Grange convention comes to Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - Washington State Grange members and nonmembers alike are invited to hear speeches, see craft displays and learn more about the organization starting Wednesday and ending July 2.

It's when the state grange convention begins at the Grant County Fairgrounds in Moses Lake.

About 300 people are expected to attend the free event, said grange communications Director Dan Hammock. 

"I think anyone who enjoys arts, crafts and antiquing would really enjoy our displays," he said.

Nonmembers also benefit by seeing how the organization works.

Speakers scheduled to talk on July 1 are state Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Rob McKenna at 11:30 a.m., and Willamette Egg Farms co-owner Greg Satrum at 2:30 p.m.

Hammock, of the state grange, said it is possible McKenna might speak about elections, as there is ongoing litigation about the state's top two primary. 

The grange drafted Initiative 872, which states voters don't have to pick a political party, Hammock said.

The grange has a long history with elections, as it was involved with early election reforms when the people were being squeezed out of the process. 

Satrum talks about new standards approved during this legislative session, involving the humane treatment of animals related to egg production.

The standards were created because of a initiative calling to ban cages for hens.

On July 2, state Department of Agriculture Director  Dan Newhouse speaks at 11:30 a.m. 

After Newhouse's talk, Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, is the final speaker.

The convention is also where delegates from granges across the state set grange policy, draft resolutions for directions they would like to see policies go and set the path for legislative action.

This year, the grange elects its officers.

The event features many arts and crafts contests and hundreds of displays open to the public.

"It's pretty amazing," Hammock said.

Members aren't just farmers, as other rural residents are also members.

"We focus a great deal on the needs of people in rural parts of the state," Hammock said. "They don't have a real strong voice in general, so that's who we target. But we have members in Seattle. It is a very broad section and not as limited as one might think. We're pretty diverse."

Grange offers many programs designed for people living in rural areas, including charity work and education.

With programs also geared toward children, grange is a "family-oriented organization, ingrained in agriculture," Hammock said.

"We really branched out to appeal to people that live in rural areas," he said.

It is so they can be involved, be heard and make a difference in state and local government.

The convention was last held in Moses Lake in 2007.

For more information about grange, visit www.wa-grange.org.