Stories From the Greenbelt: Women in Agriculture, The Making of a Series

In 2022, the Greenbelt Foundation launched its Women in Agriculture video series celebrating female-identifying farmers and agricultural leaders in the Greenbelt in honour of October’s Women’s History Month."

Oct 31, 2024   •   News , Featured

Women in Agriculture: The Making of a Series 

  October 31, 2024

 Written by Claire Foran, Videographer 

Growing up, I spent countless weekends on my grandparents' hobby farm in rural Ontario, observing the world of agriculture. I watched crops being harvested, tractors navigating the highways, and farmers’ markets brimming with local produce. I often associated this industry solely with the role of a farmer, even dreaming of becoming one myself.

In 2022, the Greenbelt Foundation launched its Women in Agriculture video series celebrating female-identifying farmers and agricultural leaders in the Greenbelt in honour of October’s Women’s History Month."

Although my career took a different path toward environmental storytelling, I never imagined that years later, I would have the opportunity to revisit the agricultural world and meet an incredible group of women who’ve opened my eyes to the many diverse careers available in Ontario agriculture.

In 2022, the Greenbelt Foundation launched its Women in Agriculture video series celebrating female-identifying farmers and agricultural leaders in the Greenbelt in honour of October’s Women’s History Month. With over 750,000 acres of protected farmland and two specialty crop areas in the Greenbelt, we knew incredible agricultural stories across the region were waiting to be told. On top of that, The 2021 Canadian Census of Agriculture revealed a significant milestone: 79,795 female farm operators now existed in Canada, marking the first increase in 30 years. Inspired by this growth, we aimed to amplify the stories of this community.

I was fortunate to be part of the communications team that brought this vision to life and have continued to produce each subsequent series alongside talented collaborators. Let’s take a look back…

Year One: We launched the series with a remarkable group of women from the Greenbelt who have created welcoming community spaces that connect people to farming and advance agri-food policy in Ontario. Meet Gail, Buchi, and Janet here.

Year Two: Our largest cohort yet shared heartfelt stories of generational farming, the significance of urban agriculture, and the journey of one woman who became the head of her own ag-solutions business. Meet Avia, Liz, Jacqueline, and Mel here.

Year Three: Two inspiring female farmers demonstrated that smaller-scale farming can have a significant community impact. Meet Val and Cheyenne here.

Year Four: This year features our youngest cohort of women, each taking innovative paths in the local food and beverage industry. Ali, Jess, Celeste, and Alexandra showcase incredible entrepreneurship and determination. Watch their inspiring stories here.

Not only did this series allow me to travel across the 2 million acres of protected land in the Ontario Greenbelt, deepening my appreciation for its beauty and significance, but it also reinforced the idea that those who care for the land are essential to its thriving future. 

As I reflect on my journey in creating this series, I am truly grateful for the lessons learned from the remarkable women I’ve had the privilege to meet. Their experiences have defied my early perceptions of agriculture and revealed a vibrant group of women who care deeply about making a positive impact in their communities. Thank you to all the women in agriculture who shared your stories and participated in this series.

Stay tuned for 2025!