OUTSTANDING IN HER FIELD Are You New? by Sarah Harrison, Co-Owner of Mazak Farms “Are you new here? I only like to deal with the farmer.” That is what a customer said to me not long ago when they were at the farm to make a purchase. My first thought … well, it wasn’t very polite, so I won’t repeat it, but my actual response to him
was, “No, not new, and surprisingly very capable of helping you with what you need.” The older man was unimpressed. Oh well! I think that as women in agriculture, sometimes we need to stand up loud and proud and say, “HEY, I’m here too!” I don’t know how it works on your operation, but my husband and I tend to have pretty traditional roles on the farm here: he is always outside in his bibs and boots; I am outside a lot, but also inside a lot, taking care of the admin side of the business, managing all of those ‘invisible’ yet necessary aspects of the farm. When I am outside, I also have bibs and boots and work alongside my husband, so why am I not seen? I’m not seen because under my bibs, I wear a pink sweater. I understand the traditional view of farmers – men. I get it, and I am very grateful for all the male farmers in my life, past and present. However, their work does not make the female farmers less valuable. In recent years, we have had staff teams solely of women, which surprised a lot of our customers because that wasn’t what they expected to see. They expected to see a middle-aged man in overalls and a straw hat working alongside
his sons and perhaps a young boy from the neighbouring farm because that’s how it plays out on TV. The reality is that we are seeing women take more active, vocal, and visible roles on today’s farms. We have had great role models! The FarmHers that came before us may not have had access to bib overalls that were designed specifically for women, but they have always had grit, knowledge, and passion. For some of them, they also didn’t have much choice. Working on the farm wasn’t necessarily a lifelong dream or something they saw on Netflix and thought they would try. It may have been the only option. We are now seeing women choosing farming as a career — their choice. We are seeing women create unique operations and produce unique products. We must start seeing and supporting those who sport a little pink around the farm.
Keep being outstanding in your field. % With so much to gain, and nothing to lose, make sure you call Mark first! Why is that small number SO BIG?
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Mark Cosens Call or Text 519-282-8044 777 Talbot St., St. Thomas ON N5P 1E3 mark@cosensauctions.com
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Real Living • Winter 2024 • Page 13
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