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By Alice McFarlane

Increasing the presence of women in agriculture

Project hopes to engage more women in agriculture

Jan 18, 2023 | 4:50 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – Despite continued progress, women are underrepresented in many respects in the Canadian agriculture sector, and their contributions often go unrecognized.

They face both systemic and attitudinal barriers to entering the industry and securing leadership positions.

This constrains the sector’s capacity, resiliency, and innovation; creates challenges in attracting and retaining women; and negatively affects the sector’s public image.

The Engaging and Advancing Women in Agriculture (EAWA) project is led by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) which is continuing the work done by the Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture (PEIFA) and Karolyn Godfrey of Winding Path Inc.

The earlier work was developed in consultation with a working group of female agricultural leaders with a strategic plan focused on the implementation of policies and programs to address barriers to women’s full participation in the sector.

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The EAWA project is implementing the strategic plan in PEI with the hope of adopting similar approaches from other producer associations across Canada.

CFA President Mary Robinson said they are committed to supporting greater diversity in the agricultural sector.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to lead the EAWA project which will both celebrate the women leaders in our sector and help to reduce the systemic barriers women face in getting involved,” Robinson said. “Any person with an interest in a career in agriculture should be welcomed and encouraged to contribute. It’s time to level the field.”

The project will develop, pilot, and document a framework that producer associations can use to address the underrepresentation of women in Canadian agriculture, support women in the sector to develop skills to take on greater leadership roles, and raise awareness of the benefits of women’s full participation, all while addressing those barriers.

The project is funded in part by the federal government under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriDiversity Program, the Chicken Farmers of Canada, and PEIFA.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW