The recent tornado that touched down in the Campbelltown, Lebanon County area received national news coverage as well as local coverage, especially regarding the damage done to an entire residential neighborhood.  But until recently, very little coverage was aired about the aftermath of the storm that local farmers now have to deal with.

Wednesday evening, September 1, saw local television coverage of the problems that Daniel Brandt, owner of Brandtview Farms, just east of Campbelltown, is now dealing with.  Mr. Brandt was attempting to harvest corn on his farm for silage and discovered that he cannot get his combine through his fields due to the large amounts of debris deposited by the tornado (aluminum siding, wood, etc.).  His dilemma now is that he has a limited time frame to harvest his crops but must clean up his fields first.

Betsy Huber, PA State Grange President, saw the news coverage of Mr. Brandt’s problem and immediately saw an opportunity for the Grange to help.  When she came into the PA State Grange office on Friday morning and mentioned the idea to Public Relations Director Carl Meiss, the ball had already started rolling…Pres. Huber contacted Mr. Brandt by phone and asked if he would be interested in accepting assistance from the Grange to help clean up his fields.  His answer, “Of course!”  An immediate appeal went out from the State Grange office to Grange members in Lebanon, Lancaster, Berks, York and other area counties asking for help for Mr. Brandt.  And the response was immediate.

Saturday morning, September 4, at 9:00 a.m., Grange members from throughout Central Pennsylvania, led by State Grange President Huber, will gather at Brandtview Farms, on Rt. 322 east of Campbelltown, to help clean up the fields so that the crops can be harvested on time!  (It should be noted that Mr. Brandt is NOT presently a Grange member.)

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  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.