Degree Days and Major Events
- October 30-31, 2026, Maine State Grange Annual Meeting in Orono.
The Maine State Grange Office is located at 36 Anthony Avenue, Suite 102, Augusta, ME 04330. The email address is mainestategrange@gmail.com.
Grange Today! 6-12-2026
Articles in this edition include:
- Grange saves community-favorite Maple Syrup Festival
- Fruitland Grange hosts Tea Party fundraiser
- Grange Heirloom for June
- Welcome to our Intern Team!
- Spotlight: National Grange intern receives Public Service Award
- Opinion: America’s Growing Energy Challenge Demands an All-of-the-Above Strategy
- Celebrate 160 in Broken Arrow
- Tell the Grange Story
- Celebrate America250 with the Grange
- Hamp Watch: Where is our National Grange President?
- Recipes from the Heartland
- Grange Member Benefit: Harvest Hosts
- Grange Store: Veteran Recognition Pin
Click the button below to read and/or subscribe to Grange Today!
Note that all recent issues are available on the National Grange Website. To save server space, we only post the table of contents on the MSG Website.
Fraud Watch- Amazon Imposter Scams
Criminals often impersonate major brands with large audiences—and Amazon is one of them.
In two newer tactics, scammers send text messages claiming a recent order was recalled, with a link to a fake Amazon website designed to steal account information. Or you get an email saying your Amazon Prime subscription is renewing at an unusually high price, prompting you to click a “cancel subscription” button that leads to a fake sign-in page.
If you have an Amazon account and get a communication seemingly from Amazon, sign into your account with the Amazon app or online at Amazon.com to see if there is a problem. You can report suspicious messages at amazon.com/reportascam or by emailing reportascam@amazon.com.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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View from the Farm – June, 2026
Webmaster’s note: The format of this column includes all of the Quill’s Endians participating at various times and in various ways! Phil writes this month’s column.
A Living Diet
In the first couple of weeks on pasture, the cows’ milk flow increases. The composition of the milk changes along with the volume, and the cream takes on a golden yellow from the pasture.
The flavor also changes. A living diet replaces the stored forage of winter, and every grass and legume is cropped by the cows for immediate use. The whole process changes the microbes in the rumen, the first chamber of four that make up the incredible digestive system of ruminants. The cellulose content of rooted, growing pasture encourages bacteria that can handle higher protein and energy foods. This more digestible food increases the volume of milk, as the cow’s energy needs are more than met.
The cream’s change of color to yellow is breed specific. Jerseys and Guernseys tend to put the most color into their milk from excess beta carotene in their diets and an inability to fully process it.
We have the now unusual opportunity to watch the change in real time. When rotating stock in the farm store, there is always amusement as this week’s cheeses and yogurts are set behind last weeks. One could almost date them by color.
The butter made in late May and into June is a hoot. The color intensifies with every step and yields a deep yellow color and smooth texture that always return us to this time of year when consumed in the winter.
With plenty of milk comes plenty of cream, so butter making, not on the schedule for months, now enters our minds for rainy days. If you’ve made butter, you know the satisfaction of watching the impossible change from liquid to solid. If you’ve not made butter, well, you should. It is a magic show in the kitchen.
Heather and Phil Retberg and their three children run Quill’s End Farm, a 105-acre property in Penobscot that they bought in 2004. They use rotational grazing on their fifteen open acres and are renovating thirty more acres from woods to pasture to increase grazing for their pigs, grass-fed cattle, lambs, laying hens, and goats. Quill’s Endians are members of Halcyon Grange and publish a newsletter for their farm’s buying club of farmers in the area, and generously permit us to share some of their columns with Grangers. Visit the Quill’s End Farm Facebook Page for more information.
Farmers’ Markets in Maine
In any given week, there are more than a hundred farmers’ markets across the state offering fresh fruits, vegetables and meats directly from the farm. The Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets (MFFM) is a statewide organization that helps sustain Maine farms, connects farmers to markets and widens access to locally grown food for Maine residents and tourists alike.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry took initial steps to organize a farmers’ market association beginning in the late 1980s. In the spring of 1991, farmers’ market members from a number of key markets pulled together and officially organized MFFM.
Today, the organization keeps a listing of these fresh and nutritious happenings on their website. Some of the larger markets opened in May, but all will be operating in earnest next month as early crops begin to mature. Some of the markets on MFFM’s site also accept SNAP and WIC benefits. To see the complete list of farmers’ markets across the state as well as those that accept SNAP and WIC, visit the Federation’s website.
President’s Perspective – June 2026
Sherry Harriman,
Maine State Grange Master/President
207 490-1029
THANK YOU to Manchester Grange once again for allowing us to use your hall for our annual fundraising yard sale event. Thank you to all the folks who came to support us, and/or helped. We appreciate your participation, efforts, donations, and hard work. We had a wonderful day, and the weather cooperated.
ELECTIONS are at hand; June is the time for electing officers. Our State By-Laws require every Grange to have full elections every year and yes, we use paper ballots for each officer with names being presented for each, one officer at a time prior to the ballot. Please consider the officers/leaders of your Grange, are you ready for a change, what is best for your Grange, are there others who would make good officers, are you helping others learn the different duties of the offices, or are you pushing too hard? Some offices are more involved than others. Some committees are more involved than others.
After the election, the reelected or newly elected Master/President shall appoint/select the Committee Chairs and committee members for their Grange. This should be done right away; there is no need to wait for the installation of officers to get your committees set up. Some of the most common Committees in our Granges are: Legislative-Agriculture; Women’s Activities; Youth; Junior; Community Service; Family, Health & Hearing; Membership and Others. Committee terms begin upon installation of officers. Other Committees may be named as needed that may be specific to your Grange. Special Committees are established as needed for a special event or activity. Please tell your Secretary who the chairman will be, so they can report the roster information to the office.
ROSTER INFORMATION is to be sent to the State Grange office as soon as possible after your elections are completed. Grange Secretaries will receive the 2027 Roster forms next week. Please fill them out legibly and return them to the office as soon as possible. If you want to type the information out separately and mail or email it to us, that would be fine also.
We will be looking for the following information to be provided to us for each Grange: Grange Name and Number; Street Address and Town of Grange Hall; Meeting Day(s) and Time; Supper or Refreshments and Time. (Maine State Grange By-Laws: ARTICLE XXII – MEETINGS Section 1. The Bylaws of each Subordinate Grange should definitely fix the day and hour of all regular meetings.) Plus the following information for Officers and chairmen.
- Master/President: Name; Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
- Lecturer: Name: Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
- Secretary: Name: Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
- CWA Chairman: Name; Address; Phone; (Cell if they want it listed); and e-mail address.
RESOLUTIONS are due in the office August 15, 2026, either by email to mainestategrange@gmail.com or by standard mail to 36 Anthony Ave, Suite 102, Augusta, 04330. Submit both ways to ensure we receive them. Resolutions must have a title provided by the Grange; we cannot assign one. The Title reflects the issue you are proposing, the “whereas” section(s) explains the issue and includes facts or information and the “resolved” section(s) explain how you propose to correct the issue. The entire resolution must be written out, if you use initials in your resolution, the words must also be written out. The resolution must be voted on & supported by the Grange to be submitted to the State Grange. Any resolutions to make changes to State or National Grange By-Laws must refer to the Article number, Section number, and sub-section number(s) and be written out in full as it currently appears in the State or National By-laws, then the new change written out in full with the change(s) to be made.
We then have to print everything and mail all resolutions back to each Grange, after the August 15th deadline. The Delegate Registration, Meal forms, Schedule, etc., also will be sent in August. This all takes time. State Session is October 30 & 31 at Black Bear Inn in Orono.
Officer and Department Reports are due in the office no later than September 15th. (written or emailed to the office and to my email SHarriman@twc.com). I prefer emailed reports. These dates may seem early, but getting everything put together for the session takes time.
Fact Sheet for Beginning Farmers
University of Maine Cooperative Extension has released a new fact sheet to support individuals who are starting farm enterprises, an effort that often comes with a steep learning curve.
Bulletin #1215, Avoiding Common Mistakes of Beginning Farmers outlines the challenges often faced by new farmers and offers research-based guidance to help growers and producers reduce risk and build a strong foundation for long-term farm success. Topics include developing a business plan, assessing land and soil resources, evaluating equipment needs, establishing recordkeeping systems and identifying markets. The fact sheet is intended for aspiring and early-career farmers seeking practical information to inform decision-making during the startup phase of farm operations. The publication is available free of charge on the Cooperative Extension Publications webpage. For more information or to request a reasonable accommodation, contact Nicholas Rowley at 207.778.4650 or nicholas.rowley@maine.edu.
Grange Heirloom – June 2026
Grange Heirlooms are snippets from the lessons of the Grange as taught in the Rituals and Declaration of Purposes.
Use the icons below to share this Grange Heirloom on social media and help others understand what the Grange stands for! If this heirloom has a particular meaning for you, click the “leave a comment” link at the left and share your comment with us!
For additional information and resources regarding the Heirloom Program, visit the Heirloom Resource Page on the Maine State Grange Website.
Fraud Watch- Traffic Violation Scams
After toll road scams spread last summer, a new version is surging—texts claiming you owe money for a traffic or parking violation.
These messages often include an official-looking notice offering a court date or a small fine (around $6), with a QR code for immediate payment to avoid penalties. They may mention your location or use fake case numbers to appear legitimate and create a sense of urgency.
If an unexpected message like this sparks strong emotions and demands urgency, treat it as a potential scam. Report the message as spam and avoid responding, clicking links or scanning QR codes. If you think the claim may be real, contact the court or agency directly using trusted contact information.
Report scams to local law enforcement. For help from AARP, call 1-877-908-3360 or visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
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Mill Stream Grange Visits School
Kindergartners Start Farming
Recently, Mill Stream Grange members Jill Sampson, Lisa Goucher, and Paula Hanley visited teacher Melanie Hall’s kindergarten class at Mt. Vernon Elementary School to share information about the Grange and farming. Each child was given a new book titled “Farming” by Gail Gibbons, a coloring book on farming, and animal stickers. Jill read “Farming” to the students, then Lisa and Paula helped each of them to plant sunflower seeds, which were placed on the windowsill in the sun.
Farming by Gail Gibbons is a popular nonfiction children’s book that uses clear, colorful illustrations and diagrams to explain the year-round work on a farm, from planting and harvesting crops to caring for animals and dealing with seasonal changes. An updated edition includes new safety equipment and procedures, making it an engaging and educational resource for young readers (ages 4-8) about agriculture, tractors, and where food comes from. It is available from Amazon.
What’s not to love about Jill’s apron? “Romaine Calm and Carrot On.”
Sagadahoc Pomona News
By Marilyn Stinson
Sagadahoc Pomona held their May meeting at Topsham Grange where Lecturer Sharon had an interesting program for her agriculture report. What do elephants and fireflies have in common? They are both “keystones” for our environment. We learned how to help reduce the light pollution that is harming our ecosystem.
Marilyn has been saying that she would rather Enterprise Grange (in Richmond) get a red or white ribbon for the exhibits they earn at the fair than a blue one, because there is no competition. Well, we also learned that Merriconeag (in Harpswell) is having secret meetings to come up with the best exhibit with the Poultry Theme that MAAF has given all Granges to use.
Ta Da!! A friendly challenge is accepted. It will be fun to see how the different Granges in our state respond to the second year of the Maine Fair Association directing our common theme.
Monmouth Fair is the first and has to be set up before June 24th, which is our meeting date. Pittston is second in July, then Windsor, Topsham, and Litchfield for the fairs in our area.
Sagadahoc will have a Memorial program and Elections on June 24th, no meeting in July, and our picnic at James Mitchell Park on the ocean in Harpswell on August 29th. See you then!