Pennsylvania State Grange recently held its 144th annual convention in Shippensburg.

The weekend was filled with policy debate, elections and recognition of outstanding granges and grangers.

The session opened with remarks from Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, who spoke about the importance of the grange’s advocacy efforts, not just regarding agriculture issues, but the broader scope of issues affecting rural Pennsylvania.

Redding also accepted the Friend of the Grange Award on behalf of the Department of Agriculture.

Delegates from community granges debated and voted on policies including: the handling of biosolids, conservation requirements and policies, school curriculum issues and access to services for rural Pennsylvanians.

They also participated in the election of officers, this year electing a full slate of state officers.

Elizabeth “Beth” Downey, of Allegheny Grange No. 1843 and Eagle Grange No. 1, both in Lycoming County, was re-elected president.

Downey, a lifelong granger, previously served on the Pa. State Grange Executive Committee and the State Junior Committee.

“I’m excited to continue to serve the grange in this capacity and look forward to what we can accomplish as an organization during the next two years,” Downey said.

Membership growth and mentoring continue to be priorities on Downey’s agenda for her second term.

“We’ve made some real progress in the area of membership and I’d like to continue that momentum to achieve a net gain in our membership numbers,” she said.

During her first term, Downey revitalized the Grange Deputy program, changing the name to advocates and putting them to work mentoring granges in need of some outside assistance.

“I believe in the power of mentoring, it’s how we will continue to build strong granges filled with knowledgeable grangers doing the work of the order all over Pennsylvania,” Downey explained.

Delegates at the 144th annual Pennsylvania State Session elected 14 officers, seven were newly elected, including: Wayne Campbell of Community Grange No. 1767 in Perry County, vice president; Denise Clare of Hamburg Grange No. 2103 in Berks County, lecturer; Lorena Baughman of Scotch Valley Grange No. 510 in Blair County, lady assistant steward; Judy Pressler of Halfmoon Grange No. 290 in Centre County, chaplain; Joanne Heim of Trexlertown Grange No. 1755, Pomona; Ginny Mangel of Wesley Grange No. 1971 in Butler County, Flora; and Richard Mangel of Wesley Grange No. 1971 in Butler County, executive committee.

The session wasn’t all business, delegates and guest took time out to recognize those among them who have gone above and beyond in their grange service.

The Jack and Sonja Bell Family of Logan Grange No. 109 in Centre County were recognized as the Grange Family of the Year.

Members of their family are very active in their grange, local fair, church and other community activities.

Denny and Kris (Bell) McCloskey were on hand to receive the award on behalf of their family.

Eugene Everly, a member of Carmichaels Grange No. 1389 in Greene County was honored as the 2016 Granger of the Year.

He has served the grange and local community for 60-plus years, and is still active at age 92.

Members of Greene County Pomona Grange accepted the award on his behalf.

Also recognized were the 2016 Friend of the Youth, Derek Schroeder of Virginville Grange No. 1832, Berks County, and the 2016 Junior Grange Supporter, Heather Druckenmiller of Valley Grange No. 1360, York County.

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Editor’s note: The Pa. State Grange, chartered in 1873, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, fraternal organization that advocates for rural America and agriculture.

With a strong history in grass-roots activism, family values and community service, the grange represents approximately 8,000 Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth.

It is the oldest agricultural and rural organization of its kind in the United States.