Chumstick Grange turns 100, looks to grow youth programs and membership

LEAVENWORTH — The Chumstick Grange #819 celebrated its 100th anniversary on Oct. 8, reflecting on a century of agricultural history, advocacy, and impact in the Leavenworth area.

Rooted in agriculture and community, the Chumstick Grange #819 is a local chapter of a community-based national organization that provides members with the opportunity to lead, learn, and participate in community service, grassroots legislative advocacy and educational programs.

The National Order of Patrons of Husbandry, more commonly known as the Grange, started in 1867 post-Civil War movement to support farmers and families through education, cooperation, and political advocacy. Throughout its history, the Grange has played a large part in elevating the U.S. Department of Agriculture, establishing rural mail delivery, regulating railroads and public utilities, improving highways, and establishing farm research and collegiate education.

“One of the things I love about Grange is that when they started right after the Civil War, women could vote for Grange matters before women could vote for their country. They also felt that any of the kids, 14 ages and up, because they worked on the farm, should be able to vote as well,” said Debbie Fisch, Washington State Director of Family Living and Beehive Grange Treasurer.

Established in 1925, the Chumstick Grange has not only been a part of the state and national network of advocacy, but a part of sharing information and connection on a community level. As local Grange leader Paul Gray explained, community granges were set up within about 30 miles of one another, ensuring that grangers could access them within a day of travel in rural areas.

“The idea was to promote both gathering in the community to exchange information…And to make the travel from Grange to Grange not that far. So the Granges would cross over and share information in between,” said Gray.

However, Chumstick Grange, as with many others in the modern era, has had to 

As with many granges in the modern era, the Chumstick Grange is looking for ways to both preserve its historic purpose and engage new generations. The Grange currently has 43 members on its roster, but only a quarter are actively involved. Additionally, the Grange is still recovering from the loss of one of its prominent leaders, Shirley Ward, in 2020.

“This grange is learning where it's going again. The passing of Shirley Ward kind of took the heart out of Chumstick Grange, and we've lost a number of other members to age right now,” said Gray.

Its members are finding new ways to not only preserve the historic building, but revive the spirit of the organization. The Chumstick Grange has been working with the Greater Leavenworth Museum to reinvest in the historic Grangehall as a community gathering space. It has also been bolstering its youth opportunities.

As Fisch describes it, the Grange’s youth programming is similar to 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA), but broader and more flexible, making it an accessible option. Grange youth can participate in leadership and life skills training, projects, fairs, competitions and camps, and also receive scholarships. According to Fisch, the Grange is able to offer programming for a wider range of ages, and for youth who don’t have access to FFA through their schools, such as Cascade School District students.

“I think it's a way for Grange to grow, which is really exciting, because we get more young people, we get more people working in the Grange,” said Fisch.

The Chumstick Grange meets on every second Monday of the month from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Grangehall, located at 621 Front Street. Those interested in membership or learning more should contact the organization by emailing chumstickgrange819@gmail.com.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media