What was a key outcome of the Granger movement in terms of agricultural practices?

The Granger movement, which arose in the late 19th century among farmers primarily in the Midwest, aimed to address the economic difficulties faced by agricultural producers due to issues such as high shipping rates and monopolistic practices of railroads and grain elevator companies. One of the key outcomes of this movement was the promotion of increased crop diversification among farmers.

The Grangers encouraged farmers to adopt a wider variety of crops instead of relying heavily on single cash crops, which not only improved soil health through crop rotation but also helped farmers to become more resilient to market fluctuations. By diversifying their crops, farmers could mitigate risks associated with price drops in specific crops and improve their overall profits and sustainability. This is particularly significant because the movement also sought to establish cooperative associations, which enabled farmers to pool resources and share knowledge about effective agricultural practices, further promoting diversification and innovation in farming techniques.

In contrast, the other choices reflect concepts that are not aligned with the goals of the Granger movement. For instance, reducing crop diversification or centralizing farm management would not have addressed the individual needs and challenges that farmers faced at the time, and the movement was actually in favor of strengthening local markets rather than eliminating them.