PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Betsy E. Huber
Summer is my absolute favorite
multiplied quickly - by 1875, the Grange
time of year. I love to putter around
boasted
over
858,000
members.
outside on my lawn and garden. In the
The eight Founders and many others
springtime I can’t wait to get my hands
devoted their lives to making the
in the dirt again and see the seeds start
organization grow throughout the
growing.
land, adding the moisture and fertilizer
Now, my garden is growing so fast
to ensure its healthy growth. Sowing
and so lush that I can’t keep up with the
the seed in good soil made it multiply
weeding. We had a lot of rain late June/
thirty, sixty, even a hundred-fold.
early July in my area - although 60 miles
How is the growth of your Grange?
away they are very dry and many areas
Are you watering and feeding it enough
of the country are in extreme drought. I
for good growth? Like plants, we can’t
feel very blessed!
expect a Grange to grow without some
The rain and the warm temperatures
attention and care. It will survive for a
- not too hot - have been perfect for
while, but without water and fertilizer
fast growth. Those loads of spent
there won’t be much of a harvest.
mushroom compost last spring have
Without attention, soon the weeds will
done wonders. Tomato plants look like
choke out the good vegetables and
a jungle and potato plants are huge
fruits we’re trying to produce. I see the
and blossoming.
weeds as internal squabbles among
member should be willing to take on some responsibility, according to their abilities and stage of life. Not everyone can stoop down and weed, not everyone has hours to spend volunteering, but everyone can do something to contribute. Maybe we can consider social media and websites as fertilizer to give our growth a boost. Fair exhibits and displays can help too. During
this
beautiful
summer
We can think of the beginning of
members who focus their attention
the Grange as a seed that the Founders
internally instead of on serving their
season, think of what you can do to help
planted and nurtured as patrons of
community.
your Grange be growing and active,
husbandry. The soil of the country
A growing Grange, like a productive
was fertile to receive that seed, as it
garden, needs some effort. Each
N & V
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bringing a great harvest of activities and service to your community.
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