National Grange (Order of Patrons of Husbandry)

Structure and activities

The Grange has a tiered structure made up of local Granges (chapters), state Granges, and the National Grange. Meetings mix practical instruction, community fellowship and ritual. Over time the organization developed a range of programs and services intended to strengthen farm families, including:

• Cooperative purchasing and marketing enterprises to reduce costs for equipment and supplies.
• Educational events, fairs and lectures on agricultural methods and rural life.
• Community activities such as grange halls, social events and youth programs.
• Advocacy for laws and regulations affecting farmers and rural communities.

History and political role

The Grange reached peak influence in the 1870s, with membership estimates at about one million at its height. It organized cooperatives and lobbied for public policy measures to protect farmers from what they viewed as unfair railroad and middleman practices. These efforts helped give rise to the so-called "Granger Laws" in several states, which sought regulation of railroad rates and grain storage fees and influenced later legal rulings and regulatory practice. In the late 19th century many Grange members were also active in related movements such as the Greenback and Populist efforts that pushed for broader economic reform.

Public policy, endorsements and distinctions

Although the Grange is officially nonpartisan, it has historically taken positions on legislation and supported candidates whose policies aligned with rural interests. Endorsements by state Granges were often influential in local and state contests well into the 20th century. The organization is distinct as both a fraternal society with ritual and a practical cooperative movement focused on economic improvement for farmers.

Modern era and relevance

Membership declined from its 19th-century peak; figures commonly cited place the organization today at several hundred thousand members. Contemporary Grange chapters continue to operate community halls, run local programs for youth and seniors, promote agricultural education and lobby on issues such as rural broadband, land use, and small-farm viability. The Grange remains a grassroots network emphasizing family agriculture and rural civic life.

Further information

For an introduction to the group's purpose and activities see the national organization profile as an organization that supports farmers and rural communities. For historical and legal background on 19th-century reforms and later developments consult specialized works on agricultural history, cooperative movements and rural political movements.