Champion of Rural America

Formed in 1867, the National Grange is the nation's oldest agricultural organization with 300,000 members and 3,600 local organizations in 37 states.

Pennsylvania, with 12,000 members, is second nationally only to Washington state in Grange membership, according to Pennsylvania Grange president Betsy E. Huber.

The organization, officially called the Patrons of Husbandry, was formed following the Civil War, with the goal of improving the lives of the nation's farmers. An early focus of the organization was the railroad monopoly and its ability to impose unfair freight rates on farmers.

A hallmark of the organization has been the inclusion of women as equals in the governance of the organization.

"A unique feature (of the Grange) is that women were held in the same esteem long before the women's movement," said Grange member Susan Downey. "From its inception, we've been able to hold office and have equal voting power."

Over the years, the organization, which also includes state, subordinate - or local - and pomona - or county - chapters, championed rural free delivery, women's suffrage, improved education and the electrification of rural areas.

There are eight Subordinate Granges in Lycoming County with about 250 members, according to Grange member Elizabeth Downey.

Although the demographics of rural America are shifting from agriculture to residential and suburban areas, the goal of the Grange continues to be the improvement of rural communities, Huber said.

The organization is focused on modern issues such as bringing to rural communities broadband Internet and accessible health care, she said.

The Grange also is deeply involved in state legislative issues. On the state level, it meets annually to map out its legislative priorities for the upcoming year.

Although Grange membership has declined over the years, Huber said she is confident the organization will see a revival.

"With the 'back to the land movement,' I think there's a real purpose for the Grange to teach young families how to grow things, canning and freezing, knitting and crocheting and quilting," Huber said. "I think that's going to come back."