After the Civil War, many large companies formed monopolies that caused hardship for people across the nation, especially farmers. In 1873, crop prices were low and railroad charged exorbitant prices for shipping farm products. Other emerging technologies such as oil refining, steel production and telegraphs were similarly tightly controlled by the monopolies. The Grange actively lobbied Congress and state legislatures to pass laws favorable to farmers, to put a cap on railroad freight rates and grain warehouse rates. Over the years they also lobbied for rural free delivery from the U.S. Postal Service, endorsed temperance, direct election of Senators and women’s suffrage.
The Grange started in 1867. It is the oldest American national agricultural advocacy organization with a local focus. After the Civil War, The United States Department of Agriculture commissioned Minnesotan Oliver Kelley to go to the war-torn Southern States to help them with rebuilding their agricultural industry. While in the South, Kelley was taken aback by the farming practices that were several generations outdated. He also traveled in the Midwest and was similarly appalled at the lack of progressive agriculture. What he saw led him to the belief that the country needed an organization that, in the spirit of cooperation, advanced the political, economic and social needs of farmers.
Granges are organized at state, county and local level. The first organized Grange was organized in Dakota Territory, near Vermillion, in 1872. A Territorial organization began in 1872 and was formed with 25 additional granges. At its height in 1874, the Dakota Territorial grange had 56 lodges. Today no Grange lodges exist in South Dakota. By the late 1870s, the Grange was in decline across the country, yet didn’t disappear completely. Grange members, as well as members of other agrarian societies, joined the Populist Party. The Populist Party, a left-wing agrarian populist party stood by the farmer and pushed legislation that was favorable to farmers’ interests.