Ag Exhibit

Maryland's first grange formed in Cecil County, Maryland, in 1873. The grange movement grew quickly, and by 1874, 110 granges existed all over Maryland. The organization rapidly evolved from an agricultural fraternity to a largely commercial venture. The Maryland State Grange and Patrons of Husbandry is the state umbrella for the local granges; they have remained active not only in agriculture and agricultural issues but also as a special action group, taking a stand on such issues as war and peace, relief, and education.

By 1960, forty-five Granges were active in the state of Maryland. The selected materials here reflect their annual meeting proceedings and official ribbons. The Maryland State Grange is still active today.

In addition to the local granges, student, junior, and youth granges emerged. One program organized through the Maryland State Youth Grange was the Young Marrieds Program. They held a yearly competition for Maryland State Grange's Young Couple of the Year.

Glyndon Grange, No. 321. July 4, 1927.

Patrons of Husbandry Ribbon. "Gate - Keeper of Patrons of Husbandry." Forest Hill Grange, No. 327. Forest Hill, Maryland.

Patrons of Husbandry Ribbon. "Ceres -- Patrons of Husbandry." Harford Pomona Grange, Maryland.

Covers for the proceedings for various annual meetings. From L - R: 1908, 1949, 1974, 1999.

Pomona Grange's 1959 entry for the Maryland State Grange Young Couple of the Year contest was the Johnson family. The pictures below depict Donald and Lina Johnson's life on their family farm. The couple was active with the grange chapter, 4-H chapter (Lina served as the girls' leader), and the local church.

The photograph captions are original to the 1959 application.

Pictured at left is "a scene looking from the house to the road showing the cattle on pasture" of the Johnson farm. 1959.

"An everyday, twice a day chore on the Johnson farm is the milking of the herd of Holstein cows. Each cow's milk is weighed and tested fro their butterfat content once a month." 1959.

"We find Lina answering one of the many daily phone calls. This particular call concerned a 4-H girl's trouble with a dress she was sewing for the Grange Sewing Contest." 1959.

"Lina loves her flowers, and spends many pleasant hours in the yard and garden with them." 1959.