Free Republic

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (November 15, 2001) - Delegates to the National Grange 135th annual convention have voted to support the sale of bonds to back America's involvement in the war on terrorism. Similar to WWII, these bonds would generate extra funds to cover the cost of this new, extraordinary effort. Delegates also voted to support the establishment of a federally funded terrorist reinsurance plan. The resolution noted that the "Attack on America" could result in withdrawal of insurance coverage on potential terrorist targets, causing serious financial consequences for the nation.

Push to eliminate inheritance tax and create more savings incentives Praising Grange staff for their efforts toward the new Inheritance Tax Bill, the delegates voted to continue lobbying for acceleration and eventual abolishment of the inheritance tax. Until that is achieved, the Grange will lobby for the tax basis to be on current use value and not the prospective development value. The delegates also passed a resolution favoring legislation that would raise exempt contributions to IRA plans from the current $2,000 to $3,000 in 2002, $4,000 in 2003 and $5,000 in 2004. The Grange proposal would apply the $5,000 limit ...

Grange Calls for "Agroterrorism" Czar, Adopts 2002 Ag Policies Cedar Rapids, Iowa (November 14, 2001) - The National Grange, meeting for its 135th annual convention, has voted to ask Tom Ridge, new head of the Office of Homeland Security, to create a high level position with appropriate resources, to prevent "agroterrorism" in the United States. The Grange defines "agroterrorism" as "the undermining and destruction of a food source through contamination of livestock or the genetic sabotage of grains." Agroterrorism is major concern among state directors of agriculture, and farmers are well aware of the devastation that can be wrought on ...

Grange Takes Stand on Environmental Regulations Cedar Rapids, Iowa, (November 13, 2001) - Delegates to the 135th annual convention of the National Grange drew a line in the sand today with several tough resolutions regarding environmental regulations affecting Grange members. In an unprecedented move, delegates moved to authorize the Grange to initiate appropriate legal action against the Federal government over the cut off of irrigation to the Northern California/Southern Oregon Kalamath Falls Basin. Last spring, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation denied irrigation water to 1500 farmers in order to protect the endangered suckerfish. The Bureau explained that it had no ...

Grange Leader Calls for More, Not Less Farming Calls Dairy Compacts Most Innovative Agricultural Innovation of 1996 Farm Bill Cedar Rapids, IA (November 12, 2001) - Speaking to the 135th annual convention of the National Grange, Kermit W. Richardson, National Master (President), called on Congress to create a new Farm Bill that will "…encourage increased participation in agriculture by the largest number of individuals and families through the broadest possible distribution of agricultural assets possible." Contrary to popular thinking that the United States currently has too many farmers and too much production, Richardson hammered home the point that, "Our nation ...