A small group of residents cheered Feb. 4 as they committed to forming a new Ramona Grange organization.
About 20 people were attending a meeting to help determine the future of the group — a fraternal organization ing farmers, ranchers, vineyard operators and others, most with a connection to agriculture — that once was popular in Ramona.
Karen Carlson, the newly elected president of the Ramona Grange No. 632, shed a few tears as she glanced around the room. A longtime Ramona resident, Carlson has a variety of livestock on her 5-acre property.
“I’m so excited, I did cry. The community of Ramona really came together to make the Grange happen,” said Carlson. “So many of our community were here and willing to step up.”
Joseph Stefenoni, state Grange president and CEO, said he was happy to see the Ramona Grange be reorganized by an energetic group of residents.
“For over 150 years, the Grange has been a place where community is built, and the newly reorganized Ramona Grange proudly carries on the legacy,” he said.
The state Grange organization sponsored one meeting last month to promote revitalization of the Ramona chapter.
According to Stefenoni, there are 121 active community Granges in California, with about 6,000 , and at least 10 chapters in the process of reorganizing. Nationally, there are about 1,400 Granges.
A core group of at least 13 was needed for the revitalization to continue. The Grange requires eight officers with istrative and operational duties, and nine other executive roles, Stefenoni said.
The Ramona group had received a dozen applications at the January meeting, with 15 more this month.
Once they determined there was enough interest and to renew the Grange, a flurry of activity took place on Feb. 4.
Under Stefenoni’s mentorship, those present determined items necessary for their bylaws, a requirement of the state Grange.
Officers, including Carlson, were elected; Barry Neilson was chosen as vice president; Naomi Oakes, lecturer; Julie Crider, treasurer and Tony Montegna, secretary.
“The agriculture community is crucial to Ramona, and all the agriculture ventures need to all the others, from small farms to wineries,” said Crider, a longtime Ramona resident and horse owner, explaining why she volunteered for the treasurer position.
Oakes was also pleased to accept the lecturer role.
“I have a young family and the values of the community are very important to me. I feel there is untapped resources and want to be a part of that. It’s a big deal,” she said.
The remaining executive officer spots were filled by Carol Ann Chan, Clark Crider, Carissa Ultsch and Shelby Williams, with Ashlyn Clark as a junior executive member.
Exactly what activities the Grange will focus on will be decided at future meetings.
“Over the next few months, the Ramona Grange will set its Program of Activities and we hope that more folks will to assist with bringing exciting programs, activities and services to the Ramona community,” Stefenoni said.
Some Granges focus on homeschooling and homesteading, while others focus on livestock showing and education, similar to 4-H and FFA organizations.
James “Kirby” Hitt has been a member of the Rainbow Valley Grange near Fallbrook — the only other Grange in San Diego County with a facility — since 1971, when he was 13. Alpine has a Grange but no facility.
Hitt is first associate member for Ramona Grange.
The Rainbow Valley Grange hosts blood drives, hosts a monthly crop swap, sponsors spay and neuter clinics, keeps a seed bank and holds regular events such as bingo nights, Kirby said.
Ramona teen Ashlyn Clark, a member of the Lakeside FFA, is eager to help chart the course of the Grange.
“I’m super excited and very ionate about the youth. It’s really important to change the future of young people and agriculture and get as many ideas as we can,” Clark said. “And we need more kid .”
She said she was interested in learning about livestock and how to show, jam making, crafts and using recycled materials.
The Grange provides state and national representation on policies, procedures and legislation related to agriculture communities, Stefenoni said in his opening remarks.
Some expressed interest in continuing the legislative efforts of the Grange in protecting the needs of small farmers and farmers markets in rural communities.
Representing the Ramona Chamber of Commerce at the meeting were President Bob Krysak and Executive Director Joe Stupar.
The Chamber is interested in ing the Grange and will promote it though social media, and by connecting them to local businesses, schools and organizations, Krysak said.
Aya Ibrahin, an intern for San Diego County Supervisor Joel Anderson’s office, awarded Certificates of Appreciation to Carlson, Stefenoni, Clark, Neilson and Montegna, as well as Ralph Turner, who was not in attendance.
Originally created in April 1915, Ramona Grange No. 632 was last active in the mid-to-late 2000s, according to Stefenoni.
The white wooden building — which might be older than the Grange itself — at 215 Seventh St. has a large open room with a small kitchen area and bathroom.
It was used in the last few years for church meetings, meals for the homeless and dance/exercise classes.
One popular suggestion was to use the building to host meetings — although many of the items required for even a basic gathering will need to be replaced.
As soon as Carlson began the reorganization efforts, she noticed the building was empty.
“All the folding chairs and some of the tables we are using are borrowed,” she said. “We have a fridge but need a stove and basic kitchen items. We need things like paint (black, white, gray and light blue), painting supplies, tile and even trash cans.”
Donations of equipment and funding are needed. Carlson has set up a GoFundMe at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-ramona-grange-hall-an-historic-gem.
Applications for new are being accepted. Potential do not have to be from Ramona; anyone from the surrounding towns to the backcountry is encouraged to .
For more information, Carlson at [email protected] or visit the website: RamonaGrange.org.
