Hamp: The Grange Is Who I Am

It’s only been a year since Chris Hamp was elected President of the National Grange, but in that time, she’s worked hard to share with the farming community why the Grange is important in the 21st century.  Hamp noted that the Grange is there to encourage children, and young adults to be individuals and advocate for themselves.

“Long before this phrase you know ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ was something that was part of our vernacular, it was what Grange did and what it continues to do is make sure that that our members are part of something bigger than themselves that that you grow and learn for a lifetime.”

In a world where phones and electronic devices rule the lives of so many, what has the Grange done to stay relevant?  Hamp says they focus on Rural America, and how those needs greatly differ than the needs of those living in more metro areas. 

“That they have education and that they have health care and that they have connections to the ability to stay there and farm if that's what they want to do," Hamp said.  "I think there's lots of issues out there that that we can help make sure that if you want to call rural America home and you want to raise a family on a small farm in a small community, that we can make sure that that that happens.”

Hamp added they continue to work at the local and national level to find the next leaders of the Grange, and those interested in steering the organization into the future.

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