Oliver Hudson Kelley, a Minnesota farmer, is inducted for his co-founding of the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry, a fraternal organization closely based on Masonic principles.

Kelley was born in Boston, but moved to the Minnesota Frontier in 1849 to become a farmer. In 1853, he formed the Minnesota Territorial Agricultural Society and was called to work for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1864.

President Andrew Johnson sent Kelley out to survey southern farms after the Civil War. It was this experience that gave him the vision to build an organization dedicated to improvement of the social and economic conditions in rural America.

In 1867, Kelley and six other courageous citizens formed the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry in order to united northern and southern farmers in the most modern agricultural practices. Kelley became the Order’s first national secretary and devoted his time and money to establish local chapters across the nation. The Order treats men and women as equal members, which was a radial concept in 1867.

The Depression of 1873 prompted many farmers to join the Grange, hoping it would empower and support farmers. In 1876 membership peaked at 858,000.

National Grange members continue to be active in contemporary agricultural issues, proving its grassroots endurance for generations of farmers.