PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The National Grange is finding its way through the 21st century by building on past success and modifying its mission for modern America. 

 

"We know that things that started in the 19th century don't translate perfectly to 2026 right? That what we have done for 158 years isn't what we can do moving forward," National President Christine Hamp told Berkshire County Grangers recently.

 

"There are some things that you see changing, there are some things that we need to do to make sure that we're making decisions for those folks that haven't walked through that door yet."

 

The Grange's roots go back to 1867 when it was established with the support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also known as the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, the Grange has about 50,000 members and 1,400 chapters today — a far cry from around 300,000 members and 3,600 chapters in 1998.

 

Grange officers are hoping to regrow its numbers by advancing its mission of community service, agricultural and environmental sustainability while fostering future leaders to try and build a stronger community. 

 

"One of the main messages that I wanted to share with you today is the confidence in the future of this organization that I have, and that every single thing that we do at the National Grange right now is focused on ensuring that this organization stands on the 158 years of amazing service and principles," Hamp said. "We stand on that thing like a rock, solid bedrock that it is, right? And we use that to push ourselves into 2026, and beyond."

 

Her comments were to a meeting of the Berkshire County Granges on April 26 at the Masonic Temple that also included Massachusetts State Grange officers. 

  

Hamp hails from four generations of Grangers, and was raised on her great-grandfather's dairy farm in Washington State. Now in her third year as president, she said the organization has had to address changing conditions over the past century and modify rules to encourage more people to join. 

 

A pilot program, which the state Grange is participating in, will reduce the number of members to start a chapter from 13 to eight, eliminate gender requirements and reduce the number of officers to presidents, vice president, treasurer, and secretary.

 

The Rural Life Initiative launched in 2024 provides grants and support to strengthen rural communities through health education and wellness, community connection, sustainable and modern agriculture and youth leadership and workforce readiness. These changes are to designed invigorate local Granges and bring in more members.

 

Stockbridge Grange President Joshua Hall is a fifth-generation Granger and said its work is important to the area through advocacy and education.

 

"The Grange, I believe, is important to the community, because not only with the community service that we do, but also the advocacy for agriculture, for education, for agricultural education, and just kind of filling a void," he said. "Agriculture and community service are two areas that don't always get as much attention as it should, and the Grange does a lot when it comes to supporting all sorts of different programs."

 

One of the main proponents of the Grange is giving back the community, Hall said, noting support for a local Boy Scout in his Eagle Scout project. .

 

"His Eagle Project was creating pollinator gardens at the Grange Hall, so we're able to support that program," he said. "But we've supported 4-H we've supported a number of local entities within the Southern Berkshire area ... it's important to be able to have an opportunity for people to kind of get together, to talk about a number of different topics, whether it's agriculture, politics, community service, Veterans Affairs, and be able to give back to the community, that's the biggest piece."

 

Pittsfield Grange President Evelyn LaRagione said her group does a lot for the city as well. It participates in the Berkshire Museum's annual Festival of Trees, supports the teen-led Roots Rising and other farm-related initiatives, and even provides monetary donations to community projects, including foster programs. It grants the George E. Ballard Memorial College Scholarship to local high school seniors.

 

"We work as a family, doing things that we can to help out in the community. And I think there's just so much going on in the community anyway that needs help. So it's how can we best help our community in where we are, and what we're doing," she said.

 

There are some 45 Grange chapters in Massachusetts and five in Berkshire County, split into the Berkshire North and Berkshire South Pomona Granges.

 

Some of the issues Hamp raised are affecting rural communities around the nation — such as hospital and school closures. The Grange's 2025 Rural Health Report looked at "persistent disparities and barriers to care" in rural America.

 

"That's what the Grange does, is make sure that these communities are strong, that our hometowns don't just roll up the street because what's happening. We're seeing our rural hospitals close. Anybody have a rural hospital that's closed? If you don't, you're lucky, right? You've seen the local pharmacy leave town. You've seen school districts consolidate," she said.

 

She urged more of the members to take part in discussions and attend city meetings and voice their concerns, and cited the impacts of data centers and artificial intelligence-related issues on rural areas. 

 

"These decisions and these issues are what the Grange was started for, is to be involved and be part of that conversation and to make sure that we've got our voice working for us, right? That's what we do. It's not political. This is advocacy, right?" Hamp said. "This is policy stuff that affects every single one of us. And so these are the things that I would encourage you to to get involved with and to write resolutions on to make sure that your members in your towns and your neighbors are being represented, are being heard."

 

During the meeting State President Corey Spence honored member Alicia Brazie of New Marlborough for 70 years of service to the Grange.

 

The Grange is always looking for new members; find a local Grange here.