KEVIN YOUNG, DIRECTOR
60822 Creek Road
Niles, MI 49120
269-684-3870
kevin60822@sbcglobal.net
MARCH/APRIL 2025 GRANGE NEWS
Yes, snow is a part of everyday life during winter in our community. And don’t we often wish we didn’t have to live with it, but we couldn’t live without it.
Things have really changed in Washington D.C. since my last article and not for the good I am afraid. Some things might end up okay but there will be main programs I am afraid will be cut completely or a large portion of the funding cut. This is not good for our Agriculture sector in the United States especially here in Michigan. I agree there is much overspending in our Nation but the way things are being done is going to grind our Nation to a standstill. We voted for people to represent us in our State Capitol and our Nation’s Capitol. They are not representing the masses, but only the 1%. We as Grange Members need to band together like our forefathers did when the Grange was first formed. We need to stand for what is right and help those that aren’t being heard. Now is the time to rally our friends to join us as we know from our past that our Grange voice can make a change!
Spring is just around the corner!! It is February 22nd as I sit and write to you. Winter finally showed up in February here in my part of Michigan. We had bitter cold and finally some decent snow falls. Now we are looking to finish February with temps in the 40s and rain. At least we received moisture to help replenish the ground prior to growing season.
I hope everyone that plants a garden, no matter the size, took the time to plan their garden plantings for this growing season. It won’t be long, and we will be out working up the soil in preparation to plant and reap the harvest through the growing year.
Yes, snow is a part of everyday life during winter in our community. And don’t we often wish we didn’t have to live with it, but we couldn’t live without it.
I hope you also took time to look over all of the class offerings not only in the Agriculture Department but all of the contests for every Department in the new Program Book that was in the last issue of the MGN. There are lots of activities for young and old in the Program Book.
Things have really changed in Washington D.C. since my last article and not for the good I am afraid. Some things might end up okay but there will be main programs I am afraid will be cut completely or a large portion of the funding cut. This is not good for our Agriculture sector in the United States especially here in Michigan. I agree there is much overspending in our Nation but the way things are being done is going to grind our Nation to a standstill. We voted for people to represent us in our State Capitol and our Nation’s Capitol. They are not representing the masses, but only the 1%. We as Grange Members need to band together like our forefathers did when the Grange was first formed. We need to stand for what is right and help those that aren’t being heard. Now is the time to rally our friends to join us as we know from our past that our Grange voice can make a change!
If you are able to buy local, please support your neighbors or the small businesses in your communities over shopping at the Big Box stores. The small businesses and your neighbors will be the first ones to be hurt by the lack of funding or cut programs.
I will get off of my soap box and close my article. Please remember that Spring is a time for new beginnings and growth. I hope you all are able to Grow your Grange!
Here is hoping 2025 is another great Grange year for all and brings bounty to our Agriculture Neighbors and Friends!
Until later….
AGRICULTURE
MAY/JUNE 2025 GRANGE NEWS
We are getting things done slowly this year around the little farm due to the crazy weather and busy schedules. I have yet to get the chicken coop cleaned but that is because when I have the time it is either not nice weather or I am too tired and need to just rest! This year we will only have a feeder pig to put in the freezers. I also have a mess in the yard to clean up from the storm back on March 30th. I had a few trees come down and just finally have the extra time to start cutting them up.
It is that time of year for babies of all kind to be born. I have seen some of our outside momma cats getting a little thicker. We will definitely be having some litters within the next month I am sure.
Please be mindful that this is the time of year that the country roads and some State Highways will have slow moving farm vehicles on them. If it wasn’t for those farmers and their employees, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to go to farmers’ markets or the grocery stores to get the food needed to feed our families. Please give those big vehicles and tractors as much room as you can without causing problems for yourself or others.
Well, that is all for now. Please remember whenever possible to buy Local or Locally Grown / Made products! Local asparagus is being harvested in my area of the State. It is hard to believe it is time for that already. I noticed tonight while out picking up sticks in the back yard on the 22nd of April that our rhubarb is at least 1 foot in height already.
Remember, when possible, to buy local or direct from the farm as many farmers either have started their own on Farm store or they sell their goods to other local farmers that have a farm store.
Until later…
Wow is it Spring, or Summer!!?? April sure has been up and down with the temperatures. We have had tornado's, ice storms, flooding, frost… what next!?
How many of you have planted anything in your gardens yet? Things that could have been planted by now would be seed potatoes, onion sets, cold crops (cabbages, etc) and I even think carrots but not sure so please check before you plant them! When planning your garden spots, keep in mind the Ag Classes that you can enter at this year’s Annual State Grange Session. Each class is open to Junior members on up to Subordinate members. There are plenty of different classes for all ages and you do not have to live in the Country to do them. I can’t wait to see what Unique containers with plantings come to State Session. Please check the Program Booklet for more details.
We are getting things done slowly this year around the little farm due to the crazy weather and busy schedules. I have yet to get the chicken coop cleaned but that is because when I have the time it is either not nice weather or I am too tired and need to just rest! This year we will only have a feeder pig to put in the freezers. I also have a mess in the yard to clean up from the storm back on March 30th. I had a few trees come down and just finally have the extra time to start cutting them up.
It is that time of year for babies of all kind to be born. I have seen some of our outside momma cats getting a little thicker. We will definitely be having some litters within the next month I am sure.
Please be mindful that this is the time of year that the country roads and some State Highways will have slow moving farm vehicles on them. If it wasn’t for those farmers and their employees, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to go to farmers’ markets or the grocery stores to get the food needed to feed our families. Please give those big vehicles and tractors as much room as you can without causing problems for yourself or others.
Well, that is all for now. Please remember whenever possible to buy Local or Locally Grown / Made products! Local asparagus is being harvested in my area of the State. It is hard to believe it is time for that already. I noticed tonight while out picking up sticks in the back yard on the 22nd of April that our rhubarb is at least 1 foot in height already.
Remember, when possible, to buy local or direct from the farm as many farmers either have started their own on Farm store or they sell their goods to other local farmers that have a farm store.
Until later…
