April, 2005 has been declared as “Grange Month” by National Grange President William Steel.  The theme this year is: “The Grange: Building Communities.”

Grange Month is an opportunity to showcase the Grange – its purpose and its programs and activities – in communities across the Commonwealth.  To celebrate Grange Month, the National Grange is encouraging all Granges to organize open house and award ceremony programs, as well as pledge volunteer service hours to better the community.

The PA State Grange is promoting Grange Month by holding their annual “Grange Day Luncheon” on Monday, April 11, 2005 at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center in Camp Hill.  The luncheon is an opportunity for Grange members from around the Commonwealth to come to the capital area to meet with their legislators in a relaxed luncheon atmosphere and discuss their local problems and concerns with their respective Representatives.

The luncheon will begin at 10:30 a.m. this year with a workshop entitled “How to Become an Effective Lobbyist” presented by PA State Grange Legislative Director Brenda Shambaugh.

The luncheon itself will begin at 11:30 a.m. with Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff as the Keynote Speaker.  The Secretary will present a proclamation from Governor Ed Rendell proclaiming April as Grange Month in Pennsylvania.

After lunch, Grange members will have an opportunity to attend two more workshops, one presented by Erica Hood from the National Alzheimer’s Association and the second by Dr. MeeCee Baker, Ag Education Coordinator for the Dept. of Ag, talking about “Marketplace for the Mind, An Agricultural Education Resource.”

Local Community Granges around the Commonwealth are encouraged to celebrate Grange Month by holding Open House Programs, Award Ceremonies and/or Legislative Dinners.  Open House Programs are an excellent way to begin enhancing good community relationships with the local community, which that Grange serves. It’s an opportunity for the local Granges to present a more complete picture of what really goes on at the Grange, rather than people simply driving past a Grange building or attending Grange events.  It is the perfect opportunity for local Granges to showcase their good work in the community.

The Legislative Dinners are an opportunity for local legislators and/or candidates and Grange and Community members to interact and exchange ideas.  Typically, a Grange will open its doors to members and non-members to attend a dinner along with their local politicians and/or candidates and give the public the opportunity to direct questions to their legislators.  It is a perfect setting for the politicians to listen to their constituents as well as informing the voters of what is being done in their communities.

“The key to a successful Grange Month is activity,” National Master Steel said.  PA State Grange President Betsy Huber said, “During Grange Month we want our communities to know that the Grange is alive and well in Pennsylvania and that we have a lot to offer those communities.”  She is asking local Community Granges to ask the question, “What changes would I like to see in my community?” and then work with the community leaders to make those changes reality.  The Grange wants to make a difference in your community!

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/Young Adult Members (ages 14-35) and Regular Community (Local) members (age 35 and up).  The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.  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.