New intern has rich Grange heritage

Earlier this month, Sergei Riddell became the newest intern for the National Grange. His grandfather, Robert Frederick, was the Legislative Director for the National Grange for about 30 years. I had the chance to sit down with Sergei to talk a little about why he wanted to work at the Grange and what he hopes to accomplish.

Austin: First, I’d like to thank you for talking to me today. Second, I was hoping you could tell me about where you currently go to school and what it is that you are studying?

Sergei: Thank you. Right now, I am a Junior at American University in Washington, D.C., majoring in Political Science and minoring in International Studies.

Austin: That’s interesting. Why did you decide on an internship at the National Grange?

Sergei: My interest with the Grange derives from my grandfather, Robert Frederick. In my childhood, I would watch and help my grandfather in his backyard and greenhouse with planting and gardening.  While we worked, he would tell me about the National Grange and the work he did on Capitol Hill and abroad.  He fostered in me a deep appreciation for small family farmers and their uncommon understanding of hard work.

Austin: Your grandfather was the Legislative Director for the National Grange correct?

Sergei: Yes. That is correct.

Austin: Could you tell us a little about your grandfather?

Sergei: My grandfather Robert Frederick, grew up on, and eventually ran the family farm in Wadsworth, Ohio.  The first to go to college in the family, he received a degree in Horticulture at the Ohio State University.  My grandfather would go on to become the Legislative Director for the National Grange for more than 30 years.  He played a significant role in molding farm policies by provided key testimony to the House and Senate Ag Committees. In his post as U.S. Special Trade Representative, he was one of the first consistent voices for international trade agreements, such as NAFTA, that opened markets for American agriculture.

My grandfather was salt of the earth. He was humble and unpretentious.  He taught me to give no excuses (no matter small or great) and, no matter the task, to labor on and spend and be spent (qualities that seem to be sorely lacking in most Members of Congress). My granddad was a voracious reader of those 700-page biographies of the great Americans like John Adams, Dwight Eisenhower and Tip O’Neill.

Austin: He sounds like a great guy. Now back to the internship; what is it that you hope to accomplish?

Sergei: I hope to leave with an understanding of policy (agriculture) that so profoundly affects all Americans.

Austin: Any last thoughts?

Sergei: In just my third day with the Grange, I have a much greater understanding of who my grandfather was.  Even within the hustle and bustle of the Nation’s capital, my granddad maintained the thoughtfulness, kindness and backbreaking work ethic he grew up with on the family farm, and I am excited to help the National Grange in whatever way possible.