Komski re-elected master of the California State Grange

RAINBOW – Fallbrook resident Ed Komski was re-elected master (president) at the 141st annual session of the California State Grange on June 25. Unopposed for a second term, Komski has led the state grange since it was re-chartered in July 2014. The convention was held at Orangevale Grange Hall, Orangevale, Calif. (near Sacramento) from June 23 to 26.

Komski joined Rainbow Valley Grange #689 in 2003 and led its Youth Fair team for several years besides serving as master from 2005 to 2009. He presently holds a seat on the grange's executive committee. Komski has also served as the state youth fair adviser and real estate adviser.

In his master's address, Komski emphasized the brand, history and integrity of the California State Grange, the Patrons of Husbandry, which was originally chartered on July 15, 1873. The theme of this year’s convention was “Renovate and Innovate the California State Grange”. A full slate of officers was elected during the session.

Rainbow Valley’s delegates for the convention were its master, Lucette Moramarco, and treasurer Cynthia Komski, who is also the first lady of the California State Grange. Moramarco served as chairman of the Citizenship and Taxation Committee which handled nine of the 45 resolutions that were proposed.

Twenty-five of those resolutions were adopted by the delegates that represented four Pomona granges (county level) and 28 subordinate granges out of the 60 granges currently belonging to the state grange. The resolutions dealt with a variety of topics including tombstones for veterans, no campaigning on taxpayer money, corporations are not people, label genetically engineered baby food and ban enhanced hydraulic fracturing as well as areas of grange law and grange growth and development. The committees also reviewed the legislative policy handbook to update it. Workshops offered included resolution writing and

processing, parliamentary procedure, youth fair program, grange ritual, and a secretary and treasurer workshop. The annual state expo exhibited various arts and crafts made by members with jams, jellies, cookies and fresh produce – from cherry tomatoes to zucchini – auctioned off to raise money for prizes.

Master Komski was asked to participate in a California State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting that began discussions on the 2018 Farm Bill on July 5 in Sacramento. He plans to hold an open meeting for local residents to discuss the farm bill at Rainbow Valley Grange in September. Anyone who would like to give him some input on the subject before then can send it to [email protected].