By Terri Fassio, Co-Director, Public Relations Committee

Since 1885, the Connecticut State Grange has been a cornerstone of community organizing in our state. As a non-partisan, non-denominational organization with over 30 active chapters, we’ve long served as gathering places where neighbors come together to strengthen their communities, regardless of political affiliation or religious background.

Today, our Community Granges continue this tradition through potluck dinners, educational programs, youth activities, and community service projects. We provide meeting spaces for local organizations, support agricultural education, and advocate for policies that benefit not just rural and suburban towns, but all of Connecticut. Our members volunteer countless hours to make their communities better places to live.

The Connecticut Grange has always been at the forefront of progressive change. We championed women’s equality decades before the 19th Amendment, advocating for women’s property rights and full participation in civic life. We pushed for railroad regulation to protect farmers and consumers from monopolistic practices. We pioneered cooperative organizing, helping members pool resources and negotiate better prices. And we established community centers that became the heart of rural life.

These weren’t common positions

— they were bold, forward-thinking reforms that improved lives across Connecticut.

To revitalize our organization, we must embrace that thinking-outside-the-box spirit while staying true to our foundation. This means:

Expanding our focus beyond agriculture to address issues facing all  Connecticut  communities  — affordable housing, environmental sustainability, local food systems, and community resilience.

• Emphasizing our non-partisan nature as a refuge from today’s divisive politics, where people of all political persuasions can work together on common goals.
• Becoming true community gathering places again — hosting events, supporting local causes, and opening our doors to diverse groups.
• Leveraging our history to attract members who value social unity and community improvement, while maintaining our character that welcomes everyone.

The Connecticut State Grange has 140 years of making communities stronger. Our best days can still be ahead — if we remember who we’ve always been: neighbors helping neighbors build a better Connecticut.