Category: National Grange Information

National Grange information, including National Convention.

Communication Shorts 02-17-2024

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!

February Bulletin Now Available!

The February Bulletin is now available! Remember, the past few Bulletins are available for downloading and printing on the Program Books and Information Page. We also do occasionally accept “guest posts” on topics of interest to Grangers. See the guidelines!

USDA Assistance for Severe Weather

If your farm suffers losses in this severe winter weather, you might qualify for USDA’s disaster assistance programs. Also, a reminder: if you have crop insurance, contact your agency within 72 hours if you suffer losses in this severe winter weather. (Compliments of UMaine Extension)

National Grange Email Addresses

Please note there is no “general” email address for National Grange–you’ll need to decide who to address your concerns and questions to! There is a Directory of National Officers and a Directory of Paid Staff on the National Grange Website.

Don’t Forget This!

Do you have news to share about your Grange? A summary of a past event? Advertising of a future event? These are exciting and fun ways to attract new members. Submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing! This is not difficult, and you get lots of free publicity!

Online Directory of Granges

Yay! The online directory of Granges is updated! This round of updates was based on the most recent Roster. The contact person and information may be the master or the secretary. (It’s a long story.) Please check your Grange’s listing and email the webmaster if anything needs to be changed!

Ideas for Granges

Are you noticing lots of “Chili Challenges?” Maybe it’s the time of year! I noticed today that it won’t get dark at this time of day again until October. It might also be time to start planning your spring schedule.

Thought for You…

“Success is not final; failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.”

Winston Churchill

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

The Patrons Chain 2-16-2024

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange Leaders’ Conference taking place now!
  • Final Week to Order – Grange Strong Fundraiser
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Advocacy Playbook: Supreme Court Review of Chevron May Shake Up Federal Regulatory Framework
  • Oklahoma School for the Deaf offers free, online American Sign Language course
  • Grange Supply Store: Vintage Grange Hall Dedication Plaques
  • Grange Member Benefit: American Income Life Insurance 

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

The Patrons Chain 2-9-2024

Don’t miss the fact that two Granges in Maine are featured in this issue! (Granger celebrates 80 years of membership)

Articles in this edition include:

  • National Grange Building Sold
  • National Lecturer’s Programming Updates
  • NC Grange hosts Southern Farm Show vaccine clinic
  • Grange Strong Fundraiser
  • Happy Chinese New Year! 
  • Grant money still available for raising awareness about ACP
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Granger celebrates 80 years of membership
  • Commentary: Broadband Subsidy Enrollment Ends Today; Millions Are at Risk of Losing Internet
  • Grange Supply Store: Seven-Sided Patch
  • Grange Member Benefit: American Income Life Insurance

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship fund was established in 2023 by friends and family of Ernestine “Ernie” Keiser. Ernie was a long-time Grange member in Virginia and a charter member of Beach Community Grange #958, VA, which was chartered in 1959. She was very supportive of the Youth program at the local, state, and national levels. Ernie was a firm believer in the importance of education, and her family and friends desired to continue her legacy by establishing this scholarship program. The value of the scholarship is $1,000.

Scholarship Requirements

  • Applicant must be a Grange member in good standing with a minimum of one year of membership.
  • Scholarship is available for graduating high school seniors or continuing two-year community college, four-year college/university, or postsecondary vocational school students attending an accredited school. Students pursuing graduate degrees or higher vocational certifications are also eligible to apply.
  • Scholarship is available to full-time or part-time students.
  • An applicant is eligible to apply for the scholarship each year; however, if selected, will only be eligible to receive it a maximum of two times.
  • Two (2) – Recommendation Letters are required. The writers of the letters of recommendation must be unrelated to the applicant.
  • One letter from a member of the applicant’s Community (local) Grange. It may be an officer or member of the Community Grange.
  • One letter from a teacher/guidance counselor/mentor. The letter should be on school letterhead or organizational letterhead, if applicable.
  • Essay – The applicant may use one of the prompts below for their essay. The limit is a maximum of 500 words, or the equivalent of two pages, typed and double-spaced.

How to apply

  • Paper applications must be typed, printed, and signed.
  • A checklist of the required application materials for a complete application is included.
  • Applications may be emailed to ngfb@grange.org and must be received by March 1.
  • Mailed applications must be received by March 1 and should be mailed to:

National Grange Foundation Board
Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship Fund
c/o Joan Smith, Chair
39 Clubhouse Road
Rotonda West, FL 33947

Information and Application

The Patrons Chain 2-2-2024


Articles in this edition include:

  • The Presidential Perspective
  • Fellowship First Friday
  • Meet the National Grange Community Service Team
  • Grange Heirloom for February
  • Have you joined The Birthday Club?
  • Grant money still available for raising awareness about ACP
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Last Chance: Register for National Grange/Rural Minds introduction to “Rural Mental Health Resilience” program
  • Rural Minds Receives National Advocacy Award
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Making Mountaintop Removal Renewable
  • Grange Strong Fundraiser
  • Grange Supply Store: Seven-Sided Patch
  • Grange Member Benefit: Start Hearing

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

Communication Shorts 02-01-2024

By Walter Boomsma,
MSG Communications Director
207 343-1842

Communication Shorts are brief (short) but important items posted for your information and use. Send us your ideas and thoughts!

February Bulletin Coming Soon!

The deadline for the February Bulletin is Valentine’s Day! Remember, the past few Bulletins are available for downloading and printing on the Program Books and Information Page. We also do occasionally accept “guest posts” on topics of interest to Grangers. See the guidelines!

National Grange Email Addresses

Please note there is no “general” email address for National Grange–you’ll need to decide who to address your concerns and questions to! There is a Directory of National Officers and a Directory of Paid Staff on the National Grange Website.

Don’t Forget This!

Do you have news to share about your Grange? A summary of a past event? Advertising of a future event? These are exciting and fun ways to attract new members. Submit the details for a website post and event calendar listing! This is not difficult, and you get lots of free publicity!

USDA Assistance for Severe Weather

If your farm suffers losses in this severe winter weather, you might qualify for USDA’s disaster assistance programs. Also, a reminder: if you have crop insurance, contact your agency within 72 hours if you suffer losses in this severe winter weather. (Compliments of UMaine Extension)

Online Directory of Granges

Yay! The online directory of Granges is updated! This round of updates was based on the most recent Roster. The contact person and information may be the master or the secretary. (It’s a long story.) Please check your Grange’s listing and email the webmaster if anything needs to be changed!

Ideas for Granges

Just because you’ve closed your hall for the winter, you don’t have to close your Grange! You can meet virtually, at someone’s home, or at a restaurant. It’s a great time of the year to “think spring” and plan some activities and events when the weather improves! Grange Month is two months away!

Thought for You…

The man who moves a mountain begins by moving small stones.

Confucius

Do You Love the Grange?

The world wants to hear about it! Fill out the simple I Love the Grange Form… it only takes a couple of minutes! Thanks to all who have shared so far!

Online Directories Available 24-7

  • The ODD Directory features all state officers, directors, and deputies with contact information.
  • The Directory of Granges features all Granges in the state with a contact person. Please make sure your listing is correct!

Do You Have FOMO?

“FOMO” is a Fear Of Missing Out. One strongly recommended treatment is to subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website. We’ll send you a daily summary whenever news and columns are posted, and we won’t share your email address with anyone!

Subscribe to the Maine State Grange Website

View from the Hill – January 2024

This monthly newsletter written by Burton Eller, National Grange Legislative Director, covers “what’s happening” in Washington on various topics of interest to Grangers.

View Updates

Grange Strong T-shirt Available

This National Grange’s #GrangeStrong shirt fundraiser will run online only through February 23. Orders will be delivered in mid-March in time for Grange Month. These items and colors were the top choices in our recent survey available on social media and the Patrons Chain.

Information and Order Form

The Patrons Chain 1-19-2024


Articles in this edition include:

  • Find the fun as a leader
  • What makes you… you?
  • Grant money still available for raising awareness about ACP
  • Grange Foundation’s Ernestine Keiser Memorial Scholarship
  • Left Hand Grange Rings in the New Year
  • Register for National Grange/Rural Minds introduction to “Rural Mental Health Resilience” program
  • Register for the Virtual Legislative Fly-In
  • Successful kick-off to Fellowship First Friday includes soup-er recipe swap
  • Nearly 21 Million Children Expected to Receive New Grocery Benefit This Summer
  • Grange Supply Store: People, Pride & Progress book package
  • Grange Member Benefit: Nationwide Pet Insurance

Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to the Patrons Chain!

Read THE Current Issue
Subscribe to Patrons Chain

Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. Occasionally, a weekly issue isn’t sent, so the fact that one hasn’t been posted on the MSG website doesn’t necessarily mean we skipped it! You can double-check using the link (Read the Current Issue) above. Effective 2024, we will only maintain one year of issues on the MSG website.

Notes from National – January 2024

  • February 7 – Join the National Grange and Rural Minds for an introduction to the Rural Mental Health Resilience Program. Register at http://grange.biz/RMHR
  • March 18 – Join the National Grange Virtual Legislative Fly-In. Hear from Grange leaders, representatives from Congress, and issues partners about what the Grange is working on for all of rural America. Register at http://grange.biz/flyin2024
  • Please subscribe to the National Grange’s Good Day! magazine. Just $16 a year gets you access to our print or digital subscription. Learn more about the magazine at http://www.nationalgrange.org/goodday or the digital issue at http://www.issuu.com/grangegoodday. The January issue is in mailboxes across the country, and additional copies are available through the Grange Store.
  • Subscribe to the Patrons Chain and View from the Hill at http://www.nationalgrange.org/subscribe. These newsletters are released every Friday, containing information about National Grange programs, events, and more.
  • Submit an article about your Grange’s events to Philip Vonada at pvonada@nationalgrange.org. Patrons Chain articles can be sent at any point, and Good Day! deadline is on February 29th.
  • Are there topics you would like to see covered in a future Zoom from a National Grange staff member, department, or officer? Please let us know! We’re always working to ensure our topics are in line with what our members want or need to hear from us.
  • The National Grange Social Media Calendar is available. This is intended to be a guide for State and Community Granges of topics/events that may be used to enhance social media. By no means is it a suggestion to post ALL of these things, but if you’re looking to get out of a rut or expand your social media reach. This could also be a great resource for Grange Lecturers/Program Directors who are looking for new programming ideas.
  • Many National Grange events have been recorded and archived – if there’s something you missed and would like to see, please visit the National Grange YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/nationalgrange. 
  • Follow National Grange on Social Media! We’re on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and more!

Notes from National are gleaned from an email provided by Phil Vonada, National Grange Communications Director.