WHEREAS, The first grange in California, Pilot Hill Grange No. 1, was organized in the County of El Dorado in 1870; and

WHEREAS, On July 15, 1873, members from 28 granges across California met in the City of Napa to formally organize the California State Grange. At that meeting, the delegates adopted policies on cooperative buying, water rights, transportation and good roads, and methods for improving the conditions of agriculture for the farmers of California; and

WHEREAS, Since 1873, the mission of the California State Grange has been to serve, steward, and teach the virtues of the land to children and the community. The California State Grange maintains its commitment to grassroots advocacy, supporting farmland preservation, farm development, community service, sustainable and regenerative agriculture, and the consumer’s role in the food production system; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange has had notable members, including Dr. Ezra S. Carr, Superintendent of Public Instruction, David Lubin, founder of the International Institute of Agriculture in the City of Rome, Italy, John M. Hamilton, second president of the California State Grange and first president of the California State Agricultural Society, and George Sehlmeyer, President of the California State Grange for 30 years; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange is an organization with ritual steeped in agriculture and community service; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange is a family organization, with membership starting at five years of age; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange was among the first organizations to recognize the role of women by admitting them on an equal basis with men; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange is a community service organization, and doing service for others has always been a key element of a grange; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange is a social organization, providing opportunities for all members of a community to come together; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange provides opportunities for young people to learn leadership skills; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange is nonpartisan and nondenominational in nature, as its bylaws prohibit partisan discussion and actions; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange is an organization that believes in the education of its members; and

WHEREAS, The California State Grange is celebrating its 150th anniversary on July 15, 2023; now, therefore, be it