POWELL RIVER, B.C. – Keeping the fires of enthusiasm burning for farm women who feel overtaxed by government and work has become a major goal of the British Columbia Farm Women’s Network.
While many Canadian farm women’s groups are faltering, this group has managed to hold hands across the mountains and the rivers of a province where agriculture is not considered a priority.
“With our province being so regionally separated it’s so important for us to network and know that we’re not alone out there,” said Kelowna apple grower Dorothy Witzke.
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“We’ve made friends through this networking process.”
Provincial president Gale Grant, a beef producer from Lower Nicola, and Linde Cherry, a former dairy farmer, agree.
They can’t often meet face to face so the network provides a regular news-letter about women’s and agricultural issues to link all members, said Grant.
They also know it’s hard for farm women to be active in organizations like the network because they are holding a farm together, raising children, keeping community events going and more are working off farm.
“The lack of time is the biggest thing,” said Cherry.
“People don’t want to get involved in something else because they think it will take up that little time that they have,” said Witzke.
There are other obstacles. The province is not only geographically diverse but supports a wide base of agricultural production. Farmgate sales in more than 200 commodities are valued in excess of $1.6 billion.
Yet they hope to gain through the network some insight into each other’s work and problems, whether it is fruit production, beef, dairy or organic farming.
They know there is a common thread whether they’re raising ginseng or goats.
Agriculture is going through tough times in B.C. The agriculture department has been stripped of funds and staff. Government programs are gone.
“We have seen the agriculture budget slashed every budget in the last number of years. First you get your toes cut off, then your foot and now I think they’re up to the knees,” said Witzke.
“They have totally massacred the department,” added Grant.
The power of the department fades with each provincial budget. There is a real fear the ministry of agriculture and fisheries could be absorbed into another government department. This worries many farmers and makes them feel their work is undervalued.
Some progress
Still, the network tries to make a difference on a provincial and national scale. In the last census, women were recognized as unpaid labor on the farm and have made strides with agriculture in the classroom programs.
But as president of the Canadian Farm Women’s Network, Cherry is not convinced the women’s voice is loud enough. Nevertheless, the network is a good outlet for B.C. women because they find it is difficult to join some commodity groups run by men.
“There have been some changes in attitude, but it’s not a fast change,” said Cherry.
However, respect has been developing. The last two agriculture ministers have insisted that women are appointed to boards and commissions. Witzke was appointed to the Okanagan Valley Tree Fruit Authority as a board member.
“It actually turned out I was respected as a genuine member because I was a producer and was recognized in the field as a producer,” she said.
