More than 100 Grange members from around the Commonwealth gathered at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill yesterday to meet with their legislators at the annual Grange Day Legislative Luncheon.

The luncheon is an annual Grange event coordinated by Brenda Shambaugh, PA State Grange Legislative Director, to give members an opportunity to sit with their legislators and aides over a relaxed meal and discuss their local and state concerns.

This year’s day began with Ms. Shambaugh presenting a workshop in the morning entitled “How to Become an Effective Lobbyist,” in which she gave members tips and ideas on how to better present their concerns to their legislators.  She also included a list of legislative priorities for the PA State Grange for 2005, which included A.C.R.E., The Budget, Deer Damage and Net metering.  The list was also available to the legislators and their aides.

Secretary of Agriculture Dennis Wolff then briefly covered the priorities of the Dept. of Ag to include A.C.R.E., Crop Insurance, the upcoming budget hearings and the Department’s interactive educational web site, “Marketplace for the Mind.”  The Secretary then read and presented a proclamation from Governor Ed Rendell declaring April, 2005 “Grange Month,” to PA State Grange President Betsy Huber.

Sec. Dennis Wolff presents Governor's Proclamation to State Grange Pres. Betsy Huber 

Senator Mike Waugh, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, presented Pres. Huber with a proclamation from the Senate praising the Grange for its many years of work to improve agriculture and rural Pennsylvania.

York County Grangers meet with Senator Waugh (left) and Representative Bruce Smith (right front)

Representative Art Hershey, Chairman of the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee then presented Ms. Huber with a similar proclamation from the House of Representatives.  He complimented both Ms. Huber and Ms. Shambaugh for their continuous efforts to further rural and agricultural concerns in the Commonwealth.

Additional remarks were made by William Steel, National Grange Master and Leroy Watson, National Grange Legislative Director.  Mr. Watson had given each attendee a copy of the National Grange Legislative policies for future reference.

Grange members then had the opportunity to leisurely talk to their legislators and staff throughout the lunch and air their concerns and ask questions.

After lunch Erica Hood from the Pennsylvania Alzheimers Association, Harrisburg Region, gave a presentation about Alzheimers Disease and “Maintaining the Mind.”

The final workshop of the day was presented by Dr. MeeCee Baker, Agriculture Education Coordinator for the PA Dept. of Agriculture.  Dr. Baker gave a very informative overview of the Dept.’s activities and new interactive educational web site, “Marketplace for the Mind.”

The Annual Grange Day Luncheon is held as part of the National Grange Month activities throughout the nation.  “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.

If readers are interested in additional information about the Grange in Pennsylvania they can contact the State Grange office in Harrisburg at 1-800-552-3865 or email staff at membership@pagrange.org.  Their website can be accessed at http://www.pagrange.org.