HISTORY OF THE GRANGE #581

The New York State Grange was founded in 1873. There are over 278 local Granges in New York State with a total membership of 9,000. The state Grange has members serving on many state committees. The state Soil and Water Conservation Committee, the Council of Agricultural Organizations, the Rural Schools Association are a few. The state Grange meets each year in October to set legislative policy and legislative agenda. The 2005 session was in Auburn, NY. The state Grange maintains a presence at the New York State Fair at Empire Farm Days and the Winter Farm Show in Syracuse.

The Grange is primarily an organization for small rural communities. We are advocates for responsible government at all levels. We are a family organization which emphasis strong family ties as a basis for a healthy society. As a fraternal organization we feel that a strong community is based on developing a friendly positive relationship among its citizens. Helpful cooperation between members of a community makes it self sufficient and prosperous. A community where citizens know each other and communicate on a regular basis will run smoothly and work for the total benefit of the community as a whole.

Membership in the Grange organization is available to anyone who is interested in participating in making better communities. The Grange began as an agricultural organization at a time when agriculture was the primary occupation of rural citizens. Today the Grange still closely mirrors the makeup of our rural communities. Agriculture is still important to the Grange and its members in that the economic welfare of rural communities is still strongly influenced by the economic stability of agriculture.