Don't Panic, Prepare!
Posted May, 2025
With the next Big One in the headlines, recents cuts to FEMA, and an ominous economic climate, awareness is growing among islanders of the need to look after each other in emergencies.
Now Hiring for a Farm Manager
This is a calendar-year, contracted position averaging 12 - 15 hours per week, at a pay rate of $30- 37.50/hour, commensurate with experience. Work hours will vary, with some work on weekends, especially during the growing season. There is no “Grange Office”, so work will be performed remotely, onsite at OFC and at the Grange Hall. By mutual agreement, the weekly and annual hours will vary with the needs at Overmarsh and with the rhythm of the agricultural year, within budget parameters.
Looking Ahead
We have been receiving a lot of inquiries about land at our Overmarsh Farm Commons and still have a few parcels left.
- Community garden patches: 100-400 square feet
- Medium plots: 500-1000 square feet
- Allotments: 1000-2000 square feet
- A commercial operation of up to half an acre
- Collaborative farms: up to two acres
- A share in a community orchard
- Pastures for grazing animals
- Custom growing ideas: just ask!
What’s Happening with the Grange
What's up at the Farmers Market
Posted May, 2025 by Samantha DeChristopher
The San Juan Island Farmers Market has been a beloved community hub since 1987, bringing people together over fresh produce and local goods. Over the last few years, there has been a decline in the number of farmer vendors at the market. This has sparked concerns about whether the market is maintaining the spirit of a true farmers market.
Beautiful Beginnings
Posted April, 2025 by Bruce Robinson
Two major recent events will help ensure the success of the Overmarsh Farm Commons project. The first is the signing of a 20-year lease by the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and the Grange. The second is the selection of a Farm Manager.
News From the Grange Seed Bank
Posted April, 2025 by Nancy Best
Resiliency is a guiding mission of our Grange. Hoping for the best and planning for the worst, the Grange has created a seed bank. Ensuring that there are vegetable seeds available on San Juan Island is one of the ways that we can make sure we have some of the food we would need for emergencies.
Island Resilience: A Community Lecture Series
Posted April, 2025
3rd Thursday of the Month, 5:30-7pm at Grange Hall. This Grange lecture series features local speakers who will share how our community can prepare for, adapt to, and withstand
Seed Swap Coming Up
Posted Feb, 2025
Following in the footsteps of millennia of hungry humans, let’s get together to share and give away seeds. This is an opportunity to share within our community. Vegetable, herb, and flower seeds are welcome. If you grew out seeds last year, bring some to pass along.
Our Mission
To support a resilient community of growers, makers, and keepers, to foster social and political engagement, and to maintain our Hall as a home for celebrations and programs.
We are a grass-roots, non-partisan advocacy group, and because we are a non-profit (501c8), we can accept donations and participate in crafting legislation at all levels.
Our Grange
San Juan Island Grange #966 is for rural citizens with both legislative programs and community activities such as talent and craft contests, scholarships, and much more. You don’t have to be a farmer to belong, though many are. Our elected officers volunteer and our ‘work’ occurs through various committees, but the heart of our mission is community well-being, and we enjoy gathering to celebrate this.
Our History
The Grange started after the Civil War to begin healing and overcome the sense of isolation that many farmers were feeling as well as help them respond to new national markets. Grange Halls across the country housed mutual assistance programs, and many agricultural cooperatives were started by Granges to improve the economic lot of the family farm. Today each local Grange chooses its own mission and program, and Granges come together at the state and national levels for joint efforts.