Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Women in farming: School project

Hi everyone! I am a third-year journalism student at Loyalist College. Currently, I am working on a documentary about women on the family farm.

I want to explore how these days, women are taking on more active roles than ever before, while at the same time, running homes, raising children, and in some cases, even working outside of the home. I want to know what they think of this shift, and what it means in terms of lifestyle. How do they do it all? How are their husbands/partners supportive? Why is this change significant? Etc.

If anyone lives around the Belleville area and is interested in doing an interview, or knows anyone in the Belleville area, I would really appreciate your help.

Also, if anyone has any other suggestions on how to approach the story, that would be appreciated as well.

Thank you so much!

Views: 393

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by rosemarie haegens on November 8, 2011 at 4:26pm

I do not live in the Belleville area but I have raised four children as we started our farm, the need for the second income could not be denied as my husband has worked off farm for 25 years. As a result full responsibility for the day to day decisions and planning have become my responsibility. I am 51 and looking back now I wonder how I managed, I guess all I can say is that there were allot of long hours trying to keep house and keep a normal life for my children. I do know that there we times throughout the year that you just had to pick the things that you can live with, maybe a little more clutter and dirt in the house then you would like. I do know that I made the time to go to my children's class trips and let the fields wait. I always knew when I put in too many hours, as  I could count on every spring planting season and every harvest my youngest would  always crawl into my bed at 3:00 am. I am a grandmother now and when my first grandchild was born my heart ached because I really felt that at this point in my life I should be able to spend more time with them. I have considered a combine with a jump seat. I have been really lucky that I was able to employ my daughter who brings my grandchildren to work, she now keeps my house in shape while I run the employees and the fields.

Hope this helps you.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Katrina Geenevasen on November 9, 2011 at 4:36am

Hi there Rosemarie,

 

Whereabouts are you from? Even though you might live far away, I could still interview you for a print story, if you'd be interested? 

Thanks for your reply..it sounds like you have lived a very busy life on the farm!

 

 

 

Permalink Reply by rosemarie haegens on November 9, 2011 at 7:23am

Fenwick Ontario close to the St.Catharines Niagara Falls area

Permalink Reply by Katrina Geenevasen on November 14, 2011 at 7:41am

That would be okay! We could do a phone interview sometime..it will give the story a broader voice than just local farmers. I'll give you my email so we can arrange a date for an interview, etc.

 

katrinageenevasen@gmail.com

 

 

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Drought Reaches Record Levels Across U.S. Midwest - What's the Outlook for the Summer?

The Midwest and Upper Midwest face record-breaking drought conditions, with 77 percent of the U.S. mainland affected. Rainfall forecasts remain uncertain, as key weather models diverge.

Weekly Hog Market Facts: Ontario Prices Hold Steady While Futures Pull Back

Ontario hog prices remained relatively stable heading into the week ending May 22, 2026, even as U.S. futures markets softened and slaughter volumes trended lower. The latest Weekly Hog Market Facts report highlights a market that continues to balance solid fundamentals with growing uncertainty surrounding summer demand and futures direction. The Ontario 100% Base Formula Price finished the week at $226.40/cwt, up slightly from the previous week’s $224.69/cwt. While prices remain respectable historically, they continue to trail year-ago levels, when the formula price stood at $232.27/cwt. Ontario market hog sales came in at 108,262 head, representing 95% of the previous year’s volume and reflecting a noticeable tightening compared to earlier May numbers. Average dressed weights also continued to edge lower at 106.43 kg, which may signal seasonally tighter market-ready supplies. Meanwhile, feeder pig values held relatively firm. Ontario weaned pig values climbed modestly to $58.86 pe

Ontario Invests in Innovation and Protection for Agri-Food Sector

The Ontario government is continuing to strengthen support for the province’s agri-food sector through new investments focused on innovation, resiliency, research, and long-term competitiveness. Recent announcements tied to Ontario’s agri-food strategy and Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership programming include funding aimed at: advancing agricultural research, accelerating technology commercialization, improving sustainability, strengthening food supply chains, and helping producers remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market. The investments support a wide range of initiatives across Ontario agriculture, including research infrastructure, biosecurity innovation, market diversification, and precision farming technologies. For the pork sector, the continued focus on innovation and resiliency aligns closely with industry priorities surrounding: biosecurity, production efficiency, labor challenges, sustainability, and technology adoption. Programs supporting comm

Farmers beware of Bass Farm Equipment

This farm equipment dealer appears to be fraudulent

CPKC trains operating during IBEW strike

About 300 employees went on strike on May 31

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service