Minnesota State Grange

Minnesota farmer Oliver Hudson Kelley and six associates established the National Grange (Order of the Patrons of Husbandry) in Washington, D.C., in 1867. Conceived as a social and educational organization for farmers, it was also involved in cooperation and politics. It described itself as a force for social betterment and as a spokesman for public affairs for the people of rural America.

The Grange is a secret and ritualistic fraternal society of farmers and others interested in agriculture. It is divided into a hierarchical structure of subordinate (local lodges), pomona (county or district bodies), state, and national organizations.

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