Volume 3 | Issue 8
April 24, 2026
A publication of the National Grange
In This Issue
Make Grange Month Count all year Long
by Philip J Vonada
National Grange Communications Director
Grange Month gives us something we don’t always have the rest of the year – a chance to brag in the spotlight. Communities are more willing to engage, local officials are more responsive, and members are energized to share what the Grange is doing. That kind of visibility is valuable, but it only matters if we use it to build something that lasts beyond April. Too often, Grange Month becomes a collection of well-intentioned events that come and go without much followthrough. An open house might draw a good crowd; a service project might get strong participation; a proclamation might get posted and shared. But if those moments in local Granges aren’t connected to a greater effort, the impact fades quickly. The real opportunity is to treat Grange Month as a starting point, not a high point. Build strong relationships: Every person who walks through your doors during an event or program in April is a
potential future member, volunteer, or community partner. But that only happens if there’s a reason for them to come back. Inviting someone to a second event, asking them to help with a project, or simply checking in after they attend something for the first time can make the difference between a one-time visitor and someone who stays connected. Community Granges have always been strongest when they serve as gathering places, and that role depends on consistency as much as it does enthusiasm. Think more intentionally about impact: A successful Grange Month isn’t just about how many activities you host, but what changes because of them. A food drive can be a great event, but it becomes far more meaningful if it leads to an ongoing partnership with a local pantry. A community conversation can spark new ideas, but those ideas need a path forward. This is where the work many Granges are already doing through
Make Grange Month Count All Year Long . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Rural America Is Paying the Price for Medicare Loophole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Senior Social Hour: A Share Your Project’s Story Submission . . . . . . . . 3 View from the Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Volunteer Opportunity: Share Your Hands‑On Automotive Know‑How . 6 Worried about the use of pesticides? Participate in research! . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Spring Into Health: Vaccination Continues to Protect Against Severe Illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Grange Store Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 5 Tips for Gardening with Kids . . . . . . 8 Recipes from the Heartland . . . . . . . . . 9 Member Benefit: Life Line Screening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Grange Store: Veteran Recognition Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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