Women In Agriculture

Basic Aspects of the Issue

Rickson and Daniels (see below) note "It has been argued that 'Understanding women in agriculture is basic to understanding global changes in agricultural production.' (Rickson, 1997a:92)" (Rickson and Daniels , p.235) The role of women in agriculture is complicated by two concurrent dynamics. On the one hand farm women, like other women in North-American society, engaged in a "restructuring" of their own roles within society, and have been for a considerable period of time. On the other hand, the agricultural scene within which these women live, is itself in a process of massive institutional restructuring.

Although urban life is also in a process of restructuring owing to the impact of globalization on the entire economy, the dynamics of the rural economy in this regard are extremely turbulent by comparison.

With so many factors in play, I found it helpful to view this dual dynamic through the perspective of Adolph Berle's book Power. In his book, he lays out five principles of power dynamics, changes in any one of which calls for an exercise of power in order to restore order out of chaos. His paradigm permits the processing of multiple dynamics and the analysis of situations in order to see where a problem might have its locus. It is an interesting approach.

Rural Development Institute Research Studies

• "Women in Agriculture" - Fran Shaver and Richard Rounds
  There was a felt dearth of direct (feminist) literature on farm life. This bibliography of literature since 1980 (210 references) is a result. It is divided into seven themes, three included articles relate to two of these themes. The seven themes are:
•       Women's contribution to agriculture
•       Impact of structural and social change
•       Recognition and resolution of Equity issues
•       Farm women and the law
•       Quality of life issues
•       Role of women in sectoral decision making
•       Farm women's movements

• "Child Care and Child Safety for Farm Children in Manitoba" - Lois M. Brockman
  This study relates to the need for childcare on the farm now due to demographic changes and the changes in farm operations. Family size is down and retirees have gone to urban centers. Risks are up and funding for childcare is a problem. The limited periods of need and erratic hours during peak seasons, along with sparse populations call for unique rural rule sets for farm day cares.

• "Socio-Economic Linkages Between Agriculture and Rural Communities in Western Canada" - Richard Rounds
  This is a very good overview of he current interdependent dynamics of agriculture and rural communities in Western Canada. With the aging populations in small centers, farm spouses are moving in to fill labor needs in the towns, which in turn helps keep farm standard of living higher than possible otherwise. This dynamic is breaking down the older town-farm splits in social and economic dynamics.

• "Women and Decision Making in Agriculture" - Dr. Malagros Ranoa
  This study went after why so few women are in upper level decision making positions in policy making organizations. It has good findings with implications for Churches and other organizations as well. It surveyed 100 families across Manitoba, both spouses (in separate interviews). Field interviews done by two farm women and collated at the university.

• "Linkages Between Human Capital and Rural Development" - Ray d. Bollman
  This study concludes that the main connection between Human Capital development and Rural Development is adequate nutrition for children up to age three and adequate nurturing. This linkage surpassed the dearth of university graduates in rural areas in terms of significance.

• "Towards a Whole Rural Policy for Canada" - Presentation by AARG to Joint Committee on Agriculture, Agri-food and Forestry.
  This report is a very good "big picture" document of the linkages between the rural community and the agricultural component of it. It presses for a unified approach (vs. sectoral)to the two aspects of rural life because they are so intertwined.

  The brief was presented in four parts:

  1. Reimer/Shaver: In favor of a more inclusive approach to ag. policy
  2. Stabler: Role of non-agricultural manufacturing
  3. Apedaile: speed of change; interprovincial trade barriers; predator-prey model uses

  There are 7 items raised:

  1. Put agriculture in its full economic, social and environmental context
  2. Recognize women as more than labor and skill - they are pivotal in management of uncertainty
  3. Good quality farm life (style) must develop for human resources purposes - skill at management of ag uncertainties
  4. Rural restructuring is a dynamic of all institutions and is ongoing
  5. emphasize people economies rather than place economies - voluntary organizations, networks and social services
  6. Be flexible and roll with local interactions - as in Europe
  7. Go with systems thinking regarding local complexity - "the science of complexity"

Other Resources

• Rickson, Sarah Tufts, and Peter L. Daniels. "Rural Women and Decision Making: Women's role in Resource Management During Rural Restructuring" Rural Sociology 64(2),1999 (pp234-250)
  This is an Australian study which used key informants and interview technique. The authors note that Australian society has been known as one of the most sexually segregated societies in the world, and expressed the concern that this might become solidified in the massive social change that is currently going on in the world It postulates two items:
  1. "that the reality presents both stability of roles in the face of expectations and pressures for flexibility of economic units..."
  2. "and more problematically, a concomitant trend of change and negotiation around roles in strategic decision making"

  The study found that men and women have very different perspectives on

  • farming
  • soil conservation
  • environment
  
  but note that the differing power differentials result in unequal opportunity to work those outlooks through.

• Chiappe,Marta B. and Cornelia Butler Flora. "Gendered Elements of the Alternative Agriculture Paradigm".Rural Sociology 63(3),1998,(p272-293)
  These two authors (from Uruguay and Iowa respectively), confirmed and earlier study (with modifications) into the "alternative agriculture (sustainable agriculture)paradigm". They replicated Beres' and Dunlop's content analysis of authors on the subject but used women rather than men as the subjects. The themes from the original study were:
  • independance
  • decentralization
  • community
  • harmony with nature
  • diversity
  • restraint

  The changes they made were the addition of two additional themes from the women's sample:

  • quality of family life through balanced production
  • spirituality

  They also found that men wanted to make modifications to the technological approach to agriculture, whereas women wanted to look at more fundamental issues of what was produced, how and for whom.

• (no author) "Rural Women's Health: Moving Forward". [A conference Summary and Action Plan for Rural Women's Health]. Saskatoon Sk: Rural Women's Health Partnership, 1998-9 (36p).
  Excellent farm women's quotes on a variety of topics in Keynote address. Good summary of women's issues in rural area, good topic and heading leads.

• Dat, Catherine. "Examining the Potential for Community and Institutional Partnerships to Prevent Violence Against Women". Vancouver: Vancouver Women's Fund, 1998. [available on http://www.harbour.sfu.ca/freda/reports/vwf03.htm ]. The study found that only 6 of 266 (2.3%) of organizations are even interested in helping with the subject and that therefore partnerships are out...so if the Federal and Provincial government money is not forth coming , we are all in real trouble.

• (no author) . London, Ont : LUENA, 1992. (31p brochure).
  This is a booklet on the history and background of the organization. It is provided in order to assist others in making a similar coordinated approach to the problem in the community. Judicial based Advisory committee for a joint research project at the start. This also deals with the problems "boundary crossers" face when they try to work co-operatively between agencies and organizations. There is a list of articles at the end.

• Edleson, Jeffrey L. "Mothers and Children: Understanding the Linkages between Battered Women and Child Abuse" [Available on http://www.mincava.umn.edu/papers/nij.htm ]. ( A paper presented at a workshop, 1995) (9pp.). A Saskatchewan Social Work Professor notes that 32-53% of homes (depending on the study) which have spouse abuse also have child beating by the same person plus spin-off problems for the other children in the home. He notes two reform movements where spouse abuse has been "rediscovered":
  1. Dr. Henry Kemp - battered children in the 1960's
  2. Women's movement - Wife Battering in the 1970's
  
  He notes that there is still a gap in our understanding of the linkages.