28-year-old becomes youngest Kansas State President

By Amanda Leigh Brozana, Communications Director | Email

On Friday, Sept. 21, delegates to the 141st Kansas State Grange Convention elected Nathan Strawder, 28, of Park City, as their new State Grange President.

Strawder, a fourth-generation Grange member, previously served as State Co-Membership Director and Legislative Director, and held several state offices for the past ten years. He was also named both National Grange Trimble Legislative Youth and National Grange Legislative Fly-In Scholarship Recipient in the past 12 months.

Strawder said he is excited with this opportunity.

“I was surprised, but I am eager to do a good job,” Strawder said. “I feel like rural Americans, communities and their way of life are at a disadvantage in today’s America, just the same that it was nearly 100 years ago. It’s time for the Grange and other organizations to speak up, and insure the health and survival of rural areas and a high quality of life. That’s one of my major issues now as State Master.”

Strawder is the state’s youngest President and will be the youngest State President at National Session, however, he is among many youth that are filling leadership positions across the country National Grange President Ed Luttrell said.

“We’ve got tremendous young people with vision and excitement serving the organization in all different capacities, and becoming strong voices in State Grange leadership across the country,” Luttrell said.

Strawder said he is grateful to have immediate past State Grange President Roger Bostwick, who will now serve as the state’s Legislative Director, as his guide during this year’s National Convention in Boise. Bostwick serves as National Grange Assistant Steward.

Bostwick said he is happy Strawder was elected.

“I’m glad the delegates put faith in him,” Bostwick said. “It’s a great opportunity for Nathan and a great opportunity for the Kansas State Grange.”

Strawder has been a member of Otter Creek Grange, Burlington, since he was 14, and previously was a Junior Grange member with Otter Creek and Carbondale Junior Granges.

He follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Randall Schif, who served as State President in the 1980s.