LACOMBE, Alta. – Whatever the future holds for a general farm organization in Alberta, the Women of Unifarm say they plan to continue as a strong voice for rural women.
This year’s annual meeting at Lacombe gave rise to heartfelt discussion about the need for a women’s farm organization while its companion organization, Unifarm, struggles to stay alive.
In an interview, president Verna Kett said the group plans to continue and is looking at alternative funding rather than accepting 10 percent of the membership fees paid annually to Unifarm. This past year, because of budget problems, they didn’t get that money. Instead all bills are paid by Unifarm.
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“Just like the housewife on the farm, when there’s no money she gets cut first,” said Kett.
The group may consider a name change if it must go it alone. The organization has been called Women of Unifarm for about 20 years. Prior to that it was the Farm Women’s Union of Alberta.
One delegate debating the issue, Judy Pim, said: “if we’re going to continue as a farm women’s organization in Alberta we need to divorce ourselves from Unifarm and its finances.
“We need to be separated to be stronger.”
Janet Walter said Women of Unifarm needs a voice as strong as any other farm group.
“Many farm women will not be part of an auxiliary. We owe it to ourselves to be equal,” she said.
The group sees itself as the guardian of rural quality of life. It watches over government to ensure rural schools are equal to urban boards, and keeps constant vigil to preserve equitable health care for people in the country.
Joyce Templeton, of Readymade, said the group has gathered years of experience and she doesn’t want to see it lost: “Rural women of Alberta have to have an organization.”
Rural women and their children are suffering and groups like Women of Unifarm can help with lobbying efforts for improved heath care, education and farm safety programs she said.
The group shares common problems with many organizations that see apathy in the countryside. They’ve been told by many young women bogged down with small, children, farm work and off-farm jobs that they don’t have time for a volunteer group or a social club.
“Many young women don’t have the time to go to meetings unless it’s directed at a specific concern,” said Helen Leonhardt of Drum-heller.
Margaret Jones of High Prairie, who has small children, said she wants to be involved in farm issues. She prefers attending meetings with her husband because she’s a partner on their farm. She needs to know what’s happening and she doesn’t like segregation.
