WHAT IS THE ORANGEVALE GRANGE, ANY WAY?
It’s been here forever – well since 1910. Its history has been woven into the fabric we call Orangevale ever since. And yet, whatever the Grange is about it seems to be one of the best kept secrets around. Many folks who have lived here for years have only a vague idea of what the Grange does or what it could mean to them and their families. Let’s change that! The members of the Orangevale Grange want you to know about this great organization and want to welcome you to be a part of the Orangevale Grange Family.
WHY WAS THE GRANGE STARTED?
The Grange is the nation’s oldest national agricultural organization, with grassroots in more than 30 States. The National Grange was founded in 1867 as a farm fraternity to meet the needs of farmers everywhere in a country torn apart by a civil war. Once the National Grange was established (in Minnesota) it caught on quickly and began influencing farming and everything related. One example of the Grange’s national influence was the passage of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. This act protected people by requiring fair railroad rates. The Grange began Rural Free Postal Delivery, Anti -Trust and monopoly laws were lead by the Grange and a Grange member was the first Secretary of Agriculture. Did you know that women in the Grange have always had an equal voting right as men even before the i? Amendment granted women the right to vote? The Grange has evolved to include non-farm families and communities.
DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT THE ORANGEVALE GRANGE?
The first library in Orangevale was in the home of a Grange Member who served as the town librarian for 45 years. The Grange was instrumental in bringing electricity and telephone service to Orangevale. Both the Folsom and Shasta Dam Projects and the Central Valley Water Project were heavily influenced by our Orangevale Grange. The Grange was the first to donate money toward the purchase of land on Hazel Avenue that would become the Youth Center, which is still being used today. The Grange donated money towards the beautification projects of Casa Robles High School and Louis Pasteur Middle School. Oh let’s not overlook the return of the Farmers Market which was cosponsored by the Grange and one of the best known businesses of Orangevale, The Dairy Queen.
OK. ENOUGH HISTORY WHAT DOES THE GRANGE DO TODAY?
While our roots are still in agriculture, the Orangevale Grange has branched out to serve in other ways. If you hke to cook, the Grange is for you. We serve breakfast every 2 Sunday of the month; we support the Fair Oaks Fiesta Days and Chicken Fest events by cooking breakfast there too and the Orangevale 4H Kids do all the table set up and serving. We support and participate in the Orangevale Pow Wow Days celebration and parade. One of our favorite projects is called “Words for Thirds”. Since 2005 we have provided more than 10,000 dictionaries to third graders in elementary schools in and around Orangevale. Speaking of schools, annually we provide backpacks loaded with school supplies to our local elementary and middle schools in Orangevale. A big event for us is our annual free fireworks display every July 3 rdheld out in our beautiful meadow behind the Grange hall for the families of Orangevale. Being able to sit in a Fire Truck is a huge treat for kids of all ages. Also each year the Grange supports the Orangevale Holiday Tree Lighting by donating and serving more than 500 hotdogs.
WHAT DO I GAIN BY JOINING THE ORANGEVALE GRANGE?
You will have an opportunity to join with others to improve our community. If being involved is your thing, the Grange participates in many events and causes such as Relay for Life, the Orangevale Food Bank, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, we support the local SPCA by collecting used blankets and other related animal items, local girls softball and 4H, Boy and Girls Scouts programs. The Grange provides leadership training and life skills training for youth. Full Grange Membership with voting right and ability to hold office begins at age 14. Another benefit of being a Grange member is the opportunity to showcase your “Green Thumb”. There is a large area on our property that is perfect for a family garden and we are exploring planting a small orchard as well. So if you have an interest in gardening, the Grange is for you.
WE’RE SAYING ALL OF THE ABOVE TO SAY THIS:
We want you to know how welcome you are to be part of all this history and contribute to the future. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 pm at the Grange hall located at 5807 Walnut Avenue, Orangevale. The Orangevale Grange is here for all of you in Orangevale and from our surrounding neighborhoods. We welcome you to come and join us at our monthly meeting and get involved in different projects that give back to our communities. We’d love to hear your ideas on new ways we can contribute to making Orangevale an even better place to live. Check out our website at www.orangevalegrange.org.
