One Success Achieved by the Grange Movement

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 52 views

The Grange movement, also known as the Patrons of Husbandry, was a social and economic organization that emerged in the United States in the late 19th century. The movement aimed to improve the lives of farmers and rural communities by addressing issues such as transportation, storage, and credit. In this article, we will explore one of the significant successes achieved by the Grange movement.

The Grange Movement: A Brief Overview

The Grange movement was founded in 1867 by Oliver Hudson Kelley, a farmer from Minnesota. The movement's primary goal was to provide a platform for farmers to come together, share knowledge, and work towards common goals. The Grange movement was not a political party, but rather a social organization that aimed to improve the lives of farmers and rural communities.

One Success Achieved by the Grange Movement

One of the significant successes achieved by the Grange movement was the taking ownership of grain elevators in some states. Grain elevators were crucial infrastructure for farmers, as they provided a place to store and sell their crops. However, the grain elevator industry was dominated by large corporations, which often charged exorbitant fees to farmers. The Grange movement recognized the importance of grain elevators and worked towards taking ownership of these facilities in some states.

The Impact of Grange-Owned Grain Elevators

The Grange movement's success in taking ownership of grain elevators had a significant impact on farmers and rural communities. By owning and operating grain elevators, the Grange movement was able to:

Reduce transportation costs: By owning grain elevators, the Grange movement was able to reduce transportation costs for farmers, making it easier for them to sell their crops.
Increase storage capacity: The Grange movement's grain elevators provided additional storage capacity for farmers, allowing them to store their crops for longer periods.
Improve market access: The Grange movement's grain elevators provided farmers with better access to markets, enabling them to sell their crops at competitive prices.
Promote rural development: The Grange movement's grain elevators helped to promote rural development by providing employment opportunities and stimulating local economies.

Other Successes Achieved by the Grange Movement

While taking ownership of grain elevators was a significant success for the Grange movement, the organization achieved many other successes as well. Some of these successes include:

State laws limiting transport and storage charges: The Grange movement worked with state governments to pass laws that limited the charges that grain elevator operators could impose on farmers.
Banks extending credit to failing farms: The Grange movement worked with banks to extend credit to farmers who were struggling to make ends meet.
Railroads under federal control: The Grange movement advocated for the federal government to take control of railroads, which would have helped to reduce transportation costs for farmers.

Conclusion

The Grange movement was a significant success in American history, and its achievements continue to impact farmers and rural communities today. By taking ownership of grain elevators, the Grange movement was able to reduce transportation costs, increase storage capacity, improve market access, and promote rural development. While the Grange movement faced many challenges, its successes demonstrate the power of collective action and the importance of working towards common goals.

Discussion Questions

What were the primary goals of the Grange movement?
How did the Grange movement's success in taking ownership of grain elevators impact farmers and rural communities?
What other successes did the Grange movement achieve?
How did the Grange movement's advocacy efforts impact the lives of farmers and rural communities?

References

Kelley, O. H. (1876). The Grange Movement: A History of the Patrons of Husbandry.
The Grange Movement: A Study of the Patrons of Husbandry (1915).
The Grange and the Grain Elevator Industry (1920).

Additional Resources

National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
Grange Movement: A History of the Patrons of Husbandry
The Grange and the Grain Elevator Industry
Frequently Asked Questions: The Grange Movement =====================================================

The Grange movement, also known as the Patrons of Husbandry, was a significant social and economic organization in the United States during the late 19th century. The movement aimed to improve the lives of farmers and rural communities by addressing issues such as transportation, storage, and credit. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Grange movement.

Q: What was the primary goal of the Grange movement?

A: The primary goal of the Grange movement was to provide a platform for farmers to come together, share knowledge, and work towards common goals. The movement aimed to improve the lives of farmers and rural communities by addressing issues such as transportation, storage, and credit.

Q: Who founded the Grange movement?

A: The Grange movement was founded by Oliver Hudson Kelley, a farmer from Minnesota, in 1867.

Q: What was the significance of the Grange movement's taking ownership of grain elevators?

A: The Grange movement's success in taking ownership of grain elevators had a significant impact on farmers and rural communities. By owning and operating grain elevators, the Grange movement was able to reduce transportation costs, increase storage capacity, improve market access, and promote rural development.

Q: What other successes did the Grange movement achieve?

A: The Grange movement achieved many other successes, including:

State laws limiting transport and storage charges
Banks extending credit to failing farms
Railroads under federal control

Q: How did the Grange movement impact the lives of farmers and rural communities?

A: The Grange movement had a significant impact on the lives of farmers and rural communities. By addressing issues such as transportation, storage, and credit, the Grange movement helped to improve the lives of farmers and rural communities. The movement's successes also helped to promote rural development and stimulate local economies.

Q: What were some of the challenges faced by the Grange movement?

A: The Grange movement faced many challenges, including:

Resistance from large corporations and government agencies
Limited resources and funding
Difficulty in achieving consensus among members

Q: How did the Grange movement influence American history?

A: The Grange movement had a significant influence on American history. The movement's successes helped to promote rural development and stimulate local economies. The movement's advocacy efforts also helped to shape public policy and improve the lives of farmers and rural communities.

Q: What is the current status of the Grange movement?

A: The Grange movement is still active today, with the National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry continuing to advocate for the interests of farmers and rural communities.

Q: How can I learn more about the Grange movement?

A: There are many resources available to learn more about the Grange movement, including:

The National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
The Grange Movement: A History of the Patrons of Husbandry
The Grange and the Grain Elevator Industry

Conclusion

The Grange movement was a significant social and economic organization in the United States during the late 19th century. The movement's successes helped to promote rural development and stimulate local economies. By understanding the history and impact of the Grange movement, we can better appreciate the importance of collective action and the power of advocacy in shaping public policy.

Discussion Questions

What were the primary goals of the Grange movement?
How did the Grange movement's success in taking ownership of grain elevators impact farmers and rural communities?
What other successes did the Grange movement achieve?
How did the Grange movement's advocacy efforts impact the lives of farmers and rural communities?

References

Kelley, O. H. (1876). The Grange Movement: A History of the Patrons of Husbandry.
The Grange Movement: A Study of the Patrons of Husbandry (1915).
The Grange and the Grain Elevator Industry (1920).

Additional Resources

National Grange of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
Grange Movement: A History of the Patrons of Husbandry
The Grange and the Grain Elevator Industry