AUGUSTA -- At the recent 133rd Annual Convention of the Maine State Grange, State Grange Overseer and Membership Director James Owens announced the Granges with the highest net gain in membership. 33 Granges in Maine had a net gain in membership. The top gainers were 1st place Ocean View Grange #463 in Martinsville with a net gain of 14 members - the third year in a row that Ocean View Grange has had the largest net gain in membership.

Tied in 2nd place is Readfield Grange #94 in Readfield with a net gain of 8. In 3rd place is Naples Grange #94 in Naples with a net gain of 8 members. In 4th place was Harvest Home #52 in Brooks with a net gain of 7.

There was four way tie for fifth place with a net gain of 6, those Granges are: South Sangerville #335 in Sangerville, Jonesboro #421 in Jonesboro, St. George # 421 in St. George, and Wayside #590 in Dexter.

While the Maine State Grange did not achieve a net gain for membership for the current membership year, they did take in 338 members, bringing the total number of Grange members in the State of Maine to over 6,500. These members are spread throughout 168 Granges across the state.

All of these numbers are based on the 2005-2006 membership year from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2006.

The Grange is a nonpartisan organization that provides fun-filled and educational programs and activities for its members, as well as provides them with a forum to voice their political concerns and teaches them how to strengthen their community through legislative action. In addition, the Grange gives its members the opportunity to serve their neighborhoods through community service projects that make a difference in the lives of everyone.

For more information contact
Maine State Grange Headquarters
146 State Street
Augusta ME 04330
1-800-464-3421
master@mainestategrange.org