Posted January, 2026
Learn more about seaweed's many uses and benefits at the Grange Third Thursday Lecture Series event “Seaweed—Nutritious, Medicinal, Climate-Friendly Sea Vegetables.” The evening program is the first of the 2026 lecture series and will explore local food independence through sea-based nourishment and kelp farming. To be held Thursday, January 15, 5:00pm at the San Juan Island Grange Hall.
Posted January, 2026 by Amanda Zee, Overmarsh Farm Commons Manager
Our first growing season at Overmarsh Farm Commons has been a huge success, and we’re excited to build on that momentum in the year ahead. As we reflect on lessons learned and update our five-year plan, we’re energized by the projects already underway and those planned for 2026.
Posted January, 2026
As seed catalogs begin to pile up, they come with the dream of warm weather, flowers, and fresh veggies. Indulge the need for seed and come to the 2026 Grange Seed Swap. This year it's on National Seed Swap Day! To be held January 31, 2-4pm at the San Juan Island Grange Hall. Come empty-handed to pick up seeds, or bring your own seeds to swap.
Posted Aug, 2025 ~ by Amanda Zee
We're having an amazing first year at Overmarsh Farm Commons! With 24 garden plots and 34 participants, all of the land we prepared last fall is now being cultivated by island growers.
Posted June, 2025
SAVE THE DATE! Next Repair Fair: October 19th. May’s Repair Fair fixed bicycles and lamps, torn clothing and broken zippers. People went away with renewed items, yes, but perhaps also with a renewed faith in our ability to take care of ourselves.
Posted June, 2025 by Nancy Best
Mid June is a good time to start some plants for winter harvest. Several years ago, the Grange was given a large amount of McNaught Kale seeds, and they are are still germinating like a champ!
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.
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.
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.