Breaking Ground: Women and Canada’s Agricultural Past

A new exhibit, titled Breaking Ground: Women and Canada’s Agricultural Past, is on display in the library’s first floor gallery. 2026 has been designated as the International Year of the Woman Farmer by the United Nations, recognizing the vital role women have played and continue to play across global agri-food systems.

In Canada, women have been integral to agriculture since Indigenous peoples first cultivated crops. “Over time, women's contributions have expanded to include marketing, education, research, advocacy, and leadership," said Dr. Rebecca Beausaert, exhibit curator and professor, Department of History, College of Arts. "While the exhibit focuses primarily on the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, this relatively brief period witnessed profound social and agricultural change."

Patriarchal attitudes and structures limited women's participation in agriculture

Women's contributions to agriculture, while vast, has often been invisible. This exhibit aims to change this. Drawing from materials found in the library’s Archival & Special Collections, "Breaking Ground" highlights themes such as agricultural education, family farming, political organizations, and fall fairs. It displays how patriarchy limited the participation of women in agricultural life and how women challenged these barriers to create change and drive progress.

So, whose story does the exhibit tell?

The exhibit tells the story of many different women throughout history; those who sought education at the Ontario Agricultural College and Macdonald Institute; the farmettes - women volunteers who took up farm work during the labour shortage of the First World War; women who worked to preserve rural culture through organizing agricultural fairs; and those who wrote cookbooks in an effort to support government rationing efforts and local agriculture; women's contributions on family farms; as well as the stories of women who challenged gender norms.

"While some rural historians argue that rural women were not feminists, this exhibit challenges that idea by showcasing women who, although they did not explicitly identify as feminists or see themselves as part of the broader feminist movement, advanced feminist ideals in their own ways. In many cases, these women embraced definitions of feminism rooted in their rural experiences, demonstrating feminism could take diverse forms shaped by local communities and everyday life," said Carelle Sarkis, exhibit curator and PhD candidate, McMaster University.

"[This exhibit] helps bring the artifacts to life," said Sarkis. "As a PhD candidate, I spend a lot of time in archives, looking at old documents, and looking for things that will work within the context of my dissertation, but working on this exhibit really helped bring the artifacts to life and connect them to real people and their experiences."

Reflecting on progress that's been made and challenges that remain

"We hope this exhibit inspires visitors to reflect on both the progress that has been made and the challenges that remain for women in agriculture. While much has changed, gender-based inequities and barriers continue to affect many areas of Canadian agriculture. Ongoing work is required to create a more equitable and inclusive agricultural sector," said Beausaert. "We hope that the stories in this exhibit encourage visitors to learn more about Canadian agricultural history and the female trailblazers who deserve greater attention.”

Curators include:

• Dr. Rebecca Beausaert, Francis and Ruth Redelmeier Professor in Rural History, Department of History, College of Arts

• Graham Burt, associate, Archival & Special Collections, McLaughlin Library

• Carelle Sarkis, PhD candidate, McMaster University

Viewing the exhibit

The exhibit is on display on the first floor of the McLaughlin Library until Spring 2027.

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