About Sammamish Valley Grange

About This Grange

The Sammamish Valley Grange has worked to improve and enrich rural conditions since it was founded in 1909. It was started to help out farmers, it has evolved so that it devotes itself to retaining a rural character to the remaining non- developed areas of the valley and to encourage the development of rural skills. We have come full-circle, and we have now made it our mission to assist the small-time agricultural producer. Other agricultural endeavors include the heritage garden that shows that historical crops that were grown in the area, for all in our area to enjoy.

To help retain our rural character, as well as to advance our goals, the Sammamish Valley Grange is a charter member of the Sammamish Valley Alliance—we provide the space for meetings and provided seed money to organize it. We organized it so we can retain an atmosphere that is conducive to engaging in rural activities.

Sammamish Valley Grange is now coordinating with 4-H clubs to get our children interested in various activities of rural life. Thru our county, state, and national organizations, one may enter the various arts and crafts products in various local, state, and national competitions to show their skill— so one can be competitive in county fair competitions.

To celebrate the products of our valley, this Grange puts on a harvest festival in early October. In addition, a good part of the time our hall is utilized by square dance groups. We enter a booth in the county fair. Most importantly, a person who is interested in rural endeavors may join us so we can aid in their own particular endeavor.

To keep our involvement in sustainable, small-farm agriculture, we have a Heritage Garden, which highlights the crops that were grown when the settlers first came into our valley.

The strength of a Grange is its fraternal ties. Because of these fraternal ties, Granges have been much more effective in getting legislation passed than other organizations of similar size. Click here for more information about the fraternal aspect of the Grange.

Political Activities

Not only did our Grange work to keep our valley rural, we have engaged in other activities to allow the retention of agriculture. One may also submit resolutions which becomes State Grange policy. Once it is Grange policy, there is a mechanism by which the state Grange can lobby your issues in Olympia. While the majority of resolutions are requests for legislative action, a large portion of resolutions submitted by local Granges address requested changes to Grange activities or Grange law. Click here for more information about the Legislative Program of this Grange.

Other Activities to Assist our Community

Originally, we were founded to be the fraternal, charitable, social, and non-partisan political organization for rural folk. Thus, we engage in such activities that do not necessarily have a rural character to them. A few members make sleeping bags for homeless people. We fund various charities. We give dictionaries to local, 3rd grade students. Our state organization was responsible for getting the Blanket Primary, gathering signatures to get the Top-Two primary system, passed in 2004. Finally, we provide a hall that is available for rent.

An individual Grange cannot do all this alone. We need to have the support of all other levels of the levels of the Grange. Click here to see the scope of the various levels, including the Pomona Granges, the State Granges, and the National Grange.

Regardless of all activities that the Grange does, our main purpose it to promote rural lifestyles and agricultural endeavors. If you are interested in either of these aspects our Grange, this in an organization which will aid your cause.

Without a Grange in this area, many resources that are available to retain our rural heritage will disappear, weakening a support system to support rural lifestyles. Joining our organization will make for a strong rural voice, and will make it easier for you to do your rural activities.

Please take a look at all the activities in which our Grange is involved. Here is an article written about us in the Seattle Times a couple of years ago, which tells about our efforts about how we revitalized our Grange.

Beyond Potlucks

SAMMAMISH VALLEY GRANGE #286

Working to preserve the Sammamish Valley’s rural heritage—since 1909!

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