State Grange
Massachusetts
Juniors
Committee Directors:
Ken Paulson (508-330-6732) - Junior.grange@yahoo.com
Committee Members:
Kristin Paulson (508-282-0769) - Kep4grange@gmail.com
Eric Willard (774-334-1973) - erwillard@gmail.com
Silas Giguere (413-522-1040) - Silasgiguere27@gmail.com
Ruth Leahey (413-665-3108) - reftinker@comcast.com
Junior Grange
The Junior Grange projects are open to any Junior Grange member. Leaders can plan to do projects at
Junior Grange meetings or the Juniors can do them individually. Each project must be labeled with the
child’s name, birth date, and Junior Grange name & number. Junior Grange projects are due to the MA State Director by September 15th (this is a firm deadline except for the Big E project which is due
September 1st). Remember that other State Grange departments also have projects that can be done.
Age groups for judging are: 5-7, 8-10 and 11-14 as of January 1st of the current year. It is important that
each project be labeled with a separate label (or marked on the back of each entry).
2026 Junior Projects
Patriotic Wreath: Make a wreath using any material. Decorate in a Patriotic theme. Size: 12” x 12” or
less.
Wild Animal: Using material found in nature such as sticks, nuts, seeds, bark, etc., make an animal or an
imaginary creature. Size not to exceed 10” x 10” x 10.”
Recycled Project: Bottle cork: Create something using a bottle cork. You can use more than one, but the
project should not be larger than 8” x 11.” Decorate with any medium.
Art Project: Draw farm with a barn, a farm animal, and a garden area. Size: 8½” by 11.”
Big E Craft: Build a birdhouse: Make from scratch or purchase a pre-built birdhouse. Decorate birdhouse
using any medium (Paint, decoupage, etc.). Size: 8” Length x 8” Width x 12” High or smaller.
Submit to the Junior Director for Judging by September 1, 2026.
2027 Junior Projects
Picture Frame: Make frame using 5” x 7” cardboard, decorate by gluing buttons around a center picture.
Beaded Jewelry: Use any type of beads to make a necklace or bracelet.
Recycled Project: Create a pencil container by decorating an empty tin can using any materials.
Art Project: Create a mini poster with a message about recycling or composting. Size: 8 ½ by 11 inches.
Big E Craft: Painted rock with an inspirational or positive theme. Does not need words. Recommend
using acrylic paint with clear coat spray to protect design. Size: Minimum 5” and Maximum 8" in diameter.
Submit to the Junior Director for Judging by September 1, 2027.
Annual Coloring Contest
The coloring contest pictures can be found in the Program Handbook.
State Junior Public Speaking Contest
Open to Junior Grange Members 5 – 14 years of age.
Categories:
Impromptu – The contestant will draw 2 topics from a mystery bag and select one of those topics to give
their speech on. Length: Minimum of 1 minute and no more than 3 minutes.
Short Story – The contestant may present a short story or poem of their choosing. Length: Minimum of 1
minute and no more than 3 minutes for their story.
Prepared Speech – Deliver a speech using the National Junior Grange theme for the year or any topic of
their choice. Length: Minimum 3 minutes and maximum 7 minutes. One first place state winner from
each category may represent their state at the National Convention.
State Junior Sign-A-Song Contest
Open to Junior Grange Members 5 – 14 years of age
Categories: Novice, Hobbyist (has competed twice before), and Group (2 or more people signing)
One first place state winner from each category may represent their state at any Regional or the National
Grange Competitions.
The National Grange Junior Department has other projects/contests open to Junior Grangers. Information
can be found under the Junior Section of the National Grange website at: https://nationaljuniorgrange.org
Junior Grange Ambassador
The Junior Ambassador Program was set up to recognize the achievements of our Junior Grangers and
give them the opportunity to represent all Junior Grangers across the state. One Junior Granger is chosen
each year. To apply, contract the Junior Director for the application form. Forms are due by September
30.
Junior Leader Report Requirements
Please submit your Annual Junior Report to the State Secretary and your semi-annual reports to the State
President. All Junior Leaders have received forms (if you need any forms, email the Junior Director).
Annual Junior Reports are due to the Junior Director by September 15. Leadership, Agriculture Education
and Community Service Certificates will be awarded to each Junior Grange at State Session based upon
the information provided in their annual reports. Each Junior Grange is encouraged to incorporate
agriculture into their Junior Grange’s program each year.
Junior Grange +1 Program Guidelines for the MA State Grange
If a Junior Grange is not available, an individual between five and fourteen years of age may be proposed
as a candidate for membership as an individual Junior member of a Subordinate Grange and therefore
become a member of the MA State Junior Grange by doing the following:
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Submit a Junior Grange application signed by the child’s parent or guardian for Junior membership through a vote of the Subordinate Grange to the State Junior Director with $1 application fee plus $1 Junior annual dues.
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Full membership to the Junior Program is attained by the candidate upon conferral of the Junior Grange Obligation Ceremony or Junior Degree.
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Junior Grange Leader: the Subordinate Grange shall appoint a Junior Leader to meet with the Junior Grange member(s) once per month. The Junior Leader must be a Fourth Degree member. If the Junior Leader is not the parent or guardian of the child, the Junior Leader must complete a State Grange CORI form and submit to the State Secretary for processing and approval.
Duties of the Subordinate Grange’s Junior Leader:
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Meet once per month with the Junior member(s).
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Using the list below of requirements for the State Junior Grange Members and the State Grange Program Handbook, provide appropriate activities to be done during the Subordinate meeting and/or at home between meetings.
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Keep Junior member(s) informed of upcoming Junior events and deadlines.
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Using the “Report of State Junior Grange Member” form, keep track of the progress of the Junior member(s) and submit to the State Junior Director in September of the current year along with $2 annual Junior Grange dues.
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Encourage Junior Member(s) to attend the State Junior Day (usually held in June) to experience an actual Junior Meeting and the Junior Grange Ritual.
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State Junior Grange members are required to complete at least 3 individual Projects from the following
list and to report their accomplishments to the State Junior Director through their Subordinate Junior
Leader in September using the “Report of State Junior Grange Member” Form.
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Work on at least one Community Service Project (either with your Subordinate Grange or other organization).
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Work on a least one individual Community Service Project.
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Earn at least one Junior Grange Merit Badge.
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Entry in one or more State Junior Projects.
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Entry in one or more State Junior Contests (i.e. public speaking, sign-a-song, Junior Ambassador).
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Entry in one or more National Junior Projects (refer to National Program Guide).
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Entry in one or more projects/contests sponsored by any State Committee (other than the Junior Committee).