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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.