GRANDE PRAIRIE, Alta. – The longevity of the Peace Region Farm Women’s
Conference is a testament to its value for farm women, said organizers
of the 25th annual northern Alberta conference.
The thought of getting a two-day break from the stress and work of the
farm helped Eaglesham farmer Cindy Truedel through a hard harvest
season.
“This has kept me going for the last three weeks. I knew I’d be getting
two days here,” said Truedel, who enjoys the combination of fun,
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learning and camaraderie of the Nov. 7Ð8 conference.
“It’s two days of meeting with women who are in the same place you are
in,” said Truedel.
“It’s not just learning. It’s two days off to do the fun things.”
Too often women give up the little things they do for themselves, said
Donna Skoworodko, conference organizer and an Alberta Agriculture
on-farm demonstration co-ordinator.
Many women have recognized the importance of the conference, especially
after harvest, and set aside time to come, said Skoworodko of Spirit
River.
This is the third year Dixie Chambers of Fort St. John, B.C., has come
to the conference. The reason is simple: “It’s fun,” she said while
looking at the craft tables during a break.
Germaine Kelly of Bonanza hasn’t missed a conference in 10 years.
“We come here because we like it. We get a lot out of it and we learn,”
said Kelly, who travels to the conference with a friend.
Even Kelly’s husband likes to hear about the conference when she goes
home.
“It’s nice to meet other people and see how they cope with their
problems.”
For Mary Lundgard of Hines Creek, Alta., a conference organizer and
farmer, the two days are like a reunion with old friends.
“I come to be with the ladies. We’ve become pretty close and I’ve had
lots of fun,” said Lundgard.
The conference has evolved since Alberta Agriculture staff first
organized it in 1977. In the early years, many of the conference
sessions were given by provincial staff to help reduce costs.
But in 1994, with the elimination of district home economists from
Alberta Agriculture, the Peace River women were forced to make a
decision to abandon the conference or take on the organizing role
themselves.
“We didn’t want to see it end,” said Truedel, who jumped in to help run
the conference by footwork and conference calls.
Since the beginning there has been a balance between fun and learning.
Some early conferences had yoga and tai chi mixed with farm accounts
and coping with teens.
“You have to have a little bit of everything,” said Skoworodko.
This year’s agenda included first aid for the farm, the growth of
organic foods, raising sheep, intensive livestock, powder puff
mechanics, cake decorating and medicinal herbs.
