Texting Ban Effective December 1

Adult drivers are still be able to talk on the phone, but texting could land the offender a $100 fine plus court costs. "When you're texting, you have your brain and your hand and your eyes all off the road at the same time," said Arthur Goodwin, a senior research associate with the UNC Highway Safety Research Center. "Texting is about one of the most dangerous things you can do while driving."

The Grange supported the texting while driving ban and are pleased to see that tomorrow, December 1, a ban on this practice will be in place in the state of North Carolina.

Closer to the Capitol

I have many goals as a Legislative Director, but one priority is to have a strong presence at the NC General Assembly. We have been able to do that very well in the past and I am determined to follow those footsteps. One way is to to move the Legislative Department to Raleigh. I will now live and work in Raleigh so that I will have greater access to our elected officials at the state capitol. I hope that this move will bring increased effectiveness to our legislative program and I can continue serving our members to the best of my ability.

National Convention

The annual session of the National Grange was held November 16-21 in Grand Rapids, MI. The Midwest region hosted this year's convention and it was such a great time! I assisted Leroy Watson, Legislative Director for the National Grange, with committee meetings and the business session. I enjoy seeing all of the resolutions that come from various states. It's interesting that there are common issues that affect all of us, regardless of location. I also love listening to the discussions that accompany the issues that come forward. The variety and mixture of expertise that is brought to the table when discussing issues makes policy development for the Grange so wonderful. When our policy is developed, we all stand together as a collective unit to advocate for these issues.

It wasn't all business in Michigan though.. there was plenty of time for fun and fellowship! From tours, luncheons, dinners and museums to workshops, the Idea Fair, the Evening of Excellence and Celebration Banquet... we all had such a great time being with our Grange friends! Although I've only been to 2 National Conventions, it's such a great feeling to be able to go to a place and feel so welcome! The opportunity to meet and interact with folks from across the country is an irreplaceable experience that everyone should have. Luckily, the 2010 National Convention will be held in Charlotte, NC next November and all of our North Carolina Grangers won't have far too travel to experience a wonderful National Convention!

Sustainable Local Food Policy Advisory Council

A new state law created the North Carolina Sustainable Local Food Advisory Council. One of the issues to be considered by the Council is an in-depth analysis of the potential impacts that the production of sustainable local food would have on economic development in North Carolina, both the direct impacts for the producers of sustainable local food and the actual and potential indirect impacts, such as encouraging restaurants that feature locally raised agricultural products and promoting food and wine tourism.

The Council is made up of 27 members and the Grange was given a position. Phil Hudson from Westbrook Grange was appointed by the Speaker of the House to represent the Grange. Phil is the owner and manager of John Hudson Farms, Inc. in Newton Grove.

Technology!

Technology has certainly made it much easier for us to stay in touch. By logging onto the internet, you're able to keep up with the Grange much easier than ever before! If you haven't checked out all of the ways to stay connected to us, I urge you to do it! Not quite sure about all of this new stuff? I'll explain!

Website
This one is pretty self explanatory! The website is our "home" on the
web. You are able to click through each section of our website to find out news
and information about our many programs and services.

Main Blog
This blog provides general information and happenings of our organization.
There are dates to remember and pictures to look at!

Membership Blog
Membership Director, Jessica Horton, updates her blog as she makes her way
around North Carolina. She documents her efforts in starting new Granges,
recruiting new members and revitalizing Granges. She also works closely
with Rusty Hunt, Membership Director for the National Grange, in his efforts to
grow the Grange across the nation!

Legislative Blog
If you're reading this... you probably already know what the legislative
blog is all about. I keep you updated on recent votes of interest and
issues concerning the Grange. I also document my networking and visits
across the state. This is a way for our members to stay updated on the
action they need to take on issues that effect Grange policy.

Facebook Group
This is NOT an official group of the NC State Grange. However, it's a way
to connect to other Grangers! You will need to be a member of Facebook to access
this site. What is Facebook? Simply put, it's a website that was
designed for college students so that they could connect with others on
campus. You are able to create a profile about yourself including a
picture, interests and hobbies, etc. Then, you can become "Facebook friends"
with others by sending a request. You're able to join various groups on
Facebook. These groups have their own profile and are dedicated to one issue,
interest, subject, organization, etc. There is a "wall" on everyone's profile as well as within the group. On this wall, you're able to leave comments and start discussions with others who are members of the group. A Facebook group dedicated to Grange is: "I LOVE NC STATE GRANGE!!!!!!!!"

You can easily tap into the National Grange too! Check them out!

Website
Again, this is pretty self explanatory. The website provides tons of
information and resources for Grange members. Take a look around the site to see
what all they have to offer.

Blog
I found the blog this morning.. and it's brand new! Keep updated with this
blog and I'm sure you'll be "in the know" about everything going on in DC, in
other states and on the national level.

Facebook Group
Again, there is a group dedicated to the National Grange. There are updates
and links to happenings around the National Grange (such as National Convention
registration and Youtube videos) There is even a National Grange Youth
Facebook group which can be found here. Remember, you have to sign up for Facebook to view and/or join these groups.

Youtube
The National Grange has produced several videos that they have posted
online. These videos range in nature - some promote programs and events like
National Convention while others are messages from the National President.
Youtube is a website that was designed to allow people to upload videos and
share them with others. The National Grange has their own Youtube Channel where
all of their videos are available for viewing.

Twitter
The most recent craze is Twitter. Through Twitter, you can update 160 character messages that post to one website. These messages are called tweets. Movie stars tweet about new projects they're working on, musicians tweet about their concerts and regular folks tweet about everyday events of their lives. When you post a tweet on your Twitter page, it is updated automatically and others can read about what you update instantly. The National Grange's Twitter page has been used to instantly update followers about when registration forms are due, deadlines extended, new programs and links to articles of interest. You don't have to be a member of Twitter to follow the National Grange.

Don't think your Grange can join the technology bandwagon and get connected online? Think again! Look at how these Granges stay connected online!

Schley Grange's website
Cape Fear Grange's blog
Southern Wake Grange's Facebook page

Think it's too expensive to do all of these things? Nope! While it does cost money to host a website, there are free sites. However, these sites don't offer very many options with what you can post or upload online. There has been an effort on the part of the National Grange to set up a website which will allow local Granges to host their own website. I'll keep you updated on that information as it becomes available! Starting a blog and joining Youtube or Twitter is completely free! How can you sign up? Click the following links to take you to the "Sign up" page for each website.

Blog
Facebook
Youtube
Twitter

NEED HELP DOING ANY OF THIS?? Call the State office! Allison or Jessica can help you get started!

STATE CONVENTION

This past weekend the NC State Grange held our annual State Convention in Fayetteville. It's one of those events that every Granger looks forward to and this year was no different! A large portion of our convention is spent discussing resolutions which, if approved, become legislative policy. We discuss these resolutions within 4 committees - Agriculture & Environment, Health Education & Welfare, Legislative & Taxation, Grange Law & Programs. Each of these committees spends time reading through resolutions and debating the issues. When the committees finish their work, their resolutions are brought to the session floor and delegates are able to discuss and vote on the resolutions. Two delegates represent each Grange. When the voting is finished - the NC State Grange has lots of new legislative policy! Our Grange members put in some serious hard work this weekend...

and now my hard work begins! I am now working on putting the 2010 Legislative Policy Book together.. which will be full of new policy. I send a copy of this book to each President & Legislative Director. However, if you would like a copy of the book please let me know and I will be happy to send you one. Aside from putting this book together, it is my job to take your concerns to Raleigh. I will do my best to work on your behalf when I visit members of the General Assembly. I hope that I can represent you in the best way possible.

Thanks for all of your hard work this weekend & I look forward to seeing you all soon!

California's Manmade Drought

In case some of you haven't seen or heard about this issue, the water has been turned off in the Central Valley of California because the Delta Smelt (a minnow) gets caught in the pump and environmentalists hope to help save the fish. However, this area of California is full of fertile farmland that has become a desert filled with dead crops. Many have lost their jobs - in one area the unemployment rate has reached 40%. Take about 5 minutes to watch this video which aired in May on "Hannity". The video was taken from Rep. Devin Nunes' Youtube page. In describing the issues in this video, he begins with this statement: "Let me be honest: When I get hungry, I walk into the kitchen, wash an apple, slice it and slap some peanut butter on it. Or sometimes I grab a can of almonds, pour a few in my hand and enjoy a little healthy snack. But, never do I think about where the foods are grown or how much work went into growing them." Many Americans think that food comes from the grocery store and are completely blind to what actually goes into growing a crop.