Meandering Around the Grange Way of Life
by Walter Boomsma
Who Are We, Really?
Some recent posts on social media have raised the point that in the early days of the Grange, the term “Granger” was adopted by opponents of the Grange organization in an attempt to ridicule members and their position as “Patrons of Husbandry.” This was offered as a “fun fact,” and it certainly is of some interest. One of the founders, Reverend Aaron B. Grosh, attempted to clarify the issue by explaining that the Grange is actually a place. He offered that Masons, for example, are not referred to as “Lodgers.” Why should Patrons of Husbandry be referred to as “Grangers.”
As a writer and communicator, I am fond of the expression, “Words do not have meaning until people give them meaning.” Language is also fluid and ever-changing. When I was a young scholar, using the word “ain’t” would earn a reprimand from the teacher. And if I’d said I was going to google something I’d have earned a blank stare.
The word “granger” is of French origin and means “farmer,” although some dictionaries actually qualify that by noting that if the word is capitalized, it refers to a member of the Grange. It’s an interesting distinction and one of the reasons National Grange hounds us to always capitalize the word in print. Think “trademark protection.” (I could go on—I did some googling.)
Reverend Grosh admonished, “Propriety and justice demand that each organization have its own chosen name, whatever that may be: In this case the chosen chartered name is Patrons; in full, Patrons of Husbandry.” By his logic, we might most accurately say we are Patrons of Husbandry who meet at a Grange Hall.
During Dictionary Day presentations I usually get the kids to look up 3-4 words including patron, husbandry, and steward. This allows me to make the point that a member of the Grange is a patron (someone who provides support) of husbandry (which isn’t about getting married, it’s about growing things). I’m not sure it’s a difference but our focus is much broader today than it was 150+ years ago and that’s why we are giving them a dictionary—to support their growth and learning. Members of the Grange also are good stewards—in third-grade language, “someone who watches over things.” They can be good stewards by taking care of their dictionary and using it wisely.
So, in a manner of speaking, call us what you want as long as you understand that we are about supporting agriculture and rural living using the principles of good stewardship. Admittedly, that’s a little more challenging than “we are Grangers,” but it is, hopefully, more precise. But is it more accurate?
Just as language is fluid and ever-changing, to at least some extent, our organization has changed and will change will continue. One of the reasons the Grange still exists is, I believe, the sound foundation of values and practice the founders built. That foundation is far more important than the words we use. It matters less whether we care called Grangers or Patrons. Since we are, by design, a grassroots organization each individual Grange has changed and is changing. We do well to consider change consciously and deliberately both in practice and in language. The language is important but what’s more important is the answer to the question, “Who are we, really?” The answer to that question isn’t found in words, it is found in actions. There are words in “the ritual” to remind us of who we are, but saying the words isn’t the same as “doing” the words.
“A Patron (or Granger) places faith in God, nurtures hope, dispenses charity, and is noted for fidelity.” That’s a great summary of who a Granger (or Patron) is and how he or she lives, isn’t it?! But those are just four words. The important question is “What meaning are you giving to those words?” And the answer to that question is found in what you are doing today and every day.
Any degree or ritual quotations are from the forty-sixth edition of the 2013 Subordinate Grange Manual or the most recent edition of the Pomona Grange Manual. The views and opinions expressed in “Exploring Traditions” are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official doctrine and policy of the Grange. Information about the book “Exploring Traditions—Celebrating the Grange Way of Life” can be found at http://abbotvillagepress.com, on Mr. Boomsma’s Amazon Author Page, or by contacting the author.