Our Motto
In essentials; unity, In non-essentials; liberty, In all things; charity.
In essentials; unity, In non-essentials; liberty, In all things; charity.
Our Mission
The Pennsylvania State Grange supports the local Granges to help members grow as individuals, unify their communities and create opportunity through legislation and community service.
The Pennsylvania State Grange supports the local Granges to help members grow as individuals, unify their communities and create opportunity through legislation and community service.
Pennsylvania State Grange Hosts 152nd State Session
The Pennsylvania State Grange hosted their 152nd State Session from October 17-20 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township, Butler County. Established in 1867, the National Grange is the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy organization in the United States. During the weekend, more than 275 Grange members participated in meetings, delegate deliberations on policy, and various contests and activities. A highlight of this year’s annual statewide gathering was a keynote address by Elizabeth Shumaker and Kathleen Bright from UPMC Wound Healing Services and UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers, which was held on Friday, October 18. Ms. Shumaker and Ms. Bright spoke about breast cancer in both women and men in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The convention host committee, on behalf of the State Grange, donated $2000 to benefit breast cancer research. In addition, more than $600 was contributed by members to the cause.
Delegates elected a new slate of State Grange officers, debated legislative priorities for the upcoming year, and discussed and planned for Grange activities in the future. Matt Espenshade, of Elizabethtown Area Grange #2076, Lancaster County, was selected to serve a second two-year term as President of the Pennsylvania State Grange.
State officers elected include:
Vice President/Overseer, Phil Vonada
Lecturer, Terry Murray
Steward, Andrew Kieffer
Assistant Steward, Bryce Danko
Lady Assistant Steward, Susan Snyder
Chaplain, Jodi Keith-Kensinger
Treasurer, Henry Seidel
Secretary, Debra Campbell
Gatekeeper, Kenneth Merritt
Ceres, Shae Smith
Pomona, Ashlan Smith
Flora, Isabella Boone
Executive Committee, Wayne Campbell
Delegates elected a new slate of State Grange officers, debated legislative priorities for the upcoming year, and discussed and planned for Grange activities in the future. Matt Espenshade, of Elizabethtown Area Grange #2076, Lancaster County, was selected to serve a second two-year term as President of the Pennsylvania State Grange.
State officers elected include:
Vice President/Overseer, Phil Vonada
Lecturer, Terry Murray
Steward, Andrew Kieffer
Assistant Steward, Bryce Danko
Lady Assistant Steward, Susan Snyder
Chaplain, Jodi Keith-Kensinger
Treasurer, Henry Seidel
Secretary, Debra Campbell
Gatekeeper, Kenneth Merritt
Ceres, Shae Smith
Pomona, Ashlan Smith
Flora, Isabella Boone
Executive Committee, Wayne Campbell
Granger of the Year
During the 152nd State Session, the Pennsylvania State Grange recognized Bonnie Casselberry as the 2024 Pennsylvania State Grange Granger of the Year. This recognition is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Pennsylvania State Grange, and was announced during the All-Granger Banquet on Sunday evening, October 20.
“Bonnie is known across the state for her selflessness, as well as her dedication to her family, community and the Grange. We collectively congratulate her, and extend our gratitude for her faithful service,” said Matt Espenshade, President of the Pennsylvania State Grange.
Casselberry serves as the Liberty Grange #1780 Secretary. She is an Executive Committee member of the Lawrence County Pomona Grange, and has served as the Lawrence Junior Grange Leader, a program for Grange members between the ages of 5 and 14. “Bonnie Casselberry is an amazing daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and Granger. I am totally awed by Bonnie’s ability to get things done,” said Mary McMillin, a fellow member of Liberty Grange.
Bonnie has long been a dedicated Granger and advocate. She has spoken at public forums on critical Grange policy in regard to rapid and unchecked solar panel farm expansion. She has also been leading the effort to have the Liberty Grange Hall registered for tax exempt status, which is permitted by recent changes to the Pennsylvania fiscal code.
She has also been an avid fundraiser for Liberty Grange #1780, helping coordinate soup sales,
the annual Bunny brunch, and other events to support the community. Growing up active in the
Junior Grange herself, Bonnie led the effort to reestablish a County Junior Grange program, and
continues to be active today working with the Juniors.
Bonnie has been married for over 40 years to George Casselberry and they raised two sons
Georgie and Joe.
“Bonnie is known across the state for her selflessness, as well as her dedication to her family, community and the Grange. We collectively congratulate her, and extend our gratitude for her faithful service,” said Matt Espenshade, President of the Pennsylvania State Grange.
Casselberry serves as the Liberty Grange #1780 Secretary. She is an Executive Committee member of the Lawrence County Pomona Grange, and has served as the Lawrence Junior Grange Leader, a program for Grange members between the ages of 5 and 14. “Bonnie Casselberry is an amazing daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and Granger. I am totally awed by Bonnie’s ability to get things done,” said Mary McMillin, a fellow member of Liberty Grange.
Bonnie has long been a dedicated Granger and advocate. She has spoken at public forums on critical Grange policy in regard to rapid and unchecked solar panel farm expansion. She has also been leading the effort to have the Liberty Grange Hall registered for tax exempt status, which is permitted by recent changes to the Pennsylvania fiscal code.
She has also been an avid fundraiser for Liberty Grange #1780, helping coordinate soup sales,
the annual Bunny brunch, and other events to support the community. Growing up active in the
Junior Grange herself, Bonnie led the effort to reestablish a County Junior Grange program, and
continues to be active today working with the Juniors.
Bonnie has been married for over 40 years to George Casselberry and they raised two sons
Georgie and Joe.
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On Friday, October 19, Lindsey Mauldin, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Shapiro, was a
special guest speaker, who discussed state funding levels and the administration’s efforts to address the mental health issues and challenges in rural Pennsylvania. |