The Grange - officially known as the “National Grange of the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry” is an organization founded to promote community and agriculture for an area. Beginning after the Civil War, Andrew Jackson sent Oliver Kelley to farms among the south to see their farming practices and how they could be improved following the war. Kelley found that many southern farmers were using outdated techniques but were weary of listening to a northerner so he crafted an organization that would bring people together with the goal to better farming techniques and improve agriculture around the country. Women and teens were also strongly encouraged to participate. As membership rose and declined over the years, emphasis was also placed on politics and community service, and is still an operating society today.
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