The legislation, better known as the Morrill Land Grant Act,
named after its sponsor, Justin Morrill, founded the system of
federal funding for public institutions that agreed to “teach
such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the
mechanic arts … in order to promote the liberal and practical
education of the industrial classes…” “Tens of millions of
Americans, many of whom are or have been Grange members, have
benefited from the educational opportunities extended as a
result of the Morrill Act,” National Grange President Ed
Luttrell said. “As we look forward to our own 150th anniversary
in 2017, we understand the importance of celebrating roots,
heritage, success and impact over a century and a half.” Under
the Morrill Act, each state received 30,000 acres of federal
land for every member of Congress representing their state.
Total, the Act allocated 17,400,000 acres of land that provided
an endowment of $7.55 million in 1862. The Act helped spark the
establishment and growth of numerous un