Ever since the Farmerettes stepped in to keep our country’s farms running (and our citizens and soldiers fed) during the Second World War, women have been throwing open barn doors to cement their place in the Canadian farming industry history books. Here are just a few.
Sharp Brook Flower Farm
Who they are: Sisters Sophie Sharp (left) and Ellen Folkins
What they do: Co-owners of Sharp Brook Flower Farm
When they started: 2021
Where they farm: Lower Millstream, NB
Why they do it: “We grew up in agriculture. Our parents have a dairy farm. Our mother had a vegetable garden, so gardening and farming was a big part of growing up for us. She suggested growing some extra flowers to see if we could sell them at the bottom of the driveway. We started with some bunches of lilacs and peonies, then posted about it on social media. People started to find us and share our page.”
How they plan to spend the rest of 2024: Like most growers, the summer months are their biggest-selling times, so they are looking for ways to extend the season by doing live workshops (including floral arranging, wreath making and seed starting), and experimenting with growing specialty heirloom pumpkins.
For more information: facebook.com/theposyshed15
“We have two other siblings, a brother and another sister. We all ended up in some form or another working in agriculture. So that says something about how growing up on our parents’ dairy farm affected us.” – Sophie Sharp
The Farmerettes Live and On Stage in 2024
When it comes to celebrating Canadian women in agriculture, we’d be remiss if we didn’t recognize the vital contribution made by the Farmerettes, a group of women who stepped in to fill the labour shortage during the Second World War. This summer, their inspiring story is being brought to life on a rural stage in Ontario, and a documentary is in the works.
Who they are: The Farmerettes
What they do: They contributed to food security by working on farms across Canada, helping to ensure a stable food supply for both domestic consumption and to aid the war effort overseas.
When they started: early 1940s
Where they farmed: In various regions across the country, particularly in rural areas.
Why they did it: The Farmerettes played a vital role in supporting agricultural production during the war effort, helping to fill the labour gap left by men who were serving in the armed forces.
How they plan to spend the rest of 2024: While many of the Farmerettes are no longer with us, writer/documentarian Bonnie Sitter keeps their story alive: The book she co-wrote with Shirleyan English, Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario Farmerettes (Attic Books) has inspired a live play to be produced by 4th Line Theatre this summer and there is a film documentary in the works.
Visit harrowsmithmag.com to read Bonnie’s story titled, “Remembering the Farmerettes.”
For more information about 4th line theatre 4thlinetheatre.on.ca
“It is possible that if I had thrown that two-by-two-and-a-half-inch photo in the garbage because I didn’t know the people in the photo, the history of the Farmerettes would have remained literally hidden in archives and never mentioned. A small photo changed my life and the lives of numerous women. I am blessed.” – Bonnie Sitter
Birch Block Vineyard
Who she is: Sarah Bancroft
What she does: Co-owner of Birch Block Vineyard, along with her husband, Murray.
When she started: Sarah and Murray planted 100-percent pinot noir vines on four acres of virgin land in 2016. Their first vintage, a refreshing pinot noir rosé called, “Été Sans Fin” (Endless Summer), was released in spring 2019.
Where they farm: Okanagan, B.C. (with plans to expand into Washington, DC)
Why she does it: “I found my people. I kind of feel like, in this stage of my life, it could be someone who’s an organic farmer in their 80s, or it could be a kid in their 20s who’s just taking over their family’s orchard and turning it into a cidery. It’s the people I love.”
How they plan to spend the rest of 2024: Sarah has been busy foraging wild sagebrush out of the bluffs behind her vineyard to be used in a line of wellness products, inspired by natural wine and the terroir of the Okanagan. A wild sage pocket perfume named Cowboy Cologne is already available, and a line of candles and bath soaks are in the works.
For more information: birchblockvineyard.com
“Farming is 100 percent about risk, but I’m doing things the way we do, which is sustainable organic farming. All of those things are way riskier, but in my mind everything worthwhile doing has an element of risk, right?” – Sarah Bancroft
