Our Mission:
Our mission is to preserve and support the operation of the Oliver Kelley Farm, a National Historic Landmark that was the birthplace of the National Grange in 1867.
What Do We Value?
We value the farm as an important historical site with national significance. We value that in the process of teaching modern visitors about farming in the 1860s, they learn about the strong family and communal values that it took to farm in the infancy of Minnesota: values such as hard work, personal responsibility, creative problem solving and working together to achieve shared goals , values that resonate as strongly today as they did over 150 years ago.
Who is our Membership?
Our members include a wide range of folks from local school kids and teachers to members of Grange organizations from across the country; from lovers of local history to lovers of historic farming methods and antique farming equipment from across the state; from lovers of a story well told and well acted to those seeking a fun outdoor family outing. Most importantly, our membership could include you!
What Do We Do?
The Friends of the Oliver Kelley Farm actively:
- Raise public interest about the importance and charm of the Farm as a significant local, statewide and national community asset.
- Market the Farm through the use of print ads, social media and word of mouth. We stay active in the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce and represent the farm at local events as needed. We do so because the Farm attracts 30,000 visitors annually to the Elk River area.
- Through our fundraising efforts provide financial support to the Farm as needed.
- Work in behalf of the Oliver Kelley Farm for or against legislation that in any way affects the continued operation of the Farm as a viable operating living history site.
- Donate our time as volunteers in a variety of ways.
What we do as an organization today has changed dramatically since our inception in 2003. Then we organized in response to the threatened permanent closure of the Oliver Kelley Farm. Today, we partner with the Minnesota Historical Society in supporting the Farm as it continues to provide a vital connection to the past, a living history where children and families can immerse themselves in 19th century agriculture.
