A Montgomery County Grange member recently called the PA State Grange office to thank Grange President Betsy Huber and Legislative Director Brenda Shambaugh.  This Granger had just received a post card from his insurance company, notifying him that his 2005 premiums could be as much as 25% less than in 2004.  The reason for this reduction?

Recently, PA State Grange President Betsy Huber, along with representatives of other agricultural organizations, attended meetings with both Senator Specter and Senator Santorum as well as PA Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, lobbying for additional state and federal subsidies for crop insurance. 

As a result of these meetings and negotiations by various senators, the USDA sent out Bulletin No. MGR-05-002 on February 10, 2005 which stated in part, “To assist producers in reducing production, price, or revenue risks, RMA (Risk Management Agency) will provide financial assistance to producers purchasing crop insurance policies in fifteen targeted states” [PA is one of these].  Senators Specter (R-PA) and Leahy (Vermont) worked on the Consolidated Appropriations Bill of 2004, amending the act  allocating $5 million to RMA for this purpose.

These meetings were, in part, a response to a press release from the PA Dept. of Ag. dated January 26, 2005, in which Sec. Wolff announced, “That the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture will award $2 million in assistance to the state’s producers to make crop insurance more affordable during the 2005 drop year.”  Unfortunately, when Gov. Ed Rendell proposed his new budget, it deleted all crop insurance subsidies and Pres. Bush’s budget, as well, slashed the Dept. of Agriculture by 10%.

Due to these facts, the $5 million allocated through RMA is sorely needed.  The state allocation could reduce farmers’ premiums by as much as 10% and the federal subsidies could reduce them by 5 to 15% for an overall possible premium reduction of 25%.  Sec. Wolff stated, “Pennsylvania is considered a national leader in crop insurance and the Department has worked hard to encourage producers to evaluate their farm risk management plans so they can better withstand a crop disaster and return to profitability quickly.”

The Montgomery County Granger was aware of Huber’s meetings with the senators as well as Ms. Shambaugh’s research prior to these meetings.  This member was extremely proud of the PA State Grange’s Administration and dedication to its members and their needs.

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-35) and Regular Subordinate (Local) members (age 35 and up).  The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the state.  It is the oldest agricultural organization of its kind in the United States. The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry) began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.