Annual celebrations for Grange Month, taking place in April, are set to honor the grassroots actions, service, education, advocacy, and agriculture awareness actioned by the Grange. These celebrations and events strengthen individuals, families, and communities for the greater good. A better way of life to benefit the future that’s what the people of the Grange stand for and what they believe makes life worth living and fighting for.
History of Grange Month
The Grange, officially known as The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, has nothing to do with the Order of the Phoenix or the Harry Potter universe, despite its very inventive name. It is, in fact, a social organization in the United States that encourages families to band together to promote the community’s and agriculture’s economic and political well-being.
Founded in 1867 following the Civil War, it is the nation’s oldest agricultural advocacy organization. Today, the Grange community has 150,000 members in 1,700 regions across the country, serving as the hub of rural life in their surrounding farming communities. Each local chapter also provides various locally-oriented programs and activities such as potluck dinners, annual Grange fairs, and community service events.
For several years now, The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry has celebrated and brought awareness to their cause through Grange Month and their amazing things throughout the United States.
It’s fun for everyone, with multiple events and themed days and weeks falling into the month’s celebrations. The Grange is suitable for the entire family. In fact, anyone over the age of four can join the Grange through Junior Grange and Grange Youth, helping shape our youth for the future and encouraging that all-important sense of community from a young age. The younger members organize their own meetings, learn about leadership and service, and take part in fun activities that they arrange amongst themselves as independence is also encouraged from a young age. This special month is all about seeing entire families benefit from the celebrations, participating in programs and projects, and having meaningful conversations about community and inclusion.
Grange Month timeline
The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry is founded by Oliver H. Kelley, William Saunders, Aaron B. Grosh, William M. Ireland, John R. Thompson, and Francis McDowell in Washington D.C.
The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry establishes and celebrates Grange Month for the first time.
Grange membership nationwide grows dramatically from 200,000 in 1873 to 858,050 in 1875.
Membership starts to decline, and over the next 10 to 15 years, it will continue to do so by 40%.
The Grange signs a letter to Congress calling for the doubling of legal immigration and legalization for undocumented immigrants entering the United States.
Grange Month FAQs
What challenges did farmers face following the Civil War?
Drought, grasshopper, and boll weevil plagues, rising costs, falling prices, and high-interest rates made it increasingly difficult to make a living as a farmer after the Civil War.
Why were farming associations such as the Granger movement established in the late 19th century?
The need for unified action against monopolistic railroads and grain elevators (often owned by railroads) that charged exorbitant rates for handling and transporting farmers’ crops and other agricultural products drew the majority of farmers to the Granger movement.
Why were the 1920s such challenging times for U.S. farmers?
While most Americans enjoyed relative prosperity for most of the 1920s, the American farmer experienced the Great Depression after World War I. For much of the Roaring ’20s, the American farmer was trapped in a never-ending cycle of debt caused by falling farm prices and the need to purchase expensive machinery.
Grange Month Activities
Celebrate Spirit Week
Every April, the first full week of the month is dedicated to Spirit Week to get everyone excited and focused on the rest of Grange Month and all that comes with it. This week consists of specially-themed days that all members of Grange can celebrate, such as Community Service Day, Grange Mentor Day, and Grange Friend Day, to name a few. Check their Facebook page so you can be clued up on what to celebrate on which day, and more importantly, have fun.
Participate in one of the talks
Most of the talks take place online, so you can quickly join from anywhere in the United States or even send your loved ones across the pond a link to join in. These talks deal with a variety of matters, check-ins, and community status updates like the community service forum, the legislative roundtable, and the state secretary seminar. There is even a trivia night towards the end of the month. Mark your calendars, it’s going to be a busy month.
Spread the message of community and togetherness
It’s essential to celebrate and bring awareness to the incredible spirit of community encouraged by the Grange celebrations that take place every year. The fact that entire families are involved and taken into consideration and their thoughts and ideas around agriculture and community economies are of great importance and something you won’t find just anywhere. They have been coming together for ages and may have lost some members along the way, but their spirit and drive remain as strong as in 1867.
5 Purposes And Objectives Of National Grange
Cultivate better manhood and womanhood
The goal is to ensure all men and women are equal and treated in that way by the entire community.
Improve the comforts of our homes
Taking pride in one’s home is very important, and so is fixing it up when it lacks particular upkeep.
Foster mutual understanding and cooperation
Togetherness for all can only be achieved through mutual respect and understanding.
Secure harmony, goodwill, and brotherhood
Working together goes deeper than a nine-to-five job, it involves looking out for one another at home, in public spaces, and on the road.
Suppress personal prejudices and selfish ambition
Racism, sexism, and all other discrimination are not tolerated by National Grange or any of their communities.
Why We Love Grange Month
It encourages the spirit of togetherness and community
In today’s world, often, we don’t have relationships with or even know our neighbors. National Grange has been fighting for years to eradicate this trend of people living amongst each other without building relationships and coming together. Their organization and the national month celebrating Grange bring awareness to issues like community, support, and economy. Getting attention to agricultural development for the betterment of communities and their businesses is just one of the examples of how they are working hard to enrich communities.
It helps raise and educate young minds
From the age of four, children can become part of The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry. And as they grow up and learn from those around them in the communities, they can become independent, educated, and well-rounded people. There are many activities and groups that the younger members can participate in. In doing so, they are allowed to express themselves, learn about their personality and strengths, and organize their own talks, events, and causes.
It inspires agricultural growth and development
Through the years, farming and the economic side of agriculture have been developing. People have had to adapt and educate themselves through those changes, with some older generations falling behind. National Grange seeks to ensure that all farmers and members of more rural communities work together to help one another out, teach each other new skills and have each other’s backs. That sense of community and selflessness helps farmers grow, communities thrive, and economies improve.
Grange Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | April 1 | Monday |
| 2025 | April 1 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | April 1 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | April 1 | Thursday |
| 2028 | April 1 | Saturday |
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