The Grange: An Antidote To Monsanto?

(MintPress) – The proliferation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in U.S. agriculture leaves few options to fight corporate secrecy in an increasingly corporatized food supply.

Monsanto, the face of the GMO battle, has consistently thwarted consumer efforts to label GMO products in California and has gone so far as to silence scientific research linking GMO products to cancer. Worth more than $19 billion, Monsanto has the lobbying strength to overcome challenges by consumers and activists.

The answer may reside with  farmers, the growers of food rather than voters, activists and consumer groups.

The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry or “The Grange,” could provide a framework for small farmers to work cooperatively to fight corporate crimes. The 150-year-old organization has proven helpful to millions of farmers throughout its history. However, the decline of Grange societies is commensurate with the rise of corporations with legislative clout on Capitol Hill. Reviving the Grange could be one of the last, few options left for small farmers.