Female farm worker inspecting soy at field summer evening time.

Organization focuses on female farmers

Dimension-E offers mentoring and resources to address unique needs and challenges

In French, the feminine version of “entrepreneur” is “entrepreneure.” The letter E at the start and end of that word inspired the name of Dimension-E, an organization working to empower women in the agriculture and forestry sectors. Dimension-E is available to women who become members of the Agricultrices du Quebec. While primarily targeting female producers […] Read more


For young women especially, “it’s not always easy to step into roles in this sector, whether it’s part of a farm business or in a wide range of other jobs and careers,” says the director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.

Editorial: For women in agriculture, opportunities abound

Glacier FarmMedia – I can’t remember when I first heard the song “I am woman” by Helen Reddy, but it was in the basement of my parents’ house, where I would play my mom’s old 45s on a portable record player she’d had since her teens. I remember liking the singer’s voice but didn’t really […] Read more

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau speaks at the evening reception at the Advancing Women in Agriculture conference in Calgary on March 13, 2023. (Jessika Guse photo)

AWC 2023: Federal ag minister inspired by farm women’s progress

Don't wait to be asked to participate, Bibeau tells AWC West

Calgary — Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau drew applause from delegates attending the Advancing Women in Agriculture (AWC) conference here this week as she acknowledged their efforts for paving her path into politics. Bibeau told delegates attending the 10th annual conference she’s never felt like she’s had to fight for spot at the political table […] Read more


Michelle Durnin models overalls from Durnin Farm & Ranch Wear.

Ontario farmer designs workwear for women

Michelle Durnin created new styles that provide a better fit and features women want

Michelle Durnin of Durnin Farm & Ranch Wear has created a line of women’s workwear that has gained consumer support. She launched the company in November 2021 and now offers a full range of women’s farm wear. “I’ve always noticed a void in women’s workwear. I personally wear many hats, including agronomist, farmer and equestrian,” […] Read more

Julie Maw (left) is the newly-elected GFO director for District 3, and Angela Zilke (right) will represent Waterloo and Oxford counties for GFO District 7.

First-ever women elected to Grain Farmers of Ontario board

Julie Maw and Angela Zilke will represent two districts of grain farmers as provincial directors

Two grain farmers have become the first women elected to the Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) board of directors, one of the only provincial commodity organizations that has never had female representation at the board level. Julie Maw of Courtright will represent barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers in Lambton county (GFO District 3) […] Read more

While working on her family farm near Inglis, Man., Tomina Jackson found herself wishing for better-fitting workwear designed for the female body.

Female farmers create workwear for women

Manitoba farm family recognized a need and started a company to make work clothing designed by and made for women

Glacier FarmMedia – As they drank coffee at the kitchen table one day, Tomina Jackson and other female family members looked at each other and realized they were all wearing men’s workwear. Jackson decided to do something about it and Rolling D Workwear was born. “We began brainstorming about everything that we wanted in our […] Read more


Karen Taylor’s message for attendees of the recent Advancing Women in Agriculture conference was that interest in agriculture technology has never been so high and the industry offers many career entry points. Taylor is a financial executive with BMO and an adjunct professor in agribusiness management and food policy at UBC.

Agriculture programs see global spike in applicants

Women are increasing diversity of the sector

The higher rate of interest and applications to agriculture programs globally reflects a shift in world priorities, Karen Taylor, director of Corporate Finance, Agriculture and Agribusiness at BMO, told attendees at the recent Advancing Women in Agriculture virtual conference.  “Agriculture is a very dynamic industry that needs to be readily adaptable to change,” she said. […] Read more