MICHIGAN STATE GRANGE MASTER/PRESIDENT
Christopher D. Johnston
6241 Grand River Road
Bancroft, MI 48414
(989)634-9350 (H) (989)666-6648 (C)
msgprez19@yahoo.com

MICHIGAN STATE GRANGE OFFICE
404 S. Oak Street
Durand, MI 48429
(989)288-4546
msgrange1873@yahoo.com



MARCH/APRIL 2026 GRANGE NEWS
Grange Month
Once again we are approaching a month that we take time to celebrate this wonderful organization. April is Grange Month. Take this time to celebrate Grange as well as honor yourselves as Grangers. Invite the public to a meeting, present awards, have some fun with games, and don’t forget what Grangers are known for, fantastic feasts!!

You don’t have to limit your awards to just the community service awards (police, firefighter, teacher, VIP, etc) but give out some special awards to your members and the folks in your community. Have someone that always shows up to help at every dinner? Show how much you appreciate them! And have some fun and present awards that will make them laugh, like the one that always dresses the most colorful.

This is the month to really make the Grange shine and invite everyone to make a difference with us!

Day of Learning
Have you often wondered about the different departments within the Grange and what their programs are? Have questions about a certain project that you might be interested in participating in?

April 25th is your chance to come enjoy some fun, fellowship and of course food while you hear from all the department directors about their programs! Get your questions answered and learn of any exciting changes from last year. Load up the vehicle and bring a crew!

This all day event with a potluck lunch will be held from 9:00 - 4:00 pm at the Midland Township Hall, 1303 S. Poseyville Road, Midland.
​
Legislative Review Committee
The committee has started meeting and is already making progress in reviewing the Michigan State Grange legislative policy to bring it current. They will be meeting monthly and will be bringing their report to State Session to be reviewed by the delegate body to make their changes final.  

Roland and Beulah Winter Memorial Scholarship
I would like to remind members of the new scholarship through the Foundation honoring Roland and Beulah Winter.

This is the first year of the scholarship for members attending a college, university, vocational, technical or trade school, either full or part time. Applications are due June 1st and winners will be announced in July. The applications are available on the Foundation page of the website.

Help Wanted!!
I’m in search of a couple folks that would like to take the leadership role of a department.

I need someone(s) interested in leading the future members of the Grange, Juniors/Youth/Young Adults. This department would be getting the younger members of the Grange involved and educated on the Grange while having lots of fun. Because of the age difference, having co-directors would be ideal.

I also need someone that is interested in the legislative side of the Grange. The Legislative Director promotes the policy of the Grange.

If either of these departments catch your eye, please reach out to me.

MAY/JUNE 2026 GRANGE NEWS

​Thank You
I’d like to thank the directors for their time in putting on the Michigan State Grange Day of Learning held on April 25th. Tricia Eidsmoe, thank you for finding and securing the location. The facility was easy to find, plenty of space, clean and welcoming. Thank you to all who took time from their busy schedule to attend and learn about the programs the different departments have to offer. As well as listening to me discuss with all of you the future of the Michigan State Grange. The Directors will be meeting during convention to discuss and plan the future Day of Learning.
​
National Grange Leaders Conference
At the time of me writing this article, the National Grange leaders are meeting in Sparks, Nevada for the annual Leaders Conference. There is discussion about rebranding the Grange, as well as hearing from the National Lecturer, Youth, and Junior Leaders and the Executive Committee. On Saturday there was a break in the action to observe the annual running of the Kentucky Derby. There will be more information coming from National in the next few weeks about events that occurred at the Leaders Conference. If you haven’t already, take the time to contact the National Grange and make sure you are on the email list to receive all the latest information that comes out in the Grange Today. And maybe even sign up to receive the Good Day magazine that comes out quarterly. It is full of information from the various departments and leadership. And is only $16.00 a year to subscribe. Included in every issue are even some recipes that you may like to try.
​
State Session
This year’s session will be located in Three Rivers, at the First United Methodist Church. The host region is already in full swing with planning a successful session. The Legislative Policy Review Committee has also been hard at work already and will continue to be for the rest of the summer. Come prepared for many proposed changes to our current policy. We plan to have those proposed changes printed and in the packet, so when you register, you can start reviewing the suggested changes prior to the start of the meeting.
​
National Session
The National Session this November will be located in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma at Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center. There is another really close hotel that will be the overflow hotel. You can make your hotel reservations now through the National Grange’s link. By registering through Stoney Creek under the National Grange, if all the rooms there are booked, the hotel will reserve your room at the overflow hotel, which is just a paved parking lot away from the conference center. They did not say in the meeting if the rate will differ, but that they are working with the other hotel so our guess is that it will be the same rate.