Connecticut State Grange Celebrates Ag Day at the Capitol

March 23, 2012 - PRLog -- The Connecticut State Grange, along with over 50 other organizations and state and federal agencies from across Connecticut, celebrated agriculture in Connecticut at the state's annual Ag Day at the Capitol.

Held March 21 from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM in North Lobby and Hall of Flags at the State Capitol building in Hartford, the various exhibits showed diverse aspects of agriculture from across the state.  Representatives from the Connecticut State Grange had the opportunity to speak with state leaders about the importance of the state's agricultural initiatives, including Governor Dannel Malloy and Commissioner of Agriculture Steven Reviczky.

"This is a great opportunity for us to have a presence at our State Capitol," said Connecticut State Grange President Jody Cameron.

Governor Malloy read the official proclamation and presided over the celebration, acknowledging farming’s contribution to the state.  A number of awards were presented including the Outstanding Young Farmer Award and the Ag Journalism Awards.

Along with Cameron, representing the Connecticut State Grange were State Grange Agriculture Director Jon Russell and his committee, State Grange Legislative Director Alma Graham and her committee, and State Grange Legislative Liaison Gordon Gibson. The Connecticut State Grange hosted a dynamic and interactive booth explaining the Grange's mission and significance to Connecticut agriculture.

"The Grange is diverse in its legislative and agricultural policies," Cameron explained.  "The Grange is a grass roots organization, and this event gives us the ability to take our message, the message of our members, right to the Capitol.  It is our one chance each year to interact with representatives from both houses and the administration directly."

Founded in 1867, the National Grange is the oldest US rural community-service, family-oriented organization with a special interest in agriculture.  Over the years, the Grange has evolved to incorporate the interests of rural, suburban and urban communities. Agricultural and legislative initiatives, education and communications access are just a few of the Grange's current areas of involvement. The organization has approximately 160,000 members in more than 2,100 local and state chapters nationwide.  The Connecticut State Grange has been an integral part of communities across the state for over 125 years, with nearly 60 local Grange chapters in Connecticut.

For more information on the Connecticut State Grange, and its agricultural and legislative initiatives, please visit www.CTStateGrange.org.

More information on the National Grange can be found at www.NationalGrange.org.

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The Connecticut State Grange is a community organization consisting of nearly 60 local chapters that supports programs of service, family, agricultural initiatives, legislation and other activities relevant to local communities.