Patrons of Husbandry

The Patrons of Husbandry, commonly known as the Grange, was an organization founded in 1867 by Oliver Hudson Kelley. Initially, it aimed to educate farmers on sound agricultural practices and foster social connections. The organization, divided into local units called "Granges," grew rapidly, reaching nearly 800,000 members by the mid-1870s.1

Farmers were drawn to the Grange primarily to combat the monopolistic practices of railroads and grain elevators, which charged excessive rates. This led the movement to become increasingly political, with states like Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa passing legislation to regulate these rates. The Supreme Court upheld this regulatory power in the landmark case Munn v. Illinois.1

While independent farmers' political parties emerged from the Granger movement, its influence waned in the late 1870s due to factors like ill-advised farmer-owned cooperatives. However, the National Grange, as it is now known, continues to exist as a fraternal organization for farmers, actively engaging in national legislation affecting the agricultural sector.1