While Canada was fighting overseas during both World Wars, Canadian farmers at home were tasked with filling some of the largest food shortages the world had ever seen. It is because of these struggles that we at Small Farm Canada feel it is important to remember the agricultural effort in Canada so often forgotten during the World Wars.
Prior to the First World War, farmers talked with Prime Minister Borden to deter him from conscripting their sons while they were expecting increased demand worldwide. Borden initially agreed to these terms as he was aware the toll not having people to help with labour on farms would have, but as the war dragged on Borden removed protections and began conscripting farmers and their sons.
This reversal lead to a boom in pro-agriculture politics and the creation of new political parties. It also led to many women in farming families beginning to work on farm, in their father’s or brother’s place.
With so many of Canada’s farmers being conscripted and volunteering, rural women became the main workers on commercial farms. These women, the “farmettes” as they were called then, were given the impossible task of maintaining a farm with little to no help and improving production to meet the global demand. As we know today, they were largely successful in their efforts and were able to keep a steady stream of supplies headed to the war effort.
To help the farmettes and other farms in desperate need of workers, Canada’s government created the “Soldiers of Soil” program. This program offered high school boys too young to join the war, an opportunity for paid work on farms in three-month increments away from school. The program provided those young men who wanted to help the country during the war with an outlet to do so and helped improve the lives of farmers who were working day and night to feed soldiers and families across the globe.
This article was inspired by information from the Canadian War Museum. For more information on war-time stories and Canada’s Military History visit https://www.warmuseum.ca/.
Editor’s note: On Remembrance Day, we recognize the sacrifices of those who have served in the Canadian military and the families that support them. This year, because of COVID-19, it may be difficult to honour those who served with other members of the community. Small Farm Canada is pleased to share the “My Poppy” Link – a way to remember individuals who served and to raise money for the Royal Canadian Legion which have been particularly hard hit during the pandemic. As the mypoppy.ca website ways, “Whether you chose Canada or were born here, we all get to enjoy values like freedom, democracy, and respect for others. Veterans stood up for those rights, but it's up to us to uphold them.”