What is a grange anyway?

In 1866, Oliver Hudson Kelley was staff at the Department of Agriculture and was tasked with taking a survey of farm conditions in the southern U.S. after the Civil War. It became clear to Kelley as he undertook the task that what was needed was an association of farmers across the country who could work together to improve the farm situation — both locally and nationally.

The idea for the fraternal organization of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry was born of that mission and, in 1873, the Grange movement put down roots in Pennsylvania. The Grange model focuses on the economic and political health of the agricultural situation in America, and in individual states through state Granges.

Ultimately, it is an agricultural organization. According to Lizzie Bailey of the Pennsylvania Grange Office, who is spearheading an effort to get the Brokenstraw Grange up and running again, “that building (the Brokenstraw Community Center) is just waiting for members. It’s prime for members to join.”

The building used to belong to the Brokenstraw Grange, but Bailey said that when a Grange disbands — as Brokenstraw’s did — the property goes back to the state organization.

Her job, Bailey said, is to travel throughout the state evaluating the rejuvenation potential of both the buildings and the membership options.

The requirement is for 13 people to join, at a minimum. When that happens, someone from the state office comes to install officers at the local grange. From that point, the work can begin. Local Granges have the option to choose their own community service and legislative projects to work on.

One example of the legislative power of the Grange, according to Bailey, is the fact that mail delivery is available in rural areas.

Starting with a resolution presented to the local Grange, which promoted the resolution through the county, state, and local levels, one Grange member at the turn of the 20th century used the Grange to secure free rural mail delivery across the country.

“That’s the power of a local Grange,” said Bailey.

The presence of a Grange in Garland, said Bailey, would benefit not just adults but youth in the area as well. Membership is available to anyone age five and up, so unlike other service organizations, entire families can be members of a local Grange.

Right now, said Bailey, a few local residents have expressed an interest in revitalizing the Brokenstraw Grange. If 13 core members can be found, the state will install them and reopen the Brokenstraw Grange.

For more information about the Grange organization, visit www.pagrange.org.

Anyone interested in joining the revitalized Brokenstraw Grange should contact Lizzie Bailey at (717) 254-9550 or email her at lbailey@comcast.net.