The Connecticut State Grange will be hosting a special evening with the President of the National Grange, Edward Luttrell, on Friday, April 9.

As part of Connecticut's Grange Month celebrations, National Grange President Edward L. Luttrell will be making a stop in Connecticut this Friday, as he tours the Northeast region. Centrally located Hemlock Grange #182 will be hosting the President's visit at their Grange Hall located at 17 Sage Hollow Road (Corner of Rt. 17 and 17A), Portland, CT. The state-wide event will begin at 6:30 PM with a Press Conference with the media, followed by the meeting at 7:30 PM. The town-hall style meeting is open to all who wish to attend; Grange membership is not required.

Luttrell will discuss National and State issues critical to rural advocacy in Connecticut, including the importance of food safety, farmer's markets, the recent Connecticut legislation regarding locally grown and produced foods, as well as Grange growth, legislative priorities and communications. Connecticut State Grange President Robert Sendewicz will oversee the evening.

Luttrell of Sandy, Oregon was elected in November 2009 to his second two-year term as National Grange President. He is a past president of the Oregon State Grange and has served on the boards of the Oregon Lands Coalition, Grange Mutual Insurance Company, and Timberland States Insurance Company.

The Connecticut State Grange has been an integral part of rural and non-rural communities across the state for over 125 years, with currently more than 60 local Grange chapters in Connecticut. Local Granges are committed to bettering their communities through service projects and family orientated activities.

For more information on this special meeting, contact the Connecticut State Grange Central Office at (860) 633-7550 or via e-mail at info@ctstategrange.org.

More information on the National Grange can be found at www.NationalGrange.org.