Research Reveals Women Are Making Extraordinary Contributions To Farming In Canada, Yet They Face Significant Challenges

KAWARTHA LAKES-Farm Management Canada in partnership with CentricEngine released some new research that sheds light on the crucial roles played by farm women in influencing farm success in Canada.

This comprehensive research, titled “Expanding Opportunities for Canadian Agriculture by Understanding the Experience of Farm Women,” underscores the indispensable contributions of women and offers a compelling narrative that highlights opportunities to foster a shift in the industry by supporting the unique needs of farm women.

“Much has been said about the experience of women in farming, but little has been measured,” says lead researcher Maurice Allin, President of CentricEngine. “This is the first national study to establish a framework for identifying the activities undertaken by farm women and understand their motivations, aspirations and challenges to create a foundation of facts where none existed before.”

Results reveal women are making extraordinary contributions to farming in Canada with a high degree of involvement in virtually every aspect of the operation. Furthermore, there is a tremendous diversity of experiences among farm women.

“We were surprised to learn that rather than demographic or farmographic differences, it is the interactions and relationships with others that most influence the experience of farm women,” says research partner Bob Wilbur, Principal at RW Strategic Perspectives. “Viewing the experience of farm women through a human-centred lens provides a clearer understanding of their situations and creates opportunities for more effective actions – we can now confirm a one-size-fits-all approach will not work.”

The research shows farm women continue to face significant challenges and barriers that need to be addressed. The level and satisfaction with communication about the farm proved to be a critical dimension in determining the nature of the experience of farm women. Other critical dimensions include women feeling valued and supported with their skillsets utilized.