The Philomath connection continues at the Oregon State Grange.
Sonny Hays-Eberts, who is a member of Marys River Grange No. 685, was installed last month during the 151st annual Oregon State Grange Convention as the organization’s 31st president. Hays-Eberts succeeds Jay Sexton, another Philomath-area resident who has a long history with the local grange and in recent years has led Willamette Grange No. 52 southeast of town on Greenberry Road and Highway 99W.
Hays-Eberts, who was elected to the position during the June 15-20 convention at Tillamook, said he considers “being elected to the presidency of the Oregon State Grange as a privilege and honor, and to be honest, scary … I will strive with diligence and my full effort to justify the faith placed in me.”
Hays-Eberts served as the Oregon State Grange treasurer for four years and currently handles webmaster duties.
“I hope to continue the efforts of my predecessors regarding growth and revitalization of community granges as well as efforts to assist them with information training, promotional materials and financial assistance via the emergency loan and matching grant programs,” Hays-Eberts said. “I’m looking forward to visiting Oregon granges and meeting many new friends. I’m also looking forward to drinking from the firehose of information I will need to learn in this position.”
Hays-Eberts was introduced to the grange in 2015 when his wife, Judy Hays-Eberts, urged him to join after he first year of membership. His first position with Oregon State Grange was on the communications team (2018-20) and during that time, he helped the grange’s efforts at Oregon’s Ag Fest, the state fair and the state grange visitation program.
At Marys River Grange, Hays-Eberts has held several positions — treasurer, vice president and president. He is currently the local chapter’s musician. He has remained active in increasing membership engagement, repairing and restoring the Marys River Grange Hall, promoting community service and maintaining the chapter’s website.
An Oregon resident since 1982 and a recently retired Oregon State University employee, Hays-Eberts said he’s unsure if he’s a first- or second-generation grange member. His maternal grandparents were dairy farmers in Stratham, New Hampshire, and may have belonged to the Exeter Grange.