BARRHEAD – They’re back! After a couple of years of being unable to get together, the annual Barrhead Farm Women’s Day was able to meet as a group once again March 25 at the Senior’s Drop-In Centre, but with a new name to reflect a change.
It is no longer just farm women who wish to enjoy a special day just for the ladies, but also urban ladies as well. So, while the Farm Women’s Day committee still organized this year’s one-day event, it has been re-named the Barrhead Women’s Conference.
The event was first organized in 1984 by Elaine Breaden, who was the district home economist for County of Barrhead at that time. She brought together some of the area farm women for form a committee and host the first Farm Women’s Day, which included Maureen Greig. Elaine Breaden, now Elaine Breaden-Piche, today farms with her husband near Warspite, but regularly returns to Barrhead for the annual event — she was there again this year and spoke briefly to audience.
After her many years with the committee to organize the annual event, Greig has decided it was time to retire. Committee member Marilyn Flock presented her with a bouquet of flowers and an honorary lifetime membership in the Barrhead Women’s Conference.
Speaking to the women at the event, Greig said, “’There’s lots of memories in this number of years with working with a group of farm women. When Elaine (Breadon-Piche) asked me be part of this committee ... to help bring some education to the community of farm women, I went for it. It was wonderful.”
She recalled some of the various speakers and presenters over the years, some very serious and some light but recalled a presentation on agriculture in other countries by Marilyn Sharp several years ago. “One of the things she said, and I think it’s really true that wWomen are the catalysts to agriculture. We all have a common denominator.”
As in the past, it was a day filled with education, a bit of fun, but also a bit of sadness as well. Faye Branden, committee member and MC for the day asked for a minute of silence for long-time committee member Judy Bohn, who passed away in 2021.
Along with the committee members was the lone token male, Kyle Meunier, who’s the agriculture service board fieldman who was the “tecchie” and set up the sound system, screen and projector.
During the day, speakers and presentations included Caitlin Clarke, who currently consults for Blue Heron Support Services, along with many other volunteer activities within the community.
Also speaking was Debbie White, seniors co-ordinator with Family and Community Support Services (FCSS), on the work they do in the community.
Dausen Kluin and Nancy Madsen spoke on behalf of the Barrhead Accessibility Coalition on providing the area with information on accessibility and to promote awareness of the issue.
Dr. Jenna Butler, retired professor, writing teacher, author of six books, and today an off-grid farmer living in the county gave a reading from one of her books, “A Year of Bees.”
Following lunch, Anita Mast provided some musical entertainment on her accordion, and there were speech presentations from three 4-H winners this year.
This was followed by Melanie Morgan-Redshaw who spoke about injury prevention initiatives most specifically for older adults, with lot of tips on avoiding falls. There was also a presentation on the use of medicinal marijuana and some of the benefits.
Leslie Penny, a retired nurse and former Town of Barrhead councillor, gave some tips for family care givers who take on the role of caring for a loved one.
Committee member Audrey Shield wound up the day with a bit of somewhat humorous reflections in her efforts to remove an offending branch from a large spruce tree just outside her home, and the somewhat embarrassing moments in her battle with the branch.
All in all, the women had a great day of being together, learning, laughing, and reflecting, and many were the recipients of a number of door prizes provided by local businesses.
