http://www.ThePortlandAlliance.org/greengrangeFRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015 - FREE SEED SAVING AND EXCHANGE PUBLIC EVENT – 11 AM – 4 PM
Seed Exchange with local growers and gardeners, Installation of Seed Cabinet for Grange Seed Club, seed cleaning demos, etc.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 24, 2015 ORGANIZING AGAINST GMOs IN SOUTHERN OREGON
7 pm - 8 pm "Risky Business: Hazards Associated with Current and the New GMO Products: You Won't Believe this" by Dr. Ray Seidler, retired Senior EPA Scientist
8 pm – 9 pm "How Southern Oregon organized to remain a GMO Free Seed Sanctuary" by Elise Higley, Director of Our Family Farms Coalition
Public event is sliding scale $5-$50. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds.
WHAT IS THE GRANGE?
The Order of Patrons of Husbandry, generally known as The Grange, formed as a radical populist movement that formed in opposition to monopolistic corporate capitalism, commercialized agriculture, and the rampant political corruption in the later half of the Nineteenth century. Grangers opposed both monopolistic corporations and their middlemen as detrimental concentrations of resources and the power it creates. This would result in a society that degraded the producer, violated the public good, and undermined the republic.
Over a century later, this situation not only persists, it thrives - fueled by dwindling supplies of non-renewable and toxic fossil fuels. The coming years will see increased energy costs, which will dramatically affect the cost of most of our commodities, as much of their price depends on how much it costs to ship. This “centralized” approached to our daily needs is flawed and is already failing, as it is based on non-renewable resources, planned obsolescence and unsustainable growth.
WHAT IS A GREEN GRANGE?
Society as a whole, is slowly moving towards a re-localization paradigm, even if many in industry fail to recognize it, or actively oppose it. We see this in the increase in vibrant Farmer’s Markets and in the creative ingenuity of many of our rural citizens. Our society has grown up around the paradigm of cheap oil and coal. This is changing no matter what anyone feels about it one way or the other. We feel that the Grange should accept this changing paradigm and become a leader in rural communities in transition.
STRATEGY SESSIONS FOR GRANGE MEMBERS
We will be hosting strategy sessions on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for Grange members only. To attend the strategy sessions please send your completed Registration Form and Accommodations Form (if needed) with your check to Bellview Grange, P.O. Box 3372, Ashland, Oregon 97535. To receive and send forms or for more information on registration e-mail catiefaryl@hotmail.com or call Catie Faryl at (541) 535-1854
These Summits connect like-minded Grangers, building a green-coalition within the Grange and creating meaningful friendships and support. The Summits inspire us to build and revitalize our local Granges which are such a gift to our communities. This will be the first “southern” GG Summit, and an opportunity to meet a segment of our Brothers and Sisters who we don’t yet know. State Ag Committee Chair, Jay Sexton will be one of the featured speakers.