Farmerettes
During, and following the second World War, with men of fighting age away overseas, the government created a program call the Farm Service Force, which invited and encouraged teenagers to assist farmers with growing and harvesting food.
Young women who joined this force were called “Farmerettes”.
Over the course of 11 years, from 1941 to 1952, more than 20,000 girls aged 16 to 18 went to work on farms to produce food.
Across Ontario, you could see posted advertisements showing men in uniform saying, “We Can't Fight If We Don't Eat.”
The government sent representatives all over the province with flyers to hand out in classrooms and high schools. They also sponsored a radio show on CBC called “Help Wanted.”
Photos courtesy of June Hitchcox
Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz - Memories of Ontario Farmerettes
This book, co authoured by Shirleyan English and Bonnie Sitter, details the experiences of girls, working as Famerettes, as they met the demand for labour shortages during the war.