When most people talk of the history of the Grange, they begin with the founding of the Patrons of Husbandry in the mid nineteenth century. The roots of the Grange pre date that founding by several thousand years. Our Seventh Degree's Assembly of Demeter carries on the traditions of the Temple of Demeter, built in 1350 B.C. at Eleusis in Greece in honor of the Goddess of Agriculture. Of all the ancient "mysteries" none has lasted so long nor acquired such a multitude of followers throughout history as have the Eleusinian Mysteries, based on the principles of agriculture and providing an ethical standard for life. Through them, we are taught to "Be charitable to those less fortunate," to "live a life of service to mankind," and by so doing, we will pass to "another and better world, where everlasting spring abides and never fading flowers."

The Grange traces this ritualistic thread to the past through apostolic succession. When Theodosius abolished the Eleusinian Mysteries in A.D. 395, a secret order called the Knights of Demeter was organized to carry on the traditions. The "Mysteries" were passed on generation to generation through instruction in what was called the "Unwritten Work," a misnomer as it was writing in code. One of our founders, Col. F. M. McDowell, was initiated into and granted the power to confer the degrees from the Duc Dasocli of Naples, Italy. This work is the basis for our ritual of the Sixth and Seventh Degrees.

The Grange
In 1866 Oliver Hudson Kelley, regarded as the founder of the Grange movement, made a survey of farm conditions in the South for the newly formed Department of Agriculture. While on this trip, he conceived the idea that a fraternal organization, composed of farmers from all sections of the country, would help heal the scars caused by the Civil War, as well as improve the economic and social position of the farm population. Upon his return to Washington, Kelley communicated his plans to some of his friends in government service and enlisted their support. On December 4, 1867, the National Grange was formally organized. Our "official" name is "The Patrons of Husbandry." The organization was modeled after the old English Granges, or farms, and our officers were given the titles found in the structure of an English grange. Meetings were held in the grange's hall, and before long, it became common practice to refer to the organization as simply "The Grange."

The Fraternity was built upon democratic expression and organization, whereby each member has the opportunity to help formulate community, state and national policies. Full membership is offered to anyone 13.5 years of age and older, and thanks to the efforts of Mr. Kelley's niece, Caroline Hall, the Grange was the first organization in America to admit women to full membership on an equal basis with men.

Historically, our "closed door" policies in our business meetings made some perceive the Grange to be a "secret society." The images elicited by this term are far from the true nature of the Grange. The ancients found that when they invented or discovered something of general value, others could and would divert that discovery to their own use and profit. Thus were the "Mysteries" conceived. In the Middle Ages, European stone workers banded together in a mutual help and benefit organization. They, too, found benefit in conducting their business in private, and the Masons have maintained that confidentiality for well over a thousand years. In its battle against the monopolists between the 1870's and 1940's, confidentiality was a big factor in the success of the Granger Movement. Today, many Granges conduct their business in open meetings where the public is invited to observe, even comment, but only Grange members have the right to vote on what will become Grange policy.

Structure
The Grange is comprised of four distinct divisions built one upon the other in a logical sequence, plus a separate division for young children called the Junior Grange. The foundation of the Fraternity is the Subordinate Grange. The Subordinate Grange is comprised of the first four Degrees of the Order. Today, full membership in the Grange is obtained when one participates in the Obligation Ceremony. However, it is highly recommended that members at least read, and preferably participate in the conferral of these Degrees. This Degree work contains the principles and concept of the Grange and its lessons for life.

The Subordinate Grange is built around the community. Men, women and youth are admitted on equal terms. Those who are 13.5 years of age are eligible for full membership in the Grange. The Subordinate elects its own officers and controls its own affairs, subject only to the Constitution and By laws of the National and State Granges. Each member has one vote. 

The Subordinate Grange advocates its policies before city councils, school boards, and local park and recreation districts. They promote community service, perform charitable works and in general gather together for the mutual benefits of both the individual and the community. 

It is also from the Subordinate Grange that the vast majority of Grange policy is formulated. Be it a national issue such as foreign trade, a statewide issue such as the legal driving age, or a local issue such as school-ground security, Grange policy starts with a resolution in a Subordinate or Pomona Grange. Once the issue has been debated and policy voted on, the resolution proceeds to the level at which action should be taken. If a national or statewide issue, the resolution then proceeds to the State Grange Convention where it is once again debated and voted on by the delegates. National issues that pass are forwarded on to the National Grange Convention where the procedure is repeated. Thus, final Grange policy represents a consensus of the members at the appropriate level of Grange. The Pomona Grange is a group of Subordinate Granges grouped together within a given district. Normally this is the county but may include other boundaries. The Pomona is the Fifth Degree of the order, and is designed to provide a forum for the Subordinate Granges to work together in accomplishing regional goals. To be eligible for the Fifth Degree, one must be a Fourth Degree member in good standing.

The State Grange is a delegate body representing Subordinate and Pomona Granges. With Annual Sessions continuing for several days, State Granges consider many important matters relating to legislation and public policy, particularly with reference to rural areas, and the general welfare of the state as a whole. Inasmuch as State Grange policies originate in the Subordinate and Pomona units of the Order and are conveyed through their delegates, this branch is, in a special sense, expressive of Grange thought and sentiment throughout the entire state. Voting authority is vested in the delegate body, which in most instances, is composed of the Masters of Subordinate and Pomona Granges and their spouses, each having one vote. The State confers the Sixth Degree of the Order at these Annual Sessions. The National Grange is the parent branch of the Order. All business sessions of the National Grange are open to any Subordinate Grange member in good standing. As spectators, they have no vote in the deliberations, but they do have ample opportunity to appear before committees and to testify. As the supreme legislative body of the Order, policies are developed through the channels of Subordinate, Pomona and State units, and consequently embody the seasoned judgment of the membership. Delegates to the National Grange are usually the State Master and spouse, each having one vote. The Seventh Degree of our Order is conferred during the National Session. Degree candidates and members gather from all parts of the nation for this annual ritualistic event that competent critics have proclaimed cannot be surpassed in modern ritualism. The Grange is very active politically, but only on issues. It is against the By laws for any Grange at any level to support or endorse a candidate in the name of the Grange. Partisan politics may never be discussed on the Grange floor. We do, however, strongly recommend that each individual member support and endorse the candidate which they feel best represents their views.

While most of the issues addressed by the Grange effects all families rural, urban and suburban many of our efforts focus on "rural" or "farm" policy changes. The Grange believes that every family=s welfare stems from agriculture as agriculture touches just about every aspect of our lives. From the clothes we wear to the food we eat to the homes we live in, most start as an agricultural product. The Grange seeks a viable agricultural program that safeguards the family farm as the most economical way to furnish all families with wholesome food and fiber.

Officers
As was written earlier, the Officers of the Grange get their titles from the old English granges. Those offices are:

Master. The president of the organization. The Master conducts the meeting, consults with the Overseer on the appointment of Committees, and with the help of the Executive Committee, conducts the day to day business of the Grange.

The State Master's additional duties according to the By-laws include seeing that all officers and members of committees perform their duties, to appoint committees not otherwise provided for, and to open and preside at all meetings of the Grange, and to enforce a due observance of the laws and usages of the Order. The Master is the sole authority and leader of the Fraternal operations of the Order. At the State level, the Master is a voting member of the Executive Committee.
• Overseer. The vice president of the organization. The Overseer conducts the meeting and business of the Grange in the absence of the Master. The Overseer insures that all present at the meeting are eligible to be there, and that all business is completed before the meeting is closed. He/she is a member of the Executive Committee. At the State Grange level, the Overseer was recently given a vote on that committee. The Overseer is responsible for order in the Grange.
• Lecturer. This officer is responsible for the education of and the dissemination of information to the members of the Grange. The Lecturer's Committee is responsible for planning both educational and social programs and events. Public relations and publicity are also the responsibility of the Lecturer.
• Steward. Custodian of the tools and property of the Grange. Along with assistants, prepares the hall for meetings, oversees the balloting process, and is responsible for the introduction of distinguished guests and visitors, and is the official escort of VIPs.
• Assistant Stewards. Assists the Steward in preparing for meetings. Acts as an escort for all visitors, guests and candidates. They perform as tellers when there is a Division of the House. One office is reserved for males, the other (Lady Assistant Steward) for females.
• Chaplain: Oversees the spiritual needs of the Grange. Conducts the prayer at the opening and closing of the meetings, presides at the Draping of the Charter for deceased members, and for memorial services.
• Treasurer. Keeps correct and accurate accounts of the receipts and expenditures of the Grange. He keeps a worksheet that provides budget information, and assists the Secretary in the fiscal responsibilities of that office. The State Grange Treasurer's duties have been modified in that the bookkeeping and bill paying are done within the State Office, and check-signing is done by "an authorized person."
• Secretary. Custodian of the Corporate Seal. Records the proceedings of all meetings, regular and special, of the Grange. Maintains a current roster of members, notifies each member of the amount of dues to be paid each year, and makes quarterly reports to the State Grange on the status of the membership, including numbers gained and lost. Is responsible for the correspondence of the Grange. The State Grange Secretary's duties have also been modified in that an authorized person in the office handles the quarterly reports from the Subordinate Granges and to the National Grange, and maintains the roster and membership database in the State Office.
• Gatekeeper. Guards the "outer gate" and permits only the duly qualified to enter a meeting.
• The Graces. The Granges ceremonial tie to the ancient art of agriculture, the Graces are reserved for women and consist of Ceres, Flora and Pomona. The goal of the Graces is to aid women in enlarging their sphere of thought and action. They are present to refine our members in thought and deed, to encourage the beautification of the home and meeting hall, and to encourage our Sisters to participate in the endeavors of the Order. Executive Committee. Executive Committeemen serve for three years, with only one third of them being up for election in any given year. Working with the Master, it is their responsibility to conduct the business of the Grange between meetings, and insure that any unfinished business is completed as directed. They audit all financial records at least once annually, and examine and approve for payment all bills before the Treasurer may pay them. Actions of the Executive Committee are reported to and approved by the members of the Grange at each regular meeting.
  
  The State Grange Executive Committee was expanded to 5 members several years ago, with the Master and Overseer being voting members of the Committee. The Executive Committee may elect a Chairman who convenes and presides over the meeting. In practice, the Executive Committee advises and consents to both the fraternal and business "sides" of the order. There is a catch phrase that all committee members and officers abide by, and that is "and other duties as may be assigned by the State Master." As you can see, all officers, but particularly the Master and Executive Committee, have a lot of responsibility resting on their shoulders . but as explained in the last issue, not as much responsibility as you, the Fourth Degree member has. Again, this is a grassroots organization. You the members have the ability to approve or disapprove any action taken by an officer of the Grange. Do not shirk that responsibility. Exercise your rights, fulfill your responsibilities. Give careful consideration to the business at hand, and above all, be informed.