Comments on Proposed Rulemaking - Outdoor Wood-Fired Boilers

New regulations coming! Please express your comments to the EQB as listed below.

PA State Grange

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Letter to Citizens of Pennsylvania from Hawken Energy Dear Pennsylvania Citizens, You are about to have a new regulation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is going to cost each of you a large sum of money - at least $800 each immediately, and then several thousands of dollars each year in the future. Will you be able to vote on this? NO. Will you be able to even vote an elected representative out of office for passing this new regulation? NO. This new regulation is being proposed by the Environmental Quality Board of Pennsylvania. And we cannot do anything to stop them, except let our voices be heard. More on that later. This "Board" has decided to attempt to regulate how citizens of PA use wood as a fuel. If you currently use wood to heat your home with an outdoor wood furnace, the Board wants to regulate you. We find this mystifying because of the following reasons: 1. Wood is a renewable fuel that has been safely used since the beginning of recorded history. 2. Wood does not harm the environment. Fossil fuels DO harm the environment. Wood does not add greenhouse gasses to the environment - Fossil fuels DO. 3. The proposed regulation was prepared using grossly flawed data. 4. This regulation will damage the economy of Pennsylvania by killing jobs, and by increasing the heating cost of many homeowners by over 400 percent. 5. The Commonwealth consists primarily of heavily-wooded, rural areas. It makes no sense to burden the citizens of our entire Commonwealth with a rule that really only applies to densely populated areas that constitute a tiny portion of the Commonwealth. Here is what the proposed regulation will require: 1. If you do not yet have an outdoor wood furnace but want to purchase one, you will have to purchase one of the "EPA Approved" furnaces that were developed for use in densely populated cities - even if you live in the country or on a 100-acre farm! 2. These "EPA Approved" furnaces cost approximately 400 percent more per BTU of output than traditional outdoor wood furnaces. Because of this high cost, very few people are purchasing these "EPA Approved" furnaces - one company that sold them has even gone bankrupt. 3. If you currently own an outdoor furnace, but it gets old and needs to be replaced, you will be required to pay 400 percent more for the higher cost, "EPA Approved" furnace. 4. If you currently own a furnace, you will automatically and retroactively be forced to spend roughly $800 to install a chimney stack extension that extends your furnace chimney to a height 10 feet above the ground. If another home is within 500 feet of your furnace, the regulation retroactively requires you to extend your chimney even higher. I have prepared a 9-page letter to the Board to outline for them why such regulation is a bad idea. I have attached this letter to my company blog for you to read if you are interested. The link to the letter is as follows: http://blog.hawkenenergy.com/2009/12/letter-to-environmental-quality-board.html. The bottom line is that we believe that any needed regulation should be left to local municipalities. Accordingly, we recommend that the Board NOT adopt the proposed, or any regulation of OWBs. Such regulations can be easily managed by local municipalities of densely populated areas. But I doubt they will listen to just me. Here is where we need to work together. If you agree that PA citizens should have the freedom to choose to burn wood, you can help to preserve our freedom by doing two simple things: 1. Send a quick email to the Board, and 2. Forward this email to any and all friends who would be interested in this issue and would also like to have their voice heard by sending an email to the Board. For your email to the Board, please follow these simple steps: 1. Copy the "Sample Letter to Board" below into a new email. 2. Make any changes or additions you wish to make. (Alternatively, you can just write your own letter - I only provide the Sample Letter below to simplify this for you.) 3. Put in the Subject Line the following: "Comments on Proposed Rulemaking - Outdoor Wood-Fired Boilers". 4. Make sure to add your name and address so the Board knows you are a PA constituent. 5. Send the email to the following email address: RegComments@state.pa.us 6. If you do not receive an acknowledgement of electronic comments within 2 working days, please resend your email to ensure the Board receives the email. 7. Alternatively, you can mail your comments to the following address: Environmental Quality Board, PO Box 8477, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477. 8. YOUR EMAIL OR LETTER MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 4, 2010!! 9. The Board will not accept faxed letters. Send it by email or mail only. A sample of a letter you could send to the board is attached below. If you have any questions on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me - you can reach me at Warren@HawkenEnergy.com. And don't forget to forward this email to your friends! Thanks, and warm regards, Warren W. Walborn President & CEO ---Sample Letter to Board--- TO: Environmental Quality Board PO Box 8477 Harrisburg, PA 17105-8477 FROM: (your name) (your address) (your city, state, zip) Re: Proposed Rulemaking [25 PA. Code CHS. 121 and 123] Outdoor Wood-Fired Boilers Dear Board: Please do NOT proceed with your proposed rulemaking regarding outdoor wood-fired boilers. I believe this would be unacceptable for our Commonwealth for the following reasons: 1. Wood is a renewable fuel that has been safely used since the beginning of recorded history. 2. Wood does not harm the environment. Fossil fuels DO harm the environment. Wood does not add greenhouse gasses to the environment - Fossil fuels DO. 3. The proposed regulation was prepared using grossly flawed data. 4. This regulation will damage the economy of Pennsylvania by killing jobs, and by increasing the heating cost of many homeowners by over 400 percent. 5. The Commonwealth consists primarily of heavily-wooded, rural areas. It makes no sense to burden the citizens of our entire Commonwealth with a rule that really only applies to densely populated areas that constitute a tiny portion of the Commonwealth. We believe that any needed regulation should be left to local municipalities. Accordingly, we recommend that the Board NOT adopt the proposed, or any regulation of OWBs. Such regulations can be easily managed by local municipalities of densely populated areas. Thank you.

PA State Grange New Year's Holiday Office Hours

The PA State Grange office will only be open Tuesday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 30, 2009 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this week, due to the holiday. The office will re-open Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8 a.m.

The PA State Grange wishes everyone a very safe and Happy New Year!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

The PA State Grange office is now officially closed and will re-open at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 29, 2009.

PA State Grange Public Relations Director Receives National Award

Grand Rapids-National Grange President Ed Luttrell and Chairman of the Board Betsy Huber, hosted the first ever "Heroes of the Grange" awards luncheon Tuesday at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Carl Meiss, PA State Grange Public Relations Director, was one of the eight honorees. Carl was honored as a "Hero of the Grange" for his public relations work at the PA State Grange, with particular emphasis on social networking. Carl has, in addition to keeping the PA Grange web site (www.pagrange.org) up-to-date, started a PA State Grange Facebook site, the PA State Grange blog (pagrange.blogspot.com), and has three different Twitter sites (PAStateGrange, CarlMeiss [his public relations site] and his personal site bikelt).
Congratulations to Carl!

Russellville Grange #91

PA State Grange Membership/Public Relations Director Carl Meiss will present his PowerPoint program "Why Join the Grange?" at 7:30 p.m. tonight, November 5, 2009 at Russellville Grange #91, RT 896 & Old Limestone Rd., Russellville, Oxford, PA. The program emphasizes the various personal benefits available to PA Grange members and stresses their use as a membership recruitment tool.

The public is welcome to stop by for this interesting and educational program.

Russellville Grange #91 meets every 1st & 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in their Grange hall located at Rt 896 & OLd Limestone Rd., Russellville, Oxford, PA.

Contact President Stanley Reyburn, (610) 572-7289 or Program Director Sarah Coburn, 610-932-5829 for additional information.

PA State Grange Back On-Line!

Effective Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at about 10:30 a.m. the PA State Grange WEB site and email are back on line. We experienced a problem with our web host that has now been resolved.

If you sent any emails to any of the email addresses at the PA State Grange office during the above times, please re-send them to insure that we receive everything.

We apologize for any inconvenience and thank everyone for their cooperation.

Fraternally,
Carl Meiss
Public Relations Director
PA State Grange

WEB site and email off line

The PA State Grange WEB site (http://www.pagrange.org) and all emails went off line around noon on Saturday, October 31, 2009. We are working to get everything back on line ASAP. If you sent us an email over the weekend, please re-send it tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, 2010 so you are sure we received it. We apologize for any inconvenience. This was a result of a problem with our web host, which we are in the process of changing.

If you need to get information to us immediately, please call us at 1-800-552-3865.

Thank you for your understanding. We hope to have everything totally back to normal by the end of the business day today, Monday, November 2, 1009.

Press Release - PA State Grange Names Granger/Grange Family of the Year

PA STATE GRANGE

Press Release

Date: October 21, 2009

Contact: Carl Meiss

Public Relations Director

publicrelations@pagragne.org

Release: Immediate

RE: PA State Grange Names Granger and Grange Family of the Year

Johnstown, PA - At the 137th Annual PA State Grange Session All Granger Banquet held Saturday in Johnstown, PA, the "Granger of the Year" and the "Grange Family of the Year" were both named by PA State Grange President Betsy Huber.

Each year, the PA State Grange names individual Grange members and/or Grange families who have exemplified themselves with their Community, Pomona (County) or State Grange through Grange actions and activities, as well as through non-Grange activities.

This year's "Granger of the Year" is Margaret Storm of Patton, PA. Margaret has been a member of Pleasant Hill Grange #1861 in Cambria County for 25 years, where she has served as their Master (President) for the past 18 years. "She does many community service projects in her Grange and throughout her community," President Huber said. "She gets applicants for their Grange scholarships, more than anyone else. Her number one project is the 'Military Mail Project.' She has influenced the lives of two generations of 4-H members as a leader in cooking and babysitting classes. She works for the American Legion Auxiliary and sends many cards to shut-ins in her community. She's the instigator of the educational display at the Cambria County Fair. She is truly a great credit to the Grange and the community and she uses her talents well for the benefit of others in the area."

The Anstadt Family from Lycoming County was named as the "Grange Family of the Year." All 13 members of the Anstadt family belong to Allegheny Grange #1843 in Lycoming County. Elizabeth Anstadt has been their Secretary for 25 years. Paul Burkhart, President of Allegheny Grange stated, "The Anstadts can trace their family history back to the founding fathers of Allegheny Grange; the land on which the Grange stands was donated by the Anstadt family." PA State Grange President Betsy Huber said, "All of the family members have been active in many community organizations and church activities, to include the local senior center, Meals on Wheels, 4-H, County Health Improvement Coalition, County Extension Board, and the Grange, at all levels including State and National." "They all assist their Grange with their annual ATV Educational Expo as well as their annual Festival/Health Fair," Huber said. Elizabeth Anstadt stated, "I would hope that through our examples of service in the Grange community, we can set an example of community service toward other people and organizations." The family includes Elizabeth, George, Jeanne, Lewis and Marilyn Anstadt; Elizabeth, Bernie, Susan, Keith, Cameron and Ashley Downey; and Heather and Ernie Orton.

Press Release - PA State Grange Concludes 137th Annual Session

PA STATE GRANGE

Press Release

Date: October 21, 2010

Contact: Carl Meiss

Public relations Director

publicrelations@pagrange.org

Release: Immediate

RE: PA State Grange Concludes 137th Annual Session

JOHNSTOWN. PA - The PA State Grange concluded its 137th Annual Session on Monday, October 19, 2009. The Conference was held at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center in Johnstown, PA. and was hosted by Community Granges from Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Indiana and Somerset Counties.

A total of 212 delegates were registered, representing 77 Community and 40 Pomona Granges from around the Commonwealth. The delegates dealt with 60 resolutions to set the organizational and legislative policy of the PA State Grange for the coming year. Resolutions were introduced which dealt with agricultural, environmental, family, governmental and organizational issues.

Session was officially opened Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. by PA State Grange President Betsy Huber. Special guests included Joe and Tammy Fryman from Nebraska. Joe, the National Grange Treasurer, along with his wife Tammy, were the National Grange Representatives. Pennsylvania Acting Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding spoke to the delegates telling them, "We need you," in the afternoon. Session was closed for the day by the PA State Grange Youth. The "All Granger Banquet" was held Saturday evening and saw the announcement of the "Granger of the Year," Margaret Storm from Cambria County and the "Grange Family of the Year," the Anstadt Family from Lycoming County. The evening closed with a PA State Grange Youth Party.

No Session "business" was conducted Sunday but that didn't mean a day of rest. PA State Grange Chaplain Judy Pressler led a church and memorial service held at the Johnstown First United Methodist Church. After church, the PA Junior Grange held their meeting and degree work in the morning while Community and Pomona Grange Masters (Presidents) participated in a workshop on "Conducting Efficient and Fun Meetings." The PA State Grange Youth held their annual luncheon and honored PA State Grange Public Relations/Membership Director Carl Meiss, with their "Friend of the Youth" award.

The afternoon saw the Sign-A-Song, Public Speaking and Talent contests held for members of all ages. This year's winners of "Best in Show" were Ashley Mohn from Berks County for Junior Talent and Jenny Taylor from Butler County in the Adult Talent contest. The PA State Grange conferrfal of the 6th Degree (State Level) was held Sunday evening with 28 members receiving the 6th Degree. The Degree conferral was held in the conference center and was immediately followed by a reception.

The Family Activity Committee hosted their annual Breakfast first thing Monday morning and presented awards for Pomona Chairperson of the Year to Virginia Mangel of Butler County and Community Chairperson of the Year to Caroline Reilly of Blair County. Session opened at 8:30 a.m. and delegates immediately got down to work on the remaining resolutions. Election of one member to the Executive Committee was held and Barbara Gross from Venango County was re-elected and installed. Session was officially closed at 4:00 p.m. with an invitation to the 138th Annual PA State Grange Session to be held in Sharon, PA, Mercer County.

Following the close of Session, PA State Grange President Betsy Huber and Chaplain Judy Pressler took the PA State Grange floral Memorial Cross across Napolean Avenue and placed it at the Cambrian County Veteran's Memorial. [Photo attached]

---END---

20 Erford Road

Suite 216

Lemoyne, PA 17043

800-552-3865

www.pagrange.org

Day 3 137th Annual PA State Grange Session

Day 3, the final day of this year's 137th Annual PA State Grange Session, held in Johnston, PA saw the completion of the remaining resolutions (60+ total).

After two votes, Barbara Gross from Venango County was re-elected to the PA State Grange Executive Committee and installed by Susan Tau of Crawford County.

The Host Committee of "Grange in the Valley" was thanked and the new Host Committee for the 138th Session in 2010 invited everyone to Sharon, PA in Mercer County.

Following the completion of the Session, PA State Grange President Betsy Huber and Chaplain Judy Pressler took the Memorial floral Cross across the street and placed it under the Veterans' Memorial in Johnstown.

Day 2 - 137th Annual PA Statge Grange Session

PA State Grange P.R. Director Carl Meiss was awarded the "Friend of the Youth" award at the Youth luncheon.

Ashley Mohn won "Best of Show" in the Junior Grange Talent Contest.

Jenny Taylor won "Best of Show" in the PA State Grange Talent Contest.

137th Annual PA State Grange Session

PRESS RELEASE

PA STATE GRANGE

Date: October 7, 2009

Contact: Carl Meiss

Public Relations Director

Release: Immediate

RE: Johnstown to Host 137th Annual PA State Grange Session

Johnstown, PA - The 137th Annual PA State Grange Session will be held October 17-19, 2009 at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center, 301 Napoleon Street, Johnstown, PA.

The Host Counties include Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Clearfield, Indiana and Somerset. Community Grange members from the six counties have been working nearly a year to plan for this year's convention dubbed "Grange in the Valley."

PA State Grange Master/President Betsy Huber of Chester County will conduct the Official Opening of the 137th Annual Session, which will take place in Ballrooms A & B of the Pasquerilla Center at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning, October 17. This year's representatives from the National Grange will be Joe (photo above) and Tammy Fryman from Nebraska. Joe is the National Grange Treasurer as well as the Nebraska Grange Master/President. Tammy is the immediate past National Grange Flora.

All 270 Community Granges in the Commonwealth in good standing as of the third quarter are eligible to send at least two delegates to the Annual Session. (The number of delegates is dependent on the total number of members in a local Grange). Delegates set the legislative policies of the State Grange for the following year by voting on "Resolutions" previously submitted by local Community Grange members to the State Grange office. This year there were 59 resolutions submitted by the September 14, 2009 deadline. The resolutions are categorized as follows: Agriculture & Environmental; Family Issues; Government Issues, and; Good of the Order.

Saturday's Session will be officially closed at 4:15 p.m. by the PA State Grange Youth Officer Team. The annual All Granger Banquet will be held from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the conference center and will be emceed this year by Chester Tau of Crawford County, PA State Grange Overseer/Vice-President. The PA State Grange Youth and Juniors will hold their own parties in the evening at the Holiday Inn, the host hotel.

After the church service Sunday morning, the PA State Juniors will hold their annual meeting and degree, followed by a Master's Workshop prior to lunch. The PA State Grange Youth luncheon will be held in the hotel at 11:00 a.m. At 1:00 p.m. the Public Speaking, Sign-A-Song and Talent competitions will be held in the conference center ballrooms. Sunday evening will see the Sixth Degree Conferral of the PA State Grange held at 6:30 followed by a 9:00 reception.

Monday will wrap up the official business of the Grange after a 7:00 a.m. Family Activities breakfast. Session will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude with the installation of a newly elected Executive Committee Officer, Recognition of the 137th Host Committee and an invitation to the 138th Annual Session in Sharon, PA.

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural life through community service, education, legislation and fellowship. The Grange is the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy organization in the country, founded nationally in 1867 and in Pennsylvania in 1873. The Grange includes the entire family through its Junior, Youth and Community Granges.

PA Youth Represented at 2009 National Grange Convention

Two PA State Grange Youth have been selected as 2009 National Grange Youth Officers for the upcoming National Grange Convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan in November.

Jennifer Nauss, 20, from Valley Grange #1360 in York County and Penn State Grange #2105 in Centre County was chosen as Musician and Andrew Kieffer, 24, from Marion Grange #1853, Berks County, was selected to be the Steward. Andrew served as Assistant Steward while Jennifer served as the Musician on the 2008 National Grange Youth Officer Team at the National Convention in Connecticut.

The selection of the 2009 National Grange Youth Officer Team was completed September 28, 2009 by a panel of judges from across the country selected by the National Grange Youth Director Charlene Shupp-Espenshade.

Dongeal Grange #1927, Westmoreland County

State Grange Master Betsy Huber and Membership Director Carl Meiss will be heading to Donegal Grange #1927, September 22, 2009 for a re-organizational meeting @ 7:00 p.m. at the Grange hall, 333 Church St., Donegal. Anyone interested is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

Grange Growth Summit

PA Grangers will be attending the Grange Growth Summit presented by National Grange in Wytheville, Virginia Friday through Sunday, September 11-13, 2009. Betsy Huber, Carl Meiss, Marty Dinsmore, Lorena Baughman and Charlene Espenshade will be spending the weekend in Virginia learning about Opening New Granges and Re-organizing Granges.

Donegal Grange #1927, Westmoreland County

Betsy & Carl spent Tuesday evening and most of the day Wednesday in Donegal, Westmoreland County working to re-organize the Donegal Grange #1927. 7 members attended the meeting at the Grange hall Tuesday evening and agreed to work to recruit more people to attend the upcoming September 22, 2009 meeting @ 7:00 p.m. at the Grange hall, 333 Church St., Donegal to officially re-organize.

Wednesday morning Betsy & Carl went to the Westmoreland County courthouse in Greensburg to get the Donegal Grange hall property off the Sheriff Sale list.

Most of the day Wednesday was spent stopping by local businesses and speaking to owners, community leaders and concerned Donegal area residents notifying them of the re-organization meeting. Carl will follow up with ads in local print newspapers including the Chamber of Commerce newsletter in an attempt to notify more people about the Grange in the Borough of Donegal and Donegal Township.

The re-organization meeting on Tuesday evening, September 22, 2009 is open to anyone interested. Any Grange members are invited to attend to assist Donegal in any way possible. Snacks and light refreshments will be served after the 7:00 p.m. meeting.

The Advocate for Rural Pennsylvania

In a continuing effort to cut costs at the PA State Grange Office, the Executive Committee has decided to reduce the number of issues of "The Advocate" from 10 to 6, with bi-monthly issues beginning with the September/October, 2009 issue.

PA Grangers can help cut costs further by notifying the State Office that you consent to receiving email notices when "The Advocate" goes on-line in lieu of receiving a paper copy in the mail. You can then read it with Adobe Reader on the PA State Grange WEB site at http://www.pagrange.org. Simply send your email address to advocate@pagrange.org with "Email Advocate" in the subject line.

Ag Progress Days

Stop by at the PA State Grange booth at Ag Progress Days Tuesday, August 18 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), Wednesday, August 19 (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), and Thursday, August 20, (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) in Rock Springs, PA (outside State College). We will be in the Ag Choice Building on Main Street at W. 6th Street. Mention that you read about it on our Blog and receive a FREE gift! Hope to see you there!

Carl Meiss
PA State Grange
Public Relations Director

PA State Grange Office Is Open

The PA State Grange Office has completed the move from Suite 310 to Suite 216. Phones are operating and computers are on line.

PA State Grange
20 Erford Road
Suite 216
Lemoyne, PA 17043
1-800-552-3865
717-737-8855
fax: 717-737-8858

Upcoming PA State Grange Events

Upcoming PA State Grange events:

Sept 14: Resolution Deadline

Sept 30: Pre-Session Conference, Radisson, Camp Hill

Oct 17-19: 137th Annual PA State Grange Session, Johnstown, PA

PA Grange Family Picnic @Delgrosso Park

More than 35 Grangers converged on DelGrosso Park (formerly Bland's Park) in Blair County on July 26th for a family picnic. As usual, Grangers brought more than enough food to share and if anyone went away hungry it was their own fault. Everyone had an opportunity to meet new Grange friends and talk to old ones all afternoon or to tour the park and take in some of the rides. A typical Grange Good Time!

PA Grange Young Marrieds Name Young Couple of the Year

Press Release

PA STATE GRANGE

Date: July 22, 2009

Contact: Carl Meiss

Public Relations Dir.

publicrelations@pagrange.org

Release: Immediate

RE: PA State Grange Young Couple of the Year Named

Centre Hall--Julie and Dustin Kunkle from Berks County have been named the 2009-2010 PA State Grange Young Couple of the Year.

The Young Marrieds/Young Couples of the PA State Grange held their annual weekend in conjunction with this year's 6th Annual PA State Grange Family Festival held at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds JUly 16-19.

Dustin and Julie Kunkle take over from Christie and Joel Straub from Mercer County who have served as the Young Couple for the past two years.

The Kunkles are from Tilden Township where they live with their 18 month-old son Connor Lee. They have been married for 10 years and both are Lifetime Grange members from Shartlesville Grange #1512. Julie has been a Granger for 13 years and Dustin since he was 6 years old. Dustin works at Kantner's Tire Service in Shoemakersville and Juile is a stay-at-home mom and student. Julie enjoys reading and needle point and Dustin is a true Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins and Pirates fan who enjoys part-time farming with his parents and sister as well as Grange activities. Dustin is a past Master (Pres.), past Assistant Steward and presently serves as Overseer (V.P.) of Shartlesville Grange #1512 as well as PA State Grange Deputy for Berks County, while Julie is a past Lady Assistant Steward at Shartlesville Grange #1512. Both are graduates of Hamburg Area High School.

Couples competing for the honor of "Young Couple" must have been Grange members for a minimum of two years and neither partner may have reached their 35th birthday. Contestants are judged on an interview, ambassadorship qualities and a written test of Grange knowledge. The selected Young Couple helps to promote and generate enthusiasm for the PA State Grange Youth Department programs and contests. The Young Couple will also serve on the State Grange Youth Committee for one year during their reign.

PA Junior Grange Royalty Named

PA State Grange

Press Release

Date: July 6, 2009

Contact: Carl Meiss

Public Relations Director

publicrelations@pagrange.org

Release: Immediate

RE: PA State Junior Grange Names Royalty

HOWARD, PA - The highlight of the annual PA State Junior Grange Camp is its Friday evening coronation of the new Junior Grange Princess and Prince.

For 2009-2010, the PA State Junior Grange Princess is Jennifer Reed and the Prince is Zech Houser.

Jennifer is the daughter of Jeff and Karen Reed and hails from Susquehanna County where she goes to Montrose Area Junior/Senior High School. Her school activities include soccer and concert band. She is a member of the PA State Junior Grange #1 and helps with activities at the Fairdale Grange #1157 outside of Montrose.

Zech's parents are Ronald and Janet Houser of Centre County. He attends Bellefonte Area High School where he is involved in the CPI program (which is anything to do with computers), as well as band and marching band. Zech belongs to Logan Junior Grange #182 in Pleasant Gap and has held numerous offices within the Junior Grange.

Runners-up this year were Lindsay Schroeder from Virginville Junior Grange #436 in Berks County and Daniel Pratt from PA State Junior Grange #1, who hails from Venango County.

The PA State Junior Grange Royalty is chosen every year at Junior Grange Camp, held again this year at Camp Sylvan Hills Christian Camp in Howard, PA, June 28 - July 4. All 13 and 14 year-old campers (as of January 1, 2009) are eligible to compete for the titles. The finalists are selected from the results of a "Grange Knowledge" test given at camp. The contestants are then evaluated on an individual interview before the judges, an impromptu question asked and answered in front of all the campers and staff and the judges' impressions of the campers.

The Junior Grange Princess and Prince's responsibilities are to promote the Grange and especially the Junior Grange around the Commonwealth. They will be required to attend Ag Progress Days in State College in August, 2009, the 2009 PA State Grange Session to be held in October in Johnstown, the 2010 PA State Farm Show in Harrisburg, the PA State Grange Planning Meeting in Spring, 2010, and next year's PA State Junior Grange Camp, as well as other functions, fairs and events throughout the Commonwealth.

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of the American quality of life through community service, education, legislation and fellowship. The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-23), Young Adults (ages 23-35) and Regular Community (local) members (age 14 and up). The Grange represents approximately 13,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth. It is the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy organization of its kind in the United States. The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 150,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.

Junior Grange Camp to Spikes Game

PA Junior Grange Camp kicked off at Camp Sylvan Hills, Centre County, on Sunday June 28, 2009.

On Tuesday afternoon, the campers were bussed to Penn State where they took a tour of the State College Spikes' Medlar Field ballpark. The Spikes are a Single A farm club of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They were led by Junior Grange Director Karen Mohn and her staff and they were met at the park by State Grange Master/President Betsy Huber and Public Relations Director Carl Meiss.

After the tour, campers hiked to Berkey Creamery on the campus of Penn State University where they were treated to ice cream cones.

They then hiked back to Medlar Field and cheered on the State College Spikes who lost to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 4 to 6. Junior Princess Ashley Mohn and Prince Bobby Wike had the honor of throwing out the first pitch and each received an autographed baseball afterwards.

PA State Grange Awards More than $12,000

PRESS RELEASE

PA STATE GRANGE

Date: June 22, 2009

Release: Immediate

Contact: Carl Meiss

Public Relations Dir.

publicrelations@pagrange.org

RE: PA State Grange Awards More than $12,000 in Scholarships and Loans

Lemoyne, PA-The PA State Grange has awarded scholarships and loans to twelve Grange members to assist them in their future academic endeavors.

Receiving the PA State Grange Foundation Scholarship of $1000. and a $500 Santee Student Loan was Constance Anderson of Saltsburg, Westmoreland County. Constance graduated from Kiski Area High School in 2007 and is a sophomore at Penn State University where she majors in Animal Science with a minor in Equine Science. She is the daughter of Robert and Barbara Anderson and is a member of Bell Twp. Grange #1756 in Westmoreland County.

Rebecca Roan is a senior at Penn State University majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. She received the PA State Grange Foundation Scholarship of $500 and a Santee Student Loan of $1000. She is the daughter of John and Linda Roan of PA Furnace and is a member of Baileyville Grange #1991 in Centre County.

Jennifer Nauss, a junior at Penn State University majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Special Education and Human Development and Family Studies, received $1529 from the Grange Scholarship Endowment at the Pennsylvania State University and $500 from the Santee Student Loan. Jennifer is the daughter of Bradand Ann May Nauss of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County. She is a member of the Valley Grange #1360 in York County and the Penn State Grange #2105 in Centre County.

Receiving $500 from the PA State Grange Foundation Scholarship and $500 from the Santee Student Loan Fund is Brandy Oakley from Nicholson, PA. Brandy is the daughter ofWayne and Debbie Oakley and will be a senior at Keystone College where she majors in Organizational Leadership. Brandy is a member of Lawsville Grange #1455 in Susquehanna County.

Awarded $400 from the Leonard Rhone Scholarship Fund and $1000 from the Santee Student Loan Fund is Ashley Casner of Petersburg. Ashley recently graduated from Juniata Valley High School and is entering Penn State, Harrisburg Campus where she plans to major in Elementary Education with a minor in Childhood Development. She is the daughter of Glen and Mary Casner and is a member of Baileyville Grange #1991 in Centre County.

Another Penn State freshmen, Brett K. Sattazahn of Womelsdorf, Berks County, received $400 from the Leonard Rhone Scholarship Fund. Brett is majoring in Environmental Soil Science and is the son of Kevin and Sherri Sattazahn. Brett is a graduate of Conrad Weiser High School and is a member of Marion Grange #1853.

Also receiving $1000 interest-free loans from the Santee Student Loan Fund are James Hawn, Allison Waltemyer and Heather Smith. Recently graduated from Juniata Valley High School, James Hawn will be attending Penn State Main Campus to work towards a certificate program in Turfgrass and Agricultural Equipment Repair. James is the son of Bill andLisa Hawn from Petersburg and he is a member of Baileyville Grange #1991 in Centre County. Allison Waltemyer is the daughter of Earl and Denise Waltemyer from Wyalusing. She just graduated from Northeast Bedford Junior/Senior High School and will attend Penn State Wilkesbarre in the fall where she plans to major in Animal Science. Allison is a member of Wysauking/Sheshequin Grange #58 in Bradford County. Heather Smith will be a senior at Mansfield University where she has dual majors in Respiratory Therapy and History. She is from Galeton, Potter County where she graduated from Galeton Area High School and lives with her mother Carol Jean Smith. Both are members of Carter Camp Grange #1563 in Potter County.

Other recipients of $500 from the Santee Student Loan Fund are Marshall Horne, Jennifer Rudy and Zachary Knight. From Greenville, Marshall V. Horne, son of Ivan and Carol Horne, graduated last year from Greenville Area High School and is attending the Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Academy of Culinary Arts aspiring to receive a certificate in Culinary Arts with a minor in Advance Baking and Pastry arts. Ivan and Carol Horne are members of Atlantic Grange #344 in Crawford County. Jennifer Rudy is a 2006 graduate of Halifax High School and has attended Harrisburg Area Community College where she majors in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. She hopes to go on to Penn State for her degree in teaching. She is the daughter of Fred and Linda Rudy from Halifax and is a member of Community Grange #2048 in Dauphin County. Hailing from Oxford, Lancaster County is Zachary T. Knight. Zachary's parents, Dave and Elaine Knight are members of Fulton Grange #66. He is a 2006 graduate of Solanco High School and is attending the New Jersey Institute of Technology where he majors in Architecture.

The PA State Grange Foundation Scholarship was established by delegate action in 1996. Eligible Grange members must seek higher education in any field at any institution of higher learning, entering their Junior or Senior year.

The Leonard Rhone Scholarship Fund was initiated in memory of Leonard Rhone, third Master (President) of the Pennsylvania State Grange. This scholarship is a $300 grant available to Grange members pursuing a four-year study in Agriculture or Human Development and Family Services at Penn State University.

The Santee Student Loan was established by the late Ellis M. Santee, a country doctor from Shickshinny and an active Grange member. This loan consists of a $500 per year, interest-free loan and is available to Grange members or their children.

The Grange Scholarship Endowment at the Pennsylvania State University was established to provide recognition to outstanding undergraduate students (Grange members) enrolled in at least their sophomore year at any College or campus of the Pennsylvania State University.

Yesterday I attended meetings of both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. The House Ag Committee approved 2 bills to amend the Clean and Green Law to make it easier for farmers to lease a portion of their land that is enrolled in C&G without paying huge amounts of roll-back taxes. This would include leasing for windmills, Marcellus shale natural gas, solar, and all other "Tier One" alternative energy sources.
The Senate Ag Committee approved a similar bill. Both committees also approved amendments allowing quarrying for blue stone on C&G parcels involving less than 5 acres without roll-back taxes.
The Senate committee also approved a bill amending Animal Cruelty provisions prohibiting dog owners from performing tail docking and ear cropping on their dogs, and granting authority to dog wardens to enforce certain provisions of the animal cruelty statute in counties without a court-appointed humane society police officer.
Following all this heavy stuff, I joined in the June is Dairy Month celebration on the Capitol steps with a giant ice cream sundae!
Betsy Huber, State Master

PA Grange Member Testifies Before PMMB

PRESS RELEASE

PA STATE GRANGE

Date: June 3, 2009

Release: Immediate

Contact: Carl Meiss

publicrelations@pagrange.org

RE: PA Grange Member Testifies Before Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board

Harrisburg, PA - In an effort to preserve the "opportunity for an eighth generation to work our farm, if they choose to do so," Matt Espenshade, a seventh generation dairy farmer from Lancaster County, presented testimony today on behalf of the PA State Grange, requesting that the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board "extend the $2.15 over-order premium payment."

Matt works with his father, on their Lancaster County dairy farm which has been in the family since 1867. They milk 80 cows, with a 21,000-pound rolling herd average, and raise their own heifers. They have no hired help to assist in the daily operations of the farm.

Espenshade told the PMMB, "During the past 142 years, our farm has weathered many storms...the Great Depression, a failed attempt at 'going organic,' threats of eminent domain seizure for development. However...at no time have we been as close to a breaking point as we are now." He continued, "In many ways, my farm's current situation is representative of many farms in Lancaster County, and across Pennsylvania."

He explained that, "We estimate our overall costs to be approximately $17.00 per hundredweight," and continued, "In March, we were paid $11.27 per hundredweight of milk. This includes 79 cents worth of premiums and bonuses that we have earned by our efforts to produce a quality product." "Our feed costs per hundredweight stood at $7.93, leaving just $3.34 to pay for every other expense on the farm, a mere 32 cents for every gallon of milk sold."

Matt, who is the President of the Elizabethtown Area Grange #2076, said, "I have many non-farm friends, and we speak often about our jobs and the challenges we face. Many cannot understand how [dairy farmers] can operate for such a small portion of the price of milk on the shelf. I am reminded of these numbers each week when I go to the store and pay more than three dollars for a gallon of milk, my milk, for which I was paid 88 cents."

He told the PMMB that in 2008, his farm paid over $131,000 to purchase feed, compared to $80,000 just five years ago. This is an average increase of $10,000 a year for approximately the same number of cows. The Espenshades have not been able to afford to use fertilizers on their fields for three years thus reducing their forage output.

Matt's wife must work off the farm to supplement the family income and provide for health insurance for the couple and their two young boys. But this then necessitates paying for day care for their children which takes another $11,000 a year chunk from their income.

Mr. Espenshade told the PMMB, "Every successful dairyman will tell you that routine hoof trimming is an essential part of maintaining a healthy herd. Every aspect of milk production is reliant on the mobility of our cows." He went on to say, "We have not been able to afford a hoof trimmer to tend to our cows in almost a year. Now, we are seeing more injuries, laminitis, and other associated problems than ever before." He stressed, "Cows are leaving the herd before their time, and all the money we have invested in raising and maintaining these animals is being lost."

In an effort to become better dairy farmers in the 21st century, both Matt and his wife, who grew up on a Wyoming County dairy farm, received ag-related college degrees, Matt at Penn State and Charlene at VA. Tech. Matt said, "My alma mater has the distinction, besides being a top agricultural institution, of having the highest in-state college tuition. How do you encourage a college graduate, with more than $20,000 of college debt, to return to a farm that would struggle to pay a fair wage? My wife, ten years after graduating, is still paying off college tuition, and that's with off-farm jobs."

Matt stated, "The money you choose to invest in the over-order premium is not just supporting the local farmer, but the businesses they depend on as well. To be honest, the premium you approve today will not spend much time in the pockets of the average farmer."

In asking the PMMB to at least maintain, if not increase, the $2.15 over-order premium for milk sold in Pennsylvania, Espenshade said, "As a seventh generation dairy farmer, in the end, I want only one thing in life: that there be an opportunity for an eighth generation to work our farm, if they choose to do so. The decision you make today will have a direct impact on my family, and other farm families across the state. Thank you for your assistance to dairy farmers in the past and your consideration of the matter before you today."

PA Grangers Attend National Grange Legislative Fly-In

29 Grangers from Pennsylvania attended the 2009 National Grange Legislative Fly-In on Monday, May 18, 2009. They left the Farm Show complex at 8:00 a.m. and arrived for a tour of the National Cathedral at 10:30. They then traveled to the Cannon Building at the Capitol for lunch before heading to the National Grange Headquarters at 1616 H St, NW to listen to speakers on "Health Care Reform" and "Farmer Mac." After a tour of the Headquarters Building, they stopped at the MOuntaingate Restaurant in Thurmont, MD for dinner before getting back to the Farm Show Complex around 8:30 p.m.

Arsonist hits Big Knob Grange hall

Arsonist hits Big Knob Grange hall

Big Knob Grange #2008, Beaver County, was the victim of a suspected arsonist over the weekend. Their hall in New Sewickley Township was saved by an observant passer-by who called 911 and quick responding and hard working firefighters. Fires were set within the building in at least four locations and were discovered by fire fighters. A joint investigation with the State Fire Marshall, New Sewickley Police Department and the Big Knob Fire Department is under way.

Big Knob President Bill Steel said the Grange will have to cancel or find new locations for parties and family reunions that had been scheduled for this summer but, "We've already heard from churches in the area that are offering their fellowship halls in its place."

Virginville Grange #1832 Open House

Last night Virginville Grange #1832 in Berks County held their annual Open House. They had about 225 people attend! There were about 35 non-members in attendance! What an outstanding and FUN Grange show!

PA State Grange Executive Committee Supports Project to Display Quilts

At its regular meeting on April 29, the PA State Grange Executive Committee agreed to support a project urging the State Museum of Pennsylvania to publicly display the collection of 200 antique quilts which they have in their collection.

This project was started by Phyllis Shipman of Fayetteville and Peggy Armstrong of Chambersburg who approached the Grange about supporting the project in a meeting with the PA State Grange President Betsy Huber on April 7, 2009.

These ladies have been able to get a House Resolutions declaring March 21, 2009 as "Quilting Day in Pennsylvania " as well as House Resolution #137 to "Honor our rich heritage of quilt making in Pennsylvania reflecting with great pride on the contributions that quilt makers have made in their local communities."

Executive Committee Approves PHMC Funding Resolution

At their regular meeting yesterday, Wednesday, April 29, 2009, the PA State Grange Executive Committee approved to support a resolution from Russellville Grange #91 in Chester County:

RESOLVED that Russellville Grange [PA State Grange] supports the funding for the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC) Museum Assistance Line Item and the Pennsylvania History and Museum Grange Program and recognizes the significance of this funding and program to preserving, protecting, and publicizing the important cultural assets and historical resources of Pennsylvania and its communities; and be it further

RESOLVED that Russellville Grange [PA State Grange] urges the Pennsylvania General Assembly to provide funding of at least $1 million for the Museum Assistance Line Item in the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 Budget and in the Fiscal Year 2010-2011 Budget.

PA State Grange has a blog

OK folks. The PA State Grange now has its own blog page. What do we do with it to get more information out to people?