South Carolina State Grange

The order of the Patrons of Husbandry, commonly known as the "Grange", an agrarian movement during the last quarter of the 19th century; 1872, first state convention, 1304 members; 1875, approx. 10,000 members; the Grange promoted establishment of agricultural colleges, a state board of agriculture and cooperative efforts to improve and stimulate agriculture. After 1880 the Grange declined but meetings were held throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry is the nation's oldest national agricultural organization; this fraternal order was organized in a hierachy consisting of local Granges at the community level; the Pomona Grange, an intermediate unit above the local Granges in one or more counties, and subordinate to the State Grange, and the State and National Granges.