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!

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

Welcome to
Ontario Agriculture

Sign Up
or Sign In

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

Bayer introduces Vyconic soybeans in Canada

Vyconic soybeans is a new trait technology providing growers with tolerance to multiple herbicide active ingredients

Syngenta Canada celebrates International Women’s Day 2025

???????Syngenta Canada is celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 by reflecting upon our progress towards gender equality and by honouring some outstanding individuals. “We have a strong commitment to advancing women’s interests within the organization and the broader agricultural sector,” says Stacey Redford, Head of Human Resources. “Progressive initiatives and policies are in place to support women along their career journey, including a recent internal survey to identify career challenges and uncover growth opportunities.” Since 2019, the Canadian team has achieved significant progress, increasing female representation from 40% to 51% of its workforce, with women now comprising 45% of its Crop Protection Leadership Team, and 40% of the customer-facing teams. In honour of IWD 2025, the Syngenta Canada Women and Allies Network (SCWAN) nominated six individuals for their leadership, resilience, and inspiration. Congratulations to:

Ottawa Sets Aside Funding in Case of ASF Outbreak

The federal government has earmarked more than $567 million to aid domestic pork producers in the event of an outbreak of African Swine Fever. A statement Friday said the money will go toward supporting hog producers should there be a closure of key export markets for Canadian pork products and live pigs due to an ASF outbreak in either Canada or the US. While Canada remains free of ASF, a single detection of the disease in Canada would close export markets due to international trade regulations and import restrictions imposed by trading partners, the statement said. Canada is heavily dependent on pork and live pig exports, and the closure of key export markets would be devastating to the pork sector. It would also cause hog producers to incur extraordinary costs and force them to make difficult decisions about depopulating their herds, it added. “With this funding commitment, we’re making sure we support hog producers in the event of an outbreak, while we work to contain the vir

Map: February Brings Little Drought Relief for Ontario

Heavy snow in parts of Ontario in February has apparently done little to shrink current dryness and drought in the province. According to the latest monthly update of the Canadian drought monitor, 56% of the agricultural lands within the central region – which includes both Ontario and Quebec - were being impacted by abnormal dryness or drought as of the end of last month. That’s little changed from 55% at the end of January and 58% in December but remains well down from 87% in November. Precipitation during February varied significantly, with southern Ontario and southern Quebec receiving 60–150% of normal. Southern Ontario saw multiple storm systems bringing above normal precipitation, which contributed to some of the highest recorded snowpacks in Hamilton and Toronto, helping ease drought severity, the monitor said. Abnormally dry to moderate drought conditions were reduced across much of southern Ontario. However, pockets of moderate and severe drought remained, particularly

Canada expands air transport agreement with Senegal

Expanding Canada's international air transport agreements allows airlines to introduce more flight options, providing passengers and shippers with greater choice and convenience, while creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses. Today, the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, the Honourable Anita Anand, announced that Canada has recently expanded the Canada-Senegal Air Transport Agreement. The expanded agreement with Senegal includes: The right for airlines of either country to operate direct flights to any destination in the other country's territory. A capacity allowance of 14 weekly passenger flights and 10 weekly all-cargo flights for the airlines of each country. Significant operating flexibility for all-cargo services. Airlines can begin offering services under this new agreement immediately. Quotes "By allowing direct flights between our two countries, this agreement will significantly strengthen our bilateral relations with Senegal. It paves the way to new oppor

More…

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service