I hope every woman takes a few moments today to reflect and refocus on themselves and their goals.

The latter part of 2022 brought enormous change to my world. Maybe some women can relate to feeling like a spinning top with so many tasks both inside and outside of the home and farm that you feel like you are barely treading water! That was my year! Moving twice, buying a house, buying a farm, being heavily involved in a few boards, trying to maintain my business, appease family, daily household chores and the pressures from having a career off the farm too. Phew it’s a lot!!

I always was amazed when I looked over the fence at my friends and was like wow these ladies are super women!

I am always blown away by the demands we put on ourselves! To be the perfect wife, have the perfect family, the perfect home, the perfect operation etc. Then I attended the AWC 2022 in Niagara Falls. I met so many incredible women from all walks of life who are in agriculture. The two day event flew by and the key themes resonated with me! I do not need permission to make myself happy, self care is extremely important in helping others and it is okay to subtract things from my life without feeling guilty or shameful about it. Revisiting my goals brought about a whole new level of focus.

Planning in 2023 has not been easy.

More discussion has transpired and a deeper level of commitment and knowledge has ensued. Conversations that I have never really had before, experiences that I have never had before and opening up a whole world of possibilities, it has been a very empowering time!

Even with all these exciting activities happening, I still find time to sit by the wood-stove and read.

The other night I read an article in the Better Farming magazine about female farmers.  The number of female farmers is on the rise. As of 2021 female farmers represent 30.4% of the agricultural community. Women over the age of 55 made up 60.5% of Canada’s female population. I was disappointed to read that the population of females in agriculture younger then 55 has decreased. Are we backing away because of family demands? Are we juggling too many things? Are we leaving the farming decisions to our male counterparts? I am curious!

With today being international Women’s Day, lets encourage other females to be part of this magnificent industry!

Let’s mentor, let’s thank one another and let’s refocus, regroup and reorganize! We are leaders and bring many assets to the table too! Let’s continue to empower one another! 

For the full article from Better Farming written by Emily Croft visit https://www.betterfarming.com/flippingbook/betterfarming/2023/february/#6