer health care coverage to their employees. Employer-provided coverage is the backbone of our health care system and the primary source of coverage for the majority of Americans.
Telecommunications
Support for Airwaves Act
The National Grange has issued a statement strongly supporting the reintroduced bipartisan Airwaves Act in the Senate. The Act would make spectrum available for auction to be used to relieve network congestion and support 5G implementation. It includes the stipulation that 10% of the proceeds be used specifically for rural broadband infrastructure build-out.
Lifeline Service Support in New York
Roger Halbert, Secretary of the New York State Grange, recently represented the National Grange to support the Lifeline program before the State of New York Public Service Commission. Several wireless providers have petitioned the Commission to be allowed to participate in New York's Targeted Accessibility Fund to deliver additional access to the Lifeline Program. Lifeline offers discounted phone and broadband service to elderly, disabled, shut-in, low-income citizens and to veterans.
Trade
Parameters of a U.S.-China Trade Deal
At the late June G-20 leaders summit when President Trump and China's President Xi Jinplng shook hands, extended olive branches and agreed to reopen trade talks, they apparently had a mutual understanding. The trade war would come down to the U.S. easing up on Huawei and China buying agricultural products. President Trump has since agreed to give timely licensing decisions to allow several tech companies to sell to Chinese telecom giant Huawei. Huawei was blacklisted in May effectively stopping its ability to buy U.S.-made chips. Chinese companies have since reached out to U.S. exporters to inquire about pricing and also filed applications to remove tariffs on agriculture goods. These goodwill gestures seem likely to pave the way for in-person meetings soon. However, on Capitol Hill Huawei is viewed as a threat to national security so stay tuned for further developments.
Japan Trade Promising
Talks are set to resume on a free trade agreement with Japan August 1 in Washington. Japanese Economy Minister Motegi will lead a visiting delegation for meetings with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. U.S. ag producers have been pushing for a free trade agreement with Japan since President Trump pulled out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact. Japan is America's fourth largest ag market and a major buyer of beef, pork, dairy, wheat, wine, fruits, vegetables and other commodities.
Lobby at Home in August
Congress will be on recess August 2-September 9. That means that your senators and representative will be spending at least some time at home. Remember the famous quote from legendary House Speaker Tip O'Neill who often proclaimed, "All politics is local." Survey after survey of congressmen and congressional staff say by far the most effective way to get your message to Washington is your action right from home. Go to local town hall meetings, listening sessions, fairs, rallies, celebrations, community events and other opportunities to come face-to-face with your member of Congress or their staff. Br courteous and respectful but direct and to the point as you summarize your issues. Make sure you have factual information and know both sides of the argument. Give the person you are talking to your contact information and ask for follow-up.
Perspective
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age. ~ Victor Hugo
Youth smiles without any reason. It is one of its chiefest charms. ~ Thomas Gray
Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art. ~ Stanislaw Jerzy Lec
The foundation of every state is the education of its youth. ~ Diogenes
In youth we learn; in age we understand. ~ Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach
There are three periods in life: youth, middle age and "how well you look. ~ Nelson Rockefeller
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
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In this issue:
NEWS
• Master's Message
• Debate heats up on cell-cultured meat
• Youth members represent Grange at CADCA
• Cash in on savings with member benefits
• Contest, program deadlines quickly approaching
• Contacts made during summer events are important
RESOURCES
• Grange Member Benefits Flyer
• July Junior Grange Month Flyer
• 153rd Annual Convention Flyer
• Grange Foundation Mercantile Flyer
• Grange Quilt Block Contest Info & Form
• Good Day!™ Subscription Form
View the Latest Newsletter
BI-WEEKLY PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
In this issue:
• MASTER'S MESSAGE
• GET PACKED FOR GRANGE REVIVAL
• PREPARE FOR FUN IN BLOOMINGTON
• HAPPY JUNIOR GRANGE MONTH
• GRANGE STRONG CAP
View the Latest Newsletter
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
JUNE 2019 WRAP-UP
Agriculture and Food
New Dairy Insurance Sign Up Begins
The new Dairy Margin Coverage program sign up began June 17 at the Farm Service Agency offices nationwide. The DMC, created by the 2018 farm bill, is designed to provide protection for dairy farmers when the margin between milk and feed prices reaches a certain threshold. The DMC offers a wider coverage spread than the former Margin Protection Program and is intended to benefit small-scale dairy producers.
FDA Drops Proposed "Added Sugar" Label on Maple Syrup and Honey
The Food and Drug Administration has scrapped its bid to require honey and maple syrup to be labeled as sources of added sugars in food products. The added sugar proposed rule was strongly opposed by several state Granges and the National Grange who argued that the added sugar line would have misled consumers. These products still must include the percent Daily Value of total sugar to ensure consumers have information how these products contribute to their total diet.
USDA Lengthens Haying and Grazing Time on Prevented Planting Acres
The USDA's Risk Management Agency will allow haying and grazing on prevented planted acres to begin on September 1, two months sooner than the normal date of November 1. This one-year change is a result of the excessive rain and unprecedented flooding that kept producers from planting traditional crops this spring. Farmers and ranchers, particularly in northern tier states, are very pleased with this new development. The date change had support from farm groups and bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.
Feral Swine Causing Nationwide Problems
Feral swine or "wild hogs" have grown into a huge problem for landowners, farmers and ranchers, orchardists and many more. Wild hogs adapt to just about any habitat, have few natural enemies and reproduce at high rates. They uproot almost anything, destroy ecosystems and spread organisms harmful to human health like E. coli, salmonella and leptospirosis. The 2018 Farm Bill included authorization and funding for a new pilot program for control and eradication jointly administered by USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service. Pilot projects will target states throughout the South and Southeast which have the highest feral swine population densities and associated damages in the country.
Health Care
Health Care Transparency
President Trump signed an Executive Order June 24 the White House states will improve price and quality transparency in health care with these key points:
• The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will require hospitals to publicly disclose amounts that reflect what patients actually pay for services in an easy to read format.
• HHS will require insurance companies to provide patients information on cost of care and out-of-pocket costs before they receive services.
• The Administration will improve quality measurements across all federal health care programs and make them public.
• Researchers and developers will get more access to federal health care data.
• Expand benefit options of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and other tax-preferred health accounts.
Pneumonia Vaccination Important
The National Grange joined ten other health, consumer and patient groups to urge the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to the CDC to recommend the continuation of coverage for pneumococcal vaccinations by insurance plans and Medicare. Nearly one million cases of pneumonia are reported each year which result in 400,000 hospitalizations and 20,000-30,000 deaths. A large percentage of these deaths are seniors.
More Concern About Imported Drugs
The National Grange teamed with the New York State Grange and seventeen other patient advocacy organizations to relay ongoing concerns about the risks of imported drugs to the sponsors of drug importation legislation in the New York State Legislature. The cosigned letter to sponsors of the legislation stressed the many risks that outweigh any benefits.
Don't Curtail Critical Innovations
Texas Senator Cornyn and Connecticut Senator Blumenthal recently introduced the Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act, S. 1416, to curb the anti-competitive use of patents to protect prescription drugs and prevent generic and biosimilar competition. While well intended, the bill ls overly expansive in that its broad provisions could limit the variety of therapeutic options by creating the assumption that any new drug patent on an existing product could be deemed "anti-competitive." This could curtail critical innovations that patients rely on and leave them with limited therapeutic options. The National Grange joined other patient advocacy groups to urge the Senators to rethink their approach and encourage development of new medications and medication technology that provides the treatment of serious, complex, difficult-to-treat and/or life-threatening illnesses.
Infrastructure
Let's Make a Deal
Democratic congressional leaders say they have agreed with President Trump to seek a deal on a $2 trillion infrastructure bill. The President and members of Congress from both parties have long agreed on the need to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, but how to pay for it and what kinds of projects to be included have stymied progress. However, few in Washington believe a landmark piece of legislation will move through Congress this year with the 2020 presidential election approaching.
Spending Snapshot
With a new infrastructure spending bill on the mind of many on Capitol Hill, what have been the spending patterns on America's highways and waterways? According to the Congregational Budget Office, public spending (federal, state, local) on transportation and water infrastructure accounted for $441 billion in 2017. Highways were the largest infrastructure expenditure at $177 billion or 40% of the total public spending on transportation and water. The highway system is funded through the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act and the Highway Trust Fund. HTF has traditionally funded all highway projects and 80% of public transportation programs with fuel, truck and tire taxes. Ports and harbors are maintained by the Inland Waterways Trust Fund and the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund through a 29 cent-per-gallon tax on barge fuel. These user tax revenues fund about half of the amount needed for the programs; the remainder must be appropriated by Congress.
Taxes
The House Ways and Means Committee passed a broad tax bill in late June that includes an extension of the biodiesel tax credit and incentives for biofuel infrastructure and wind power. The tax bill also included a roll-back of estate tax exemptions beginning in 2023. The National Grange and a large group of agriculture, rural, landowner, small business and family- owned enterprises opposed the roll-back. This proposed change pulls the rug out from family-owned businesses and farms that have recently adjusted their succession plans to reflect the new tax code and causes more uncertainty for businesses hoping to pass to the next generation. The bill in its current form more than doubles the number of taxpayers subject to the death tax starting in 2023. Our groups will work to keep the roll-back provision out of the Senate version of the tax bill.
Telecommunications
National Grange Petitions for New Connectivity
The National Grange along with 24 other rural education, municipal, telemedicine and agriculture groups petitioned the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to open a new rulemaking procedure to clear outstanding regulatory hurdles related to TV White Space technology. TWS technology offers a solution to the digital divide that persists because of the prohibitive cost of deploying traditional technologies to small customer bases in hard-to-reach areas.
A Boost for USDA Rural Broadband Funding
The House has approved an increase in FY20 funding for USDA's ReConnect rural broadband loan and grant program to $605 million. The Senate has yet to start work on its FY20 appropriations bills but is expected to be favorable to this increase.
Upward Momentum for Broadband
U.S. broadband capital investment increased by $3 billion to $75 billion in 2018 according to USTelecom. Broadband capital investment had declined on a negative regulatory impact with the classification of broadband providers as utilities in 2015. That classification was reversed in 2017 and broadband investment began to rise again.
Trade
On June 29, President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan. They agreed to restart talks to end the U.S. - China trade war that has cost American agriculture billions in lost exports. The tariff and trade deadlock with China continues to weigh heavily on farmers and ranchers. The loss of farm product markets in China has been exacerbated by severe weather and prevented plantings across wide areas of farm country. Uncertainty is beginning to creep into rural America as the economic impact spreads through entire communities. On a brighter note, an agriculture trade pact with Japan appears promising after Japanese elections in July. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement has moved to higher priority in talks between U.S. Trade Representative Lightheizer and House of Representatives leadership. House Speaker Pelosi announced in late June her desire for a vote to approve USMCA, but is demanding that pharmaceutical patents, environmental standards and labor enforcement issues be addressed before passage. Mexico meantime passed the USMCA, making it the first country to ratify the North American trade pact. Canada has introduced an implementation bill in the country's Parliament but Canada wants to approve the deal closer to the final vote by the U.S. Congress.
Transportation
The National Grange and members of the Agricultural Transportation Working Group recently expressed strong support for the Surface Transportation Board undertaking efforts to modernize the Board's oversight of freight rail rates and for the creation the STB's Rate Reform Task Force. The freight rail marketplace has changed significantly over the past 30 years while the Board's process for adjudicating excessive rail rates has not kept pace.
Perspective
• Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. George Eliot
• Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can't hurry the crops or make an ox in two days. Henri Alain
• Don't try to teach a pig to sing. It doesn't work, and it annoys the pig.
Judy Sheindl
• As for butter versus margarine, I trust cows more than chemists.
Joan Gussow
• Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
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BI-WEEKLY PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
In this issue:
• MASTER'S MESSAGE
• MEMBERSHIP CONTEST OPEN TO ALL GRANGES
• GROW CLUB SEEKS DONATIONS FOR RAFFLE THAT BENEFITS YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS
• PROSTATE CANCER A SERIOUS CONCERN , ESPECIALLY FOR AGENT ORANGE EXPOSED VETS
• NOTABLE ACTIONS OF COMMUNITY GRANGES
View the Latest Newsletter
In this issue:
NEWS
• Master's Message
• Real milk park of farm-to-table diet
• Great Plains conference full of fun
• 7 selected as Communication Fellows
• Regional assistant chosen for membership department
• Many items on sale, clearance from Grange Supply Store
RESOURCES
• July Junior Grange Month Flyer
• 153rd Annual Convention Flyer
• Grange Foundation Mercantile Flyer
• Grange Quilt Block Contest Info & Form
• Grange Revival Registration Form
• Good Day!™ Subscription Form
View the Latest Newsletter
Montana State Grange is responsible for hosting the Western States Leadership Conference this summer. The conference will be August 9, 10, and 11 at the Echo Valley Camp between Avon and Elliston. This conference is open to all Grangers of all ages, not just the Youth and not just officers. We have some excellent workshops planned so I hope that you will all make an effort to attend.
There will be several National Officers/Directors in attendance and presenting workshops. There will be a variety of workshops, some related to Grange topics and some applicable to your everyday life. This is your opportunity to develop skills to help you help your Grange and yourself. There will be excellent opportunities for you to network with members from other States to find out what is or is not working in their Granges.
As you can see from the enclosed registration form, registrations are due by July 8th. If you are not comfortable with a “camping” experience, you can choose to stay at a motel in Helena. Helena is approximately 30 miles East of the Camp.
Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.
Fraternally,
Marty J. Billquist,
Montana State Grange Young Adults Director
Cell: 406-560-1483
Email: jblquist@gmail.com
View Camp Website
Get Registration Form
BI-WEEKLY PATRONS CHAIN NEWSLETTER
In this issue:
• Master's Message
• Prepare for Junior Grange Month
• 153rd National Grange Convention
• 2019 Quilt Block Contest
• Membership Matters
• Youth Announce New Program
• Disaster Bill Signed Into Law
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POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
MAY 2019 WRAP-UP
Overview
Congress returned to Washington June 3 from a week-long Memorial Day recess. We held this report to see if the House could pass the disaster bill which it failed to do prior to leaving for recess. They did and we have the details. Spring planting fell behind in the rain and storms of May. By the end of May, plantings were 32% behind normal. Late plantings usually favor soybeans over corn the later the season becomes. A new round of trade assistance to producers impacted by retaliatory tariffs was announced amid threats to Mexico. WOTUS takes a hit in court. HHS abandons harmful "step therapy" proposal. Surprise medical bills get Hill attention.
Presidential campaign politics are already heating up a little earlier than normal this year. That's partly because of the huge field of Democratic hopefuls this primary season. Candidates have to do everything possible to get noticed even if it's a little crazy. Look at the candidates' web sites for their policy positions on the issues important to you. You might be surprised....both good and bad.
Agriculture and Food
Disaster Aid
The House overwhelmingly passed the disaster aid bill that had been debated for six months. The Senate previously passed the $19.1 billion disaster relief bill containing aid for agriculture and rural disaster losses. The legislation had been stalled in the House by several members objecting that it did not contain "pay-for" provisions nor did it contain $4.4 Billion the President requested for border security. This delay followed a previous delay of a month on the Senate side because of disagreements over funding for Puerto Rico and border security. The package includes $5.5 billion in agriculture assistance to cover a wide array of producer loses from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, snowstorms and other natural disasters dating back to early 2018. Included were coverage for prevented planted acres, a provision ensuring industrial hemp will be eligible for crop insurance, and funds to help landowners restore culverts, stream banks, levees, forests and other infrastructure.
WOTUS Takes Another Hit
The 2015 Waters of the United States regulation that farmers, ranchers, landowners and many others have fought fiercely to overturn took a recent hit when the US Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that the federal agencies violated basic requirements of fair process by issuing the rule without first releasing for comment a key report that was the basis for many of their most controversial decisions. The EPA and Corps of Engineers are currently working on a replacement regulation that better fits congressional intent and definitions established by the Clean Water Act.
"Best if Used By" Labels Cut Food Waste
FDA has endorsed food company efforts to standardize voluntary date labeling to indicate quality and freshness across all food categories. The current "sell by" date on food packages is an indication of freshness and is not meant to indicate the food should not be eaten after that date. However, it is confusing to consumers. Confusion about date labeling accounts for approximately 20 percent of consumer food waste. Over 85% of consumers surveyed said the streamlined dates were clear and helpful to them.
What Does Local Food Mean?
Apparently consumers haven't a clue. According to Neilson researchers, 46% of grocery shoppers say they are aware of the importance of buying local. But when shoppers are asked to define local food, their perceptions of local food were all over the place. Most respondents said eggs, baked goods and produce should come from the same general area as the store. Dairy, deli and meat were considered local if they came from within the state. Consumers said frozen foods, seafood and packaged goods are local if they come from within the U.S.
Health Care
Final Medicare Rule Abandons "Step Therapy"
The Department of Health and Human Services has withdrawn two proposals that would have been harmful to Medicare Part B and Part D patients. The agency will prohibit the use of step therapy for patients who are stable on their current treatment. Step therapy would have denied the patients with serious illnesses access to newer and more effective drugs until the patient's current medication failed. The agency also says it will not weaken safeguards for vulnerable patients covered by the "six protected classes" of serious therapeutic concern (serious treatments such as oral chemotherapy drugs). This is good news; the National Grange has been deeply involved with both these issues.
Surprise Medical Bills
Patients are reporting dramatic increases in exorbitant prices for medical treatment. These surprise bills and high charges stem largely from hospitals or emergency medical facilities which are not in the patient's insurance network. Surprise charges are most often for physicians (53%), followed by laboratory tests (51%), hospitals or medical facilities (43%), imaging (35%), and prescription drugs (29%) according to research by the University of Chicago. A bipartisan group of senators led by Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy (a physician) is working on a legislative package to protect patients. The National Grange is strongly supporting their efforts.
FDA Guidance Needed on Hemp and CBD
The extract of industrial hemp is cannabidiol or CBD oil. It has been hailed as a cure for just about everything that ails a person. Production of hemp was legalized in the recent farm bill to be grown as an agricultural crop. The catch is that FDA has not formally approved CBD as a medication or food supplement. USDA wrote a legal opinion in May that the farm bill language removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act and prevented states from prohibiting interstate shipment of hemp legally produced under permit. The catch is that FDA has not formally approved CBD as a medication or food additive nor identified the potential risks and benefits associated with CBD. Both USDA and FDA are working on clarifying regulations. In the meantime, the industry will have to deal with a confusing patchwork of state rules.
Telecommunications
Mixed Reviews on Rural Broadband Deployment
The good news is that fixed broadband reached an additional 4.3 million rural residents in 2017. The bad news is that 21.3 million still lack broadband service according to the Federal Communications Commission. The report states that fixed and mobile services are substitutable for many residents and broadband providers of both services are competing for customers. Challenges to the accuracy of FCC broadband deployment maps have been raised and the challenge process has not yet concluded. Higher speed (250Mbps/25Mbps) broadband service to rural Americans increased by 81.5 percent in 2017. Rural broadband deployment is a top priority for the National Grange.
Congress Must Reauthorize the Satellite Act
The National Grange is urging Congress to reauthorize the Satellite Act that is set to expire at the end of 2019. Satellite is the only viable technology that allows many rural communities consistent access to programming at a fair price. The Act preserves the ability of providers to import distant signals to underserved households without the threat of fee disputes or suspension of certain channels without notice. Many rural communities still depend on satellites for news, sports, entertainment and other programming.
Trade
Mexico Threatened with New Tariffs
Keeping up with trade issues these days is like watching the trading board of a stock exchange. Within days of dropping steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada and Mexico, the President has threatened to reinstate a new 5 percent tariff on all Mexican goods beginning June 10. The rate will go up 5 percent per month until Mexico complies with his latest effort to force Mexico to clamp down on Central Americans crossing Mexico to get into the U.S. A new trade war with Mexico would hit American agriculture hard economically with the loss of a major pork, poultry, wheat and dairy export market. The move raises new fears that new tariffs could jeopardize the chance for Congress to ratify the U.S Mexico-Canada trade agreement.
Trade Aid
In late May, the USDA announced it would make up to $16 billion available in a second trade assistance package for programs to help producers most impacted by retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods and other trade disruptions. Payments will be made in three tranches, with the second and third tranches evaluated as market conditions and trade prospects dictate. These Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments will be based on commodity prices, production, acres and county averages, depending on the specific commodity produced. More specific details have yet to be announced by USDA.
Perspective
Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. ~ Gustave Flaubert
Jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul. ~ Jamie Lyn Beatty
If you think adventures are dangerous, try routine: it's lethal. ~ Paulo Coelho
People don't take trips, trips take people. ~ John Steinbeck
The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
If you can't fly, run, if you can't run, walk, if you can't walk, crawl, but by all means, keep moving. ~ Martin Luther King
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
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2019 EXPO NOW AVAILABLE
WHAT WILL YOU ENTER THIS YEAR? Canning, Grange Youth Fair projects, Photography, Art, or any of the myriad contests and competitions open to California Grange Members and Guest Exhibitors?
NEW THIS YEAR: Our theme is Super Heroes, be they in the movies, in your community, or even you. If your entry connects to Super Heroes make sure to mark it on your entry form.
EVEN MORE: The California Grange Expo responds to requests for classes. We just created an Interlocking Building Block (think Lego, Knex, or other) competition for all ages. Maximum foot print is 24 x 24 inches. It must be attached to a base plate or a single free-standing unit. Kits are not allowed, however major modifications or re-purposed kits will be allowed. Look in Division 300.
COMPETITIONS AT JUNIOR, YOUTH, & FAMILY CONFERENCE: Public Speaking and Sign-A-Song contestants will compete June 22, 2019 at the inaugural JY&F Conference at Prunedale Grange Hall, Prunedale, CA
Kind regards,
California Grange Expo
Get Entry Form
Get Expo Handbook
We are in the process of making some improvements to the look of the California Granger website. These improvements will include updating graphics, minor changes to menu options and hopefully a better user experience.
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In this issue:
NEWS
• Master's Message
• You can lobby for Grange Youth
• PR Contest reminder
• Membership Zoom meeting coming soon
• Members benefit from various savings programs
• Items great for all members available from Supply Store
RESOURCES
• Grange Foundation Mercantile Flyer
• Grange Quilt Block Contest Info and Form
• Grange Revival Registration Form
• Good Day!™ Subscription Form
Click here to download the entire issue of the Patrons Chain.
In this issue:
• MASTER'S MESSAGE
• FOUNDATION BENEFITS FROM VIRTUAL RACE WITH $460 DONATION
• LAST CALL: SIGN UP NOW FOR GRANGE REVIVAL
• SUMMER INTERN OPPORTUNITY AT THE GRANGE!
• Add the next chapter to your Grange story
• UPS Flat Rate Pricing
Click here to download the entire issue of the Patrons Chain.
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
APRIL 2019 WRAP-UP
National Grange Fly-In
The National Grange Fly-In to Washington, DC was April 28-May 1. A total of twenty- two Grange members from eleven states met with thirty-one members of Congress or their staffs. The group also was briefed by Anne Hazlett, Senior Advisor for Rural Affairs, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Executive Office of the President, and by Preston Wise, Special Counselor to Chairman Pai at the Federal Communications Commission.
The National Grange focused on priority public policy issues that need action by Congress and the federal agencies during 2019. These actions include disaster relief, rebuilding rural infrastructure, passing the Student Agriculture Protection Act, legislation to protect online privacy, upgrade rural broadband coverage maps, emerging broadband technologies to reach rural areas, maintaining the Lifeline program for rural residents, the dangers of importing non-FDA-approved prescription drugs, and prescription drug discount rebates to patients to lower out-of-pocket costs at the drug counter. Grange members also urged Congress to take action on pending bills in Congress that address patient prescription drug costs.
Agriculture and Food
Census of Agriculture Documents Change
The USDA's latest ag census shows that the major trends in agriculture since the 2012 census are continuing:
• Dairy farm numbers declined 17 percent but milk sales increased 4 percent as dairy operations grow larger and smaller producers are squeezed out. Overall, the number of all farms decreased by 3.2 percent.
• The number of farmers increased by 6.9 percent as young, beginning and female farmers took on decision-making roles.
• The average age of all farmers rose to 57.5 years compared to 56.3 years in 2012.
• One in four producers is a beginning farmer with less than 10 years of experience and an average age of 46.3 years.
• A record low 105,453 farms produced 75 percent of all sales, down from 119,908 farms in 2012.
• Ninety-six percent of American farms and ranches are family owned.
New Dairy Margin Coverage Program
The 2018 Farm Bill authorized the DMC which is a voluntary risk management tool that offers dairy producers financial protection when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by producers. Sign-up for the DMC begins June 17 through USDA's Farm Service Agency.
Farm Bill Tackles Feral Swine
Between funds authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill and additional funds appropriated by Congress, USDA now has $30.5 million in fiscal 2019 to reduce feral swine damage to crops and land across 35 states. Wild hogs destroy anything in their path including crops, land, fencing, roads, wildlife and can spread disease to domestic pigs.
AG Workforce and Immigration
The agriculture community continues to push Congress to pass legislation that would assure producers access to sufficient, flexible, legal and dependable labor. The House Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship held a hearing in early April on the availability of farm labor to meet seasonal and year-round needs. There appears to be increased bipartisan support in the House for an agriculture-only workforce bill. But judging from past experience, there will be pressure to add a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Dreamers) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries to any immigration legislation that makes it to the House floor. The more provisions that are added the less likely the bill is to pass. In the meantime, the Department of Labor is collaborating with USDA to streamline the H-2A visa application process for ag employers.
Conservation, Land and Water
Permanent conservation easements are generally presumed to benefit the natural environment, but their purpose and results can vary widely. For agriculture, they can be double-edged swords, protecting and preserving farming and ranching or, conversely, blocking some farm uses forever. House Agriculture Chairman Colin Peterson says he wants to review these easements with a common-sense approach "to think about what we're doing, why we're doing it, and what effects these easements have." Peterson intends to review all types of conservation easements as part of hearings on farm bill implementation. Most farmers and ranchers prefer working-land conservation initiatives rather than land-idling conservation programs.
Health Care
Dangers of Imported Drugs
The National Grange continues to alert members of the rural and small town communities about the dangers of taking imported non-FDA approved prescription drugs. The National Grange joined over 100 cosigners on a Partnership for Safe Medicines letter to the President and members of the Senate and House of Representatives. The letter pointed out that historically, attempts to import drugs from "safe countries" like Canada result in Americans getting counterfeit, substandard or black market medication. These substandard substances are often transshipped from third world countries through Canada's free -trade zones but these drugs never enter the Canadian regulatory sphere to assure safety and efficacy for the patient.
Prescription Drug Rebates to Patients
The Department of Health and Human Services should finalize its proposed rule to reduce patients' out-of-pocket costs at the drug counter according to the National Grange. Currently, prescription rebates are negotiated between biopharmaceutical manufacturers, insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers aimed at lowering the net cost of medicines. Unfortunately, these rebates have been used to lower a plan's overall costs instead of lowering patients' out-of-pocket costs at the drug counter.
Telecommunications
Rural Broadband Maps Need Work
Maps that show broadband coverage in rural areas are not accurate. The Federal Communications Commission collects rural broadband data by census block. If just one home or business in an entire block has internet service, everyone in that block is counted as having service available. Rural census blocks cover large areas where a few miles can mean the difference between having broadband or not. During the April National Grange Fly-In, attendees met with Preston Wise, Special Counsel to FCC Chairman Pai, and urged the FCC to place a priority on upgrading rural broadband coverage maps.
Protect Online Privacy
Recent investigations reveal how mobile apps share personal, business, and location information with Facebook, Amazon, Google, and other, and that Facebook in particular stores incredible amounts of personal data on just about everyone. National Grange president Betsy Huber was featured recently in Washington's Morning Consult calling for Congress to establish a uniform national privacy standard for everyone on the internet. The Senate Judiciary, Senate Commerce, and House Energy and Commerce Committees have all held hearings on privacy and are urging prompt Hill action before states pass a patchwork of individual laws.
Trade
American farmers, ranchers, processors, vintners and bakers are losing sales to Japan as foreign competitors lock in new business under preferential trade pacts. Member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) are seeing tariffs on their agricultural exports to Japan reduced for a second time. The United States withdrew from the TPP before ratification. As a result, U. S. wheat, beef, pork, dairy, wine, potatoes, fruits and vegetables, and more are seeing their Japanese market share decline. The National Grange and other agriculture groups are asking the Administration to negotiate a bilateral agreement with Japan that restores access and expands markets for American producers.
Youth Call to Action
Would you lobby for agriculture's youth? Well, here's your chance. First, ask your U.S. Representative in Washington to cosponsor H.R. 1770, the Student Agriculture Protection Act, sponsored by bipartisan Representatives McCaul, Cuellar and Peterson. The bill exempts tax on the first $5,000 in proceeds from the sale of livestock or agricultural projects by FFA or 4-H participants. Second, ask your Representative to cosponsor an amendment to include Grange Youth in the bill. Let us know if you need the contacts for your Representative. Also please tell us if your Representative will cosponsor a Grange Youth amendment.
Perspective
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. ~ Mark Twain
To err is human, to forgive, divine. ~ Alexander Pope
I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice. ~ Abraham Lincoln
Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies. ~ Nelson Mandela
Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart ~ Corrie Ten Boom
Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for correcting our misconceptions. ~ Gerald G. Jampolsky
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
National Grange, 1616 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
View the Latest Newsletter
In this issue:
• MASTER'S MESSAGE
• DEAF ACTIVITIES GRANGE DEADLINE ALMOST UPON US
• YOUTH SELECTED FOR TRAINING TO TACKLE OPIOID EPIDEMIC
• NUMBER, BREADTH OF SERVICE HAS DIRECTOR "IN AWE"
• MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR SEEKING MEMBERS TO JOIN LEADERSHIP TEAM
• SUMMER INTERN OPPORTUNITY AT THE GRANGE!
• JUNIORS SPEARHEADING CAMPAIGN FOR KELLEY FARM
• PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL RACE TO BENEFIT GRANGE FOUNDATION
• CONGRATULATIONS TO GRANGES!
Click here to download the entire issue of the Patrons Chain.
Registration for the 153rd Annual Convention of the National Grange is now available. This year the Midwest Region will be hosting so please come and join your Grange friends from across the nation in Minneapolis, Minnesota November 5 - 9, 2019.
View Registration Information
Four California Students Win GIA Scholarships
Grange Insurance Association is pleased to announce that Stephanie Mills of Corning, Katlyn Lima of Dos Palos, Julianna Davey of Merced, and Jessica Allen of Redding, California were awarded Grange Insurance Association scholarships.
Each year Grange Insurance Association awards scholarships to qualified applicants. The applicant or their parents must be policyholders of Grange Insurance Association. Among the 49 applications received, 27 scholarships were awarded this year.
The quality of applicants was exceptionally high again this year and the Company is extremely pleased with the caliber of students who applied for our scholarships. It is always a difficult process to make the selections when all the applicants are so highly qualified. An announcement will be made in the late fall regarding the program for the following year, and we encourage you to watch this paper for information on the application process for next year’s program. Grange Insurance Association has made scholarships available since 1965. They may be used at any accredited school or college and are offered throughout GIA’s operating territory, which includes the states of California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and Washington. The Home Office of Grange Insurance Association is in Seattle, WA.
In this issue:
NEWS
• Master’s Message
• Fundraising on the move for Grange Foundation
• Members benefit from various savings programs
• Items great for all members, Halls available from Supply Store
• Don’t forget to use our partner, Monroe Classic
• Big savings on computers offered to members for Grange Month
• Juniors, Subordinate members: You can still come to Fly-In!
• National Lecturer shares success story
RESOURCES
• Grange Foundation Virtual Race flyer
• Grange Revival Registration Form
• 2019 Theme One-Page Use Guide
• Grange Month Poster
• Good Day!™ Subscription Form
Click here to download the entire issue of the Patrons Chain.
In this issue:
• GOOD NEWS FOR GRANGE MONTH
• VIRTUAL RACE TO BENEFIT GRANGE FOUNDATION
• REGISTRATION NOW OPEN - NATIONAL SESSION 2019
• LEGISLATIVE FLY-IN REMINDER
• COMMUNICATION FELLOWS APPLICATION AVAILABLE
• GOOD DAY - SUBSCRIBE SOON!
• ESSENTIAL SAVINGS FOR GRANGE MEMBERS
• CONGRATULATIONS TO GRANGES!
Click here to download the entire issue of the Patrons Chain.
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
MARCH 2019 WRAP-UP
Agriculture and Food
Politics Sidetrack Disaster Relief
Senators so far have failed to pass much-needed disaster aid to help farmers and ranchers recover from hurricanes, floods, tornados and wildfires. The political divide is over how much money should go to support Puerto Rico's humanitarian crisis. The National Grange will continue to urge Congress to help farmers and ranchers rebound from these dire circumstances beyond their control.
Stress Down on the Farm
Storms, floods, low prices, labor shortages, uncertain credit for spring planting, and heavy workloads are causing significant strain on farmers', ranchers' and farm workers' mental and emotional well-being. The National Grange joined 22 other farm, ranch and rural organizations to ask the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Subcommittees on Agriculture Appropriations to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network for FY 2020. The Network provides grants for extension services, state departments of agriculture, nonprofit organizations and other entities to provide stress assistance programs to farmers, ranchers, farm workers and other agriculture-related occupations. Around 60% of rural residents live in areas that suffer from shortages of mental and emotional well-being professional services.
Selling CBD in Food is Illegal
CBD or cannabidiol derived from hemp is a non-intoxicating compound reputed to have numerous health benefits. CBD is being added to foods, beer, sauces and elixers. Restaurants promote their menus structured around CBD as an ingredient. Despite language in the 2018 Farm Bill allowing hemp to be grown as an agricultural crop, the Food and Drug Administration prohibits the addition of CBD to prepared foods. So, for now CBD in food and drink is illegal. FDA has scheduled a public meeting for May to receive input and has appointed an internal working group to explore how CBD could be sold legally in food, beverages and supplements.
Pesticide Residues in Vegetables and Fruits
According to the Environmental Working Group, strawberries, spinach, kale, nectarines and apples top EWG's list of fresh foods with the highest levels of pesticide residues. The least residues were found in avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, onions and sweet peas. However, EWG did not reveal which food items, if any, had residues above the tolerance levels set by FDA.
FDA's Produce "Water Rule" Delayed
Congress passed the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) more than eight years ago. FDA, industry and outside scientists are still struggling to figure out the best way to ensure the water used for irrigation and packing fresh produce is safe. In response to producer concerns, FDA has decided to give produce farms two additional years to comply with the rule's segment on agriculture water requirements.
Beagles to the Rescue
Pork producers in the U.S. are depending on USDA's "Beagle Brigade" to keep the deadly African Swine Fever virus away from their pigs. ASF is a highly contagious fatal disease ripping through European and Asian pork production right now. There is no treatment or vaccine for it. These beagles are on duty at all international airports to aid in keeping diseases and pests out of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents and USDA beagles randomly screen arriving international passengers and cargo. The dog paws or sits near a bag or container to indicate the presence of an agricultural product. In March, a million pounds of pork products smuggled from China were seized at the Newark, N.J. airport. The pork was hidden in packages of noodles and laundry detergent. Since 2015, beagles have seized prohibited agricultural goods from an average of more than 137,000 travelers per year.
Health Care
Beware of Imported Drugs
The National Grange continues to take the lead to caution rural and small town residents about the little-known dangers of importing prescription drugs. The national watchdog group Partnership for Safe Medicines has partnered with the National Grange and scores of patient advocacy, medical, pharmacy, health care, law enforcement and consumer interest organizations to once again raise awareness of the dangers of importing non-FDA approved medications that could endanger the health and safety of our communities. In letters to President Trump, members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives, the groups reiterated:
• Attempts to import drugs from "safe countries" like Canada could result in Americans getting counterfeit, substandard or black market medication
• There is no oversight, safety enforcement or FDA protection; Canada does not inspect, regulate or supervise transshipped medication that Canadian companies sell to Americans because these medications aren't entering the Canadian drug supply
• Counterfeiters are using Chinese-made fentanyl and it's coming into the U.S. freely
• For patients with serious conditions, counterfeit medicine with substandard or no active ingredient could be a death sentence
• Allowing importation is not the answer to the prescription drug price crisis in the United States
Several state Granges have been active on the imported drug issue with their state legislatures as well
Give Drug Rebates to Patients
The price of prescription drugs is a huge concern to just about everyone. Health and Human Services Secretary Azar has proposed changes to the Medicare Part D rebate distribution system that would require negotiated discounts on drugs to be shared with Medicare patients at point of sale. The National Grange joined a large number of patient groups and health care organizations on a letter of support for Secretary Azar's patient-centered proposal. The letter reiterated:
• Rebates for prescription drugs is a secretive process with middlemen reaping the benefits while patients are left holding the bill
• Prescription drug rebates are negotiated by biopharmaceutical manufacturers, insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers aimed at lowering the price of medicines. But unfortunately, Pharmacy Benefit Managers keep these discounts and use them to lower the plans' overall costs instead of lowering cost-sharing for patients who use the rebated medicines.
• The proposed rule would eliminate existing protection for rebates and permit manufacturers, PBM's and insurance plans to negotiate for discounts to be used to lower patient cost- sharing.
Immigration/AG Workforce
The dire need for ag labor nationwide is beginning to generate activity on Capitol Hill. Representatives Lofgren (D-CA-19) and Panetta (D-CA-20) are the original sponsors of H.R. 641 which is a companion bill to S. 175 sponsored by Senator Feinstein (D-CA). Lofgren is the new chair of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship which held a hearing on H.R.641 in late March. H.R. 641 is a stand-alone ag labor bill that that would establish an earned legalization program for undocumented farm workers who have been consistently employed in U.S. agriculture and meet other requirements. A majority of the nation's 2.4 million farm workers are undocumented.
Telecommunications
Value of Digital Tools to Rural America
A new report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says the digital potential of rural businesses could add billions of dollars to the U.S. economy and create thousands of full time jobs in rural communities. The report indicates that:
• Adoption of online tools and digital services across rural areas could create more than 360,000 jobs in the next three years
• Increased adoption could grow annual revenues of rural small businesses by more than 21% over the next three years with states in the South seeing the greatest benefit
• Online tools and technology have the highest potential impact on rural small businesses with annual revenue under $100,000
• The report specifically recommends expanding education and training programs, helping rural areas attract talent, and increasing the availability of high-speed internet access and mobile phone connectivity
Use TV White Space to Deliver Broadband
The National Grange joined partners in the Connect Americans Now coalition to submit comments to USDA regarding the needs that must be addressed to ensure rural communities can survive and thrive in the modern economy. One of several options to close the rural broadband gap is to use the unlicensed vacant channels below 608 MHz, ie. the TV white space, to deliver broadband access to underserved rural areas in a cost effective manner.
Improve Broadband Data Maps
Data maps which the Federal Communications Commission uses to show the extent of broadband coverage across the landscape are inaccurate according to those who work and live in rural America. The FCC maps tend to overstate coverage in rural areas because if one customer in a census block has service, the Commission considers that census block provides service all customers in the area. Those assumptions lead to a vast overstatement of broadband availability to rural areas. Rural groups, agriculture organizations and members of Congress are asking the FCC to improve the accuracy of their broadband coverage and mobile data maps.
Fraudulent Robo-Calls
Robo-calls are annoying at the very least. Perhaps robo-calls are better described as an ever-worsening scourge. Block one today and more pop up tomorrow. That's why the National Grange issued a statement applauding AT&T and Comcast for their joint efforts to halt fraudulent robo-calls. The companies have completed a successful cross-network test of a new system to authenticate caller ID numbers. Once available to the public, the system will screen incoming calls by phone number to ensure the call is actually coming from the number shown. In Congress, both Republicans and Democrats appear ready to take steps toward cracking down on scammers who prey on consumers' phones. Hearings have already been scheduled before the Senate Commerce Committee.
Want Your Paper?
Some people prefer to get their bills, notices, reports, and the like the old fashioned way...on paper. That's why the National Grange is part of the Keep Me Posted North America group. The group advocates for the right of every consumer to choose, free of charge, how they receive important information from their service providers. Letters are sent to government agencies, companies and other entities who are switching customers from receiving paper copies to digital-only communications without receiving clear permission from their customers.
Perspective
Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom. ~ Francis Bacon
Nature grows her plants in silence and in darkness, and only when they have become strong do they put their heads above the ground. ~ Annie Besant
It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause. ~ Mark Twain
I often regret that I have spoken; never that I have been silent. ~ Publilius Syrus
A fool is known by his speech; and a wise man by his silence. ~ Pythagoras
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
Download the Latest Newsletter
GRANGE MONTH 2019 IS HERE!
Brothers and Sisters,
It’s here! That most wonderful month, April – Grange Month! These 30 days we look forward to the whole year. Time for us to celebrate the greatest organization, The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry.
We have a proud history of supporting, educating, advocating, and sometimes fighting for rural Americans. I hope that you have made plans to not only celebrate our 152nd year, but our continued efforts for improvement. Improvement in the skills, talents, and knowledge of our members, in making our communities better places to live, in providing common sense solutions to your State and Nation. In this time of extreme partisanship, incivility, and lack of respect for our fellow men and women, the Grange is needed more than ever.
Our traditions of civic involvement, open discussions of difficult issues, civility and respect for all, make Grange a valuable contributor to every community across America.
CLICK HERE TO GET GRANGE MONTH MATERIALS
This is the year that you must open the doors of your hall and welcome interested residents of your community, or step outside your hall and share the benefits of our Order with the good citizens that live nearby. We may often seem to be the best kept secret. We need to change that now!
As I talk with Grangers and others throughout our country, I find people who are interested and enthused about our organization. Youth and young adults seek opportunities to learn and improve themselves for better careers and better lives. Parents tell me of the challenges that society often places in the way of teaching their children American values. The newly retired are looking for places to give back or develop interests that they postponed during their careers. To all of these, the Grange is the solution – all they need is an invitation to be a part of our family.
Please look at your community and invite some of these folks to join our organization this month. Share with them what your community Grange does and give them the opportunity to be part of our national organization. And most of all, celebrate and have fun!
Fraternally,
Betsy E. Huber
National Master
HAVE YOU REGISTERED YET?
National Grange Legislative Fly-In 2019
There's Still Time
JOIN US APRIL 28 - MAY 1
Set your 2019 travel schedule to include a trip to Washington, D.C., for the National Grange Legislative Fly-In. Join Brothers and Sisters from around the nation to promote Grange policy priorities and get advocacy training so you can better present your community’s concerns to elected officials and their staff.
Legislative Fly-In Schedule
Sunday, April, 28
• Arrival and check-ln
• Evening mix and mingle dessert social at the hotel
Monday, April 29
• Issue briefings and speakers at the National Grange
• Agency visits
• Congressional Capitol Hill appointments
Tuesday, April, 30
• Congressional Capitol Hill appointments
• Late day/evening departures for some
Wednesday, May 1
• Finish Congressional Capitol Hill appointments
• Return home
Lodging: Quality Inn, 1587 Spring Hill Road, Vienna, VA 22182. Call the hotel at (703) 448-8020 to make your reservation by April 1. Book Now!
Register Now! Click here to Register
In this issue:
NEWS:
• Grange Youth energized by Ag Day
• Grange Month is Coming. Share!
• Attendees enjoy Mid-Atlantic Conference
• Juniors encouraged to lead charge in Kelley Farm Fundraiser
• Members benefit from nearly half-off discount on computers
• Membership Director seeks regional assistants
• New Mission Statement Poster hot off the presses, for sale
• Reminders about sale items from Supply Store, Monroe Classic
• Time winding down to register for Legislative Fly-In
• National Lecturer provides overview
RESOURCES:
• REV 2019 Quilt Block Contest and Form
• Quilt Raffle and Grange Mercantile Info
• 2019 Theme One-Page Use Guide
• Grange Values Ad
• Grange Month Poster
• Toolkit: Grange Inventory
• 1 in 1,000 Club Membership Form
• Esto Perpetua: Giving Form
• Evening of Excellence Poster
• Good Day!™ Subscription Form
Click here to download the entire issue of the Patrons Chain.
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
FEBRUARY 2019 WRAP-UP
Agriculture and Food
Farm Bill Implementation
Despite the recent 35-day government shutdown that halted work on the new farm bill, USDA is about ready to announce the timeline for implementing revisions to programs. The legislation made relatively small changes to the 2014 farm bill and is generally considered "farmer friendly" by producers. At the farm bill listening session in Washington February 26, USDA was pressed to act quickly on dairy and conservation provisions. The Farm Service Agency expects Dairy Margin Coverage signup to begin June 17 with payments starting as soon as July 8.
Protein Demand
The demand for plant and animal protein food products shows no sign of letting up. With steadily rising incomes, especially in developing countries, consumers appear to want more and more protein-laden foods. Trend-watchers are betting on robust growth in production and consumption both in the U.S. and worldwide. These pundits also look for a spectrum of cultural diets, nutrition and health concerns, and animal welfare to continue their mixed influences on demand for high-protein foods.
Support for Wildlife Services
The National Grange joined over 200 farmer and rancher, landowner, hunter, aviation, wildlife management and state government groups to support continued funding for USDA's Wildlife Services. The groups gave examples to the House Appropriations Committee leadership of the need for an effective Wildlife Services presence where wildlife control is necessary. Wildlife damage to fruits, vegetables, crops and livestock has reached almost $1 billion annually. The spread of wildlife-borne disease to humans, livestock and other wildlife is a growing concern.
Food Stamps in Limelight Again
Just two months after the farm bill food stamp/SNAP debate was settled, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows that at least $1 billion in food stamp benefits are fraudulently used. GAO found many stores were "selling" cash instead of food. For example, a store might give a person $50 in exchange for $100 in benefits then pocket the difference. GAO has given the Food and Nutrition Service which administers the program several concrete recommendations to crack down on SNAP fraud.
Conservation/Environment
EPA Pushing States to Address Nutrient Problems
The Environmental Protection Agency is asking states to tackle nutrient contamination in water which has become an increasingly visible issue in farm country. EPA and USDA are seeking input from states on water quality solutions to mitigate excess nitrogen, phosphorous and nutrients from livestock manure.
Bipartisan Support for Major Land Conservation Bill
By a bipartisan vote of 363-62 the House has approved sweeping public lands legislation that designates more than a million acres of wilderness for environmental protection (prohibits all development and the use of most motorized vehicles), numerous conservation measures and permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Under the Fund, fossil-fuel companies, rather than taxpayers, cover a major portion of protecting public lands.
Revised Definition of "Waters of the United States"
The EPA and Corps of Engineers are inviting public comment on a proposed rule to more closely define the scope of waters federally regulated under the Clean Water Act. The agencies propose to interpret the term "waters of the United States" to encompass traditional navigable waters, tributaries that that contribute perennial or intermittent flow to such waters, certain ditches, certain lakes and ponds, and wetlands adjacent to other jurisdictional waters. The agencies propose as a baseline concept that all waters are not "waters of the United States". Farmers, ranchers, landowners and many others see the proposal as a major improvement over the original WOTUS rule.
Health Care
Concerns About Imported Drugs
The National Grange is leading a nationwide coalition to raise concern about federal and state initiatives to import prescription drugs. Grangers depend upon accessible, affordable, effective and safe prescription drugs. Cheaper prescription drugs delivered by mail from Canada seem like a perfect answer to their needs, right? No, not really. Counterfeit and possibly dangerous drugs via this route are a distinct possibility. The Grange is particularly concerned about the safety and effectiveness of counterfeit drugs produced in third world countries and transshipped through multiple other countries before they reach American patients. To make matters worse, Canada says it has no regulatory responsibility to assure the safety and effectiveness of these transshipped prescription drugs coming into America.
Give Drug Rebates Directly to Patients
HHS Secretary Azar has proposed a major change to the drug purchasing and rebate system. His plan calls for prescription drug discounts by drug makers to be offered directly to patients instead of insurance plans and pharmacy benefit managers. National Grange President Betsy Huber issued a statement stressing that the proposed rule gets the middlemen out of the way and will lower prescription drug costs for those with chronic conditions. "We look forward to working with Secretary Azar and his team to assure rural America actually does see lower drug costs and does receive better access to treatment."
Public Wary of "Medicare for All"
According to a Hill-HarrisX poll released in February, just thirteen percent of respondents want "Medicare for all" if it means the end of private insurance. Respondents were clearly saying the health care system is broken to some degree but there was not consensus around how to fix it. Health care policy is proving to be challenging for both political parties.
Private Care Proposed for Vets
The Department of Veterans Affairs has released proposals to determine whether a veteran gets treatment from the VA or the private sector. Under the "designated access standards" proposal, the VA wants to set a 30-minute drive time standard, or a 20-day wait-time standard for primary care, mental health and non-institutional extended care. This proposal is in line with National Grange policy and is an important step for rural and small town veterans who may be located long distances from VA facilities.
Immigration/AG Workforce
The dire need for agricultural labor is beginning to get more attention in Washington. USDA continues to work on a plan to allow farmers to apply for H-2A foreign labor through USDA rather than the Department of Labor. California's Representative Jimmy Panetta and Senator Diane Feinstein have co-sponsored a "Blue Card" bill to provide agriculture a more stable workforce which provides a pathway to citizenship. The National Grange works closely with the Ag Workforce Coalition which is pushing for:
• An available, dependable and legal ag labor supply
• A "Card" that allows workers to enter the country legally to work in agriculture
• Modification of the H-2A program to be more timely, more responsive and less burdensome.
• Creation of a program to allow trained and skilled ag workers (milkers, machinery operators, animal care workers, managers, etc.) to stay longer.
Infrastructure
The National Grange joined 240 cosigner members of the Rebuild Rural Coalition on a letter to Senate and House leadership encouraging Congress to move quickly to pass bipartisan legislation to strengthen our nation's infrastructure. The letter highlighted rural broadband expansion, safe drinking water, reliable roads, bridges, inland waterways, ports, railroads, rural health care and more.
Telecommunications
Federal Privacy Law Needed
A new internet privacy law with a single, uniform standard for the internet will provide clarity for millions of online users who value their privacy, according to National Grange President Betsy Huber in an editorial in the February 13 Morning Consult. Lawmakers across party lines recognize the need to give internet users better protections to oversee companies that collect and use their personal online information. Congressional action on a uniform privacy standard for all internet companies should come quickly. Already this issue is percolating in state legislatures and individual state action could lead to continued confusion among consumers as they engage in daily online activities.
Rural Broadband Providers Get More Time to Apply.
USDA has given telecommunications companies until late May to apply for its Rural eConnectivity Pilot Program. Congress has awarded $1.1 billion for the pilot. These investments are expected to prioritize projects that deploy broadband infrastructure to rural areas which will expand both the availability and speed of rural broadband service.
Perspective
I would rather walk with a friend in the dark than alone in the light. ~ Helen Keller
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship. ~ Thomas Aquinas
Friendship is a plant of slow growth and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation. ~ George Washington
The better part of one's life consists of his friendships. ~ Abraham Lincoln
A friend is one who overlooks your broken fence and admires the flowers in your garden. ~ Unknown
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NATIONAL GRANGE FLY-IN
Mark your calendars for April 28-May 1, 2019 and come to Washington during a beautiful time of year for the annual National Grange Fly-In. We'll hear from issue experts, deliver Grange policy to government agencies and the Hill, and meet with Senators and Congressmen. Visit the National Grange website to more details.
REGISTER NOW!
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
Download the Latest Newsletter
In this issue:
NEWS:
• Master's Message
• Annual Masters' Conference yields great results
• 3 new benefits will save members big in tech, shipping, tickets
• Guest Column: How do we fix Dairy?
• New Jersey member interns at National HQ
• Letter to Editor: Book answers questions I didn't know I had
• National Lecturer provides overview
• Sign-up to Attend Mid-Atlantic Leaders Conference
RESOURCES:
• Grange Revival Registration Form
• REV 2019 Quilt Block Contest and Form
• Quilt Raffle and Grange Mercantile Info
• 2019 Theme One-Page Use Guide
• Grange Values Ad
• Grange Month Poster
• Toolkit: Grange Inventory
• 1 in 1,000 Club Membership Form
• Esto Perpetua: Giving Form
• Evening of Excellence Poster
• Good Day!™ Subscription Form
Click here to download the entire issue of the Patrons Chain.
Come help us celebrate the life of Johnny Alberto Squire on his beloved family ranch.
Spring and cotton planting season was one of his favorite times of the year.
Please wear comfortable clothes in a shade of blue.
A Grange memorial service is scheduled for 2 PM. We plan to be serving favorite foods and pieces of chocolate cake, possibly with chocolate ice cream.
Please join us as friends, family, and "framily" (friends so close they are family). This is a celebration so "ya'll come" if you can.
Saturday, April 6, 2019
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Squire Family Ranch
47598 Coalinga Mineral Springs Rd, Coalinga, CA
Click Here to RSVP via Facebook
Lee Geiger
1935 - 2019
Dear Grange Brothers and Sisters,
Our Brother Leland "Lee" Geiger, past California State Grange Deputy, Past Master of Subordinate and Pomona Granges, Past State Grange Gatekeeper, and husband of State Grange Chaplain, Barbara Geiger, passed from this earth on on January 20, 2019.
Brother Lee was a stalwart member of the Grange and worked diligently at any task set to him. He did beautiful woodwork and made gavels for the State Grange Masters. He will be missed.
Arrangements are pending for a celebration of life. We send love and comfort to Sister Barbara and their family.
California State Grange - Child Protection Policy
Background Clearance Reminder
Hello Grange Brothers and Sisters,
As a reminder, the California State Grange By-Laws require background checks for all adults (18 and over) working IN ANY CAPACITY with our Grange Youth and Junior-age members, under the age of 18.
Article VIII, Section 8.5.8 Special Requirements; Background Checks - It shall be a requirement that a background check shall be required for any appointments where the members’ duties will require any supervision of any Youth or Junior Members, under the age of 18.
If you are a Grange Leader for Youth, Junior, Fair, Project, Advisor, Committee member, or Officer, etc., please click the link below to request access for a background check. The cost for the background clearance is approximately $20.00. All of your personal identifying information is securely held by the background company and not by the California State Grange. If you hold multiple positions i.e. Youth Fair Leader and Project Leader, only one background clearance is required for all Grange positions. If you are cleared by your profession or another volunteer organization, a Grange background clearance is still required. Backgrounds cannot be shared between employment or volunteer organizations.
If you have any questions, please contact Lillian Booth, State Grange Secretary, at 916-454-5808 or lbooth@CAStateGrange.org.
Thank you.
Open Background Access Request Form
POLICY UPDATES AND ISSUE NEWS
JANUARY 2019 WRAP-UP
Agriculture and Food
The Shutdown
The federal government partial shutdown has ended...for now. The longest shutdown in history is over until February 15 to give all parties the opportunity to negotiate a compromise on border security, security for Dreamers, and other immigration issues. This was called a partial shutdown because FY19 funding for some agencies had cleared Congress but funding for others had not. Many agencies of government that producers and rural residents depend upon were shuttered for over a month and employees were furloughed. Employees considered "essential" were expected to work during the shutdown. These included meat inspectors, TSA employees, safety and security personnel and the like. Lights were out in local Farm Service (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA) offices but Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) employees remained on the job using surplus funds from last year's budget; this scenario is raising questions on Capitol Hill. SNAP recipients not only received their January benefits but are getting their February benefits early. This was made possible by an obscure provision in the now-expired (December 21) continuing resolution that allowed SNAP and child nutrition programs to use funds within 30 days of the CR's expiration. Market and economic reports were suspended but care for plants and animals at research facilities continued. Most economists reported the shutdown had a large negative effect in the nation's economy. Bipartisan lawmakers with reputations as "Deal Makers" from the House and Senate began meeting January 30 to seek a deal on border security that would prevent a second shutdown this year.
FSA Deadlines Extended
The Farm Service Agency has now extended program deadlines such as:
•
Marketing Assistance Loans - February 14
•
Market Facilitation - February 14
•
Emergency Conservation - February 14
•
Livestock Forage Disaster - February 28
•
Emergency Assistance (livestock, honey bees, farm-raised fish) - February 14
•
Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance - February 14
•
Tree Assistance - February 14
•
Acreage Reporting for Honey - February 14
A New Quarterback and Lots of Rookies
Colin Peterson (D-MN), the new chairman but seasoned veteran of the House Agriculture Committee, has a new Democratic majority that's nearly half newcomers. That's not all bad, but his chairman's role will include lots of educating. The new Democrats are Axne (IA-3), Brindishi (NY-22), Carbajai (CA-24), Harder (CA-10), Cox (CA-21), Craig (MN-2), Delgado (NY-19), Hayes (CT-2), Kirkpatrick (AZ-2), Schrier (WA-8), Spanberger (VA-7) and Van Drew (NJ-2). New Republicans on the Ag Committee are Johnson (SD-All), Baird (IN-4), and Hagedorn (MN-1).
Regulatory Preview
What are the major agriculture regulatory challenges facing producers during 2019? Here are a few top-of -mind issues from across agriculture:
• Revised WOTUS rule. The "Waters of the US" proposed rule as revised is meant to replace the 2015 regulation that has been so controversial among landowners. The proposal attempts to clarify how EPA and The Corps distinguish between intermittent and ephemeral streams and allows states to claim jurisdiction over waters unclaimed by EPA and the Corps.
• Plant-based "milk". Grange policy supports the definition on the books at FDA that milk is the product of a lactating animal and wants FDA to enforce that regulation.
• "Healthy" definition. The food industry has long used the term "healthy" as a free-wheeling marketing tactic without having to define what healthy means. FDA will be proposing a rule that would require healthy claims to reflect current scientific and dietary guidelines.
• Produce safety. FDA is proposing to clarify when certain requirements of the Produce Safety Act do not apply. This should help the Grange's smaller produce growers.
• Cell-cultured meat. USDA and FDA have agreed to share regulatory oversight of lab grown meat. The agencies plan to issue regulatory guidance documents in coming months which the Grange will monitor closely.
Bull Market Ending for Farm Land?
One dependable indicator of a farm's financial situation is a comparison between debt and the income available to service that debt. Farm debt in 2013 was $315 billion; today it is $409 billion. Net farm income in 2013 was $123 billion; last year net farm income was $66 billion. Interest rates are climbing making other investments more attractive than farm land. These appear to be warning signs of a possible slowdown for the farm land market.
Health Care
Opioids Remain a Rural Problem
The good news is that opioid prescribing rates are falling significantly. The bad news is that the percentage of patients prescribed an opioid is higher in rural than in urban areas according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drug overdose is the leading cause of nonintentional injury-associated death in the United States. Higher rates of opioid deaths have been recorded in rural areas. In 2017, 14 rural counties were among the 15 counties nationwide with the highest opioid prescribing rates. Patients in rural counties had an 87% higher chance of receiving an opioid prescription compared with persons in urban counties.
Rural Elderly Care Challenges
People 65 years old and older make up over 14 percent of the country's population. That same population is responsible for 34 percent of health care-related spending, according to the National Rural Health Association. But here's an even more sobering statistic: every day more than 10,000 Americans turn 65 years old and one in four of those seniors live in rural or small town areas. Major challenges to future care of these seniors are rural hospital closures, nursing home closures and qualified staffing shortages. Infrastructure is another challenge as rural and small town areas struggle to provide health clinics, safe and affordable housing, and high speed broadband internet to connect with telemedicine, tele-education and more. Most elderly people in rural and small town America want to age in place at home in their community. Some elder care groups suggest that one way to address the scarcity of services is for providers to diversify and provide medical attention, assisted living, home care, meals and transportation through one organization.
National Grange Files Comments
The National Grange joined several patient groups to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at HHS to consider the success of Part D and Medicare Advantage as the agency prepares proposals to lower drug prices and reduce out-of-pocket expenses. The current program has successfully provided beneficiaries with access to prescription drugs and self-administered drugs. While the National Grange supports CMS' goal to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, the Grange is concerned that proposed policy changes generally favor health plans rather than focusing on patient care and program transparency. The Grange also expressed opposition to proposed step therapy because it would be an impediment to prescribed therapy, particularly for patients who require timely and personalized Part B medications.
Immigration/AG Workforce
Green Card or Blue Card
Older farmers and ranchers remember the "Green Card" that allowed workers to legally enter the U.S. for short term employment. They contend it worked well and should never have been discontinued. Now, Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-CA 2) have introduced legislation to create a similar "Blue Card" program. Their bill enjoys a large number of cosponsors. It would provide the agriculture industry with a more stable workforce and allow an eventual path to citizenship. The National Grange will push for hearings but remains skeptical that Congress has the will allow ag workforce legislation to pass without holding it hostage to other immigration issues.
Three Big Immigration Issues Congress Can Tackle
Michael Wildes is the mayor of Englewood, N.J. and managing partner of Wildes and Weinberg P.C. specializing in immigration law. Wildes laments the fact that immigration reform has eluded all efforts at reform for a generation. But the system is in dire need of reform he says. Here are three big immigration items he suggests Congress tackle:
• Upgrade Immigration Courts. Immigration courts are small, overcrowded, and places where judges hand out trial dates two and three years in the future. He says hiring more immigration judges and restoring a level of autonomy to trial attorneys would go a long way to alleviating the excessive court backlogs.
• Legalize Dreamers. These are legal recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) who were brought to the United States before they turned 16 and have lived here continuously since 2007. They are 800,000 students, college graduates, professionals and parents. They have been granted permission to work, attend school and live in the U.S., but if they leave, they cannot reenter.
• Address Root Causes of Central American Refugees. Wildes says the fundamental cause of our Central American refugee crisis is the violence and instability in their home countries. He favors cooperation with law enforcement in those countries, improving economic conditions through foreign investment, free trade agreements, and volunteer initiatives.
Telecommunications
More Rural Broadband Funding
The Senate-House conference committee on USDA appropriations has awarded $550 million in additional funds to a rural broadband loan and grant program created by Congress last year with an initial appropriation of $600 million. Projects must serve communities of less than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10/1 Mbps.
Bridging the Rural Broadband Gap
A recent editorial in the Washington Examiner by National Grange President Betsy Huber applauded the Federal Communications Commission for its leadership toward closing the rural-urban digital divide. She then suggested the FCC make two changes to enhance rural efforts. The first is better data collection accuracy in rural areas which should be far different compared to urban areas. The second is to allow providers to wirelessly deliver broadband to rural communities using unused spectrum between broadcast television stations.
Check Your State Laws
Your state might need to update its laws to better compete for the new $1.15 billion USDA funding for rural broadband projects and grants. Some states restrict rural electric cooperatives to only provide electric services to customers. In these states, such laws may have to be changed to allow electric co-ops to deliver broadband service or create public-private partnerships with rural telephone cooperatives.
Perspective
The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them everlasting gratitude. ~ Jeff Miller
Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. ~ Eckhart Tolle
He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things he has not but rejoices for those which he has. ~ Epictetus
We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorns have roses. ~ Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr
The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated. ~ William James
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them. ~ John F. Kennedy
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
Download This Newsletter
In this issue:
NEWS:
• Time is now to register for Grange Revival 2019
• National Grange Fly-in Registration Now Open
• Use Grange Theme All Year, Following Guidelines Very Important
• Membership Department provides Planning Tool
• 2 Deadlines Fast Approaching for Youth Opportunities
• Sign-up to Attend Mid-Atlantic Leaders Conference
• New Grange Radio Programming Hits the Air
• Updates made to Grange in Action Program
• Mascot for Community Service Department Introduced
• National Lecturer provides Revised 2019 Quilt Block Info
RESOURCES:
• Grange Revival Registration Form
• REV 2019 Quilt Block Contest and Form
• 2019 Theme One-Page Use Guide
• NEW Grange Values Ad
• Grange Month Poster
• Toolkit: Grange Inventory
• 1 in 1,000 Club Membership Form
• Esto Perpetua: Giving Form
• Grange Food Security Survey
• Good Day!™ Subscription Form
Click here to download the entire issue of the Patrons Chain.
Jan Saxton joined the Grange in 2003 when she moved to the tiny town of Aromas on the Central Coast. The Aromas Grange had reorganized around 1999/2000 and it was an active, happening place. When Jan first moved to Aromas her mom told her she had to go to the monthly Grange pancake breakfast. Through the folks she met there, she volunteered to help with an auction on her first Aromas Day, which turned out to be a fundraiser for the Aromas Grange’s scholarship fund. It was a very successful fundraiser—in more ways than one. It was through the scholarship auction that she met her sweetheart and partner for fifteen years, Rich Saxe. Through her relationship with Rich, who was President at the time, she became deeply involved with the Aromas Grange.
After helping to build the Aromas Grange into a thriving organization, with a growing membership and lots of popular events and activities, Rich and Jan served for two years as State Membership Directors under State Grange President Randy Lewis. In that capacity they reached out to as many Granges as they could, traveling around our beautiful state, meeting with folks and encouraging them to open their halls and invite their communities to join them. One of Jan’s particular passions is encouraging new Grangers to come to Convention and encouraging all Granges to send delegates every year. She believes that experiencing the State Convention and participating in the degree work really deepens a member’s understanding of the Grange, how it works and what it stands for. Besides, how often do you get to experience true participatory democracy in action?
Jan served two terms as President of the Aromas Grange, during which she forged a relationship with the Community Foundation for Monterey County. A fundraising grant from the Community Foundation led to a successful capital campaign and a new—and much needed—commercial kitchen for the Aromas Grange Hall. Jan is looking forward to sharing what she learned from their professional fundraising consultant with anyone who wants to learn to raise more money. She is a Past Vice President, a Past Executive Committee Member and currently is the Chaplain. She is Director of the Teressie White Memorial Scholarship Foundation, the Aromas Grange’s scholarship fund. Before moving to Aromas, Jan raised her four sons in Carmel Valley, California, where she volunteered at the local elementary school, the scouts, and the Little League. When her sons were all in school, Jan went back to college and graduated from UCSC with a bachelor’s degree in Women’s Studies in 1998.
As Vice President of the CSG, Jan is looking forward to traveling the state again to visit as many Granges and meet up with as many Grangers as possible. She is grateful for all the people involved with the Grange and the work they have done for generations to keep our organization alive and our halls standing. One of the things Jan likes best about the Grange is that it is a place where we can get to know people with very different opinions and perspectives than our own, work side by side, and become friends with them. In these times, she believes that is an especially valuable thing. We don’t have to agree on stuff to become friends with folks, we just have to be friendly.
The California State Grange and Orangevale Grange invite all to a
CELEBRATION OF LIFE for our brother, Ed Komski
Please bring photos, stories, and your instruments to play music. Ed loved nothing better than a good jam session of musicians, laughing and playing together. Ed's favorite dessert was sprinkle-covered cupcakes
Come and share in a very special day full of love, memories, music, laughter, and sprinkles.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Orangevale Grange Hall
5807 Walnut, Orangevale, CA
Contact Lillian Booth, California State Grange Secretary, 916-454-5808 with any questions.
Hope to see you there,
Kent Westwood,
Master/President
California State Grange
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DECEMBER 2018 WRAP-UP
Overview
The first session of the 116th Congress opens the first week of January. Democrats control the House of Representatives with Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-12) as Speaker. The Senate continues to be controlled by Republicans with Mitch McConnell (R-KY) as Majority Leader. The federal government continues in a partial shutdown mode because of a stalemate between President Trump and Democrats over funding for the border wall and several other immigration issues. The shutdown affects several unfunded departments and agencies including USDA, EPA, and Interior. Locally, agencies such as county Farm Service Agency offices have closed, new rural development and other grants and loans are suspended, research facilities except for care for animals and plants are closed, and economic and statistical reports will not be issued. However, USDA's Market News Service will continue to operate. On other fronts, protecting Medicare Part B and Part D are ongoing Grange initiatives; rural broadband continues to expand; cable programming may need some safeguards
Farm Bill
Legislation Becomes Law
In December, the new farm bill passed with huge bipartisan majorities in the Senate (87-13) and House (369-47). Following its passage, National Grange President Betsy Huber issued the following statement:
"America's farmers, ranchers and landowners have a reasonable, balanced, common-sense $867 billion farm bill headed to the President's desk today. The bipartisan legislation passed overwhelmingly in the Senate by a vote of 87-13 and in the House by 369-47. The package now gives much needed multi-year certainty to commodity programs, crop insurance, conservation, farm loans, beginning farmers and ranchers, SNAP assistance, nutrition programs, foreign markets promotion and more. It also establishes a new Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank.
"I want to thank Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Ranking Minority member Debbie Stabenow for their bipartisan leadership to get this done. Both have proven themselves worthy to have named National Grange Champions of Rural America (Stabenow in 2017 and Roberts in 2018)".
Trade
USDA's four trade promotion programs were funded at $251.5 million per year.
Commodity Programs
• Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage are similar to the 2014 farm bill with several enhancements on reference prices and yield data
• Loan rates are increased substantially
• The new Dairy Margin Coverage Program builds on the recent Margin Protection Program passed in February by reducing premiums on the first 5 million pounds of production (about 240 cows) and raises the top margin coverage from $8 per hundredweight to $9.50
• Does not set payment limits on eligibility for commodity program payments
Conservation
• The Environmental Quality Incentives Program has increased funding; the Conservation Stewardship Program has reduced funding but is preserved as a standalone program
• Conservation Reserve Program enrollment is increased from 24 million acres to 27 million acres
• The Regional Conservation Partnership Program is now a standalone with its own rules separate from other conservation programs from which it was previously funded
Nutrition
• Additional work requirements and tightened eligibility requirements were omitted from the final Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provision; governors will be required to approve state agency applications to USDA for waivers from the existing work requirements
• The Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive Program is given permanent funding and is renamed the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program for the former USDA Undersecretary and Grange member from Massachusetts
Credit
Farm loan limits on operating and ownership loans are increased ($1.75 million on guaranteed operating and ownership loans; $600,000 on direct ownership loans; direct operating loans are raised to $400,000).
Rural Development
• Provides permanent authority and rules for the $600 million rural broadband grant and loan program created by the fiscal 2018 spending bill.
• Prioritizes funding for projects to combat opioid addiction and authorizes a 33 percent increase in grants under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program
Research
Funding is increased for the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Forestry
Renews the categorical exclusion that allows diseased and insect infested trees to be removed from government forests.
Energy
Renews the authorization but reduces the funding for bioenergy programs.
Horticulture
• Legalizes the production of industrial hemp
• Creates a new Local Agriculture Market Program
• Creates a new Urban, Indoor and Other Emerging Agricultural Production Research, Education and Extension Initiative
• Maintains funding for Specialty Crop Block Grants
• Authorizes USDA to require additional documentation for shipments from abroad under the National Organic Program
Crop Insurance
• Hemp is made eligible for crop insurance
• Discounts for beginning farmers and ranchers are extended to 10 years from the current 5 years under Whole Farm Revenue Protection
• New policies will be researched by USDA to cover crops affected by hurricanes and tropical storms
Miscellaneous
• Creates and funds a new Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Program that includes a new Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank
• Creates a new Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach Program
• Requires the President to nominate an undersecretary for rural development
Waters of the United States
In early December, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers released their highly anticipated proposal to replace the definition of "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) which determines the scope of waters and wetlands that fall under the federal Clean Water Act. The proposal would eliminate ephemeral streams (those created by rainfall and snowmelt) from federal jurisdiction, tighten guidelines for when other streams and wetlands are considered for federal protection, exclude ditches unless they contribute flow to a "waters of the U.S", exclude farm ponds, log cleaning ponds and cooling ponds, and require wetlands to be physically connected to other jurisdictional waters to fall within the scope of WOTUS. Farmers, ranchers, landowners, builders, and other businesses welcomed the new definition while several conservation and environmental groups were critical. The proposed rule is subject to a 60-day comment period. If the rule becomes final, it is almost certain to face legal challenges.
Disclosure of Bioengineered Foods
USDA has announced the Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard to require food manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers to identify foods that are or may be bioengineered. The standard defines bioengineered foods as those that contain detectable genetic material that has been modified through lab techniques and cannot be created through conventional breeding or found in nature.
SNAP Changes Proposed
Late in December, USDA issued a proposed rule to significantly amend the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for the first time in 22 years. The proposed change would prevent states from getting waivers from work and job training requirements unless their unemployment rate is at least 7 percent. The proposed rule is subject to a 60-day public comment period and will likely face legal challenges if enacted.
Antibiotics Use in Livestock Falls by a Third
Usage of medically important antibiotics in food production has fallen sharply according to the Food and Drug Administration. Antimicrobials important to human health are no longer allowed to be used for growth promotion purposes in livestock and may only be obtained through a veterinarian's order to treat sick animals.
Health Care
Medical Device Tax
The National Grange joined a large group of patient advocates to call for permanent repeal of the medical device tax in a letter to Senate and House leadership. New medical technology discoveries are critical to diagnosing and treating disease and conditions that significantly impact patients' lives. Since the tax is levied on revenues, not profits, it is particularly challenging for smaller companies which make up 80 percent of the industry and are the source of much innovation.
Protect Medicare Part D
Because Part D is so important to Grange members, the National Grange joined other patient groups in a letter to Congress opposing any proposal that would repeal the program's non-interference clause. The clause states that manufacturers, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurance companies must negotiate directly to reach the lowest possible prices for prescription medications.
Medicare Part B Demonstration Questioned
The National Grange has urged Senate and House leaders to question a potentially harmful Medicare Part B demonstration by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The proposed CMS International Pricing Index demonstration would import foreign-based price controls regardless of value or innovation and interjects new middlemen between physicians and patients with complex life-threatening conditions.
Telecommunications
Rural Veterans Need the Lifeline Program
The National Grange filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission to support access to affordable rural broadband for the 24 percent of America's veterans who live in rural America. The filing urged the FCC to preserve no-cost Lifeline offerings, implement the National Verifier in a common sense, straight-forward way, and reexamine the minimum standard regulations that could lead to the elimination of no-cost Lifeline services.
Binding Arbitration for Comcast/NBCUniversal
The National Grange wrote the chairmen and ranking minority members of the House Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law regarding the expiring terms of the Comcast/NBCU merger. The Grange suggested that binding arbitration be required to settle program access disputes, that sensible safeguards are necessary to protect consumer prices and assess to programming, and that protections for independent programmers be established.
Raising the Bar for Rural Broadband
The USDA will now require its rural broadband projects to provide access speeds of at least 25 megabits per second upload and 3 megabits per second download as mandated in the new farm bill. Funded projects must serve communities of less than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10/I Mbps. Projects will compete for $600 million provided by Congress earlier this year.
Perspective
"I don't know what's more exhausting about parenting: the getting up early, or acting like you know what you're doing". ~ Jim Gaffigan
"Family: A social unit where the father is concerned with parking space, the children with outer space, and the mother with closet space". ~ Evan Esar
"Parents are the only ones obligated to love you; from the rest of the world you had to earn it". ~ Ann Brashares
"Never lend your car to someone to whom you have given birth". ~ Erma Bombeck
"A man travels the world over to in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it". ~ George Moore
Feedback and questions are welcome. Call Burton Eller, at (202) 628-3507 ext. 114 or email beller@nationalgrange.org
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FEDERAL COURT ASSIGNS ALL GUILD DUES TO THE GRANGE
As you may recall, Judge Shubb sanctioned the California Guild in 2016 for its “deliberate and willful” violation of his injunction prohibiting it from using the “Grange” name. The Guild initially paid that sanctions award using charitable Grange funds held by the California Grange Foundation and Grange trust funds held in the California State Grange’s asset management account at Morgan Stanley that was subject to Judge Brown’s preliminary injunction. To keep the National Grange from realizing that the sanctions were being paid with Grange funds, the Guild routed those monies through the bank account of its now-disqualified attorneys at the Ellis Law Group.
When it learned last year of the true source of this laundered money, the National Grange moved to set aside the judgment and reinstate the sanctions award. Judge Shubb granted the motion and reinstated a sanctions award of $102,707.78. The National Grange thereafter filed a motion for an order assigning all dues payments and loan repayments that the Guild is set to receive from its local chapters until the outstanding sanctions award is paid in full.
On January 2, 2019, Judge Shubb entered an order granting the motion and assigning all payments to the National Grange. In particular, Judge Shubb ordered that:
»1. All membership dues due to [the Guild] now or in the future from the local chapters … are hereby assigned to [the National Grange] to the extent necessary to satisfy the court’s post judgment order (Docket No. 235);
»2. All payments due to [the Guild] now or in the future pursuant to loans defendant made to the local chapters … are hereby assigned to the extent necessary to satisfy the court’s post judgment order.
»3. [The Guild] is hereby enjoined from assigning, encumbering, or otherwise disposing of the payments discussed in (1) and (2) to any other person or entity until it has satisfied the court’s post judgment order.
»4. Counsel for [the National Grange] shall serve a copy of this Order on the local chapters.
So what does this assignment order mean? If your Grange is in good
standing and is making payments to the California State Grange, nothing changes. But if you are a member of a group that has been making payments to the Guild, expect to receive a letter from the National Grange’s lawyer enclosing Judge’s Order. I urge you to read it closely and follow it to the letter. If you have any doubts about what is required, please consult with a non-conflicted attorney so that you fully understand your legal obligations. Given the Guild’s past behavior (which resulted in the sanctions award in the first place), the court is unlikely to look kindly at violations of its latest order.
After over six years of litigation, the lawsuits against the Guild are wrapping up. Both the state and the federal courts have delivered resounding victories to the Grange and made clear that the rules of our Order have meaning and will be enforced in California. Continued litigation is not going to change things at this late stage – it is just going to line the lawyers’ pockets. The California State Grange continues to move to restore our Order, and is actively assisting Granges throughout the state as they rebuild. If your Grange would like to move forward with the rest of the Order and return to good standing, please contact me or Lillian Booth. The California State Grange stands ready to help in any way we can.
We always encourage everybody to read the actual court documents for themselves, but this one in particular is worth a read.
Click here to read full order.
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