Michigan State Grange

The Michigan State Grange was formally organized on April 15, 1873 at the Court House in the Village of Kalamazoo. The formation united the twenty local Granges that had already been established in 1872. The first local grange organized was Burnside Grange #1 on January 10, 1872 in Lapeer County. The Michigan Grange held its first Annual Session in Kalamazoo on January 21-23, 1874.

Members of the Grange "provide service to agriculture and rural areas on a variety of issues, including economic development, education, family endeavors, and legislation designed to assure a strong and viable Rural America." The members create and publish a list of issues of concern each year. "Major objectives of the National Grange support stewardship of America's natural resources; promotion of world-wide free trade; a combination of local and federal support for rural education, medical, communications, and road systems; non-partisan political participation; assurance of safe and properly labeled food products; organization of cooperatives and other economic services to support rural Americans; and elimination of direct government farm programs so as to assure a competitive and efficient farm system."

____________

This historical sketch was edited from the finding aid to the Michigan State Grange records housed at Michigan State University.

From the guide to the Michigan State Grange Records, 1873-2003, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)