The National Grange, the oldest U.S. agricultural fraternity and rural service organization, will converge on the Quad Cities next month for its 158th annual conference and legislative session in downtown Bettendorf.
The five-day convention will be from Tuesday to Saturday, Nov. 12-16, at the Quad-Cities Waterfront Convention Center. With more than 400 elected officers, delegates, and members expected to attend, the convention serves to set and affirm national legislative policies for the organization.
“We look forward to an exciting and productive convention on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi,” National Grange President Christine E. Hamp said in a Visit Quad Cities news release. “The host committee has worked hard and has succeeded in creating a convention that highlights the region, educates our members, and provides plenty of time for fellowship and growth in the Grange. We are thrilled to celebrate what it means to be Grange Strong with members from across the country.”
Public events on tap
While the convention is a major networking, educational, and social event for members nationwide, several portions are open to the public.
Quad Citians are invited to visit the Grange Showcase in the concourse and Iowa Room of the Waterfront. It will feature the work of the Midwest Host Region states and National Grange contest entries. It also will highlight the work the national organization has completed. That includes partnerships with Rural Minds, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office and more.
Other events include: a Quilts of Valor presentation to local veterans on Wednesday, Nov. 13; workshops on ideas, legislative efforts, and more for members; the Grange Honors Night on Friday, Nov. 15; and the annual Grange Strong Banquet. It will highlight a year of work for Rural America.
During the Grange Honors night, the National Grange will present the National Teacher of the Year, Firefighter/EMS Worker of the Year, and Law Enforcement Officer of the Year awards. The evening also will include membership awards, contest awards, and an announcement of the new Youth Leadership Team for 2024-2025.
For additional information on this convention, visit http://www.nationalgrange.org/158thconvention.
Convention schedule
The convention’s schedule includes:
- Nov. 11 – 5:30 p.m.: Welcome Reception with remarks from President Christine E. Hamp, Region Chair Doug Baldwin, Bettendorf Mayor Robert Gallagher, and Visit Quad Cities President and CEO Dave Herrell.
- Nov. 12 – 11 a.m.: National Grange President Christine E. Hamp’s External Address; and at 12:15 p.m., the Advocacy Luncheon will feature speaker: Lukas Pietrzak, NTIA.
- Nov. 13 –12:15 p.m.: Agriculture Luncheon; 7:30 p.m., Grange Hall of Fame and Quilts of Valor presentations.
- Nov. 15 – 7:30 p.m.: National Grange Recognition Night.
- Nov. 16 – 6:00 pm: Grange Strong Banquet.
The more than 400 attendees expected to attend also will be exploring the region through curated experiences hosted by Visit Quad Cities. Among the locations they will tour are: John Deere Davenport Works and the John Deere Pavilion; Cinnamon Ridge Farms; Lagomarcino’s Chocolates; Rock Island Arsenal; the Figge Art Museum; and other local attractions.
Founded in 1867, the National Grange is the country’s largest and oldest agricultural and rural service fraternity, advocating for rural America. With more than 1,400 Community Granges and 140,000 members serving their hometowns, the Grange is a powerful community organization nationwide.
The organization is open to anyone age 14 and older interested in agriculture, rural concerns, or bettering their community.
The Grange never endorses candidates but works on issues made policy of the organization through a grassroots vetting process. Grange members also provide millions of hours of service and dollars in donations annually based on the needs identified in their local communities. Learn more about the Grange by visiting www.nationalgrange.org.
