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There are a few more county fairs yet to take place but most have concluded for the year.

I had the opportunity to visit two additional fairs besides our own Trumbull County Fair. There were a lot of similarities even though each was set up differently. The animals, rides, concessions, antique tractors, etc. But something that I saw at the other two fairs that I didn’t see at the Trumbull County Fair was the presence of the Grange. Township Granges had displays and some had food stands or diner-type buildings.

So, what is the Grange? I grew up going to the Leroy Grange Hall with my Grandma Searles, but I had to look it up on the internet. According to the National Grange website, “The Grange is a family, community organization with its roots in agriculture. Founded in 1867 (just after the Civil War), the Grange was formed as a national organization with a local focus. The Grange has four levels — community, county or district, state and national — to ensure that the membership’s voice is heard at the appropriate place. Our membership sets the direction and activities for their community Grange in true grassroots fashion, and those decisions seep up to the national level. Nonpartisan legislative advocacy, educational programs, service projects and social interaction and networking are just a few of the ways local Granges serve their communities and members.”

I also visited the Ohio State Grange website. It was full of a lot of information on its history and advocacy efforts, but what caught my attention was the social aspect. That is what I remember about the Grange my grandparents belonged to. The Grange was a place to meet with and get to know your neighbors in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. It held events to raise funds for service projects, community needs and maintenance of their building. Chicken and biscuit dinners and cabbage roll sales were big hits. They also rented their building out for events. Wedding receptions were common, one of which was for my parents and another for Aunt Susie and Uncle Al. Many of our family parties and holiday meals were held at the Grange Hall. I remember going with my grandma to the Lake County Fair to help her at the Grange food booth. It was like a cafeteria where fairgoers could purchase delicious food that the Grange ladies had made and sit while they enjoyed it. I wonder how many pies my grandma made over the years?

The National Grange, officially named The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, is the oldest American agricultural advocacy group with a national scope. The 2025 numbers show that there are 140,000 members nationally and 1,400 local granges. There are currently 32 state Granges with additional local granges in Alaska, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, and Nevada. Ohio currently has 2,063 members representing 91 local Granges.

Although this organization does not have the presence that it once had, I am thankful for their foundational efforts to advocate for agriculture and rural communities. Advocacy efforts will continue through this and other grassroots organizations.

Submitted by Mary Smallsreed, a member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau and grew up on a family dairy farm in Northeast Ohio.

OFBF Mission: Working together for Ohio farmers to advance agriculture and strengthen our communities.