Politics Pitchforks and Pickle Jars: 75 Years of Organized Farm Women in Alberta

The 75-plus year history of organized farm women in Alberta is indeed one of politics, pitchforks and pickle jars. As they continued to manage home, family and farm, determined farm women from across the province joined together in locals and at the provincial level, and later nationally and internationally, to examine the issues of interest to them as mothers and farmers, and to petition the government at all levels to make the changes necessary to benefit the entire province and farmers in general. Starting as the United Farm Women of Alberta in 1916, organized farm women have influenced the development of Alberta through their lobbying and participation in social services, health and education matters, as well as in farm politics and economics, environmental issues and child welfare. Farm women share their personal stories about the significance of the organization in their lives, describing the informal education and the fellowship they enjoyed throughout the years. This book acknowledges the struggles farm women have faced in their industry and in their organization and recognizes the contributions they have made to their families and their communities.