Home, home on the Grange

(Promotional poster for the Grangers, 1873)

Today, Pam and Lindsey were invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Palmer chapter of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry.

From the Massachusetts Grange:

The National Grange is the nation's oldest national agricultural organization, with grassroots units established in 3,600 local communities in 37 states. Its 300,000 members provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a wide variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America. It was formed in the years following the American Civil War to unite private citizens in improving the economic and social position of the nation's farm population.

Over the past 137 years, it has evolved to include non-farm rural families and communities. The Grange is also a fraternal order known as the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, hence the "P of H" on the organization's logo. Founding members determined that a fraternal organization would be best able to combine loyalty and democratic ideals to provide service to others. The National Grange was one of the first formal groups to admit women to membership on the basis of equality with men. It remains so today.

The National Grange:

Since 1867, the National Grange, formally known as the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, has worked tirelessly for America’s family farmers and rural communities. Rural communities are the backbone of our nation and a key part of our national self-identity. Today, farming and rural communities face serious social and economic challenges. That’s why the National Grange is fighting to preserve family farms, rural communities and the rural lifestyles they represent, for generations to come!

When Rural Communities Decline, We All Lose:

• Family farmers and ranchers and the natural resources they faithfully nurture.
• The quality of life that comes from living in a community where your neighbors are also your friends and your primary support network.
• Responsive public officials who genuinely care about the concerns of local citizens because they live and work among them every day.
• The knowledge of traditional rural folk art, handicraft and homemaking skills.
• Local education with low student/teacher ratios and high parent involvement.
• Locally driven economic development opportunities for entrepreneurs.
• The “Can Do” tradition of rural community problem solving and volunteerism.

The Contributions of Vibrant Rural Communities are Irreplaceable!

You can make a difference. With your support, we can all help rural communities to be places where people want to live, work and raise their families in the 21 st Century.

The Grange sounds like an organization Blue Star Equiculture would be proud to join!