Month: September 2025

What is the Grange?

The Grange, officially known as The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is the oldest national agricultural and community organization in the United States(!).  It was founded in 1867 after the Civil War to support farmers and rural communities, and to strengthen democracy through cooperation, education, and advocacy.

Now, there are around 1,400 Granges nationally(!)

The Grange promotes:

– Community service (support neighbors and local needs).

– Civic engagement (a nonpartisan voice for fair policies). The Grange supports and works on policies, but never endorses a politician or political party.

– Education (providing opportunities for lifelong learning and skill development).

– Fellowship (building strong non-denominational relationships and traditions across generations).

What has the Grange accomplished nationally that affects me?

The Grange’s proud history of accomplishments include:

–        Advocating for rural free mail delivery so rural residents could receive mail at home.

–        Helping popularize cooperatives—farmer-owned stores, grain elevators, and insurance programs that gave communities fairer access to markets and supplies.

–        Championing the rights of women—the Grange gave women full membership, leadership, and voting rights upon founding, decades before women gained the right to vote nationally.

–        Being a strong voice for public education, transportation fairness, and healthy rural economies.

Is the Grange a secret society?

No! The Grange is an open, welcoming organization. Meetings are open to members, and our work focuses on community service, education, and fellowship. That said – there are some rituals and traditions that may seem strange today, and the Grange did historically use passwords and handshakes! Why? Well, many organizations founded in the 1800s developed rituals to help create a sense of community and belonging. And as for the passwords and handshakes – in the 1860s railroads and other business interests sometimes sent spies to Grange meetings to learn about organizing efforts! Passwords and handshakes helped ensure only true members were admitted, protecting discussions about fair pricing, freight rates, and farmer-led cooperatives!

Today, the passwords are more of a nod to tradition than a serious requirement—but they remain a fascinating reminder of the Grange’s role in standing up for farmers and rural communities.

What is “Project Sustenance”?

Project Sustenance is one of the National Grange’s current initiatives focused on food security and community resilience. It encourages local Granges to support local farms, host community meals and food drives, teach gardening and nutrition skills, and partner with schools and organizations to reduce food insecurity.

Who can join?

Membership is open to everyone, not just farmers! The Grange welcomes individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds who want to strengthen their community.

Membership is a simple process – ask a member. Applications are available!

•       The Grange was the first nationwide organization to give women equal voice and vote in all matters—starting in 1867, more than 50 years before the 19th Amendment(!)

•       The Grange was a major force behind the push for free mail delivery to rural homes in the late 1800s(!) Before that, many rural residents had to travel miles to pick up their mail.

•       Grange halls often served as community schools, libraries, and civic centers, especially in rural towns that lacked public institutions. Across the U.S., Grange halls have been used as polling places, concert venues, theaters, and meeting halls—true centers of community life. Harraseeket Grange has been a polling place, and at one time was the local unemployment center.

•       The Grange helped popularize the cooperative movement in the U.S., founding farmer-owned stores, grain elevators, and insurance programs that gave rural communities more economic power. The insurance available to farmers was an important early driver for membership.

•       The Grange has always been nonpartisan, advocating for policies that support rural communities and families, not political parties.

•       The Grange once used passwords and handshakes to keep railroad spies out of meetings(!) Farmers wanted to protect their plans for fairer freight rates and cooperative buying.

•       Maine has some of the oldest Granges in the nation, and Harraseeket Grange #9 has been part of Freeport’s civic life since 1874! The Grange met at the headquarters of the Knights of Pythias (another fraternal organization in town at the time) until the big red barn became available in 1938.

•       In its heyday, over 100 people attended meetings twice per month, and dance parties with a wind-up Victrola after meetings were a regular occurrence! Today, a game of Ping Pong might break out!

•      Our “Big Red Barn” was formerly a livery stable. Charlie Guptill, a local chicken farmer from the neighborhood, built out the barn to serve as the Grange.

•      There are benefits and discounts through Grange Membership. Some are local, some national.

•      Learn about Harraseeket Grange #9:  
www.freeportharraseeketgrange.com

•      Learn more about the National Grange at www.nationalgrange.org