Activities We've Done / Are Doing

Tannenbaum Forest at the Amana Colonies

November 29 – December 22, 2024 (Fridays to Sundays)

This will be the 3rd year that the Iowa State Grange will sponsor a tree at the Tannenbaum Forest in Main Amana.

"Step into a magical winter wonderland at the Amana Colonies’ Tannenbaum Forest! Explore over 70 beautifully decorated Christmas trees in the Festhalle Barn, each uniquely adorned by local businesses, organizations, groups, or families. The entire barn will be decked out for the season, complete with Santa’s Sleigh, festive photo opportunities, and a stunning 17-foot German Christmas Pyramid as the centerpiece!

Admission is free, but we welcome and encourage free-will donations. All proceeds will support the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and local non-profits.

Please note: The building is not heated, so dress warmly!"

https://amanacolonies.com/things-to-do/festivals/tannenbaum-forest/

Annual Family Grange Camp (2nd year)

October 11-13, 2024

The 2nd annual Family Grange Camp took place at Lake Iowa. Attendees had a long, fun-filled weekend starting with games (Mantis and Butts on Things) and a bonfire on Friday.

Saturday started off with a hike around the campground, collecting wooly caterpillars, and playing at the Nature Playscape by the Nature Center. After that, we learned how to make pinecone and tin can fire starters. Then we tie-dyed bandanas and shirts.

One of the attendees took his grandkids down to the lake to fish and ended up catching a 28" catfish! It was incredible!

After working up an appetite, we made our way down to the Nature Center to learn the history of dutch oven cooking with Mary Blair, Lake Iowa Naturalist and her husband, Richard. Lasagna soup and apple cobbler were made. The Nature Center was opened up and attendees were able to see a Fox Snake, Box Turtle, and Tiger Salamander as well as an interactive bee display and animal puppet shows.

The night ended with viewing Saturn and the Moon through a telescope and trivia over a bonfire.

Sunday morning, a biscuits and gravy breakfast was shared.

Farm Aid 2024

September 21, 2024

Two members of the Iowa State Grange volunteered at Farm Aid 2024 this year.

Farm Aid was held in ALBANY, N.Y. at Broadview Stage at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. It showcased an all-star lineup of musical artists — all donating their performances in support of family farmers and good food.

Cedar Rapids chapter (unchartered)

Teacher Survival Bags

March 17, 2024

Put together "Teacher Survival Bags" to give to teachers to help get to the end of the year after spring break.

Bags included: snacks, candy, pencils, post-it notes, stickers, gum, water flavor packets, erasers, etc.

Cedar Rapids chapter (unchartered)

Kindness Rocks

July 28, 2024

Members and friends of the Cedar Rapids chapter met at a local park to make kindness rocks and have a BTOP, Bring your own picnic. Many rocks were drawn on with funny pictures and inspirational sayings, followed up with a BTOP, Bring Your Own Picnic. Rocks were then hidden around the park and taken to be spread out within the community.

Amboy Grange

Amboy Grange Pie Fundraiser

July 3, 2024

Amboy Grange baked fresh strawberry and peach pies for $20 a pie.

Cedar Rapids chapter (unchartered)

Safe Halloween at Usher's Ferry

Oct. 20, 2024

The Cedar Rapids chapter handed out candy for Safe Halloween at Usher's Ferry (a historical village that depicts life in a small Iowa town between the years of 1890 and 1910).

Chester Royal Grange & the Iowa State Grange

Pillowcase bags for the Eddy House (created for the National Grange 2022 Community Service Project in Nevada)

Summer & Sept 2022

Chester Royal and the Iowa State Grange turned over 100 pillowcases into bags for the Eddy House out of Reno, Nevada. "The objective of the Eddy House is to end youth homelessness in Reno, Nevada. To accomplish this, we identify homeless, at-risk, and aged-out foster youth through extensive outreach in Downtown Reno."

https://eddyhouse.org/

Chester Royal Grange

Fidgets Project

Summer 2022

Made and collected fidgets to be donated to Grinnell Middle and High School.

Chester Royal Grange

Milkweed Seedballs

April 2017 & 2018

Put together seedballs filled with milkweed and other various native Iowa Prairie plants to throw along the road during RAGBRAI.

Chester Royal hosted a public milkweed seedball rolling event at the Grange Hall. We had 27 people helping make approximately 1500 seedballs for the Milkweed Matters RAGBRAI Initiative. Elizabeth Hill, representing Milkweed Matters, led the workshop and everyone helped roll seedballs.

https://milkweedmatters.org/

Amboy Grange

“The Barn Quilts of Grundy County” Event

February 7th, 2018

Presented by Evie, the past president & Shari, the Grundy County Program Director.

A unique form of public art, Barn Quilts were brought to Grundy County in the fall of 2003. Designed to highlight the rural, agricultural heritage of Grundy County, as well as the folk art of quilting, The Barn Quilt Loop features large patchwork quilt blocks that have been painted onto the sides of barns and other farm buildings in the area.

For more information about the Barn Quilts of Grundy County:

http://www.grundycountyia.com/play/barn-quilts

Amboy Grange

“If Barns Could Talk” by Rich Tyler Event

April 5th, 2017

Rich Tyler has been restoring the Secrest farmstead and octagonal barn near West Branch. He has researched the history behind the property, including the golden age of farming, the Depression, and the architecture of barns. Old barns are more than just solid, functional buildings. They represent the soul of our farming heritage and perhaps more! What is a barn, architecturally and emotionally? Barn design was based on experience, needs, and ambition. Their function indicated both the farm operation and the farmer’s personal touch. Barn construction was a community affair comprised of hard work, huge meals, and a barn dance. Few of us today have the products of our labor on display for all to see, appreciate, and criticize. But what’s happening to our old barns and why should we care about old barns today? These and other questions will be discussed as the history and current importance of barns are explored.

This presentation focuses on a typical farmer, Joshua Secrest, who developed a successful livestock farm. It also reviews the dramatic development of ingenious farm machinery and tools that enabled growth and prosperity. Secrest built a large octagonal barn in 1883. The barn and farmstead were lost in the depression. Old farm tools are shared as part of the presentation.

Chester Royal Grange