Founded in 1867 to help both southern and northern farmers recover from the ravages of the Civil War, the Grange as a national organization has evolved to incorporate the interests of non-farm families and communities. Health care, education, communications access, agricultural interests, and community service are just a few of the Grange’s current areas of involvement.

The organization has approximately 240,000 members in nearly 3000 local and state chapters across forty states, with over 60 local Grange chapters in Connecticut. Local Granges are committed to bettering their communities through service projects and family-orientated activities. Grange membership is non-exclusive. Members are not limited by age, gender, culture, race or faith. In the ever changing community, the Granges across the State of
Connecticut provide diverse services.

It is important to note that the Grange’s interest in legislative action is what sets it apart from other organizations. Since its inception, the Grange has been involved with the legislative aspects of our society -- from a strictly nonpartisan position -- as one of its distinctive characteristics. All policies which the Grange advocates on the local, state and national levels are initially voted on by its membership.

PURPOSE: To build a program of fellowship service and member activities within a framework of fraternalism embracing all members through: Business Meetings - Legislative Activities - Agricultural Initiatives - Charitable Services - Deaf Awareness - Youth Projects - Women’s Activities - Community Service and Junior Grange.

AMERICA’S FIRST: Conceived in 1867 as an organization of agricultural people, the Grange has evolved into an organization concerned with the needs of all people, rural, suburban and urban.

A FAMILY ORGANIZATION: Father, mother, young adults and children meet on a common level of understanding to participate in educational and recreational programs.

A LEGISLATIVE VOICE: Provides each member with a voice - an opportunity, starting in the local unit, to express his/her beliefs, knowing that his/her ideas may reach the highest levels of the Grange and the government. Although non-partisan, the Grange stresses participation in activities related to public issues.

A FRATERNAL ORGANIZATION: The local (Subordinate) Grange confers the first four degrees, symbolic of the seasons of the year, upon the new member when he or she joins the Grange. The county (Pomona) Grange confers the Fifth Degree, the State Grange the Sixth Degree and the National Grange the Seventh Degree.

A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION: The Subordinate Grange, built around the community, elects its own officers and runs its own program. Although Grange business is conducted in meetings open to members, educational and informational programs are open to the public. Each member has one vote. The Community Granges meet once or twice a month. Yearly dues, which vary with Granges, are used to support Subordinate, State and National Granges.

MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS: Persons 14 years of age and older may join a Subordinate Grange. Children under the age of 14 are eligible to join one of Connecticut’s three Junior Granges. There are over 60 Community (local) Granges in the state which are organized into 10 regional Pomonas.

The greatest misconception about today’s Grange is that it’s for farmers. While agriculture is still at the heart of the organization, it’s not a “bunch of farmers” anymore. Today’s Grange works to improve conditions for rural, suburban, and urban Americans. The centerpiece of Grange activity today is community service. In Connecticut, each Grange determines what is needed in their individual communities and works to fill the void.

The projects are many and varied. They include:

• the Candy Cane Express holiday train ride for children with cancer
• purchasing dictionaries for school children across the state
• preserving a Post Office and its zip code for a small community
• collecting food for shelters, pantries and food banks
• distributing bike helmets to children across the state
• creating Memory Books and collecting needed items for the State Grange’s Foster Children Project
• purchasing defibrillators for local police/fire departments
• camperships for children to attend the Grange-sponsored summer camp, Camp Berger
• working with the community historical association to preserve an 1800’s one-room schoolhouse
• hand-made lap robes and baby hats which are donated to local hospitals and nursing homes (one Grange member made and donated over 5000 hats and lap robes all by herself!)
• sponsoring American Red Cross blood drives
• working with Habitat for Humanity
• hand-crafting quilts for babies affected by AIDS
• pet initiatives - such as supplying pet food and towels for veterinarians and shelters
• collecting school supplies for donation to area schools
• providing a home for the community volunteer fire department
• providing educational programs for communities - such as AARP 55 Alive, Stay Alive, Drive 25, Identity Theft, MADD, etc.
• distributing holiday gift baskets for needy families and the elderly
• providing thousands of dollars of college scholarships to students across the state
• supporting the work of Heifer International
• organize, volunteer and participate in numerous agricultural fairs and festivals
• presenting lectures, programs, concerts, tag sales, dinners and other special events
• many Granges honor members of their communities for their efforts with Public Service and Community Citizen Awards
• and so much more!