The Big Grange Hush Hush

[Richard Roth]

Got this email from a fellow granger from outside California:

I have asked other Grangers if they know what is going on in California and none of them have heard a peep about what National has been doing in your state. I get our State Grange News and have seen no mention of what is going on nor do I see anything on the National Grange website. My understanding is that the Grange is a grass roots organization which means to me that the voice of local Granges should be reflected in state and National Grange policy. I do not see how Granges outside of California are given an opportunity to weigh in on what is happening in California.

So what is this? Are Grangers afraid to talk to other Grangers? Are these issues too personal, too secretive to be brought into the open air? What are the roadblocks to communication in the Grange? Seems wacky to me. Discussed the subterfuge going on in my blog "The Grange Insider." It seems that there has developed in the Grange a real pecking order, and that much of the pecking goes on behind a veil of secrecy.

Would love to hear your ideas.

[MASinPT]

It seems to me that there is no mechanism for interaction. For instance, National is putting forth the position that GMO labeling is not indicated. Does this reflect the collective voice of Granges across the nation? and how do we know if it does or doesn't? There is no Grange I have met who is against GMO labeling.

[Anniegreenjeans]

Richard, I was not able to get a temperature on this at NGC in Boise - the "Master's Address" reflects his positions & those he would like to see be adopted as Policy, but does not reflect the general delegate mood.  There was definitely a concern that "All Farming is Equal" and should not be "attacked" by other styles of farming...use of the word "style" is my own, but i feel it clearly reflects the NG mood around issues such as GMO vs Organic Local Food.  Equal, the asme - no difference between GMO or Organic so why should it be labeled?  I was disappointed in this.
Longer version of this available by phone as I hate typing too much.