NOTE: Lecturers can submit their Lecturer Reports and their annual Honor Lecturer Program Report to the State Grange Lecturer either electronically to lecturer@ctstategrange.org or Granbydavidroberts@gmail.com
or via regular mail (P.O. Box 155, Riverton, CT 06065). 

PROGRAM GUIDELINES . . .

All Lecturer programs should be up to 30 minutes long as appropriate and include music, information, participation, inspiration, and humor where possible. While all programs do not have to include these components, they are essential to a Lecturer’s program. Zoom programs are also acceptable and should average at least 10 minutes in length. They should also include quizzes and other elements to encourage everyone in the virtual meeting to participate actively.

2024-2026 LECTURER’S APPRECIATION AWARD . . .

(Connecticut State Grange Certificate of Recognition and a token of recognition)

1. Be responsible for a suitable program at every meeting.
2. Programs should be as appropriate, up to 30 minutes in length.
3. Cooperate with your Grange Committees.
4. Timely reports should be submitted to the State Grange Lecturer/Program Director.
5. Participate in at least one Connecticut State Grange Lecturers’ Roundtable.

2024-2026 HONOR LECTURER’S AWARD . . .

Connecticut State Grange Certificate of Recognition and a substantial token of recognition)

• Meet the requirements for the Lecturer’s Appreciation Award listed above, plus participate in at least three additional contests or projects (Heirloom, Photo, Complete, “Honoring Our Elders,” “A Word from Home,” or “Initiate a New Program.”

• In addition, attend at least two or more Connecticut State Grange Lecturers’ Roundtables and submit a “Grange in Action” or “Distinguished Grange” nomination.

Finally, please invite me to visit your Community or Pomona Grange for extra brownie points!

COMPLETE PROGRAM …

Topics for the next two years are modeled after the National Grange Lecturer’s Creative Writing Program. The subject for 2025 is “The Grange is Important Today Because.” This program should be presented at your Grange. The program must be sent to the State Lecturer by September 30, 2025, to be considered.

• Complete details of the program must be included with your submission.
• Length: As appropriate, up to 45 minutes.

The subject for 2026 is “The Grange of the Future.” The program must be sent to the State Lecturer by September 30, 2026, to be considered.

The first prize will be $50, the second prize will be $30, and the third prize will be $20.

This contest is open to all Grangers (Junior, Youth, 1+, and Grange members). Judging will again be held at the State Grange Family Festival in the Spring, and winning photos will be displayed at the State Grange Convention Hospitality Room and then returned to their owners.

Adult Categories:
America the Beautiful; Agriculture/Farming; Say it with Flowers; Bridges

Junior, Youth, 1+ Categories:
America the Beautiful; Agriculture/Farming; Animals/Pets; Water

Rules:
1. Only prints accepted.
2. Participants may enter all four categories but are limited to one entry in each category.
3. Entries must have been taken by the participant between October 1, 2024 – State Grange Family Festival.
4. No glass or frames are allowed on photos.
5. Print may be processed commercially, but the entrant must have taken it.
6. Size of photo/backing (if used): No smaller than 4”x6” or larger than 11”x14”.
7. The entrant’s name, contest category, Grange/Grange number, and phone number must be placed on the back of each entry. Please identify if the photo is for the Junior, Youth, 1+ Contest.

There will be prizes for Adults and “Junior, Youth, and 1+” For each contest and category: $6 for First, $4 for Second, and $2 for Third.

National Grange initiated a five-year program to teach members and “potential members” about the Grange's rituals, history, and beliefs. This five-year program introduces one short monthly lesson corresponding with the Degree season. It launched in March 2022 with Year A (1st Degree—Spring). These brief lessons can be presented in the “Conferring Degrees” or “Good of the Order” portion during your regular meeting.

All Heirloom Program Year C (March 2024 - February 2025), Year D (March 2025 – February 2026), and Year E (March 2026 – February 2027) materials are currently available at bit.ly/grangeheirloom - please utilize the materials as you see fit! National Grange will continue adding to the folder as the material is complete and ready to use. Items included are the yearly pamphlets, posters, social media posts, and some suggested activities that can be distributed and completed. It also includes a handy sharing guide that can be easily copied and pasted into your social media feeds.

Heirloom Program lessons could provide a “jumping off” point for your newsletter/magazine articles. Alternatively, you could ask another officer or committee chairperson/director to reflect on the lessons in their pieces. Encourage your local Lecturers/Program Directors to use this information not to replace the Lecturer’s program but as a supplement elsewhere in the meeting or create discussion points for potlucks or contests. Encourage your Lecturers to work with the other officers to find a place for use, and make it a quick, regular part of your Community Grange meetings.

Please share “success stories” about using the program with me, or let me know if you develop other innovative ways to incorporate the program in your Grange.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD HEIRLOOM PROGRAM INFO

• Quilts of Valor (will only occur at the community, Pomona, and State Grange levels in 2025 since the National Convention is on a cruise ship)

• There will be no weather watchers challenge.

• There will be another virtual photography contest; photos should be in higher resolution, not panorama mode.

Categories for Adults:
America the beautiful (Sights, scenes)
Ag & farming
Bridges
Say it with flowers

Categories for youth:
America the beautiful (Sights, scenes)
Ag & farming
Pets & animals
Water

For the 2023-2024 year, 280 photos were submitted from 23 states!

• In 2025, the quilt block will be a “canning jar” (be creative with the jar's contents) with a white border of finished blocks 12 by 12 inches. Submit 12 1/2 inch blocks. Two blocks per entrant. Adult category and Junior age 14 and under.

• The garden design contest will continue. Adults will have three categories, while youth will have only one category. Entries should include good photos and a thorough report.

• NEW: Creative writing contest
- Poetry - Grange of the future (300 words); Focus on the future
- Essay - The Grange is important today because (inform) (1,000 words); Focus on the present
- Short story - a true story about what happened at your Grange (entertain) (1000 words). Focus on the past

Contestants are encouraged to create an educational display that highlights a innovation in agriculture.

• Presentation must be of a subject in the last 10 years
• Presentation must be on a Trifold Display Board

Will be submitted and judged on the Friday of the Annual CT State Grange Session in October.

Nominees for the Outstanding Agricultural Young Professional Award should be an individual that has demonstrated excellence in their career and is under the age of 30. The candidate DOES NOT have to be a Grange member and can be in any industry as long as they demonstrate leadership and professional skills. Nominations should include the following information:

Nominee: Name, Address, Phone, Email.

Nominated by: Grange Name & No., Contact Person, Phone, Email.

1. Describe the industry and position the candidate is involved in.
2. Describe the difference they have made in their industry, community and/or Grange.
3. What are the candidate's goals, including any furthering of education?

Nominations must be received no later than September 1st.

A nominee for the Outstanding Agricultural Professional Award should be an individual that has demonstrated excellence in their career. The candidate DOES NOT have to be a Grange member and can be in any industry as long as they demonstrate leadership and professional skills. Nominations should include the following information.

Nominee: Name, Address, Phone, Email.

Nominated by: Grange Name & No., Contact Person, Phone, Email.

1. Describe the industry and position the candidate is involved in.
2. Describe the difference they have made in their industry, community and/or Grange.
3. What are the candidate's goalsgoals, including any furthering of education?

Nominations must be received no later than September 1st.

A nominee for the Outstanding Agricultural Promoter Award should be an individual that has demonstrated excellence in promoting, advocating for, and/or supporting agriculture in the State of Connecticut.

The candidate DOES NOT have to be a Grange member and can be in any industry as long as they demonstrate leadership and professionalism in being a promoter of Agriculture. Nominations should include the following information:

Nominee: Name, Address, Phone, Email.

Nominated by: Grange Name & No., Contact Person, Phone, Email.

1. Please describe the types of activities for promoting Agriculture the candidate is involved in.

2. Please describe the difference they have made their Community and/or Grange.

3. What are the candidate's goals, including any furthering of education?

Nominations must be received no later than September 1st.

*We STRONGLY encourage nominations for this award to come through each of the Pomona Granges but it is not a requirement.

Open to the public but must be submitted through a Grange. No product Requirements.

There are 12 classes for competition –A: Afghans, B: doilies, C: embroidery, D: 3-piece baby set, E: plastic canvas, F: counted cross stitch, G: adult garment, H: latch hook, I: quilted wall hanging, J: stuffed toy, K: baby blanket, L: child or adult garment sewn and M: Miscellaneous.

ALL items submitted for judging must be clean and odor free and made in the current year.

Judging at State level only.  Subordinate and Pomona judging are not required.

All first-place winners will compete at the North East finals at the Big E for Classes A-M

Brochures and entry forms for the North East Needlework contest may be obtained from the State CFA Director or Committee, Pomona or Subordinate Chairman or can be downloaded from the CT State Grange Website by clicking this link:

NE NEEDLEWORK BROCHURE DOWNLOAD

Prizes for the needlework contest at the State level will be:
 1st Place-$20.00, 2nd Place- $15.00, 3rd Place - $10.00. Best of Show - $30

Prizes for the Craft and Baking Contests at the State level will be: 
1st Place - $15.00, 2nd Place - $10.00, 3rd - Place $5.00

Judging decisions are final.

Every effort will be made to distribute the prize money within 30 days otherwise they will be given at the Annual CT State Grange Session in October.

We will let you know once the August date is set for the Connecticut Family Festival.  As in past years, we will be combining our contests with the Lecturer’s contests.

Brochures and entry forms for the North East Needlework contest may be obtained from the State Family Activities Committee, Pomona or Subordinate Chairman or can be downloaded by clicking this link:

NE NEEDLEWORK BROCHURE DOWNLOAD

Judging will be at State level only.

There are 2 categories: Needlework and Other medium.  There will be Adult and Youth class in each category. This is open to non-Grange members as well.  All entries will be returned.

Craft entries in these 2 categories will not be returned (there are no exceptions). They are retained by the State Family Activities Committee to be distributed at their discretion.

Open to Grange members, children, grand-children of members and Junior Grange members. For the baking contest, please remember to put your name and Grange on the back of the paper plate or in a plastic bag with an entry form.  Judging for the baking contest is held at the State level only.

The description is “anything that is not covered in Class A – L.”  An example would be Hat, Scarf and Mittens for an Adult or Child.   Judging is at the State level, winner will go on to North East Judging. This item will be returned.

Recycled Craft – 2024-2025 (1st Year)
 
Create a craft of your choosing.  The only requirement is that you must make it with something you have recycled.  A short paragraph telling us what you recycled it from must be included as it may not be obvious to the judges.  This item will be returned.

Decorate and/or make a picture Frame – 2025-2026 (2nd year)

Create your own designs on an existing picture frame or one you have made. Any material may be used and there are no other restrictions for this contest.   This item will be returned.

Open to Grange members, children, grand-children of members and Junior Grange members.

Put your name and Grange on the back of the plate. Judging for the baking contest is held at the State level only, no Subordinate or Pomona judging is necessary.

VIsit the Recipes Page for details: RECIPES PAGE LINK

NEEDLEWORK CONTEST:  The Juniors will use the same contest as the adults but will be judged separately.

BAKING CONTEST: The Juniors will use the same recipe as the adults but will be judged separately.

CRAFT CONTEST:  The Juniors will use the same contest as the adults but will be judged separately.

ALL Junior entries for all contests are at State level only.

All entries must be clean and odor free.  
Prizes will be -1st Place - $10.00, 2nd Place - $5.00, 3rd Place - $3.00

Canning Jar Quilt Pattern

• Pattern: Canning Jar Quilt Pattern - adding white sides to make a 12 1/2" unfinished square block
• Questions? Email lecturer@nationalgrange.org for guidance.

RULES

The Quilt Block Contest provides an opportunity for Grange members and friends to collaborate in creating quilted items that can be donated or auctioned for funds to provide additional services to community members in a nationwide effort.

A. The National Grange Quilt Block Contest is open to everyone.

B. All contest entries must be received by the National Grange Lecturer by September 1, 2025.

C. Any entries received after the deadline will not be judged.

D. The quilt block you enter in the contest for judging must be made by you.

E. Two blocks per entrant. Adult category and Junior age 14 and under.

F. All entries will be retained by the National Grange to be made into finished quilts and other items to be sold at a later date.

G. A 2025 Quilt Block Contest Entry Form must be completed for the block to be judged.

PRIZES

• Monetary prizes will be awarded. Ribbons will be awarded to all entries.

• Will include special awards for creativity of the jar contents.

Whether your Grange has an upcoming milestone year ending in a 0 or 5 – or any year in between – don’t let an anniversary milestone pass by without honoring the organization. This is a great opportunity to highlight your Grange’s achievements, raise awareness of your Grange's mission, thank your members and community, and reveal exciting updates about your future plans.

Other milestones your Grange can celebrate include the anniversary of the dedication of the Grange Hall, paying off the mortgage, honoring the date of reorganization, anniversary of the Grange's Fair or Festival, recognition of a Grange historical event, honoring members who have passed, or even the birthday of a special member.

Submit a detailed written report on how your Grange celebrated their milestone, and how it was promoted. (It must be held within the contest year). The milestone celebrated is the choice of the Grange.

There will be three categories —

1. Grange Anniversary Celebrations

2. Grange Anniversary Programs

3. Other Grange Milestones

Submissions should be detailed, and there is no length restriction. Photos, clippings, and social media and website screenshots are encouraged but not required. Submissions must include the Grange name and number, and the name, phone number and email of person submitting the entry.

Email your Grange's submission to publicrelations@ctstategrange.org.  You can also USPS mail the submission to Robert Charbonneau, 102 Spring Street, Meriden, CT 06451. 

Deadline is October 1st.

The judging for the Big E contests to be announced.

Blue Book Contest Rules:

• All work must be done by Junior Member
• All entries must be labeled with the contestant's name, affiliated Grange
  Or Junior Grange and age as of January 1st that contest year – Ages 5-14
• All entries to be sent to the State Session in October and must be in place in the Junior Grange / Hospitality room by 12:00 noon on Friday.
• On most of the contest there are no specific rules, use your imagination and have fun making them.
• The Judging for the Regional Craft (Big E) contest will be held during "Family Festival".

Contests:

• Regional Craft (Big E) Contest - 2024 TBD

• Creative Writing - on an 8.5" x 11" paper:
2024- Write about a new activity you want to do with the Grange!

• Decorate Something!
2024- Decorate a rock(s)- using paint, glue or any material- any style- no larger than 8"x10" piece of paper

• Creative Arts Contests
A.  Ages 5-9 –Draw a picture of yourself doing your favorite Grange activity
B.  Ages 10-14 –Create a TikTok- about your favorite Grange / Jr. Grange Activity or event

• Photography - 5 categories as indicated below- each contestant can have one entry per category - all pictures must be 4x6 or 5x7 or 8x10 in size. They do not have to be matted or framed.

5a - Show us Legislative
5b - Show us Agriculture
5c - Show us Deaf Awareness / Health
5d - Show us Community Service
5e - Show us Junior Grangers having fun

If anyone is interested in participating in the National Contests for Public Speaking or Sign-A-Song, please contact someone on the State Junior Committee by October 1st so contests can be held at the State level during State Session. TikTok rules and link information will be provided via Connecticut Granger and/or the CT State Grange e-newsletter.

~National Grange Contests~
Theme: “Raised Right Here" - 2024

With the Junior Grange +1 Program, we can ensure members are
eligible for Junior Grange activities.

For the National Contests: - See Rule book for all details – www.nationaljuniorgrange.org

• Creative Writing Contest: 
• Mini-Scrap Book Contest
• Creative Art Contest
• JG Photography Contest
• Super JG Award
• Junior Recruiter Award
• Public Speaking –Nat’l  Level
• Sign-A-Song – National Level
• Community Service
• Cape of Honor Award
• Jr. Granger at Heart
• Fun and Games
• Digital Talent
• Quilt Block
• Grange Baseball
• Handy Craft
• History & Knowledge test
• Junior Mentor Award
• Grange in Action

For more information CT Junior Chairpersons and Committee Members.

Book Club

Watch for more information on book of the month and meeting times. Something new for everyone “Young at Heart,” is our Monthly Book Club starting in 2024-2025.

Grange Display

Below are the contest rules for entry into the National Grange Display Contest. Your Connecticut State Grange Youth Team would like to see all entries in to the State Youth Director by September 15 for judging at the State level.

The goal of the Grange Display Contest is to create either a digital or folding display that could be utilized at a country fair, library, Grange open house or other forum to promote the Grange, Grange program or Grange issue.

Please notify the State Director by August 1, of any entries.

Contest Rules:

1) All entrants must be youth adult members of a Subordinate/ Community Grange.

2) There will be two age divisions of the Folding Display Contest:
Youth - Grange members between the ages of 14-21 as of Jan. 1
Young Adult - Grange members between the ages of 22-35.

3) Each entry must be selected at a State Grange level contest. Each state may send up to one entry per category to the National contest. The display theme must be Grange related.

4) Each entry must be exhibited at the National Grange Session; members need not attend to participate.

5) A Grange member may enter as an individual OR as a member of a group. All group entry members must be in the same age division.

6) Folding Displays should be no larger than 3’ x 4’ and should be able to stand by itself. Digital displays must be on a flash drive and in .MP4, .MPG, WMA format.

7) Displays will be judged on content, organization, originality, and neatness.

There are many opportunities for Youth to participate in the following contest. Please check out the link on our web page to download the National Grange Youth Program Guide for more information and contact the CT State Grange Youth Director to help you explore these programs:

Grange Inter-State Youth Exchange (GISYE)
Washington, D.C. Experience
Grange Grassroots Activism Scholarship
Youth Community Service Award/Application
Junior Mentor Award/Application
Youth Membership Recruitment Award
and to apply to be part of the National Grange Youth Officer Team.

The following Youth Contests are held at Regional Conferences:
Grange Baseball, Regional Public Speaking Competition, Regional Sign- A-Song Competition. Contact CT State Grange Youth Director at least a month prior to the scheduled Northeast Regional Youth Conference if you wish to participate.