ELK RIVER, Minn. – On Thursday, Sept. 6, the Minnesota State Grange opened the charter to a new Grange, whose name gives nod to one of the National Grange founders.
The Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange will be the seventh Grange in the state when its charter closes in October. Kelley is one of the eight recognized founders of the National Grange.
The new Grange was organized at the historic Kelley Farm in Elk River. The Farm, established in 1850, is famous for being the home of Oliver Hudson Kelley, the founder of the National Grange.
Minnesota State Grange President Donna Champion, along with National Grange Leadership/Membership Director Michael Martin, initially held an informational meeting, which Martin said “quickly turned into an organizational meeting” when they saw the excitement in the new members.
“The Minnesota State Grange is excited to have a new Grange in our state,” Champion said. “It has been many years since we have organized a Grange and this will bring a new generation of ideas and energy to our State Grange. Some of the new members are employees of the Minnesota Historical Society and interpret at the Kelley Farm so they are very knowledgeable young adults. They are very interested in agriculture of today and yesteryear. It will be fun to work with them and their fresh ideas for the future of our State Grange”
T.J. Malaskee is the chief organizer and newly-elected Master of the Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange. He works as an historic interpreter at the Kelley Farm.
In a recent blog post, Malaskee writes, “Minnesota’s new Grange seeks to further Oliver Hudson Kelley’s vision of an organization of progressive Americans by uniting the common community, social justice, and agrarian oriented ideas of Minnesota’s rural, urban, and suburban citizens.
“Founded by Kelley in 1867, The Order of Patrons of Husbandry of the Grange served to unite farmers across the nation. Today, we continue the movement of American values and home-town roots; a non-partisan fraternity of Minnesotans dedicated to The Grange’s historic legacy,” Malaskee writes.
Martin applauded Malaskee for the work he did to organize the Grange and his qualifications as a leader.
“T.J. Malaskee did the leg work to invite folks to explore organizing this new Grange. He created a blog and they [Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange] have an active social media presence. He is experienced in leading groups, having served as a student senate president in college,” Martin said.
Malaskee said the charter members have big plans for the newly-formed Grange.
“We are interested in modern sustainable farming practices, urban, suburban, and rural, as well as the educational, social, and community service aspects that we see as traditional cornerstones of The Grange. Some ideas that we are working on are: supporting the Oliver Kelly Farm through work parties, volunteering and out reach, forming an 1860’s Townball team (the predecessor to modern baseball), creating an annual arts journal and hosting a Spring Frolic Fundraiser and a Modern Meets Historic Harvest Dance,” Malaskee said.
Malaskee said the group has also had initial discussion about forming a Junior Grange.
The Oliver Hudson Grange hopes to be presented their charter at the Minnesota State Grange Session on Oct. 19 to 20 at the Kelley Farm.
The Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange will be the seventh Grange in the state when its charter closes in October. Kelley is one of the eight recognized founders of the National Grange.
The new Grange was organized at the historic Kelley Farm in Elk River. The Farm, established in 1850, is famous for being the home of Oliver Hudson Kelley, the founder of the National Grange.
Minnesota State Grange President Donna Champion, along with National Grange Leadership/Membership Director Michael Martin, initially held an informational meeting, which Martin said “quickly turned into an organizational meeting” when they saw the excitement in the new members.
“The Minnesota State Grange is excited to have a new Grange in our state,” Champion said. “It has been many years since we have organized a Grange and this will bring a new generation of ideas and energy to our State Grange. Some of the new members are employees of the Minnesota Historical Society and interpret at the Kelley Farm so they are very knowledgeable young adults. They are very interested in agriculture of today and yesteryear. It will be fun to work with them and their fresh ideas for the future of our State Grange”
T.J. Malaskee is the chief organizer and newly-elected Master of the Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange. He works as an historic interpreter at the Kelley Farm.
In a recent blog post, Malaskee writes, “Minnesota’s new Grange seeks to further Oliver Hudson Kelley’s vision of an organization of progressive Americans by uniting the common community, social justice, and agrarian oriented ideas of Minnesota’s rural, urban, and suburban citizens.
“Founded by Kelley in 1867, The Order of Patrons of Husbandry of the Grange served to unite farmers across the nation. Today, we continue the movement of American values and home-town roots; a non-partisan fraternity of Minnesotans dedicated to The Grange’s historic legacy,” Malaskee writes.
Martin applauded Malaskee for the work he did to organize the Grange and his qualifications as a leader.
“T.J. Malaskee did the leg work to invite folks to explore organizing this new Grange. He created a blog and they [Oliver Hudson Kelley Grange] have an active social media presence. He is experienced in leading groups, having served as a student senate president in college,” Martin said.
Malaskee said the charter members have big plans for the newly-formed Grange.
“We are interested in modern sustainable farming practices, urban, suburban, and rural, as well as the educational, social, and community service aspects that we see as traditional cornerstones of The Grange. Some ideas that we are working on are: supporting the Oliver Kelly Farm through work parties, volunteering and out reach, forming an 1860’s Townball team (the predecessor to modern baseball), creating an annual arts journal and hosting a Spring Frolic Fundraiser and a Modern Meets Historic Harvest Dance,” Malaskee said.
Malaskee said the group has also had initial discussion about forming a Junior Grange.
The Oliver Hudson Grange hopes to be presented their charter at the Minnesota State Grange Session on Oct. 19 to 20 at the Kelley Farm.
By Austin Miller
Programs Assistant
The New Grange Newsletter, September 10, 2012 Issue 3
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