Harmony Grange Hosts Annual Agriculture Fair

Monroe has changed tremendously since the Harmony Grange #92 was founded in 1889. Located at 2 Shelton Road, at the intersection of routes 110 and 111, the historic building continues to house the social, civic and spiritual organization whose mission is to support local farmers.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m to 2 p.m., Harmony Grange will host its annual Agriculture Fair. Everyone is invited to bring their fruits, flowers and vegetables for a juried competition and ribbons will be awarded.

"You do not have to be a member of the Harmony Grange to participate," said Harmony Grange President George Ward.

There will also be homemade baked goods and hand-crafted needlework items, such as afghans, sweaters and aprons on display.

The community is invited to join in the festivities. There is free admission and parking.

"This year we will also have a baking contest for the best apple pie,"
George added. "People bring in everything — string beans, potatoes,
tomatoes, corn, carrots. Most items will be for sale once the judging is completed."

George's wife, Gloria, said that traditionally, live animals — chickens, rabbits and even a pony — are available for viewing on the lawn. People are invited to bring their small animals as long as they can be contained in an appropriate carrier.

During the Agriculture Fair, a tag sale will also take place inside the
building. Various people have donated items, including a pine wood
dining room table and four chairs with an asking price of $50. "It's
a great table," said George.

There will also be knick-knacks, vases, silverware and other miscellaneous items. "You name it, we'll have it," George said with a smile.

All of the proceeds will go toward financially supporting the
building's upkeep.

"It's expensive to run a grange,” George explained. "You have to pay for electricity, lights and heat and we also send a stipend to the state grange."

George said granges were initially founded in the United States to help farmers get their products to the local marketplace. "They were also founded to give the farmers new technology so they could issue more products per acre," he added.

Though George grew up on a farm in rural Maine, he and Gloria have never had animals on their Shelton property. They do grow vegetables, though, and do a great deal of canning at the end of the season. Gloria was raised in upstate New York, also on a family-owned farm, with cows, horses, rabbits, chickens and ducks.

Because there are less working farms today, grange memberships have gradually dwindled. "Younger people are less interested in joining because they are too busy," Gloria said.

George said that since the Trumbull Grange recently merged with Harmony Grange in June, there are now about 50 members. About six years ago, the Far Mill River Grange in Shelton was incorporated into the Harmony Grange.

"I wish more people came to our monthly meetings, though," he said.

Gloria, who is the Harmony Grange's Chaplain, said prayer is part of every meeting. "We pray for our farmers," she explained.

The members usually share a meal either before or after the meeting.

For more information, call George Ward at 203-929-3171.