| NOVEMBER 5, 2010 -- National Grange Master Ed Luttrell delivered a message of hope for a better future at the 136th annual session of the Maryland State Grange.The session was held Oct. 21 to 23 at the American Legion Francis Scott Key Post 11 in Frederick.
The three-day event featured workshops, business meetings and an agriculture and awards banquet.
The Grange's main focus -- family, community and agriculture -- sets the organization apart from many groups and members should be proud of that, Luttrell said.
"Agriculture is part of our culture and it is to our peril to forget that," Luttrell said.
The Grange has been active in Maryland for 136 years and has prospered "because we think big and we have members across the country who think big," he said.
From the organization's inception, Grangers have realized the importance of working together, not being concerned with who got the credit, Luttrell said.
"We're known for putting our hearts and minds together to get things done. We come together as a family, a community to make a difference in our community so be proud of your Grange," Luttrell said. "The results of what we do are what truly matters."
Luttrell said the future of the Grange is bright. "So think big, think teamwork and think Grange," he said.
Nancy Wolfe of Brandywine Grange was selected Granger of the Year; Frederick resident Caryl Velisek, a freelance agriculture reporter, got the Service to Maryland Agriculture Award; and Monica Ripley of New Windsor received the Grange Youth Award.
Wolfe, a fifth-generation Granger, was grateful for the recognition.
"You always appreciate being recognized by your fellow members," Wolfe said. "I'll always be a Grange member but I wasn't expecting it. I do what I do because I love the values of community and family that the Grange embraces."
Wolfe's family members are grain farmers. "Not a lot of Grangers are farmers but we are," she said. To succeed in agriculture today requires diversification, Wolfe said.
"Do traditional agriculture, but you have to do something else -- diversify to help stabilize the income," Wolfe said. "We own four farms so we can do other things like agri-tourism."
To succeed in agriculture, young people need assistance with the family farm and equipment, Wolfe said.
"They need somebody to take them under their wings to help with the expense and the experience," she said.
Grangers recognized Delegate Paul Stull for his work in agriculture.
"Brother Stull has been a friend of the Grange and of agriculture throughout his 16-year tenure as a delegate," said Maurice L. Wiles, master of Maryland State Grange.
Responding, Stull, who was defeated during this year's primary, said, "Your national master said it well when he spoke about family and community. That's how I operated in Annapolis."
Stull said he wasn't worried about Democrats or Republicans while in the Maryland General Assembly.
"I was just concerned about the people who put me there and did my utmost to live up to their expectations," Stull said.
But Stull said he's not going very far. "I'll be around to help you in any way I can in the field of agriculture," he said.
Music was provided by Just Because, a local group consisting of Peggy Burrier, Nancy Horton, Brenda Ripley, Sheila Selzer pianist Lisa Mattia. |
