The Santa Cruz Live Oak Grange No. 503 is part of a national organization dedicated to support family farms and promote sustainable agriculture. As part of this program the Live Oak Grange focuses on organic farming and has programs of interest to all persons interested in the quality of their food and environment: consumers as well as farmers.
Address:
1900 17th Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone (831) 476-6424
Meetings: Last Tuesday of the month, 7:00 PM
Social Meeting and Potluck: Third
Tuesday of the month, 7:00 PM
Everyone is always welcome.
Grange President: Ken Dickerson
· History of the National Grange
· History of the Live Oak Grange
· Current Issues in Agriculture
· List of Local Farmer's Markets
· Send email to Live Oak Grange postmaster
The Grange takes the position that a wise program of sustainable agriculture, which safeguards the family farm, is the most economical way to furnish all people with wholesome, affordable food and fiber. There are Granges in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Granges are involved with legislation that affect agriculture and lobby for the welfare of farmers. They pass resolutions at the local, state, and national levels. The Grange is non-partisan and does not endorse political candidates.
The Live Oak Grange has a unique focus in representing the many organic farmers in the region. Among the members are representatives of several organic farming groups in California. Organic farming is a return to traditional sustainable agriculture without the hazards and costs of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. This tradition is being augmented by new methods of natural pest control, crop rotation, and marketing.
Many of the issues of concern to small farmers are also of interest to non-farmers. All people are interested in eating wholesome, nourishing food of high quality. Urban planning and farmland become one issue when the growth of cities covers rich soil with concrete. Water supply and quality are issues of vital interest to all. So one does not need to be a farmer to be active in the Grange.
The Live Oak Grange seeks to benefit the local community. We have a demonstration organic garden at the Grange for its members. We are sponsor lectures and discussions concerning organic methods. We provide free meeting space for organic farming groups and local groups such as the Live Oak Neighbors and Boy Scouts.
The Live Oak Grange has numerous ways for members to participate in activities. Some members are not able to the regular meetings, but can still get involved by volunteering for activities.
At the end of the Civil War, Oliver Kelley conducted a survey of agriculture and realized the need for a national organization to help farmers, who where facing great difficulties. He gathered six friends and formed the National Grange on December 4, 1867. The name comes from the root for grain and was taken from the early name for English farms. One unusual feature of the new organization was full voting membership for women, long before women were allowed to vote in US elections. This was due to the efforts of Caroline Hall, who participated actively in forming the Grange.
The Grange was active in promoting legislation that benefitted farmers, such as rural free mail delivery in 1896, the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906, and rural electrification in 1935.
The Live Oak Grange was chartered on August 5, 1932 with thirty members. By 1936 membership grew to 150 members. The present lot was purchased in 1949. Construction of the Grange hall was started in November 17, 1956 and was completed in March 1957 at a cost of $11,000, with much donated labor. Membership declined in recent years and there was a possibility that the Grange would be closed. Several new members led an effort to revitalize the Grange by starting programs of interest to local organic farmers and consumers interested in sustainable agriculture.
Membership in the Grange is open to all persons over 14 years of age, without regard for gender, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, or disability. Dues are $24 per year and there is a $3 application fee.
You may apply for membership by:
(1) Calling 476-6424 and leaving a message with your name, address and phone number
(2) Printing the application form and statement and mailing them.
Monsanto is proposing to introduce a Roundup-resistant variety of wheat. Consumers world-wide are expressing doubts about buying this latest genetically-modified product.
Rapid population growth in California is steadily reducing farmland as buildings replace crops on prime soil. An article by Dale Kasler of the Sacramento Bee (10-18-98) reports that the Central Valley could lose a million acres, or 15 percent of its rich farmland by 2040. California has already lost about 10 percent of its farmland between 1982-1992. Traditionally agricultural towns like Tracy and Fresno are becoming bedroom communities for Silicon Valley. Land that is worth $3000 per acre for farming is worth $25,000 per acre for housing. Housing developers need water as well as land. When a developer needed water for a tract in Tracy he purchased land near Fresno in order to get the water rights to transfer the water 80 miles to Tracy. Another problem with building houses on farmland is the conflict between urban and rural life. Traffic, dust, smells, noise, and chemicals create problems for residents and farmers when they are neighbors.
One statistic illustrates why farmland is
endangered:
In 1997 the gross value of California agriculture was $26.8 billion, the
largest of any state. In the same year, Hewlett-Packard, a electronics/computer
company, grossed $42.9 billion. So if money the priority, farming is out. But
the bottom line is: Where will we get our food?
·
Phaseout of Methyl Bromide Use
Methyl bromide is used extensively in Santa Cruz county as a soil fumigant,
especially for strawberries. It is highly toxic and damages the earth's
protective ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol signed by the US and other
nations phases out methyl bromide use by 2005. The EPA had banned it starting
in 2001, but a recent bill delayed the ban until 2005. So farmers will
eventually be forced to find an alternative.
Click here to see how Swanton Berry Farm grows strawberries and vegetables without methyl bromide.
·
Water Shortages
Water is in short supply in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and the stage is
set for battles over water. Farms are already having serious problem with salt
water intrusion caused by excessive pumping of ground water. The city of Santa
Cruz uses 4.4 billion gallons a year, but a drought like 1977 could cut that
supply to 3.5 billion gallons. (SC Sentinel 10-27-98) Meanwhile, continued
housing development increases the demand by 50 million gallons a year and there
are no new water sources in sight. How are we going to supply the deficit when
the inevitable drought comes?
·
The Decline of Family Farms
Family farms are rapidly disappearing, the victims of misguided US policy, low
crop prices, besides the usual problems caused by weather. When wheat costs $5
a bushel to grow and brings only $2 a bushel, it explains the losing odds of survival
in farming. Farm gross income increased 40% between 1990-1997, but expenses
rose 53%. Borrowing by farmers rose 100%. Average net income for farms dropped
from $50,000 in 1993 to $35,500 in 1996.
· New Seed Technology Threatens Sustainability
Monsanto and the US Department of Agriculture are promoting new biotechnology that renders seed sterile. This will prevent farmers from saving seed and force them to buy patented seed from the developers of genetically altered plants. The USDA will earn royalties of about 5% from the new technology. There is the possibility that this feature may escape to other plants and render them sterile. Monsanto is promoting use of genetically altered soybeans that are resistant to its herbicide Roundup. Farmers are forced to sign contracts that forbid the saving of seed. These are all efforts by the multinationals to control agriculture for their profit.
Click here to read the full report
·
Genetically Engineered Potatoes
An article by Michael Pollan in the New York Times Magazine, "Playing God
in the Garden" (10-25-98), describes his experience with a new Monsanto
product, a potato that is genetically engineered to produce its own insecticide
that kills the Colorado potato beetle. The EPA and FDA do not require labeling
of the product for consumers. Farmers are forbidden by contract from saving any
potatoes for seed. The author describes the laboratories where this potato is
produced and the farmers that grow it. He also tells of an organic farmer who
successfully grows potatoes without this new product. There is recent evidence
that pollen from corn with the genetically engineered pesticide Bt is lethal to
monarch butterflies. A study found that nearly half of butterfiles fed Bt corn
pollen died after four days (Nature, May 20).
· Click here to return to the first page
·
Ten
Reasons why farmers should think twice before growing GE crops
Article by Dr. E. Ann Clark, Plant Agriculture, Univesity of Guelph, Canada
· Committee for Sustainable Agriculture
· The Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems
· ATTRA - Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
· Dept. of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Links
· California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF)
· Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF)
· Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
· Organic Trade Association (OTA)
· Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI)
· Sustainable Agriculture Network
· Organic Consumers Association
· Union of Concerned Scientists
· Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
· Food First -- Institute for Food and Development Policy
· Interactive Food Safety site
· California Native Plant Society
General Information
The Live Oak Grange hall is available for rental to community groups. Renters
must provide their own liability insurance coverage. Alcoholic beverages are
not allowed. The hall is not available for private parties.
Rates
Rates are dependent on length of contract, level of traffic, storage and
facility requirements. Contact the Rental Manager for a quote.
Click to send email to the Rental Manager,
Takashi Yogi
Description of Facilities
Main Hall 35.5' X 55.5' wood floor
Capacity 285 people
Stage 11' 9" X 19' 4" with curtain
Sound system with 3 microphones, tape/CD player
Slide projection equipment
Overhead transparency projector
16 mm film projector
Video Cassette Recorder
Video projector with VCR/computer interface
Movie screens, 6’ X 6’ and 4’
X 4’
10 fold-down tables 30" X 15' seat approx. 140 people
Complete set of dishes and utensils
5 portable tables 33" X 96"
5 card tables
Folding chairs 184
Easel, whiteboard
Computer
Copier
Parking lot size 100' X 150' approx 50 cars
Full kitchen with stove, oven, dishes, microwave
Hall has wheelchair-accessible ramp. Restrooms are partially accessible.
Click here to return to the first page
Web page by Takashi Yogi
04-24-08
http://www.greengrange.org/index.htm