Politics and Pickle Jars is the apt name for the Alberta Women of Unifarm history book, which documents 75 years of progress.
Two weeks ago, 10 years after that book came out, the Women of Unifarm ceased operation.
There is some irony in the observation that the pragmatism exhibited by the organization’s founders is the same sensible approach members employed when they voted to disband.
“I have believed in this organization but I think you have to be practical,” said Barrhead member Rosemary Kenneth. “You can’t run an organization without money and without members.”
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In 1915, Women of Unifarm was busy supporting the war effort. But it was also concerned with agricultural matters like drought relief, tariffs on American goods and the price of binder twine. These latter concerns were raised in the 1920s. And they still resonate today.
Over the years, Women of Unifarm lobbied for safe drinking water, rural electrification and health care. They supported the formation of agricultural co-operatives and helped organize traveling libraries.
They addressed farm stress issues and worked for farm safety awareness and greater availability, access and funding for rural child care.
Particularly in the early years, the organization also performed a vital social function for farm women who were isolated and often bereft of adult female companionship. Women of Unifarm was a network with a long record of emotional and practical support for its members.
Irene Wagstaff articulates this in the history book: “You need to get together just to have the support of someone else who’s going through the same thing … whether it’s financial or emotional or whatever.”
Today, farm women have greater mobility and easier access to social pursuits. But they also have greater demands on their time. They usually have a major role in farm operations.
Today’s farm woman is likely to have an off-farm job, and once those commitments are fulfilled each day, there remains child care, chores and volunteer work or community events.
That leaves little time for an organization that has been abandoned by government funding and hence must rely solely on the largesse of its members and their fund-raising efforts.
The causes embraced by Women of Unifarm remain worthy, and fortunately remaining groups are able to carry some of those causes forward. Women are also more comfortable as members of agricultural groups that were once the sole domain of men.
The Women of Unifarm have disbanded with dignity but they cannot be allowed to do so without accepting this tribute: The contribution of farm women to agriculture today is as strong as ever, and the Women of Unifarm helped make it so.
