Wrapping Up 2024; Opening The Book On 2025
By Tom Gwin
State Grange
Master/President
We’ve certainly had an eventful summer of Grange activities!
The 134th Annual State Session was held in June at the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds in Colville. We acted on 43 resolutions and eight Standing Committee Reports. There were several new faces in the voting delegates. We elected two new state officers and conferred the Sixth Degree on 46 candidates. The Granges of the Eastern District (Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Orielle, Spokane, Stevens, Walla Walla, Whitman) did an excellent job of hosting the session. The proceedings for the session are now available on the front page of the State Grange website: www.wa-grange.com. Due to delegate action, we will not be printing and sending the proceedings out to each Grange. This change will allow you to have access to the proceedings and to print out the pages you need/desire at your convenience.
The Junior Grange Camping Program made a full return this summer. From Camp Wooten in the Southeast corner of the state to Camp David on the shores of Lake Crescent, and Camp Mayfield in Southwest Washington, we were able to provide three weeks of camping activities for Junior Grangers across the state. Due to camp facility issues, Camp Morehead held three days of Day Camp. Camp NEWA and Camp Cornet Bay did not hold camps this year. All six camps are planning to operate in 2025. Pictures from each of the camps can be found elsewhere in this issue. The number of campers is increasing to our pre-Covid days. Each Grange should start looking now to identify kids to attend our camps in 2025.
We recently completed the third year of the Grange Youth Fairs Program in our state. We increased our participation to 16 fairs this year. We are still compiling numbers of participants and entries for this year. Thank you to the following fairs for allowing our Grange Youth and Juniors to participate: Clark County Fair (Ridgefield), Grays Harbor County Fair (Elma), Clallam County Junior Livestock Auction (Sequim), Kittitas County Fair (Ellensburg), Grant County Fair (Moses Lake), Northeast Washington Fair (Colville), Ferry County Fair (Republic), North Central Washington Fair (Waterville), Chelan County Fair (Cashmere), Benton Franklin Fair (Kennewick), Walla Walla Fair (Walla Walla), Othello Fair (Othello), Columbia Basin Junior Livestock Show (Connell), Columbia County Fair (Dayton), Pend Oreille County Fair (Susick), and the Milton Freewater Junior Show (Milton-Freewater, OR). We appreciate your acceptance of the Grange Youth Fairs Program at your event!
In just a few weeks, the 158th Annual Session of the National Grange will be held in Bettendorf, Iowa. I will be on the Conservation Committee for the session and our second delegate, Brittney Pittman, will be on the Labor, Judiciary, and Transportation Committee. We will be joined at the session by our own Christine Hamp, National Grange President, and her husband, Duane. State Assistant Steward Jonny Pittman will attend, along with Youth Ambassador Melissa Kudsk (Haynie Grange). Victor Stevens (Roy Grange) has been selected for the SHIPMates program. I’ve heard of others who are also planning to attend. We will gather for a group photo of our state’s representatives on Saturday evening after the Celebration Banquet.
Washington State has two Distinguished Granges this year –Five Mile Prairie and Goldendale. More than 100 Granges from our state will be recognized as Granges in Action. Entries have also been submitted for the Junior Grange and Community Service Departments. Our state also had entries in the Lecturer and Junior Grange Department Contests. Best wishes to all our state representatives.
Fall Booster Programs are now underway. Any Grange wishing to have a State Grange Representative at your program, please call me at the State Grange Office.
In preparation for the coming year, there are several items worth noting:
• 2025 Resolution Deadline – The State Grange Executive Committee has moved up the deadline for submitting resolutions no later than 60 days before the beginning of our state session. For 2025, the due date will be to April 25.
• Bonding – The information on fidelity bonds for each Grange has been mailed to each Grange. All 2025 bonding payments are due by November 15 to the State Grange Office. Contact the State Grange Office for additional details.
• 2025 Dues Notice Information Requests – This information sheet was mailed to Grange Secretaries with the third quarter dues billing. The information sheet is due back to the State Grange Office now.
• Election of Officers Report – All Granges should complete their election of officers report and send back to the State Grange Office no later than December 1.
• Grange Legislative Day – The 2025 event will be held on Tuesday, February 4. The Youth and Junior Legislative Experience will be on February 19-20. Watch for details.
We have many wonderful activities and experiences planned for the next several months. Here's to another awesome year of successful Grange activities in every Grange as we wrap up 2024 and move into 2025!
Election Info, Harvest Report, And More...
By Jesse Taylor
Legislative Lobbyist
Happy Autumn! The leaves have started to turn which tells political junkies like me that it’s just about time to start handicapping races and counting ballots. We are just about a week away from seeing ballots in the mailbox to kick off Washington State’s long voting session. In Washington we have a voting window of over two weeks that allows citizens to deliberate and get their postmarks done by November 5th. See below for remaining election deadlines:
October 18: Start of 18-day voting period (through Election Day). Ballots are mailed out and Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers.
October 28: Online and mail registrations must be received 8 days before Election Day. Register to vote in person during business hours and any time before 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
November 5: Deadline for Washington State voter registration or updates (in person only).
November 5: General Election - Deposit your ballot in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Voter Registration Requirements: In Washington State you do not need to show ID or proof of citizenship to cast a vote for Washington State candidates. Our state allows for numerous other forms in order to obtain a voter registration including bank statements, utility bills, paychecks, tribal ID and other forms. You can check your voter registration and learn more about how to vote here: www.sos.wa.gov/elections
Harvest Report: Washington continues to lead the nation in apple production, and this year’s harvest has set records. Favorable weather conditions—specifically a warm spring followed by timely rainfall—contributed to a bumper crop. Early estimates suggest that apple yields are up approximately 15% compared to 2023. Varieties such as Honeycrisp, Gala, and Fuji are particularly high in yield, with growers reporting high quality fruit making them highly sought after in both domestic and international markets.
The cherry harvest also enjoyed a successful season in 2024. Washington’s cherries are known for their quality, and this year was no exception. Growers reported a yield increase of around 10% compared to last year, aided by ideal growing conditions. The early season cherries, particularly sweet varieties like Bing and Rainier, benefited from warm weather, resulting in a great.
Both the apple and cherry markets have finally seen increased demand, which is promising for farmers. With harvests exceeding expectations, exporters are preparing to meet international demand, particularly from markets in Asia and Europe. The quality of the fruit has also attracted attention, positioning Washington’s apples and cherries as premium products in the global market.
The 2024 wheat harvest in Washington State has been positive as well, with farmers across Washington reporting solid yields for both soft white wheat and hard red varietes. Preliminary estimates indicate that the state’s wheat production has increased by around 12% compared to 2023. Ideal growing conditions—aided by timely rainfall and moderate temperatures—contributed significantly to the strong crop. In addition to high yields, the quality of this year’s wheat has been above average. Grain samples have shown strong protein levels and low moisture content, making the wheat particularly attractive for both domestic milling and international export markets. Look for farmers to store grain through the winter until prices have risen to desirable levels.
Financially Distressed Farmers and Ranchers:The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing the launch of the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network, an initiative designed to provide personalized support to financially distressed farmers and ranchers across the nation. Through a series of Cooperative Agreements, this national network will connect distressed borrowers with individualized assistance to help them stabilize and regain financial footing.
More information here:
Capital Budget Grants:Grange state staff has been collecting and reviewing capital budget applications from all across the state. Thank you all for submitting those and working with us to get those organized to help me lobby the capital budget committee this session. More information to come on that front as I meet with capital budget members.
Register to vote, and vote!
By Grange News Staff
In a fierce competition, Humptulips Grange #730 and Waller Road Grange #1111 shared the first place awards for Grange displays at the 2024 Washington State Fair. Humptulips was the Grand Champion for the “arrangement” category, while Waller Road was the Grand Champion for overall Grange display. Ten Granges created displays for this year’s fair.
The displays are judged on a wide range of criteria. The arrangement of the display is based upon the design, originality, artistic effect, arrangement of fresh and preserved produce, and overall impact. Each of the six judges scores the displays, with special emphasis from two judges with an artistic background. Humptulips was awarded first place for their arrangement, followed by Thurston County Pomona Grange in second place, Fruitland Grange in third place, Waller Road Grange in fourth place, and Ohop Grange in fifth place. The arrangement score factors in as 20% of the total display score.
The items included in the display contribute the other 80% of the overall score. Agricultural products include grains and seeds is worth 20%, while livestock products (meats, dairy, poultry, honey, shellfish, etc.) contribute an additional 20%.
Horticultural products include fruits, berries, nursery stock, plants, forest products, and herbs. This section contributes 20%, while the vegetable category contributes the final 20%. Each display is required to have 50 items in each of the four categories.
Four judges, one for each category, scores their category based up quantity, variety, and quality. After judging is completed, fair officials tally the scores to determine the overall winners. Waller Road Grange was the first place overall winner, followed by Humptulips Grange in second place, Collins Grange in third place, Thurston County Pomona Grange in fourth place, and Meridian Grange in fifth place.
Other participating Granges in 2024 were Elk Plain, East Hill, and Black Lake.
Each of the ten exhibiting Grange spend hundreds, and possibly even thousands, of hours of work on their Grange displays at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. Each starts out with the same dimensions, approximately 8 feet wide and 10 feet deep. The slope of the displays is predetermined and remains the same each year. Grange members spend months creating designs, canning and dehydrating fresh produce, collecting seeds and cones, and gathering display items from their Grange members, neighbors, and friends.
Each Grange is responsible for their own design and builds a framework with their design prior to arriving at the fair. The Grange display building in Puyallup is usually ready for the Granges to start setting up one week prior to the fair. Most Granges will get their framework set up and the basic design in place 4-5 days before the fair. The last few days are spent gathering the fresh produce items and placing them into the display. It is a push to the finish to get everything into the display and have it arranged in an attractive manner.
The Washington State Fair, formerly known as the Western Washington Fair and the Puyallup Fair, was first held in 1900. Grange displays have been a part of the fair since its inception.
By Grange News Staff
The Washington State Grange Junior Camping Program experienced an increase in participation in 2024. Three summer resident camps were held in 2024, with one, Camp Morehead sitching to a day camp due to last minute facility issues. All camps reported successful programs as they work to rebuild programs to the levels of the pre-covid era.
The Grange operates six weeks of summer camp around the state as a part of their programming for kids, ages 8-14. While each of the camps operates independently and under the guidance of a board of directors, the Washington State Grange retains jurisdiction and the ultimate responsibility of the camping program.
The daily program varies from camp to camp. Each of the camps does participate in the traditional Grange opening, closing, and Junior Grange degree. Craft projects range from nature craft and jewelry making to sewing and tie dye creations. The recreational activities of each camp depend upon what is available in that area….be it hiking, swimming, archery, fishing, dancing, and games. Educational features included making pickles, food dehydration, and outside speakers on a wide variety of topics.
Plans for the 2025 Junior Grange Camping Program are now underway. Camp registration information will be available in January. While we held four camps this year, Camp Cornet Bay in Northwest Washington is planning to operate in 2025, along with possibly Camp NEWA in Northeast Washington.