December 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes

ROLL CALL

President Mark Gibbons called the Zoom meeting to order at 12:10 EST. Participating were Lecturer Amanda Brozana Rios, Treasurer Jessica Patrick, Secretary Richard Weiss, Lecturer Burton Eller, National Grange President Christine Hamp, Loreta Washington, and new member Lori Freeman.

Mark led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and gave an opening prayer.

MINUTES

There were no additions or corrections to the October 11, 2023 minutes. Burton Eller moved for approval. Loretta Washington seconded. The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • A bill currently in the House would allow whole and flavored milk back in the school lunch program. It is likely to pass the House but not the Senate which has some nutrition conscious members.
  • There will be many health care issues in 2024, including drug pricing and new attention to obesity issues.
  • Funding for Ukraine is being tied to border security.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Operating Fund balance at the Truist Bank                           $3,251.15

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                                           $85,634.26

OLD BUSINESS

No business.

NEW BUSINESS

Mark welcomed Chris Hamp to the meeting and assured her of Potomac’s future support. Chris spoke of the importance of finding value in Grange membership and that it will be a “team sport” to continue our growth.  Everybody needs to get involved.

Mark recapped the National Convention at which Potomac Grange was awarded for its increase in membership. Amanda announced that our membership is up by ten this year.

Chris Hamp assured Mark that Potomac Grange should be represented at the upcoming leadership conference in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The conference will focus on goal setting and long-range planning. Amanda recommended that Mark and Jessie Patrick attend. Jessie because of her knowledge of Potomac Grange finances and the various demands on the Kile Fund. Jessie was not sure of her availability for the conference.  As there was not a quorum online, a vote was deferred to the next meeting on January 10, at which time there will be specifics on availability and costs.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

The Shipmates Program is moving on dealing with membership issues.

A quote from the Heirloom Program is “The welfare of each is bond up in the good of all.” Amanda called on Jessie Patrick to describe her program “serving the good of all.”  Jessie is Montgomery County; Maryland Chapter President of a program called the “Period Project.”  This program supplies tampons and wipes to homeless shelters in the county. The program is currently serving six homeless shelters and stocking two food pantries.  She has enlisted high schoolers who have helped with distributing over ten-thousand pads.  A local comedy club will help her raise funds by donating half of its admission income from a Saturday night show.

There was no further business and President Gibbons adjourned the meeting at 12:40 p.m.

NEXT MEETING

Next meeting will be January 10 at 12:00 PM. EDT.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

October 11, 2023 Meeting Minutes

ROLL CALL

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order at 12:04 EDT. Participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Secretary Richard Weiss, Pomona and Executive Committee member Cheri Watson, Executive Committee member Joan Smith, Steward Burton Eller, Ceres Lorreta Washington, Chaplin Sephanie Wilkins Sean O’Neil, Lori Freeman with son Lucas, Scott Lyle, and Associate member Dave Roberts.

President Gibbons led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and gave an opening prayer.

 MINUTES

Hearing no additions or corrections Lori Freeman moved we approve the minutes as written.  Sean O’Neil seconded the motion.  The motion passed via voice vote.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • Lacking a Speaker, the House is not moving any legislation.  Bills are not even reaching committees.
  • We should not expect a Farm Bill this year.
  • National Grange is focusing on rural health care issues and recently had op-eds placed in the health sections of papers in Virginia and North Carolina.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Operating Fund Balance at Truist Bank                                $3,157.45

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                                           $85,640.26

OLD BUSINESS

AITC Committee – Joan Smith/Mark Gibbons

Ten-thousand workbooks will cost approximately $30.000.  The workbooks contain an entire year’s curriculum. Potomac decided not to participate in the workbook’s printing.

Mark Gibbons has been in contact with the area Arch Diasis and will see what kind of success we might have with Parochial Schools.   

Mark also reported that Potomac will take a total of six resolutions to the convention.

NEW BUSINESS

SHIPmates – A new membership/leadership program-Scott Lyle and Dave Roberts

The program has six regional “SHIPmates” working on membership and leadership development.  They communicate weekly via Zoom and will gather at the convention.

In looking at past membership programs, Scott feels they may have focused too much on the organization and not enough on the members themselves.  He feels fellowship is a major selling point for the Grange.

Dave is focusing on Associate Membership and the ability to study different programs and approaches around the country.  He stressed the importance of nurturing and growing Youth membership.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Lori Freeman – Just enjoying the conversation.

Dave Roberts – Also working on the R2 and RS2 programs ( PCORI) with Joan Smith, the stone plaque for the forest plot in Connecticut, and working with a school for the deaf.

Leroy Watson to Burton Eller – What is the current resolution count?  Burton- Only thirty but the big states have not come in yet.

Mark Gibbons – Will attend the National Convention representing Potomac Grange #1.

Richard Weiss – Will work with Amanda Brozana on dues formulas.

Joan Smith – Thank you Mark for your efforts on Ag in The Classroom.

Scott Lyle – Very impressed by the efficiency of our Zoom meetings.

There was no further business. President Gibbons adjourned the meeting at 12:38 pm.

NEXT MEETING

Next meeting will be December 13 at 12:00 PM. EDT.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

September 13, 2023 Meeting Minutes

ROLL CALL

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order 12:00 PM EDT.  Participating were Vice- President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Secretary Richard Weiss, Lecturer Amanda Brozana, Pomona/ Executive Committee Member Cheri Warson, Steward Burton Eller, and new member Brandy Bowlby.

Amanda Brozana led us in the Pledge to Allegiance to the Flag and a wish for a good meeting.

 MINUTES

Leroy Watson moved to adopt the August 9 minutes. Amanda Brozana seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • It will probably take another six months to get a Farm Bill.  There simply is not enough money to pay for all the desired programs, especially expanded food programs.
  • Congress is still not close on a continuing budget to keep our government operating.
  • We are monitoring the wireless extension into rural America, and it is going well.
  • Sixty percent of our time is spent on rural health issues, especially mental health.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Operating Fund balance at Truist Bank                    $2,922.03

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                               $83,350.47

A Pay Pal balance of $114.84 will be transferred to the Operating Account. In the future, Pay Pal will automatically transfer Potomac funds to our Operating Account on the first of each month.

OLD BUSINESS

None. 

NEW BUSINESS

The committee of Cheri Watson and Burton Eller was established to recommend whether Potomac Grange should invest in the Ag in The Classroom (AITC) Program Book.  The feeling at the last meeting was that the cost could run as high as $30.000, and it was not clear what we would get for that, a whole page, or a little mention? The committee recommend we do not make such an investment. President Gibbons informed us that in discussions with National Grange President Betsy Huber, there was agreement that if made, the expenditure should come from National Grange or the Grange Foundation.  They also agreed that National should cover travel  expenses to the  AITC annual convention to present an award. Leroy Watson moved to accept the committee’s recommendation that we do not finance printing  of the AITC Program Book. Richard Weiss seconded.  The motion passed.

Following are ideas we had in the discussion following the vote:

  • Suspend activity for six months to figure out how to proceed. We would have to inform NAIC of the suspension.
  • Instead of trying to install the full NAIC curriculum, offer simpler gardening programs.
  • Hire a qualified person to run the program and pay that person from the Kile Fund.
  • Reach out to DC food and ag related businesses to create a joint effort.
  • Target parochial and private schools.
  • Get help from Maryland Granges. We cannot go outside the District of Colombia.

Amanda Brozana moved a committee be established to determine whether to proceed with the NAIC program or with our own program. Cheri Watson seconded the motion. The motion passed.

LECTURER’S PROGRAM

A fascinating video about the search for a Grange plot of forest presented by Dave Roberts of the Connecticut State Grange. Prior to and  during the First World War, Connecticut’s forests were denuded for fuel.  After the war, there was a campaign to reforest.  The State Grange adopted and planted several acres. As time went on, the Grange’s plot got lost among the thousands of acres of new trees.  Recently the Connecticut State Grange set out to find it and after some time was successful.  A stone marker will designate the plot as the Connecticut State Grange’s.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Amanda Brozana has three resolutions that update and make more flexible National Grange’s Digest of Laws.  The resolutions will be posted online for Potomac Grange members to vote whether to present them at the National Convention.

Jessie Patrick voiced support for the new membership/leadership program SHIPmates.

There was no further business. Leroy Watson moved to adjourn.  Jessie Patrick seconded the motion. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m.

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is Wednesday, October 11, at 12:00 PM. EDT.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

August 11, 2023 Meeting Minutes

ROLL CALL

Vice-President Leroy Watson called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. EDT. Participating were Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Chaplin and Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Executive Committee members Cheri Watson and Joan Smith, Lady Assistant Steward Lorretta Washington, Secretary Richard Weiss, members Rebecca Jones and Sean O’Neil, and Guest Jim Patterson.

Chaplin Sephanie Wilkins gave a prayer and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 MINUTES

Stephanie Wilkins will send Amanda Brozana’s suggested corrections and additions to Secretary Weiss for him to discuss with her. Members will vote upon their recommendations in the next meeting on September 13.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • The was no Legislative report for this meeting

TREASURER’S REPORT

Operating Fund current balance at Truist Bank                    $2,922.05

Kile Fund current balance at PNC Bank                               $83,355.47

Joan Smith will submit a bill a bill to cover contest sponsorship costs at the 2023 Grange Revival held in Curtis, Minesota. Jessie will then pay the bill from the Kile Fund. Joan reported 147 Revival participants from across the country. Camping equipment ranged from RVs to tents. Rain did not deter joining in on contests, visits to Sault Sainte Marie canal and locks and ice cream making. 

OLD BUSINESS

Resolution Vote – Voting online, Potomac #1 membership agreed on presenting a resolution expanding the National Grange Board of Directors by adding a youth member at the 2023 National Grange Convention.

AITC Committee – Members will be Cheri Watson and Burton Eller. Leroy will bring Jim  Patterson’s interest in the subject to President Gibbon’s attention. Joan Smith pointed out that the program is limited to K through twelve but is available to private and parochial schools in addition to public schools. Joan Smith pointed out that Potomac Grange is not the first party to have difficulty placing the AITC curriculum in DC schools. Our predecessor UDC also failed to do so. She suggested a simple gardening program might be more successful than a full curriculum. 

NEW BUSINESS

Disposition of Dishware – Lorretta Washington advised that National Grange President Betsy Huber is anxious to get Potomac’s Stone Ware dishes, cups, bowls, etc. out of the Grange Building basement. The materials’ surfaces carry the Grange emblem. Sean O’Neil suggested auctioning off the full set at the National Grange Convention. Members felt individual Grangers might want a single piece as a souvenir. Consensus was to first offer souvenirs and then auction the remainder at the convention. Joan Smith said that the convention schedule is tight and to squeeze in an auction, we need to act quickly.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Grange Building – Grange officials are in advanced negotiations over the sale of the Gange Building. The interested party would totally reconfigure the building’s interior into new office space. The building’s exterior would no longer carry any Grange identification.

Membership – Richard Weiss will send membership information to Jim Patterson who is considering joining Potomac Grange #1.

There was no further business. Vice-President Watson adjourned the meeting at 1:08 PM.

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is Wednesday, September 13, at 12:00 PM. EDT.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

July 12, 2023 Meeting Minutes

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order at 12:00 Noon EDT.

Chaplain Stephanie Wilkins led the meeting in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

ROLL CALL

Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Lecturer Amanda Brozana, Chaplain and Flora Stephanie Wilkins, Secretary Richard Weiss, Steward Burton Eller, Pomona and Executive Committee member Cheri Watson, Executive Committee member Joan Smith, Lady Assistant Steward Lorretta Washington, and new member Brandy Bowlby.

 MINUTES

After the reading of the above minutes, Joan Smith moved that they be amended to read “Ag in the Classroom expenses will be covered by the Grange Foundation beginning in 2024. Her motion was seconded and passed. President Gibbons called for a motion to approve the minutes as amended.

Jessie Patrick so moved, and the motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • Continuing to work with government agencies on rural health issues where there are serious disparities between rural and urban America.
  • Lobbying House and Senate to get a bill passed that would have Medicare cover the cost of new blood drop test to discover cancer. It would be very useful in rural areas lacking expensive detection equipment.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Current Operating Fund balance at Truist Bank                    $2,973.03

Current Kile Fund balance at PNC Bank                               $84,309.11

This includes the June distribution to the account of $2,609.00.

An outstanding bill of $962.00 for Joan Smith’s travel to Ag in the Classroom convention will be paid from the fund shortly.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Joan Smith reported that the Ag in the Classroom Awards Breakfast had 554 attendees viewing our presentation. The group included five attendees from Washington, DC.

President Gibbons asked the cost of printing 100,000 Ag in the Classroom Field Guides to get an idea of how much of a contribution it would take to get our logo on the cover.  Joan was not able to get the cost, but the consensus was that given the high quality of the piece, around $30,000,

 and our contribution would probably have be in the $10,000 range. The Field Guide contains five lessons on different aspects of Agriculture.  As students complete each lesson, an award sticker is pasted on a special page. They must complete and pass at least three lessons.

Amanda Brozana questioned the potential ROI of such an investment, and, also, questioned our investing in a non-Grange related organization. This led to discussion of the overall value of our involvement in Ag in the Classroom.

President Gibbons proposed a committee to determine the viability of continuing to pursue Ag in the Classroom and if so, how more effectively. Joan Smith so moved. Amanda Brozana seconded, and the motion passed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

  • Amanda Brozana shared one of the Junior Grange passports that focused on learning more about the American Flag. She also presented the July Year B Heirloom Lesson. She will also send Brandy Bowlby and the other new Members the Welcoming Ceremony text and other relevant information as time did not allow for its presentation at this meeting.
  • Resolutions: It was confirmed that Potomac will present the resolution limiting the Assembly of Demeter’s authority to only matters such as the Seventh Degree and gives the Grange Law Committee and Delegates oversite of Assembly motions.

Amanda Brozana moved to adjourn the meeting.  The motion was seconded and passed, and the meeting adjourned at 1:06 p.m. 

NEXT MEETING

Next meeting August 9 at noon.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

June 14, 2023 Meeting Minutes

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. EST. Also participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Chaplin Stephanie Wilkins, Secretary Richard Weiss, Pomona/ Executive Committee Member Cheri Watson, Ceres Loretta Washington, and National Grange Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil.

Chaplin Wilkins gave a prayer and led us in the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

 MINUTES

President Gibbons called for any additions or corrections to the May 10, 2023 minutes. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve. Joan Smith so moved. Leroy Watson seconded. The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • Farm Bill- Looking at a flat budget. National Grange is focusing on rural health, Broad Band extension, and potential new qualification requirements to the SNAP program. 
  • Rural health occupies almost fifty percent of their time. A Betsy Huber op-ed on the difficulty for rural citizens to get Alzheimer’s treatment because of travel distances is getting published. Mental health and obesity are rural issues that National is addressing.
  • Elimination of farm property value in judging student loan eligibility.
  • Hemp versus Cannabis-Grange supports increasing the THC level in the plant to remain defined as Hemp and not Cannabis.

TREASURER’S REPORT

No Report.

NEW BUSINESS

  • National will receive a $248,000, two-year PCORI grant to disseminate pre and post cancer surgery questionnaires to at least 150,000 rural residents. Local Granges will play the main role in this effort. Stephanie Wilkins will also create a web site devoted to sending out questionnaires. Joan Smith will oversee the program. Mark Gibbons added that National Grange will partner with the Care Givers Network in the distribution effort.
  • Ag in the Classroom expenses will be covered by the Grange Foundation beginning in 2024. Joan Smith will present the Grange Excellence Award at an awards breakfast during the AIG upcoming Orlando, Florida convention. AIG has suspended our registration fee, and Joan is just there for breakfast, so expenses should be minimal.
  • National Convention – Joan Smith moved that Mark Gibbons be the Potomac Grange representative to the November 14th to 18th National Convention in Niagara Falls, New York. Sean O’Neil seconded the motion. The motion passed.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Resolution: Submitted by Leroy Watson

This resolution has to do with the Assembly of Demeter’s extent of authority. It limits authority to only Assembly matters such as the Seventh Degree and gives the Grange Law Committee and Delegates oversight of Assembly motions. Sean O’Neil moved we present the resolution at the November National Meeting. Joan Smith seconded the motion. The motion passed.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 1:08 P.M.  

NEXT MEETING

Next meeting July 12 at Noon.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

Grange Youth “Thank You” video for Potomac Grange support for DC Experience

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support of the youth and junior teams trip to Washington DC.

Thank you from the Youth and Junior Ambassador Team!

The team had the time of their lives. While we were only there a few short days they made the most out of every moment.

The teams arrived in DC on Sunday March 19 and made plans for the days ahead. On Monday morning they took off to the National Grange Headquarters where they were met by staff and a presentation from Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil. Sean talked to the group about how the legislative world is set up, how bills become laws, and what the Grange does to make that happen. We then talked on specific policies set by our Grange delegates and which ones were of most importance for us to be talking to our Congressional leaders about. We continued our day with a tour of the United States Capitol building. And finished out with a trip to Maryland to hear Rural Minds founder Jeff Winton present on the importance of Rural Mental Health Awareness. The teams talked to Jeff for a good while and discussed how they could possibly make a difference with youth in Rural Communities.

On Tuesday morning we woke up ready to celebrate National Ag Day. The teams headed to the USDA for a welcome and briefing from many prominent people in the Ag world. Our team was inspired by the speakers and worked the room to make connections with other Ag based organizations. We then marched up the mall to see the famous Grange monument as we worked our way to capitol hill to meet with legislative representatives from each of the team’s home states. Each one of our team members met with someone from their home state and discussed items of importance to them, their Grange, and the National Grange. The heavy hitter with each team member is recognition that we need to be working harder for funding and destigmatizing mental health issues in all communities but especially rural ones. The team had a great experience meeting with each person. They had fantastic conversations and left their meetings inspired by what the potential supports could be like.

We closed out our wonderful trip with the Taste of Agriculture reception held at the Library of Congress. We mingled and networked with so many figures and some of our team members walked away with some great connections.

Again, we cannot express our gratitude for the support Potomac Grange provided to our teams and we are always so thankful to know that Potomac is there for us.

May 10, 2023 Meeting Minutes

President Mark Gibbons called the meeting to order at 12:06 p.m. EST.  Also participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson, Treasurer Jessie Patrick, Chaplin Stephanie Wilkins, Secretary Richard Weiss, Pomona/ Executive Committee Member Cheri Watson, Ceres Loretta Washington, and National Grange Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil.

Chaplin Wilkins gave a prayer and led us in the Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.

 MINUTES

President Gibbons called for any additions or corrections to the March 9 m9nutes.. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve. Cheri Watson  so moved. Lorretta Washington seconded. The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • Sean recapped the April 26 Virtual Fly-In. It included presentations from Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Republican Congressman Glen Thompson of Pennsylvania and a USDA presentation.
  • The Legislative Department is currently engaged with the upcoming Farm Bill, Broad Band rural roll-out and rural health issues, including mental health and access to care.
  • Burton and Sean met with the Nurse Practitioners Associates to discuss the extent of care nurse practitioners are allowed to extend to rural patients.
  • The National Grange has received a grant from the FCC to promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a program which helps people afford broadband connections. The National Grange will use this money to promote ACP at local granges and grange events, such as the Big E in New England or the Center County Grange fair. The first event will be at Goodwill Grange in Virginia.
  • National also received a grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to disseminate its comparative findings to help rural patients and caregivers make informed treatment decisions.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Operating Account balance in Truist Bank as of 5/9                          $2,815.51
An additional $233.52 will be added from the PayPal account.
The PNC Kile Fund account balance as of 5/9 is                               $81,706.11
This includes Dictionary Project payments.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

President Gibbons encouraged us to view Samantha Wilkins’   “Thank You” letter  and video for Potomac Grange’s financial support of three Grange Youths’ participation in the DC Experience.  CLICK HERE TO WATCH

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 12:25.  

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is June 14 at Noon.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1

Potomac Grange #1 Distributes Dictionaries to Holy Cross Elementary School Students

The Potomac Grange #1 visited Holy Cross Elementary School to distribute dictionaries to its third-grade students.

Potomac Grange President, Mark Gibbons, spoke briefly about Potomac Grange #1 before explaining how these dictionaries would help them increase their vocabulary, learn the spelling and meaning of so many words.

The children were extremely excited to receive their dictionaries and plan to use them at school and at home.

They were especially excited that the dictionaries also included information about:

  • the environment
  • land and water conditions in the countries of the world
  • animals that live in nine habitats on the seven continents
  • the earth and its atmosphere
  • the longest word in the English language
  • sign language (alphabets)
  • braille for beginners and more.

Potomac Grange #1 plans to donate additional dictionaries to Holy Cross if needed or another elementary school in the area.

March 8, 2023 Meeting Minutes

President Mark Gibbons called the virtual meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. EST. Participating were Vice-President Leroy Watson. Lecturer Amanda-Brozana Rios, Secretary Richard Weiss, Chaplain Stephanie Wilkins, Executive Committee member Joan Smith, Ceres Lorretta Washington, and National Grange Legislative Assistant Sean O’Neil.

The meeting opened with Pledge Allegiance to the Flag led by President Gibbons and a prayer by Chaplain Wilkins.

 MINUTES

Joan Smith moved to adopt the February 8, 2023 minutes as written. Vice-President Watson seconded. The motion passed.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEES

Legislative 

  • Sean and Burton Eller are visiting new members of Congress and presenting Grange’s position on issues and bills, including the upcoming Farm Bill.
  • We are working with Agri-Safe, an organization advocating for rural mental health aids such as hot-lines and stress relief programs.
  • Putting together a “Grange Caucus” on the Hill. A group of members recognizing the Grange and invited to Grange events.

Lecturer Program

Today is International Women’s Day. The John Deere Company is recognizing and highlighting women’s roles in agriculture and the construction industries. Today, only nine percent of U.S. farms are currently totally female owned and operated. Leroy added that many of these are poultry operations which have direct contracts with food processors. He feels there is definite industry and government encouragement for increased farm ownership by women.

Heirloom Program

Amanda quoted one of the Grange objectives: “To develop a better manhood and womanhood among ourselves.” She suggested we consider how Potomac Grange might use Kile Fund resources locally towards this objective, especially the “womanhood” part

TREASURER’S REPORT

No Report..

UNFINISHED/OLD BUSINESS

Dictionaries – Mark will deliver dictionaries to Holy Cross School in the next couple of weeks. Joan Smith read a “Certificate of Appreciation” from the school to Potomac Grange. Stephanie Wilkins will post it on our website.

NEW BUSINESS

  • 2023 Fellows Program membership and programs are progressing.
  • Mark briefed us on his participation in the “Presidents’ call” with Betsy Huber regarding the National Meeting format. He had suggestions on speeding up the meeting.
  • The Ag in the Classroom 2023 National Meeting will be in June in Florida. Joan will be able to drive to the meeting to make our annual award presentation.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Discussion as to whether Potomac Grange should continue to submit resolutions for voting rights led to the conclusion that we should. Suggestions included asking to vote only on resolutions not officers and to tie in with a state Grange.

Now that his recovery is coming along, Leroy will get back to work on the Potomac Grange tax status issue.

Joan will be undergoing surgery soon. She will be in our thoughts and prayers.

There was no further business. Amanda Rios moved to adjourn. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 12:51 p.m.

NEXT MEETING

Next Zoom meeting is on April 12 at Noon.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard Weiss, Secretary
Potomac Grange #1