N V

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Betsy E. Huber

RAISED RIGHT HERE – the National Grange theme for 202123 can have several meanings as I described in my President’s address at the 2021 National Grange convention.

RAISED - grown, trained, educated

RIGHT - correct, law-abiding, morally straight

HERE - at home, local

This Good Day! issue explores one of the meanings, supporting local agriculture and how the local Grange can encourage our current and future farmer members in the community.

The pandemic has brought attention to the complicated supply chain that brings food to our homes or grocery stores. When store shelves were looking empty, consumers searched their communities and found farmers markets and on-farm sources of fresh, wholesome foods that were readily available.

These local sources were also struggling to get their products to market through the same supply chain problems, so it was a win-win situation for consumers, farmers, and healthy nutrition for families.

In addition to on-farm sales, more and more farmers are expanding their businesses even further to include agritourism -- a form of commercial enterprise that links agricultural production and/or processing with tourism in order to attract visitors onto a farm, ranch, or other agricultural business for the purposes of entertaining and/or educating the visitors and generating income for the farm, ranch, or business owner.

Agritourism presents a unique opportunity to combine aspects of the tourism and agriculture industries to provide a number of financial, educational, and social benefits to tourists, producers, and communities. Agritourism gives producers an opportunity to generate additional income and an avenue for direct marketing to consumers. Importantly, agritourism provides educational opportunities to the public which is generations removed from the farm and has no knowledge of modern farming practices.

It benefits the entire community by enhancing the tourism industry, increasing the volume of visitors to an area and the length of their stay. Agritourism also benefits the local municipalities with the potential to increase their local tax bases and

new employment opportunities. Additionally, it helps to preserve agricultural lands, another issue the Grange strongly supports.

More than ever now, families are looking for fun activities they can do together, especially outdoors, so agritourism can fulfill this need too. Look around your community and see the many agricultural, educational experiences available to your family.

You can have lots of fun and support the farmers in your area that provide the open spaces and beautiful views that you enjoy.

ADVERTISE WITH US

Our quarterly publication welcomes advertisers. Up to a 20% discount may be offered to Grange members on their ad purchases. All rates shown are for pre-designed content submitted at least 2 weeks in advance of press date for an issue. You may request rates for ads to be designed by our staff.

GOOD DAY!™ PRESS DATES 2022 Issue Due Date Hits Mailboxes

V6, I1 April 30 June 2022 V6, I2 June 30 August 2022 V6, I3 August 15 October 2022 V6, I4 November 30 January 2023

Classified ads are also welcomed at $0.50 per word up to 25 words, $1 thereafter; $2.50 per website, email, or other link regardless of word count; $5 per photo (will appear no larger than 1.5”x1”). Special requests (bold design, font increase) available for extra charge. All copy should be submitted no later than 10 days prior to the due date. National Grange assumes no responsibility for that which is advertised in Good Day!™ and reserves the right to reject ads deemed offensive or irrelevant. Please contact Philip Vonada by email at pvonada@nationalgrange.org or by phone at (814) 404-7985 for details.

WRITE FOR US

This is your chance! This is your magazine.

Submissions may be made by any Grange member in good standing, especially including Junior and Youth members, and must be your own original work.

For Juniors, you may get your parent, guardian or another mentor or adult’s assistance to write or draw the piece, but we expect all those who assist to adhere to high ethical standards and allow the Junior’s work to be reflected without influence by the adult/ older assistant.

All work must be in good taste and appropriate for our audience. The National Grange reserves the right to reject any submissions. Guidelines & The Fine Print

Entries may include: photo essay (at least three photos that together tell a story with captions identifying the people in the photo if applicable and what is happening in the scene); short story (max. 1,500 words); poem; essay/article (maximum 1,500 words and must include at least two relevant photographs with captions); skit (no more than six speaking characters; should not take more than 10 minutes to perform and should not require an elaborate set); D-I-Y (do-it-yourself) project with supply list, step-by-step instructions and photos of each step; or open category (examples include but are not limited to a coloring book page related to Grange or agriculture; comic strip or box; recipes, etc.).

Each entry must be submitted digitally and include name, address, phone number, email (if applicable) and Grange details (name, number and state of Subordinate Grange and office held). Junior 1+ members can list the Subordinate or State Grange they are affiliated with. E-members can list National Grange E-member.

Submission is acknowledgment that publication is authorized. In the case of Junior submissions, this is acknowledgment of right to publish by both Junior and their parent/ guardian.

All submissions must be made via email to pvonada@nationalgrange.org.

From the desk of the Editor

PHILIP J. VONADA

“Where there is change, there is opportunity.” - Jack Welch, CEO, General Electric

If the past two years of pandemic times and of social and political unrest and upheaval have taught us anything, it’s that change is inevitable, uneasy and necessary. Everywhere you look, people are talking about the “new normal” or the way things have to happen now.

Some people used the past two years for personal growth - discovering new hobbies or reconnecting with old ones, taking control of physical or mental health, learning skills or diving deep into topics of interest or reclaiming their time and making themselves and their family a priority.

I did a mix of those things, and I also decided to embark on a new career, switching from theatre management to this new role - talk about a change!

Although I’ve been a Grange member my whole life, the past few months stepping into a dream job with an organization that I have loved forever did not come without a fair amount of apprehension, but I am incredibly grateful to be here, growing and adapting.

How have you adapted during the past two years? How has this adaptation changed your relationship with the Grange… or has it at all? Throughout the pandemic-times, many people realized the importance of connection and belonging to a strong community of people. For Grangers, this connection comes through our ritual, meetings, and the work we do in our community, building hometown pride and resilience. Have you adapted to help strengthen these connections?

Now I have to ask, how has your Grange adapted?

As you look at your schedule, is everything the same as it was in 2019, or have you changed things up? Has your Grange identified new means of outreach and service to meet new or different needs in your community? Have you realized that some “old” programs are more important than your Grange ever realized? As the world continues to open up and become “normal” again, what are you doing to ensure your Grange is relevant and active?

The past two years have shown us that we must adapt and grow, and though Covid was the impetus for many of these changes, Covid can no longer be an excuse for not changing, either. The time has come to get back into our Grange Halls and back into our communities. The Grange was founded as an agent of change for farmers and communities nationwide and for many years has continued to change itself and the world around it. Is your Grange still changing or has it grown stagnant and stale? As the quote from Jack Welch at the top of this column says, change brings opportunity – opportunities for new life, new growth, renewed energy and maybe even a shift of focus. The slightest change in direction can have massive effects on the depth and breadth of your Grange’s work. In the meantime, I’ve heard many Grange members say their Grange is on the verge of closing due to lack of membership, that the same people are leading the Grange and its programming today that led it 20 years ago, or that ‘nothing works’ to bring in new members. I’ve heard that Granges can’t meet due to pandemic restrictions and that Grange Halls can’t be used. But I’ve also seen examples of Granges nationwide who have adapted to the challenges facing us - showing they’ve heeded the lesson of the Installing Officer when they say “You may encounter difficulties.

“Changes and Overcome them, remembering that difficulties are but opportunities to test our transformations abilities.” (Installation Ceremony; Installing are constantly Officer to President) They are holding their meetings via passing before us.” Zoom or other online sources when it’s necessary (and in-person when it’s not), (Second Degree; Ceres) Granges coming together to support local food banks or holding clothing drives, and membership booming in Granges where new members are listened to and respected; Granges where new ideas are being attempted with success and old ideas are being revisited and adapted for today’s world. Nationwide, there have been drive-thru meals, trunk-ortreats and socially-distanced or online game nights; I have also witnessed political forums, virtual or in-person classes and programs reconnecting members and non-members to homemaking, gardening and other life skills, and Granges finding ways to support the small businesses and other nonprofits in their communities. As we have been doing for more than 150 years, Granges

are finding ways to get involved in their communities. They are adapting, growing and becoming bastions of strength and community belonging in their hometowns.

Change isn’t easy - don’t get me wrong. However, “we’ve always done it this way” isn’t an answer anymore, and it probably never was.

Everywhere you look there are opportunities for Granges to be involved in their communities - fundraising or collecting items for families or causes in need, beautifying parks and picking up litter on local roads, and supporting small businesses and local restaurants.

It’s important to remember that changing for the sake of changing might not be the answer, but change is inevitable and also brings opportunities for growth.

If you are a local Grange leader and the idea of all this change scares you, or if your first reaction is “we can’t,” “we won’t,” or “we don’t know how to,” maybe it’s time for a change there, too. Mentor and empower someone else, then help them to build a bridge from the Grange of today to the Grange of tomorrow.

Seek opportunities for growth and change. Try something new or different. Encourage new members to take part in your business - not just filling in during meetings, but in true leadership roles, fostering growth for the future. Let new ideas flow through your Grange Hall and into the community and see how you change because of it.

The Grange has always been an agent of change, but you also have to be willing to change with it.

President named to Alliance Board of Directors

By Philip J. Vonada

Communications Director

On January 26th, it was announced that National Grange President Betsy Huber joined the Board of Directors of the Alliance for Aviation Across America (AAAA).

Formed in 2007, AAAA is a nonprofit, non-partisan coalition of over 6,300 individuals, businesses, agricultural groups, small airports, and leading businesses and aviation groups. Their goal is to raise awareness about the value of general aviation and local airports, particularly for rural communities.

“We are thrilled that Betsy Huber has joined the Alliance Board of Directors,” said Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the President of the Alliance’s Board of Directors. “Betsy brings a wealth of invaluable experience and perspectives on behalf of rural communities and our agricultural sector, which rely extensively on general aviation, local airports, and our aviation infrastructure.”

Rural America depends on their local airports for business activities, medical care, disaster relief, firefighting, agriculture, law enforcement, and a host of important resources and services.

“I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for Aviation Across America,” Huber said. “General aviation is critical for agriculture, access to services like medical care and disaster relief, our nation’s food supply, and the economy as a whole.”

Many agricultural operators use general aviation to transport goods, personnel, and oversee and treat crops and land. There are about 5,000 publicuse airports in towns across the country, yet the majority of airline traffic goes through 30 of them. All told, general aviation supports over 1.1 million jobs and over $246 billion in economic impact, according to a 2018 PricewaterhouseCoopers study. Additionally, of the nearly 600,000 pilots in the United States, the vast majority fly general aviation aircraft.

Huber continued, “As our nation continues to recover, we are also pleased to support the commitments of the general aviation industry in critical areas of growth, such as the development and use of sustainable fuel and emerging technologies.”

Recently, the Alliance for Aviation Across America, the Grange, and many other national and local groups partnered to launch futureofaviation.org, which highlights the importance of general aviation and the benefits of the development and use of sustainable fuel and potential new technologies, such as vertical and landing aircraft, which have the potential to transport goods and people between rural and urban areas in a more efficient manner.

Huber brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in business and rural America, and intends to speak on behalf of farmers and others who depend on the ability to use general aviation practices in their hometowns.

On March 1, Christine E. “Chris” Hamp, Vice President of the National Grange, was named to the Board of Directors of

the Quilts of Valor Foundation, with a

term lasting through 2025.

Hamp a fourth-generation Grange member from Nine Mile Falls, Washington, was elected Vice President of the nation’s

oldest agricultural and rural service fraternity in November. Previously, she had served as National Grange Lecturer since 2016.

One of the major pillars of Hamp’s tenure as Lecturer was creating a partnership with the Quilts of Valor Foundation. In 2017, Hamp introduced the program at the National Grange Session in Spokane. “I wanted a way for the Grange to honor veterans, and this program seemed like a natural fit with the Grange’s background and our popular quilt block contest,” Hamp said. Since then, hundreds of Granges across the country have presented Quilts of Valor to Grange and community members.

“I am excited to join this organization and I especially look forward to meeting, learning from, and growing with their dedicated members,” Hamp said.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation was founded by Catherine Roberts in 2003, while her son was stationed in Iraq. The mission of the Quilts of Valor is to bring comfort and healing to those who have been touched by war, through physically wrapping members in the warmth of a quilt and a hug. Since 2003, nearly 300,000 quilts have been given to veterans and service members.

The National Grange is a recognized “Under Our Wings” program partner in the mission of the Quilts of Valor

Foundation. This program allows Grange members to create quilts and award them to veterans in their communities or in the

organization and teach the art of quilting to novices and young people while completing this meaningful community service.

Hamp earned a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy & Administration from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington; a Master of Public Administration degree from The George Washington University in Washington, DC; and an associate degree of technical arts in Fire Command Administration from Edmonds Community College in Edmonds, Washington.

She is currently employed by Spokane County Fire District 9 as the Division Chief of Administrative Services. She also serves

the Fire District as a volunteer Lieutenant

firefighter/EMT and is a Certified Fire Investigator.

Let’s hear your story

Indeed, being a Grange member is one of the most rewarding experiences. For many, the story of how they came to join the Grange does not capture the essence of how they came to be a Granger and what that means in their lives.

We want to hear from you!

What is your #Grangestory that tells how you became a Granger? Did you see application of degree lessons to your daily life and relate them to friends and coworkers? Did you find yourself embracing new ideas and finding ways to overcome differences?

Submit your story of no more than 650 words and a photo, if applicable, to Philip at pvonada@nationalgrange.org by May 1 for potential inclusion in a future issue of Good Day! or use on our social media.

By Philip J. Vonada

Communications Director

While Grange Halls have been establishing themselves around the country for over 150 years, filled with members from their local communities, a different kind of “Hall” is seeking new members – the Grange Hall of Fame.

In his address at the 148th session of the National Grange in 2014, President Ed Luttrell suggested the formation of a virtual Hall of Fame to honor the history of the Grange as a part of the National Grange’s sesquicentennial celebration.

“The history of the Grange is filled with great achievements and occasional errors. A truthful study of our history shows people, not angels, doing the best that they could,” Luttrell said. “…The actions of our organization, the actions of our members are truly something that we can be proud of. I challenge every member to not only celebrate our history but face the challenges of today with an understanding of the legacy passed to us. We must always look forward into the future while remembering the lessons of the past.”

In 2015, the Hall of Fame Committee made its first report, honoring three of the Founders of the National Grange – Oliver H. Kelley, Francis McDowell and William Saunders as well as Caroline Hall, Kelley’s niece and secretary, the first woman to hold a National Grange office (Ceres) and the “eighth Founder” of the National Grange.

The remaining Founders – Aaron Grosh, William Ireland, John Thompson and John Trimble – were inducted at the 150th session of the National Grange in 2016.

In 2017, the Virtual Hall of Fame began accepting applications to “recognize Grange members who had a significant role in the history of the National Grange.” According to the application, the inductees must be deceased, and must have been “instrumental in the origins, growth, success and evolution of the Grange… beyond the county level,” or have been a Grange member who made significant impact in their community, state, nation or the world, with a “level of uniqueness.”

Previous National Grange Virtual Hall of Fame inductees include Eugene A. Eckert and Charles M. Gardner (2017), James William Abert Wright (2018), Leonard Rhone and Oliver Wilson (2019), and J. Luther Snyder and John W. Scott (2020).

The 2021 inductees were announced this past November. They were Albert S. Goss from Washington state, 14th President of the National Grange and member of President Truman’s Advisory Board for the Office or War Mobilization and Reconversion in Washington, D.C.; and Ira E. Shea, past President of Washington State Grange, National Grange Deputy, and one of the most prolific Grange organizers across the west, with 143 Granges organized in six states.

The 2021 inductees were introduced by Chris Hamp, National Grange Vice President, a Washington native. “I encourage all members to make the effort to do the research and nominate a deserving Grange leader for induction in the Grange Hall of Fame,” she said.

Hamp submitted Goss and Shea for their induction, stating “The process was so rewarding – not only did I learn more, much more, about each of these titans of our organization, but I gained a greater understanding of the Grange as a whole. The Grange Hall of Fame is a fantastic way to remember and honor the great work that was done by members from your home state, and beyond.”

Now, the Grange Hall of Fame Committee is soliciting applications and nominations to for the next inductee class in the Virtual Hall of Fame. The two-

On Saturday, February 26, 2022, the family of Ira E. Shea was presented with a certificate and plaque by Christine Hamp, Vice President of the National Grange, to commemorate Brother Shea’s induction into the National Grange Hall of Fame.

Photo provided

step process includes an initial Short Form for screening by the committee. If the nominee is deemed to have met the threshold for induction, the Long Form of biographical material is the next step. The application criteria and current Hall of Fame members can be found at www.nationalgrange.org/grange-hall-fame.

National Grange President Betsy Huber says “Those who have been inducted so far are men (and a woman) who have dedicated their lives to the Order. They not only served for a few years in State or National office, but throughout their entire lives worked for the improvement and expansion of the Grange. There are many more of these members whose names are not recognized by us today but whom we should remember and honor for their lifelong dedication to the Order.”

The committee also “strongly suggests that State Granges establish their own State Grange Halls of Fame,” and to include prominent members from State Grange history.

Inductees are announced each year at the National Grange session, with the inductee’s descendants and members of their State Granges invited to celebrate the new Hall of Famer.

The Grange Hall of Fame is also seeking volunteers to serve on the commitee. Anyone interested should email betsy@ nationalgrange.org to be a part of this committee.

Legislative Fly-In provides opportunity to connect

Set your travel schedule to include a trip to Washington, DC for the National Grange Legislative Fly-In this April!

From April 24-27, join Grange members from around the country in promoting Grange policy priorities and participating in advocacy training. Then, put your training to use as you present your community’s concerns to elected officials and their staff.

The four-day event schedule includes issues briefings, agency meetings, and Hill appointments to meet with Senators and Representatives in Congress.

On Tuesday evening, attendees are also invited to the National Grange Champions of Rural America ceremony and reception.

A virtual option available on Monday, April 25 will provide access to issues briefings and speakers from the National Grange Headquarters.

“Face-to-face meetings with our elected officials are the most effective way to advocate for issues important to Grangers.,” says National Grange Legislative Director Burton Eller. “We are looking forward to meeting with our legislators on the Hill, either in-person or via Zoom during the Fly-In. We live in a democracy. That means we have a voice in how our country runs. This is our chance to exercise that right.”

The Fly-In is one of the greatest ways members can engage in Grange advocacy and remind legislators and regulators of the unique grassroots way in which our policy is developed. Participants will help to tell the story of an organization that is relevant, vibrant, and speaks from and for the heart of America.

“Continue the Grange legacy of advocacy for grassroots America; attend the National Grange Fly-In,” Eller says.

Register by April 1 to be a part of this cornerstone of the Grange’s legacy.

PLAN TO ATTEND

Register online by April 1 at bit.ly/DCE22 (case sensitive). Registration is FREE, but most meals will be at your own cost.

Call 703-344-8020 to make your reservations with the event hotel, the Quality Inn Tysons Corner, for just $79/ night plus tax by April 1 using hotel block code National Grange.

By Elizabeth Hiner

Senior Communications Fellow

In 1981, Oregon’s Clackamas County Granges made a $2,800 donation to Dogs for the Deaf, a relatively new organization that trained assistance dogs for people in the Deaf and hard of hearing communities. Later that year, Junior Granges across the country joined in on the fundraising efforts, raising nearly $9,500 for the training and placement of several dogs.

Most notably was the dog Rascal, trained at the Dogs for the Deaf facility in Jacksonville, Oregon, who was given to Gladys Peterson. The National Grange officially partnered with Dogs for the Deaf and continues the partnership to this day.

Roy G. Kabat founded Dogs for the Deaf, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in 1977. His experience came from working with exotic and domestic animals for movies and television, and he also had a small circus. Upon his retirement, he moved to Applegate Valley in Oregon, where the American Humane Association contacted him for advice on their new experimental program: to train dogs for the Deaf and hard of hearing.

The idea for the program sprung from the wish of a Minnesota woman who wanted to replace her dog. As she lost more of her hearing, her dog learned to alert her to sounds within her home. After the dog died, she realized how she had come to depend on her service animal and sought to replace it.

Consequently, The American Humane Association launched their experimental dog training for the Deaf. Roy accepted their invitation and went to Denver for two weeks and then returned home where Dogs for the Deaf was born in Jacksonville, Oregon.

In 1989, they moved to their 40-acre “main campus” in Central Point, Oregon. With satellite offices in California, Washington, Arizona and New Hampshire, programs include shelter dog acquisition, breeding, assistance dog training, and puppy raiser/ breeder caretaker programs.

In 2017, Dogs for Deaf rebranded to Dogs for Better Lives (DBL), with a wider mission, including: • Hearing Dogs: Training dogs to alert their person to the household sounds that are necessary to their safety and independence. • Autism Dogs: Training dogs to function as an anchor for children with autism to enhance their wellbeing and safety by preventing the child from bolting. • Facility Dogs: Training dogs to work for a living by assisting professionals such as teachers, counselors, certified professionals, and physicians • Career Changing Dogs: Adoptable dogs that have been mostly trained. They make wonderful pets, but they are not suited to work for a living. Their chosen career is “pet,”

Staff members from Dogs for Better Lives pose in front of their new Northeast Campus in Falmouth, Massachusetts

Photo provided and they are ready to love their person in their forever home.

As of 2017, DBL had placed over 1,300 dogs with families and individuals in need.

On Wednesday May 19, 2021, DBL purchased two properties in Falmouth, Massachusetts. These two properties include a veterinary clinic and a thriving “doggie daycare” pet resort. This marks the fourth satellite office for the organization, known as their Northeast Campus.

DBL’s four-year strategy and vision is growth and expansion critical to acquisition, professional training and placement of more assistance dogs. The existing pet resort continues to operate with facility upgrades, which will include upgrading the kennels, the outdoor exercise yards, painting and new flooring.

Sarah McCracken, a Massachusetts native, joined DBL’s leadership team in February 2021 and oversaw the acquisition. She will be managing the Northeast Campus as the Executive Director. Ms. McCracken said, “Dogs for Better Lives’ (DBL) expansion into the northeast region enables us to grow our volunteer and donor communities, reducing cross-country travel and resources, all while ultimately providing more assistance dogs to those in need.”

McCracken brings an extensive background in assistance dog training and management, working most recently in a similar role for Canine Companions for Independence.

As of late January, the Northeast Campus has six puppies in the puppy raiser program getting ready to train in the fall of this year. Five people are already on the waitlist for those new dogs. The waitlist for the autism and facility dogs has just opened again for requests.

“Dogs for Better Lives can accomplish this thanks to the community groups like the National Grange and the Oregon State Grange, as they have and will continue to play a major partnering role through supporting DBL’s critical work, with volunteerism, fundraising and educational outreach,” McCracken said.

Since 1981, the Oregon State Grange has continued to support Dogs for the Deaf and then Dogs for Better Lives. Community Granges in Oregon and around the country have also supported the organization, and the National Grange has had representation at its annual convention throughout the years as well.

On December 5, Denver Broncos’ Tight End Eric Saubert (#82) sported cleats featuring his dog Abe and the Dogs for Better Lives logo. This was part of the Broncos’ “My Cause My Cleats” initiative. Saubert donated the cleats to Dogs for Better Lives for future auctions or other fundraising activities.

Eric Saubert (above) and the cleats he wore (left)

Photos provided by the Denver Broncos

Contributed By Rural Minds

For much too long, discussions around mental illness in rural communities have been taboo while this silent epidemic continues to ravage rural America. Rates for depression are higher for rural residents compared to those in urban areas, and suicide rates among people living in rural counties are 25 percent higher than those in major metropolitan areas. Rural Minds™ is a new nonprofit that aims to end the suffering, silence, and stigma around mental illness in rural America.

The seeds for Rural Minds were sown from the personal tragedy experienced by founder and chairman Jeff Winton when his beloved 28-year-old nephew, Brooks, died by suicide. Brooks was the father of three-year-old twins and worked on Jeff’s dairy farm in rural upstate New York, where Jeff also grew up.

Jeff’s late mother, Elaine, who helped raise Brooks, urged Jeff to speak openly during Brooks’ eulogy about his struggle with depression that led to his death. The candid dialogue provided an opening to difficult conversations in the community. After the service, several people shared their personal experiences with depression and mental illness in their own families. “The mission of Rural Minds is to serve as the informed voice for mental health in rural America, and to provide mental health information and resources,” Winton said. “Addressing mental illness is a significant challenge in rural America because of the unique stress factors that can be part of a rural lifestyle.”

Rural Americans are an independent and hearty people with a solid work ethic and determination, but when it comes to asking for help, there is often a self-imposed barrier from the lifelong pursuit of self-reliance as a virtue. Individuals may fear negative judgment when speaking up about mental health issues, and there is a lack of trust in confidentiality among peers in a small, closeknit community. A weakening agricultural economy, financial instability, and a solitary lifestyle are just a few more factors leading to a higher level of distress in rural communities.

The mental health battle plaguing rural communities shows no signs of decreasing. A recent survey from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) showed stress levels in rural communities rose from 17 percent in April 2020 to 28 percent in January 2021 due in part to the coronavirus pandemic.

Many services urban areas take for granted are lacking in rural communities creating barriers to finding help. Studies show that rural communities have 25 percent fewer primary care providers than in cities, in addition to: • A lack of psychiatrists in 65 percent of rural counties; • A lack of psychiatric nurse practitioners in 81 percent of rural counties; and • A lack of access to broadband internet at home (four times more likely than it is for urban residents).

While mental health is imperative for overall health, some people do not recognize mental illness as a disease; rather, it is sometimes perceived as a character flaw or a personal weakness. Mental illness is an illness – just like cancer or diabetes. And just as it is with many other diseases, the person who is ill isn’t responsible for getting the illness. Much of the stigma around mental illness may be rooted in the misdirected and unfair shame that can be an added burden for someone with a mental illness.

Rural Minds focuses on collaborating with rural residents, mental health organizations, sponsors, and donors to raise awareness of existing information and resources, identify gaps, and develop new initiatives to better serve the mental health needs of people in rural communities throughout America.

“We are listening to and providing forums for courageous people to share their experiences with mental illness so others will know they are not alone and encourage people who may be reluctant to seek help,” Winton said. “Our website connects rural Americans across the country with existing mental health information and crisis intervention resources.”

Rural Minds will be introducing its first newsletter soon and is developing the inaugural webinar for a four-event series. Each free webinar will feature a person sharing their true story about living with mental illness and overcoming barriers to mental health services; educational content presented by mental health industry

meet

JEFF WINTON

In addition to being the founder and chairman of Rural Minds™, Jeff Winton is the founder and owner of Wall Street Dairy LLC, a working family dairy farm in Chautauqua County, New York, and a member of a multigenerational farm family. He graduated with distinction from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Winton has worked four decades as a communications and corporate affairs leader with Fortune 100 corporations and respected public relations and advertising agencies, including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, animal health, agricultural and consumer arenas. He is CEO of Jeff Winton Associates, a full-service communications and corporate affairs agency he co-founded in 2020.

experts; a Q&A session; and access to relevant mental health information and resources available online at no charge. Rural Minds has been recognized as a National Grange Issues Partner for future assistance in providing the voice of rural America in legislative advocacy initiatives that benefit those working in the agricultural industry and residents of rural communities across the country. Rural Minds has been invited to attend the National Grange Annual FlyIn event in Washington DC on April 25 to introduce the organization to the National Grange members across the country.

“I’m excited about the collaboration between our two grassroots organizations in advocating for mental health in rural America,” Winton noted. “We hope to engage the National Grange membership in raising awareness of mental illness and suicide, so together we can end the silence, suffering, and stigma that surround mental illness in our communities.”

Recognizing the value of a person sharing and supporting peers with a personal story of mental illness lived experience, Rural Minds is also partnering with the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) to expand their existing national network of mental health support groups to include rural mental health support groups.

In keeping with a collaborative approach, Rural Minds is working with agricultural and bio/ pharmaceutical companies to sponsor educational initiatives that address rural mental health. The organization is serving as a convener of leaders from both industries to discuss opportunities to help meet the challenges of mental illness in rural communities.

Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has invited Rural Minds to participate as a Readiness Partner Convener to help prepare for the July 2022 introduction of 988 – the new, nationwide, easy-to-remember, three-digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and

mental health crisis counselors.

“SAMHSA is interested in maximizing the reach and impact of 988 and understanding some of the particular challenges of sub populations including residents of rural communities that are at a higher risk of suicide,” explained Rural Minds Executive Director Chuck Strand.

For more information about rural mental illness statistics, rural mental illness challenges, and mental health information and resources, visit www.ruralminds.org. Stay connected with Rural Minds by registering to receive email and the free newsletter, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

By Philip J. Vonada

Communications Director

For many years, April has been designated as Grange Month across the United States. During this month, we encourage

Granges far and wide to create programming that brings people into their Grange Halls, promoting advocacy and education.

This year, use the National Grange theme “Raised Right

Here” in your programming. This theme celebrates resilience, sustainability and the things that make each hometown special.

Consider using the “Raised Right Here” theme this Grange

Month to:

• Celebrate local farms, farmers, or other ag services

• Encourage discussions about local sustainability and

resilience

• Identify local producers and mom-and-pop businesses that are vital parts of your communities • Sell shirts and other items with the RRH branding and Grange

logo encouraging people to see Grange as a place where

local talent is “raised” (products aren’t just physical things - they are also Human Resources) • Look for legislation to endorse or groups to partner with to advocate for funding and opportunities for small

businesses and local farms/Ag businesses (again, just another thing we do that can now fall under the umbrella) • Lead or be significant part of coalitions to encourage options to keep people on farms or small businesses

open (especially related to health insurance, grants and educational opportunities) • Create programs that develop children, youth and young adults through leadership training, legislative and advocacy training or other home and life skills.

This Grange Month, the National Grange will also be leading our “Grange Spirit Week” on social media, with the hashtag #grangemonth22. Each day from April 3-9 will have a theme for social media posts that reflect Grange values and involvement in the community.

All a member has to do is create a post on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter with a photo reflecting the day’s theme, a caption and the hashtag. Promote the Grange to your friends and family in a fun, connecting way.

Creating and participating in programs is what makes the Grange unique from community to community. There are hundreds of ways to incorporate the Raised Right Here theme - what can you come up with?

Additional resources to download and use in your Grange Halls, in print and on social media can be found at www. nationalgrange.org/grange-month-2021.

Also - check out the inside of the back cover for a calendar of

everything happening during Grange Month, including online forums, information sessions, and a trivia night! We hope to see you there!