The Connecticut State Grange is pleased to announce the appointment of Brother Martin (Marty) Bilquist of the Montana State Grange as the National Grange Representative to the 126th Annual Convention of the Connecticut State Grange.

Marty has been active in the Grange since he was a child, first as a Junior Granger and then as a subordinate member. He joined Avon Grange in 1968 and has held the majority of the Subordinate offices over the years. He founded the Avon Grange Youth Group to work on community service projects. He was elected President (Master) of the Montana State Grange in October 2001 after serving as Steward and Youth Co-Director with his wife Joyce.

He was elected to a two-year term on the National Grange Board of Directors in November, 2006, and re-elected to a second term in 2008.

In his community, Marty is President of the Anaconda Choral Society, President of the Board of Directors of the Copper Village Museum and Art Center and a member of the Deer Lodge Lions Club. He and Joyce have one daughter, Jessie, and two grandchildren.