National Grange has long history

It happened Dec. 4, 1867, in a small Washington, D.C., building that housed the office of William Saunders, Superintendent of Propagating Gardens in the Department of Agriculture. The Order of Patrons of Husbandry, more commonly known as the Grange, was born. Sitting around a plain wooden table, a group of seven earnest men planned to preserve and expand American democracy. They had faith in God, in their fellow man and the future. They were Oliver H. Kelley, William Saunders, Aaron B. Grosh, William M. Ireland, John R. Thompson, Francis McDowell and John Trimble – assisted by Caroline Hall, who was later named an honorary eighth founder of the Grange.

With a strong history in grassroots activism, family values and community service, the National Grange has since that day been a nonprofit, nonpartisan, fraternal organization that advocates for rural America and agriculture, and brings rural communities together. The Grange community consists of 150,000 members in 1,700 local chapters across the nation that each serve as the center of rural life in their farming communities.

Each local chapter offers a wide range of locally oriented programs and activities like potluck dinners, annual Grange fairs and community-service events. The charitable work is often the focus at local Granges, with members giving thousands of volunteer hours and raising millions of dollars for important causes. Through that outreach Granges help improve the lives of their own members and of neighbors in their rural communities. Whether by helping a neighbor in need or by organizing a bake sale to raise money for a local school, Grange members will be there serving their communities.

Junior Grange and Grange Youth are available for kids age 4 and older. Young members conduct their own meetings, learn about leadership and service, and participate in fun activities. Visit www.nationalgrange.org for more information.