USA > New York > The History of New York State Grange, 1934-1960 > Part 10
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COBLESKILL was the site of the next two schools-1951-with 93 enrolled, Harold M. Stanley, Director; 1952, with Mr. Louis Bruce and Mrs. Gertrude Corfman Co-directors, 75 attended. 1953-54-55-56 saw the schools located at MORRISVILLE, with Florence Pickett Director, and enrollment for respective years, 56; 69; 56 and 98. Since 1956 Miss Pat Emerson has been Director, and ALFRED the host School. The respective attendance has been 100, 130, 110 and 115. "1960 was the cream of the crop," said Miss Emerson.
After the 1958 School the Committee Chairman, Bert Morse, reported: "Approximately 800 students, 16 to 54 years of age, have attended Leadership Schools. This means 800 sparks of life. Let us be careful not to extinguish these sparks." In 1960 State Master Smith said: "Over the past several years over one thousand young people have attended the Youth Schools." Their goal? Definitely the development of a high type of "skilled, trained leadership for the Grange of the future and to assist individuals to become emotionally and socially secure."
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CURRICULUM RANGE: Required subjects have included: "Principles of Social Organization"; "The Grange Youth Pro- gram"; "Fundamentals of Leadership"; "Play Party Games and American Folk Dances"; "The Grange." Electives included: "Square Dance Calling"; "Dramatics"; "Games"; 'Song Leader- ship"; "Grange Good Neighbor Policy"; "Public Speaking"; "The Grange Code and Ritualism"; "Parliamentary Law"; "Worship Service Planning"; "Our Democratic Heritage".
TEACHING STAFFS OF THE YEARS included: Ruth Norris, part-time faculty New York School of Social Work, Columbia University, member staff of National Cooperative School for Recreation, consultant to the American Military Government in Germany on Youth Recreation Program; Miss Bernice Scott, Cor- nell Extension Specialist; Gertrude Corfman and Pat Emerson, Dairymen's League; James Norris, part-time faculty member Columbia University, teacher in the professional theatre, New York Theatre Guild, and staff member National Cooperative School for Recreation; State Masters Henry D. Sherwood and Leland D. Smith; State Lecturers Florence Pickett, Ida Reed and Fern Palmer; State Secretary Harold M. Stanley; Clarence John- cox, Executive Committee; Ivan Borden, Yale Divinity Student, in charge of Vespers; Wib Justi, National Grange Youth Com- mittee Chairman, and Mrs. Justi; Harry Graham, past Vice-Chair- man Advisory Committee of National Rural Youth Conference; Mrs. Roger Miller, Juvenile Superintendent and Mrs. Leland D. Smith.
"It really gives one a lift to work with those young folks for a week," said State Master Smith, "the interest they show in the fundamentals of Grange work proves that given the opportunity they will lift the Grange to even greater heights than ever be- fore." In 1954 the entire student body exemplified the first degree in full, with charges memorized in three hours, one hour per day. The next evening the pageant "The Holy Earth" was presented with every student in the caste. It was taken to Ithaca as the Grange contribution to The American Institute of Cooperation. The following year four of our Grange youth were sent to the Institute meeting at Purdue University. The State Council of Farm Cooperatives donated scholarships. Mrs. Donald Pepper, Gansevoort, was adult adviser.
"One of the broad areas of Grange Youth participation is opportunity for a representative of the State Committee to repre- sent the Grange on the New York State Rural Youth Council, which bids fair to be as important to Youth as the Farm Confer- ence Board is to Agriculture," stated Mrs. Pickett, Council Chair- man for 1956.
SAFETY was a major Youth goal, carried out with Highway
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Safety essays, Road-e-o Contests, Take-it-Easy, and "Handlebars to Safety" essay contests. Mrs. Walter Kinner, Washington Coun- ty Pomona Lecturer, described the Safe Driving Contest spon- sored by their County Young Adult Committee in 1954. 29 girls and boys took part; there was an official photographer; rules were outlined at Argyle Grange Hall by Parker Lamoray, District Man- ager of the Grange Mutual Liability Company. 200 attended the evening's banquet, with Mrs. Pickett presiding, and Cullen Burke, Chief Examiner Albany Bureau of Motor Vehicles, speaker.
STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM "is of immeasurable value in promoting international understanding as we strive for World Peace," said Elton Borden. In 1952 New York State had two Swiss, one British and thirty-two German teen-age exchange students. Mr. and Mrs. Borden escorted the teenagers back to Europe and brought the 1953 group back to America, "the high- light of my 25 years of Grange membership," said Mr. Borden.
INTERNATIONAL FARM YOUTH EXCHANGE was sponsored jointly by the Ford Foundation and New York State Grange. Several farm young people visited farm families in foreign countries. For instance Charles Carlson, Chautauqua County, an IFYE student went to New Zealand. Ruth Morse, Essex County, spent the summer in Austria, and Gus Marvin, Monroe County, journeyed to Gautemala.
INTERSTATE EXCHANGE PROGRAM "to achieve a two-way exchange of information about farming, home, community and Grange work, and to develop a closer understanding and spirit of teamwork between the various geographical segments of the United States, required unmarried youth, 18-20 years of age. Examples: In 1955 Ruth Morse, Whallonsburg, was a guest of Jolene Eberspacher in Beaver Crossing, Nebraska, and Jolene was Ruth's guest in Essex County. Roy Taylor, Newfane Grange, Niagara County, spent a month with a Grange family in Texas. Diana Mayer, of Burt, New York, in 1957 interchanged with Ruthann Schnurr of Michigan. In 1958 four of our farm youth were guests in Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wyom- ing. Young people from those homes became acquainted here.
STATE AND NATIONAL FESTIVE OCCASIONS included Youth banquests. At the Saratoga State session, 1958, a specta- cular Youth Drill Team Exhibition was put on by South Cortland Grange No. 487, Ruth Goodale. leader, In the National Grange Youth Recognition Program, Rochester, 1956, young people from fifteen different States occupied the officers' chairs, and wore the beautiful golden National Grange regalia. Bert Morse was Master, and Carl Torrance Acting Treasurer, both of New York.
GRANGE QUEEN CONTEST started in 1956. Selection is made
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through Pomona, Regional and State elimination. Decision is based on "beauty, poise, appearance and especially Grange activ- ity." As our Grange Goodwill Ambassador our Queen attends State Fair and State Grange. In 1956 our Queen was Miss Julia Earls, Middleburgh, who had been active in Franklinton Juvenile and Subordinate Granges, Schoharie County. In 1957 the crown rested upon Miss Mignon Matthews, Jewett Grange, Greene County. In 1958, Miss Elaine Bushart, of Cornell Grange, Tomp- kins County, won the laurels. The reigning lady of 1959 was Miss Phyllis Hotaling, Lecturer of Lysander Grange, Onondaga County. In 1960, the lady under the crown was Miss Shirley Grant, Maple Leaf Grange, Franklin County. Miss Grant is a Canadian member.
GRANGE KING CONTEST started in 1960. Charles Cuykendall, of Auburn Grange No. 1247, also Steward of Cornell Grange No. 1577, was the winner in a close contest. Again, knowledge of the Grange and Grange activities was the major basis for the score. In 1960, Watertown session, titles were changed to
GRANGE PRINCE AND PRINCESS. Miss Patricia Bush, Lec- turer of Moravia Grange, Cayuga County, and Walter Jaquay, Hamilton Grange, and Master of Madison County Pomona, achieved distinction as Grange royal firsts, in early 1961.
SUMMATION: Marion Mooney, former State Committee mem- ber: "Having a committee is not enough. You must have an active committee. Without young folks in our organization the Grange could not live on."
Pat Emerson, Youth Director, said emphatically: "We need to stop being apologetic about the Grange and start being proud of it." We can well be proud of our Grange Youth.
In conclusion, we quote Bert Morse, after the 1954 School: "Did you know that in 1874 the Grange made known its opposition to the principles of Communism? Foresight-yes, and yet prac- tically none of our students even knew it until it was brought out in the State Secretary's class on 'Grange Policies.'" Then he added a word about the pageant, "The Holy Earth." He said, "As it closed, the audience remained in complete silence, I believe reflecting on the closeness we, as Grange and farm folks, should have with our Creator."
3. RELATION TO HIGHER EDUCATION
1. REVOLVING SCHOLARSHIP FUND
This remarkable fund has been built in the main from in- dividual, Juvenile Subordinate and Pomona gifts, and from other
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sources mentioned later, together with some early assistance from the State Grange, and the travels of the Magic Gavel Fund, for which every county in the State contributed generously. (See Volume 1, L. L. Allen History.) The fashion of its building has been one for another, emphasized by the revolving feature, since as soon as one loan is repaid it immediately goes to work for the good of another applicant. In 1930 Harold M. Stanley, Skaneateles, was appointed Fund Secretary, and this appointment has been re- newed annually.
PURPOSE: Established to aid young people of the Grange to obtain education beyond High School, from the outset it was never intended to completely cover or even mainly supply financial assistance for college, but rather to supplement other sources. In earlier years loans were made for $100.00 per term, but at the 1949 Rochester session, Revolving Scholarship Fund Secretary Stanley recommended an increase to $200.00 per sem- ester. This was endorsed by the State Grange Executive Com- mittee as a maximum single loan, or a total of eight such loans in a four year period.
ELIGIBILITY: Loans at 2% interest, are available to applicants who have been Grange members for at least six months. Need and proposed use of the loan are required. No fund application has ever been refused, but some have had to wait for funds to accrue. At one time 66 applications were in waiting. There is no restriction as to selection of the higher institution, and repayment terms are reasonable.
HOW MANY LOANS? In 1935 it was announced that in the eight years wherein loans had been made available, 632 loans which totaled $66,933 had been made. 54 applications were wait- ing. The peak of loans was 1938, with $15,339.50 loaned. During war years, with many in service, there was less need for loans, the fund continued to build through paid loans and contributions. In October, 1960, Mr. Stanley reported that total loans had been extended in the amount of $187,679.00. In Mr. Stanley's words: "We can now begin to realize just how helpful this part of our efforts has been. There is no question as to what the young people think of this service."
RESOURCES: Special means to earn money since 1934 included: The Fraternity Chain, Neighbor Nights and group meetings. It has indeed been a State Grange Fund, built by rural people. Often through one-act plays, suppers, card parties, one-half of the pro- ceeds was retained in the Grange treasury. Under this caption came the G. L. F .--- State Grange sponsored G. L. F. Rolled Wheat Suppers, with 360 Granges turning over $2,994.51 to the Fund. The G. L. F. donated prizes. In 1941, from the G. L. F. Cookbook project, $1,781.59 wended their way into the Fund
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treasury, with more Granges to report. Juvenile Granges were active contributors, the Service and Hospitality Committee sub- stantial donors. The Scholarship Bank, for instance netted $3,120.14.
GIFTS AND BEQUESTS: Mr. C. W. Pratt, Erie County, donated $500.00. Sullivanville Grange No. 1305, Chemung County, dis- banded in 1949, sold their property, and turned $2,000.00 to the Fund. In 1957, Rosalie Hagerty, Kendaia Grange No. 64, left a bequest in honor of her parents, the late A. J. Bartlett, first Pomona Master and first Deputy of Seneca County, organizer of many Granges, and Mrs. Bartlett. When settled, this estate boost- ed the Fund by $21,698.59.
"GREATEST NEED of the Fund," reported Mr. Stanley in 1937, "is to establish a surplus of such size that loans may be made as soon as applications come in, instead of the hand to mouth method with applicants waiting until funds come in." In 1943: "Loans repaid during the first 14 years totaled $75,187.53. It is good business to get this money into interest bearing accounts." In 1945, "It is interesting to note that we purchased another $10,000 Bond from the Fund balance. This makes three, or a total of $30,000.00 in War Bonds at a cost of $22,200.00." In 1960, in the name of the Revolving Scholarship Fund, 200 Empire Livestock 5% Income bonds at $100.00 each were purchased.
VALUES: "What is the Revolving Scholarship Fund Doing?" "BUILDING," was Mr. Stanley's succinct answer. "Membership, Loyalty, Brotherhood, Character, Educational values. .. . Loyalty to an Ideal has made it possible to carry on this work." In 1957 Mr. Stanley said: "Many times a loan has been the deciding factor as to whether a student would remain in college or have to leave."
STUDENT TESTIMONY: "I will always feel a moral obligation to the New York State Grange and its Revolving Scholarship Fund."
"Through this Fund I have been able to complete two years at the State University Teachers' College, Plattsburg."
During World War II. "I want to thank you and the Grange for this loan. I am a Navy Nurse in the Country's Service."
From a First Lieutenant in the Army: "I am enclosing a small donation to help some other student through school. I know that without this aid I would never have been able to complete my four years in college."
"Without the aid of the Grange Scholarship Fund I probably never would have been able to have received my M. D. degree and now be a practicing Industrial Physician."
"This loan was a big help to me in getting through Business Institute. I now have a good position."
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"I have been accepted for Medical College. I want to express my gratitude to the Grange for this wonderful help in assisting students to obtain an education. Without it I would be unable to go on."
"I could not have become a teacher without this loan which made my college education possible."
"I shall consider this loan a debt of honor. It makes a person feel good to know that he belongs to an organization like the Grange."
In 1960 twenty-five loans were made. Secretary Stanley said: "It is interesting that these students are attending seven different institutions. Six are at Teachers Colleges, seven at four of the Agricultural and Technical Institutes, one at Cornell, one at Florida University, one at Lycoming in Pennsylvania, and one at Setan Hall, Pennsylvania. The subject range covered teach- ing Food Administration, Home Economics, Food Service, Nursery Education, Electronics, Engineering Science and Math., Business Management, Medical Technology, Art, Agriculture and Dentis- try."
"SCHOLARSHIP FUND INFORMATION (August 18,1961): Amount of Loans to Date $192,479.00
Number of Students Who Have Used The Fund, All 1,002
Members of Granges in New York State
Number of Different Schools or Colleges Attended 203
Number of Different Professions or Occupations Select- ed 83
The Applications Have Come From EVERY COUNTY In The State And Every County Has Helped To Build The Fund."
2. SUSAN W. FREESTONE VOCATIONAL EDUCATIONAL FUND
"We here in the Empire State are honored to have one in our midst who has toiled and sacrificed her time and strength to see the Juvenile work go ahead. It seems only fitting that we pay some tribute to such a loyal Patron. The Executive Committee of this New York State Grange has authorized the Juvenile Grange to build a fund to be known as 'The Susan W. Freestone Vocation- al Educational Fund,' honoring Mrs. Freestone for her untiring efforts in promoting Juvenile work in the State and Nation, such fund to be administered by the Juvenile Superintendent and the Executive Committee. This will be one of the outstanding pro-
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jects for the girls and boys." This was announced by Mrs. John Thew, New York State Grange Juvenile Superintendent, at the 1945 Rochester session. Originally proposed by Mrs. Thew, her thought was to have results worthy of esteem.
At the outset an annual grant of $100.00 each was issued to one boy and one girl, to be paid upon entrance to one of the six Agricultural and Technical Institutes in the State. Grants were made on the basic of excellence in school work, school activities, home projects, community and Grange activities. Contestants were required to be Subordinate Grange members, former Juvenile Grange members, with final selection by competitive examination. In 1950, the Executive Committee increased the annual grant to two girls and two boys, High School graduates, to receive the $100.00 for each year of the two year course. In 1960 six grants were made instead of four, and a score sheet planned to aid selection. The Juvenile Superintendent as Fund Secretary turned collected money over to the State Treasurer as a separate fund.
Initially, the State Grange made sizable investments. Juvenile Granges, Subordinates and Pomonas contributed annual- ly, totals ranging from lesser amounts to $1,218.90 in 1947. In 1950 each Long Island Subordinate was asked to contribute cakes to be sold at auction, proceeds ear-marked for this fund. Southamp- ton, Southold, Brookfield, Sound Avenue, Mattituck and Sunrise Granges jointly raised $100.00 for this worthy cause. At the 1960 Watertown session, State Treasurer Robert M. Payne reported cash and investments on hand, total, of $14,715.49. Since the terms of this fund provide for outright grants with no revolving feature, it cannot be compared with the older Revolving Scholar- ship Fund, which has loans repaid for one source of increase. None the less, this youthful fund renders valuable service in the education of rural youth.
Enrollments in at least twenty-two counties-Chautauqua, Chenango, Cortland, Dutchess, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Onondaga, Ontario, Rennselaer, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Steuben, Suffolk, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wyom- ing and Yates, have been made in all six of the Institutes,- Alfred, Canton, Cobleskill, Delhi, Farmingdale and Morrisville. Subjects available include: agriculture, art, homemaking, the in- dustrial field,-such as air conditioning and refrigeration,-music, nursing and kindred subjects.
This fund has enabled about fifty girls and boys to obtain a higher education when financial conditions or choice of vocation made a two year rather than a four year course advisable. All have expressed gratitude for the opportunity afforded, and will always hold the name of Susan Wilson Freestone in grateful re-
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gard. Her framed photo hangs in the hall of the Grange each stu- dent represents.
4. RELATION TO INSTITUTIONS OF EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
1. CORNELL UNIVERSITY
Question may arise as to why mention of Cornell University is included in this history. The great University is now 93 years old. Our great State Farm the Grange, is nearing its 89th birth- day. Herein lies the answer.
The Charter of the University lists forty members on the Cornell Board of Trustees: Five appointed by the Governor of New York State; the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, speaker of the Assembly, Commissioners of Education, Agriculture, Com- merce, Industrial Commissioner, President of the State Agricul- tural Society, Librarian of the Cornell (city) Library, President of Cornell University, as trustees ex officio; the eldest lineal male descendant of Ezra Cornell; 33 elective trustees, 22 by the Board of Trustees, 10 by alumni, and one by the New York State Grange.
Again a question arises: Why New York State Grange? When the College of Agriculture was very young, and our State Grange was four years old, there were some critical delegates at the 1877 Rochester State Grange session. Wisely, a committee of investi- gation was appointed which went to Cornell to investigate this new school. They discovered the dear dream of Ezra Cornell and his primary interest in agriculture, with which the first Univer- sity President, Andrew D. White, concurred. Incidentally, what would these two dreamers think today of this College of Agricul- ture now widely rated as the finest in the world? How would they rate our great State Farm the Grange? There would be mutual pride.
The men of vision who made up the State Grange committee gave their report at the fifth annual session, also held in Roches- ter. Briefly summarized: "There should be a closer relationship between the University and the Farmers of the State. The latter should cooperate with the University in its educational mission. . . As helping bring the University and the farmers together we urge upon the trustees the importance of calling into their board representatives of practical agriculture. And we suggest to the Grange the propriety of recommending a suitable representative for a place on the board."
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Dean Albert Mann, in a letter to State Secretary Stanley stated: "It was in the early days of the University that the Char- ter was changed to include representation from the Grange. . .. when the Grange began to develop an organization representing the interests of farmers somewhat widely in the State, and educa- tion was set forth as one of its chief interests, it was very natural that the University should wish to invite the Grange also to appoint a Trustee. As you well know, the Grange has been a strong force in the development of the College and has stood con- stantly for its support on a basis which would enable it to serve better the continually widening interests of farmers and needs for service. In the history of this University the cooperation of the Grange is a very important chapter."
The first Grange appointed trustee was F. E. Dawley of Fayetteville; W. F. Pratt, the second. This period of history deals first with the third, appointed in 1930, and no less than
HOWARD EDWARD BABCOCK: Born February 23, 1889, "Ed" Babcock was a truly great Grange member. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1911, served as County Agricultural Agent, then State leader, later Professor of Marketing in the State Col- lege of Agriculture. He helped form the New York State Agri- cultural Conference Board, served as its Secretary, was Secretary of the State Farm Bureau and State Director; he helped organize, develop and strengthen the Cooperative Grange League Federa- tion and served as its manager until 1936 when he retired and became its director of research. During World War II he was assistant to the Chairman of the Federal Farm Board and Direc- tor of the Central Bank of Cooperatives. Governor Dewey appointed him as head of the New York State Food Conservation Commission; he was a member of President Franklin D. Roose- velt's Agricultural Advisory Commission and held other impor- tant positions.
It was while he represented New York State Grange as its member on the Cornell Board that State College Councils, to include representatives of farmers and housewives to help solve problems and develop long term policies of the three State Col- leges, were established. In 1941 Mr. Babcock, who had been Act- ing Chairman one year, was elected Chairman of the Board. The cause of his resignation as Grange Trustee was wholly because the Grange representative was appointed annually. It was not feasible for the Board Chairman to be elected on a one term ex- pectancy. Mr. Babcock said: "I feel this honor came to me primar- ily because of the importance of the Grange in the affairs of the State." The Grange has always had great pride in our distinguish- ed member. His life contribution is apparent to all.
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Mr. Babcock's life-time objectives were listed at hiis "Sunny- gables Farm" of 1,000 acres: 1. Perpetuate the family farm economy of America. ... 2. Focus research, education and co- operative action on family farm problems. ... 3. Improve the American diet-the most practical means by which family farm operators may protect their way of life and serve human welfare."
The National Grange Monthly commented: "Mr. Babcock advocated a sound farm program built on animal agriculture, and felt that by upgrading the human diet the farmer would be assured of a firm market; that business would operate to capacity, and the nation be stronger physically, mentally and spiritually."
Largely through Mr. Babcock's effort the School of Nutri- tion first of its kind in the world, was established at Cornell. In 1953 Deane W. Malott, President of the University, evaluated this School: "Of Cornell's many endeavors, none holds greater potentialities for the good of mankind than the work in the School of Nutrition."
On July 12, 1950, this Grange member who had done so much for farmers and farm welfare, passed away. New York State Grange, Subordinate and Pomona Granges and other farm organizations donated over $500,000 to carry out his dream of nutrition research through the H. E. Babcock Memorial Profes- sorship and Endowment Fund. D. Herrell DeGraff was the choice for the Professorship; his "the responsibility of promoting a broader understanding of the importance of better diet as a matter of public policy, for the mutual benefit of agriculture, the food industry, consumers and the national economy."
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