By Vicky Boyd
The National Grange harkens back to an era long before cell phones and social media when neighbors and families met to discuss the latest issues and possibly enjoy a meal together.
More recently, the Lockeford Grange – known officially as No. 579 – has been enjoying somewhat of a rebirth for the past two and a half years ago after sitting idle for a while.
“Traditionally, Granges were put in places like Lockeford or Linden where there wasn’t a town,” said Molly Watkins, Lockeford Grange secretary. “They provided reasons to get together and push to lobby on behalf of the farmer.”
Much like their forefathers, Lockeford Grange members meet each month to share a meal with friends and family members and discuss business, like planning events and fundraisers. Family activities, like cherry pit spitting contests or pumpkin carving, typically follow.
Unlike 4-H, which is overseen by university Cooperative Extension and designed for youth aged 5 to 19, Grange is part of a national organization founded more than 150 years ago. It is designed for the entire family, and youth involved in Grange still can show animals or enter projects in the San Joaquin AgFest Junior Livestock Auction as well as the California State Fair.
This opportunity dates back to 1982, when the state Grange adopted a resolution that established a Youth Fair Program with the California State Fair. It allowed young Grange members to participate alongside 4-H and FFA. Grange junior exhibitors 13 years old and younger show their animals alongside 4-H’ers, while those older compete against FFA students.
Although San Joaquin County is home to three other Granges – Ripon, Woodbridge and Escalon – Watkins said Lockeford is the only one with a youth program.
San Joaquin Farm Bureau First Vice President James Chinchiolo said he favors groups that support agriculture, regardless of the format.
“The more we can continue the cohesiveness of ag in the county, the better,” he said.
Lockeford Grange reawakens
Watkins, who formerly was a 4-H sewing leader and was active on the county’s advisory council, was approached by a group of Linden-area parents about restarting the Lockeford Grange in late 2021 or early 2022. She was already familiar with the organization, having a friend in Solano County who was a former FFA advisor and had moved over to the Grange.
After a few phone calls to the state Grange office, Watkins said one of the officials came to Lockeford, opened up the Grange Hall and handed her the keys. Although most Lockeford Grange members live nearby in the Linden or Lockeford areas, a few families come from as far away as Vernalis and Manteca.
During a recent monthly meeting, attendees said they didn’t like the direction 4-H was taking shortly after COVID, and they supported the family-centric focus as reasons why they joined the Grange.
“4-H is there for the kids,” said Brian Clary, a Linden resident who with his wife and children made the move. “FFA is geared for the older kids, but Grange is more of the whole picture family-type of group. I was in 4-H growing up, but it’s changed a bit. This came up and it’s been good to get to know people, and it’s a really good group of people.”
As a non-profit organization, Watkins said the Lockeford Grange has five years to turn a profit.
“So we’re 2½ years into that, and I haven’t figured out how we’re gong to achieve that,” she said.
Ideally, Walkins said she’d like to find other organizations or groups that would like to rent the Lockeford Grange Hall for its meetings. Lockeford Grange members also realize the challenges and say they’d like to increase membership. That said, they’re working to get the word out about the Grange.
A family-centric group
At the recent monthly Lockeford Grange meeting, 14-year-old Linden resident and President Mason Galluzi presided over the meeting alongside Treasurer Angie Vana, an adult from Linden. That’s because once a Grange member reaches 14 years old, they’re considered an adult and can serve as an officer.
Older adults occasionally made suggestions to Galluzi on how to follow Robert’s Rules of Order, but honing his leadership skills was one reason why he said he decided to seek office.
“We’re very small, and I thought it was a very good opportunity to learn in a smaller environment and I could get some helpful feedback,” Galluzi said. “And this could set me up for future leadership goals.”
Amandataylor Morales and her mother, Jennifer, drove from Vernalis to attend the monthly meeting. The younger Morales, who has been showing pigs for several years, said they liked the more inclusive focus of Grange.
“I like that Grange offers the whole families projects – it doesn’t exclude parents like 4-H does,” Amandataylor Morales said.
Taylor Montgomery and her mother, Jennifer, came from Manteca. Jennifer Montgomery said they made the move because they didn’t agree with the direction 4-H was taking.
But the Montgomerys liked how both adults and youth could be involved in Grange activities as well as Taylor still being able to show steers at AgFest.
The Lockeford Grange meets the third Thursday of each month, beginning at 6 p.m., at 19727 Cotton St. just behind Lockeford Sausage. Dinner is $20 for the entire family. If you want to check out the Grange, Watkins suggested giving her a call ahead of time at 209-401-8591 so she could ensure enough food.
