Youth and Young Adults Department

The PA State Grange Youth Department exists to:

* EDUCATE the Grange family regarding Grange history.

* PROMOTE the ritualistic aspects of the Grange.

* ENCOURAGE youth to join the Subordinate Grange and participate fully in State and National Grange activities.

* SUPPORT the Junior Department and develop continuity for 14 and 15 year olds entering the Subordinate Grange.

* DEVELOP and promote leadership skills in the young adults of the Grange.

 

 

 

Mercer County Couple Accepts Second Term as PA State Grange Young Couple
 
State College - Christie and Joel Straub of Mercer County will serve a second term as the PA State Grange's Young Couple for 2008-2009. 
 
Joel and Christie were first awarded the honor of Young Couple in April, 2007 during the Young Adults/Young Marrieds Weekend held in State College.  Last weekend during this year's Young Adult/Young Marrieds Weekend, again held in State College, they accepted a second term from PA State Youth Director Martha Ebersole. 
 
Joel and Christie live in Greeneville, Mercer County.  They met through the Grange and were married on May 8th, 2004.  Joel, 34, is a graduate of Commodore Perry High School and Grove City College.  Christie, 33, graduated from Oley Valley High School and Orlando College.  They are both members of Stony Point Grange #1694 in Mercer County.
 
Joel said, "I joined the Grange at the age of five and have been a lifelong member.  I was a past State Junior Prince and Youth Ambassador.  I am the current Lecturer/Program Director for Stony Point Grange."
 
Christie joined Virginville Grange #1832 in Berks County in 1997.  She was the Public Relations Director for Berks County Pomona Grange #43.  She says, "I am the current Ceres for Stony Point Grange #1694.  I served as the PA State Grange Youth Director from 2003-2005 and I currently hold the title of Flora for the PA State Grange."
 
Joel and Christie live in a 200 year-old farmhouse with their two Jack Russell Terriers, Augie and Taffy.  They like to help out on the straub Family Farm and enjoy gardening and reading.  Joel is also very active as a football referee and umpire for baseball and softball in the Greeneville area.
 
The Straubs are the second Young Couple in a row to accept the title for a second year, following Matt and Charlene Espenshade's two-year reign from 2005-2007. 
 
Couples compete for the title of PA State Grange Young Couple at the annual Young Adults/Young Marrieds Weekend.  Couples must have been Grange members for a minimum of two years.  They are judged on an interview, Ambassodorship Qualities, and a written test of Grange knolwedge. 
 
The PA State Grange Young Couple helps to promote and generate enthusiasm for the Youth Department programs and contests throughout the Commonwealth. 
 
Joel and Christie hope to be able to attend Community Grange meetings and county fairs throughout Pennsylvania promoting the Grange and its Youth in the coming year.
 
The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of the American quality of life through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-23), Young Adults (ages 21-35) and Regular Community (local) members (age 14 and up).  The Grange represents approximately 15,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.  It is the oldest agricultural and rural advocacy organization of its kind in the United States.  The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 150,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.

CALLING ALL PENN STATE STUDENTS!

If you are attending Penn State Main Campus, we need you! At the time that this Advocate went to print, it appeared that we had the necessary 20 students signed up as Charter Members! We have been working to reorganize the Grange at Penn State, which has been inactive since 1965. We had our first organizational meeting on December 11, 2007 and another on March 19th, 2008. Watch your college email for the next meeting (after summer break). We know there are current Grange members who attend at Main Campus who can join this new Grange as an approved Student Activity Organization on campus. If you are a current student or if you live in the Centre County area and would like to help this new Grange, please contact the State Master at master@pagrange.org or call 800-552-3865. Current Grange members can belong to their home Grange AND the NEW Grange at Penn State #2105!

 

The Grange is a family fraternal organization dedicated to the betterment of rural America through community service, education, legislation and fellowship.  The Grange includes members of all ages from their Junior Grangers (ages 5-14), Youth Members (ages 14-23), Young Adults (ages 21-35), and Regular Community (Local) Grange members (age 14
and up).  The Grange represents approximately 16,000 Pennsylvanians across the Commonwealth.  It is the oldest agricultural and rural organization of its kind in the United States. 
 
The National Grange (Patrons of Husbandry), representing about 300,000 members, began in 1867 and the PA State Grange was chartered in 1873.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martha Ebersole

Youth Director

640 Dellville Rd.

Duncannon, PA 17020

(717) 834-4435

mebasket@epix.net

 

 

Printable copies of Important 2008 Documents

  • Message from the incoming National Youth Director

  • Announcing the 2008 Regional Youth Conference

  • Eastern States Youth Conference forms

 

Jonathan N. Sattazahn Obituary

 

Youth Brochure for 2008 (click HERE)

 

Grange 101, by Chris Straub" (as seen at Family Festival 2006)

 

2008 Scholarship Brochure AND Application

 
CENTRE HALL, PA.  The new PA State Grange Youth Ambassadors were named Saturday evening, July 19, 2008 at the 5th Annual PA State Grange Family Festival. 
 
Brittany Hetzell of Allegheny County and Braden Gourley of Beaver County were named as the PA State Grange Youth Ambassadors for 2008-2009 as part of the annual Grange Youth Camp in conjunction with the PA State Grange Family Festival held at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds July 17-20.
 
Brittany is the daughter of Judy and Robin Hetzell from Sewickley, PA.  She is going into the 11th grade at Quaker Valley High School where she participates in the school's Youth and Government club, track team, orchestra, chorus and musical.  Brittany is a member of Mt. Nebo Grange #1872.  She is also a member of the Lawrence County Take It Easy Campers Club, she volunteers at her church's Vacation Bible School as well as a counselor at the PA State Junior Grange Camp.  Brittany got to travel to France earlier this year as part of her school trip.  She said, "I am really looking forward to representing the Youth for this upcoming year."
 
Braden is the 15 year-old son of Barbara and George Gourley of Hookstown, PA.  He is a member of Hookstown Grange #1980 and will be a sophomore at South Side High School where he takes part in Student Council, World Affairs Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions Club, Art Club, and track and field.  He also plays the saxophone in his school's concert, jazz and marching bands.  He enjoys reading, bell choir, riding quads, and traveling.  In the spring of 2007 he was traveled to the Czech Republic as a Student Ambassador and earlier this month Braden went to Japan on another Student Ambassador program.  On July 4 of this year, Braden stepped down from his position as PA Junior Grange Prince after serving in that capacity for a year, with another Brittany, Brittany Haag.  He said, "I cannot wait for this year to spend with another Brittany and we will do all we can to advocate for the Youth in the Grange."
 
The Youth Ambassadors are chosen through a competition which includes a Grange knowledge test, impromptu question and other judging.  They will represent the Grange Youth at various functions and events throughout the Commonwealth including Ag Progress Days, State Grange Session and the PA Farm Show as well as representing Pennsylvania at next year's National Grange Convention to be held in Grand Rapids, Michigan.