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: 431

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

Woolwich Farmland Fight - Petition Urges Council to Protect Prime Ontario Agricultural Land

A proposed development in Woolwich Township has sparked community opposition as residents seek to protect more than 100 acres of prime agricultural land from being redesignated for employment use.

Canadian Ag Minister Works to Strengthen US Farm Trade Ties at Iowa State Fair

Canada’s agriculture minister used the Iowa State Fair to strengthen relationships with key U.S. agricultural leaders, highlighting the importance of the $101.2 billion Canada-U.S. agricultural trading partnership

SHIC-Funded Study Examines Mammalian Orthoreovirus, Adenovirus, Novel Pathogens in US Swine Herd

The Swine Health Information Center funded a study to examine whether mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) and porcine adenovirus (PAdV) are present in US swine herds and whether they pose health risks. Led by Dr. Wenjun Ma, University of Missouri, the study suggests that MRV and PAdV can infect pigs and contribute to general enteric disease but that these viruses are not associated with severe or unique clinical signs. These findings suggest that both viruses circulate in swine populations, with evidence pointing toward intestinal shedding or prior exposure rather than widespread active disease in routine tissue submissions. For producers and their veterinarians, this study helps interpret diagnostic findings on MRV or PAdV, enabling more informed herd health decisions. Read the industry summary of study #24-022 here. Emerging and re-emerging viral pathogens remain an ongoing threat to the US swine industry, and undiagnosed disease outbreaks continue to highlight important gaps in pathogen

Grain Markets Climb on Weather and Supply Concerns

Grain markets finished higher during the week ending August 14, 2026, driven by a supportive USDA crop report, heavy Midwest weather risks, lower private yield estimates, and Black Sea geopolitical tensions.

Gay Lea Expands Dairy Plant for Protein Demand

Gay Lea Foods is investing more than $200 million to expand its Toronto dairy plant, helping meet growing demand for high-protein dairy products while creating jobs and supporting Canadian farmers.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service