Our History

FarmHouse Fraternity at the University of Idaho: Building Leaders, Brotherhood, and Success Since 1905

1905: The Birth of a National Brotherhood with a Rich History

FarmHouse Fraternity was founded on April 15, 1905, at the University of Missouri by seven college students who shared a commitment to leadership, personal integrity, academic achievement, and brotherhood. Originally connected through a YMCA Bible study group, the founders—D. Howard Doane, Robert F. Howard, Claude B. Hutchison, Henry H. Krusekopf, Earl W. Rusk, Henry P. Rusk, and Melvin E. Sherwin—envisioned an organization that would help young men develop strong character while achieving success in college and beyond.  FarmHouse thus has the motto “Builder of Men”.

The name "FarmHouse" began as a nickname given to the founders by fellow students because they lived together in a house known as the "farmer's house." Rather than viewing the term negatively, the founders embraced it as a symbol of hard work, humility, friendship, and service—values that continue to define FarmHouse Fraternity more than 120 years later.

Today, FarmHouse is recognized nationally for its commitment to building exceptional men through intellectual, spiritual, social, and leadership development. FarmHouse celebrates its origins, which gave us the solid foundation upon which we have grown. However, we are as diversified as the fields of agriculture. We welcome all majors to best prepare our members for their future careers. This international fraternity has grown to 32 chapters with more than 30,000 lifelong members.

1957: FarmHouse Fraternity at the University of Idaho

The Idaho Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity traces its roots to 1955 when Dr. Duane "Doc" LeTourneau, a FarmHouse alumnus from the University of Minnesota, worked to establish the fraternity at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho.

Initially formed as the Idaho FarmHouse Club, the organization quickly gained support from university leadership and students seeking a values-based fraternity experience. The chapter received official university recognition in 1956 and was granted its charter as an active FarmHouse chapter on October 12, 1957.

For nearly seven decades, FarmHouse at the University of Idaho has helped young men build lifelong friendships, develop leadership skills, achieve academic success, and prepare for meaningful careers.

Today: Open to All Majors and Career Paths

Although FarmHouse was originally founded to serve agriculture students, today's FarmHouse Fraternity welcomes men pursuing virtually any major at the University of Idaho.

Our members represent a diverse range of academic programs, including:

• Business and Entrepreneurship

• Engineering and Computer Science

• Education

• Agriculture and Agricultural Business

• Forestry and Natural Resources

• Architecture and Design

• Arts and Humanities

• Science and Technology

• Health and Pre-Professional Programs

• Communications and Marketing

Whether your goal is to become an engineer, business executive, educator, entrepreneur, scientist, healthcare professional, or industry leader, FarmHouse provides opportunities to connect with motivated students who share a commitment to excellence. Contact us today to learn more about how the Idaho Chapter of FarmHouse Fraternity can empower you to be successful in building your future career, while building a lifelong support network of friendships along the way.