Farmhouse Fraternity

Seven guys from the University of Missouri founded Farmhouse Fraternity as an agricultural club on April 15, 1905. The club's main principles sprang from talks at Sunday afternoon Bible sessions, where D. Howard Doane, Henry Rusk, and Earl Rusk tried to foster camaraderie among College of Agriculture members.

Doane is regarded as the founder of our fraternity because he came up with the initial concepts.

The founders recognized that the farmer’s job is often criticized in our society and so put a high priority on a strong work ethic and Christian principles, both of which are essential for rural living. The FarmHouse was recognized as a fraternity for the first time in 1924.

Despite being part of the Greek system, FarmHouse has kept its non-Greek name to honor the importance of its agricultural history to its founders.

When the Missouri, Nebraska, and Illinois chapters—the three that existed at the time—approved the Constitution and By-Laws in 1921, FarmHouse became a nationally recognized fraternity.

On June 2, 1921, the Kansas State chapter of FarmHouse was chartered, making it the fifth chapter to be established. A group of agricultural students and faculty members affiliated with FarmHouse men from other universities formed the Kansas State chapter. Their goal was to promote goodwill and scientific agriculture.

From 1922 to 1925, the original chapter house was situated at 1126 Bluemont. From 1926 to 1928, the second home was at 1031 Moro, and from 1929 to 1943 and 1946 to 1955, the third house was at 1409 Fairchild. The Kansas State chapter was dormant throughout WWII, and the chapter building was utilized to accommodate soldier families. The chapter moved to its current site at 1830 College Heights in 1956.

The farmHouse is a one-hundred-year-old fraternity that became an international fraternity in 1974 with the establishment of a FarmHouse chapter at the University of Alberta.

The Kansas State Chapter of FarmHouse is mainly composed of men from all backgrounds and interests. It has, nevertheless, retained a strong connection to the agricultural history and Christian ideals on which it was built.

How does Farmhouse Fraternity work?

The four-part approach to the Farmhouse Fraternity's motto, "Builder of Men," is; men must have a solid spiritual basis, be academically sharp, be socially and ethically competent, and prioritize physical wellbeing.

While considerable progress may be achieved in these four areas during one's college days, members understand that the genuine process of building men is more long-term; in fact, the process of building men is never complete and is best seen from a life-long viewpoint.

Farmhouse members are engaged in campus ministries, participate in bible studies inside the house, and visit local churches regularly at K-State. Throughout the school year, the chapter hosts a variety of spiritual development events.

Farmhouse encourages members' intellectual, social/moral, spiritual, and physical development. This happens when brothers – both current students and graduates – join together in a learning atmosphere that encourages them to grow as scholars and gentlemen of good character.

The farmhouse has ranked first in the fraternity grade rankings at K-State for the past 10 semesters, with an all-house average G.P.A. of at least 3.25. The farmhouse is one of the few fraternities at K-State that does not force new members to complete mandatory study hours. The Farmhouse has a peaceful educational section open 24 hours a day, and members may always find a brother to help them with their studies in a house of 62 guys.

Throughout the academic year, chapter members attend various sorority date parties and activities. Each year, Farmhouse men encounter a diverse group of people from around campus through different philanthropies, holiday meals, and Greek-wide activities. Farmhouse takes pride in its outstanding performance at Homecoming and Greek Week, and all Farmhouse on- and off-property social activities are open to the public.

The importance of physical health is emphasized throughout the chapter. Meals at the house are planned to give members a balanced, healthy diet during their stay at K-State, and members participate in almost every intramural sport. Physical fitness and health are a focus at FarmHouse, whether it's playing backyard basketball, going on a jog with a brother, or competing in the chapter's annual ping-pong tournament.

Farmhouse Fraternity Membership 

An undergraduate must be issued a bid, or offer of membership, by a chapter of Farmhouse Fraternity at their university to become a member. In addition to bringing potential new members over for dinner or a tour of the chapter facility, chapters routinely hold recruiting or rush, activities to get to know them.

Every chapter has a recruitment officer, in addition to all chapter members being responsible for identifying and recruiting new members who share Farmhouse objectives.

A member's objective should not only be to protect principles, goals, and reputation that he inherits but also to enhance and extend them because standing still, maintaining the status quo, is a step backward.

Farmhouse plants the seed today that will grow into tomorrow's world leaders: researchers, teachers, scholars, statesmen, farmers, business leaders, community leaders, and future professional men tasked with solving societal problems.