Westport Grange to steer a new course
By Jon Alden
Community
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These past
few decades, the Westport Grange Hall on Main Road is a little quieter, and
fewer farmers drop by to share opinions on the structural shift in the nature
of Westport agriculture. “I’m not exactly sure when in the last 50 years
Westport farmers became disconnected from the Grange,” said Ed Horky, Grange Master.
Escalating
property development has put Westport farmers under increasing pressure to
reevaluate the use and disposition of their farms. Fortunately, town Community
Preservation efforts involving land trusts and agricultural restrictions are
protecting more and more of Westport’s open farmlands, but not necessary as
active produce farms but for hay or corn silage production. Unfortunately, Westport
Granges are bearing the brunt of this change in land use. Recently, Watuppa Grange No. 365 on Old Bedford Road became inactive.
In the past, junior Grange members became the next generation of Grange leadership.
With current leaders now retiring or passing on, and the next generation moving
away from farming as a way of life, many Granges across the state are being
forced to close.
Founded in Fredonia, NY in 1867 the Grange was a farmers'
movement involving the affiliation of local farmers into area
"granges" to work for their political and economic advantages,
culminating in the successful regulation of railroad and grain warehousing costs.
Granges have always
been open to non farmers, and have played a large role in providing community
events. The Westport Grange had corn chowder suppers, flea markets, dances and
stage entertainments, and was frequently used as an ad hoc community meeting
place, especially in pre-television times.
Westport
icon, Carlton “Cukie” Macomber, a 19-year old Grange Master in 1947, recalls
the Tuesday night square dances held at No. 181; ”During the war with rationing
nobody had extra gas to go to movies or such. We had to have a place to go and
the Grange was it.” He called to mind how the Army boys, down at Gooseberry
manning the enemy vessel detection cable that was strung underwater over to Cuttyhunk, would come to the dances. “We sure had some
great times! I met my little woman at a Grange dance.” Cukie thought for a
moment and laughed. “My accomplishment as Grange Master in ’47 was putting the
toilet inside the Hall!”
The official name of the National Grange is the Order
of Patrons of Husbandry. Westport Grange No. 181 (the 181st Grange chapter in
Massachusetts) was founded in 1890. Fraternal in nature, many Granges have
developed into a social and educational organization, sponsoring fairs, dances,
golf and bowling tournaments, and church and youth activities that contribute
to the development of social skills lacking in the chat room era of the
internet age. However, with
so much entertainment available at home - the Grange has struggled to find how to
serve the community at large.
At one time there were more than 400 Granges in Massachusetts.
This number has dwindled to 81 with just 6 Junior Granges.
The
Westport Grange Farmers’ Market Committee is trying to steer clear of that
fate. For many months now they have been planning for the opening of a Class A Farmers’ Market. Committee members Deana Chase, Barbara
Smith, Helen Beaulieu, Cindy Manchester, with Ed and Beth Easterly, his wife,
want to run it as a community service not a business enterprise. “We want the
vendors to make a lot of the decisions. All items for sale will be produced or
made locally (Class A). Our vision is that the market over the next few years
will become vendor driven and run,” Beth, the Market Coordinator, said.
Westport
farmers are progressively growing more specialized products such as herbs and
produce for gourmet restaurants, to compete in markets not dominated by large-scale
agribusiness. Ironically, the cost of national distribution is once again a worry
of local growers. “National food distributors, a vital link in marketing these
products, are requiring participating growers to lease expensive and complex
internet-based software programs,” said a concerned Ed Horky.
“As a result, it’s becoming harder to sell to the larger distributors.”
The
committee is helping reshape Grange efforts to offer area farmers another
outlet to sell their locally-grown goods. On April 14th a lively
flea market helped launch an effort to rejuvenate Grange No. 181. “The Grange
is a vital asset to our community, and is certainly worth revitalizing,” Beth
said. “The Hall is a centrally-located, wonderful building that can serve the
needs of non-farmers as well as agriculture.”
A non-profit organization, the Grange is revenue dependent on contributions
and sale dollars from fundraising events like the flea market. “We need the
community’s help,” Beth added.
The current
Grange Hall was built in the early 1900’s. Prior to that time, Union Hall
served as the Grange headquarters. Ed recalls that the Grange may have initially
met in the old Town Hall building across the street that is now a church parish
building.
Beth’s eyes
brightened as she talked about the upcoming Farmers’ Market. “There will be up
to 10 to 11 tent stalls positioned in front, with an additional 6 to 8 truck
stalls on the south side of the building.” She gestured around herself. “Inside
the building local artisans and craft makers will display and sell their artwork
and creations. We will give preference to local growers and artists, but also encourage
producers outside the area to participate in this wonderful enterprise,” Beth,
and artist herself, said.
Ed outlined
a planned renovation of the building beginning with the installation of a stone
driveway to the building’s south side. The Westport Grange Building and Grounds
Committee anticipates that exterior repair will be done by a skilled student
group. Even Girl Scout Troop 1145 offered their considerable talents as 18 scouts
held a bake sale, a story-telling event, and a Halloween gig featuring “musical
tombstones!” Not afraid of getting dirty, they are finishing up the cleaning,
priming, and painting of the Grange’s stage, and plan to landscape the north
and west side of the building. “They are a God-send,” praised Ed. The Grange
plans to present them with a Community Service Award in recognition of their
outstanding contributions.
According
to The Federation of Massachusetts Farmers’ Markets, “Massachusetts farmers'
markets connect local consumers directly with fresh fruits, vegetables, meat,
eggs, baked goods, and other products grown or produced on local farms. In
addition to providing a healthy shopping experience, markets provide a natural
setting for special events and build community in the neighborhoods where they
take place.”
Nina Planck, former Times reporter and
accomplished author on farmers’ markets, says, “We need to develop and expand the market
for regional and traditional foods to benefit farmers and eaters.”
Suze Craig, local author, spinner, editor of
the WRWA newsletter, and small farmer remarked, “I think it’s wonderful that Westport will have a
farmers’ market. The need is there as some farm stands in town are closing, and
it will be nice for me to be able to sell our extra produce, herbs and flowers.”
Other local
growers planning to take part in the Farmers’ Market are: Dartmouth Orchards,
John George, Paradise Hill, Canuel Farm and Susan’s
Greenhouse. Expected operating hours will be Saturday mornings from 8 to noon,
beginning July 7 and ending September 29. “Some spaces are still available,”
Beth was quick to point out.
Dartmouth
Grange No. 162 on Fisher Road has re-energized itself with the implementation
of a ‘community shared-use kitchen’ where local growers and aspiring
entrepreneurs can rent and use the Grange’s cookery resources to prepare and
package value-added food items for resale.
All is not
gloom and doom for Grange No. 181. There is a national movement towards Farmers’
Markets, and the expanded Federal ethanol requirements for gasoline inclusion
bring promise to local corn production. “Our renovated Grange building will
also be utilized or rented for approved community service,” Ed pointed out.
With Grange
Master Ed Horky at the helm, Westport Grange No. 181
is beginning to sail out of troubled waters. The project has attracted the
interest of the Westport Economic Development Task Force, Westport Arts Council,
and the Westport Agricultural Commission who gave them a jump start and offered
a wealth of information from farmers who have been selling in markets near and
far for years. Much is yet to be done, but
with the support of the growers and the area’s consumers, this once essential
organization can again contribute to the agricultural community and the vibrant
social fabric of Westport.
For more
information, to participate in the Farmers market, or to make a donation, call
Ed or Beth at (508) 636-4427, or email them at eaae@verizon.net.
For more pictures of the flea market and the Grange Hall go to www.aldenhill.com and review Westport in
the News.
http://www.nationalgrange.org/
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