Ontario Women Farmers Adapt to New Industry Demands

When Patricia Van Diepen reached her mid-40s, she made the decision to leave London, buy an old tobacco farm in Otterville, Ont., and turn it into Plaid Shirt Farms.

On her farm, she cultivates various berries across 30 acres and creates homemade vinaigrettes, juices, and jams – using minimal artificial sugar or chemicals.

“I think people are wanting more healthy foods, things to level out their sugars and stabilize,” said Van Diepen, who sells her products at the Masonville Farmers’ Market in London on Fridays.

“Sugar is still required because it brings out the flavour of the fruit as well, so it’s a fine balance.”

This balance is crucial for Van Diepen as staying aware of customer preferences helps keep her farm running smoothly alongside her husband. 

The increasing costs of fuel and fertilizer combined with extreme heat are affecting farmers severely, including Van Diepen and her husband, who opened their farm in 2017. They have cut back on dining out and vacations to manage their expenses.

“We’re continually being squeezed, which is a challenge,” said Van Diepen. Despite these difficulties, she mentioned that new customers along with loyal ones help maintain her dream of running a berry farm.

Women Farmers Honored for Their Contributions

A group of women farmers from southwestern Ontario received recognition for their efforts from the Masonville Farmers’ Market last Friday. The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Margo Denison, 19, is an intern at New Moon Community Homestead in Ailsa Craig, Ont. (Jessica Singer/CBC)

Margo Denison is 19 years old and interning at New Moon Community Homestead in Ailsa Craig, Ont. She dreams about running her own farm one day but knows how expensive entering this field can be.

“I feel like unless you’re with generational wealth working on a family farm already, it’s so difficult to get into,” said Denison.

She shared that her grandfather had to sell his dairy farm because there was no one available to take over it; however, she hopes to revive it someday while working in either the dairy goat or cow industry.

Denison encourages urban residents to volunteer on farms even if it’s just for a day since learning about daily operations can create appreciation among those outside agriculture.

“We’re feeding everyone; we’re raising the next generation of farmers,” she said. “I think it’s absolutely amazing how we’re giving back to the community.”

Shelley Hunter owns Ataboy Farms in St. Marys, Ont. (Jessica Singer/CBC)

Shelley Hunter and her husband started Ataboy Farms in St. Marys two decades ago after they noticed a lack of stores selling locally-grown garlic; thus they decided to grow it themselves. Now Ataboy Farms offers various dips, dressings, and sauces.

Hunter has seen more customers looking for healthier options while enjoying personal interactions with farmers directly. However, rising operational costs pose significant challenges for their business.

“All of our herbicides costs have went way up; our fuel costs to run all of our tractors are also rising,” she said. 

“Yet on the other end , we can’t really sell it for much more because there’s only the price [that] people will pay.”

Diane Janssens has been farming since 1984 and owns Janssens Farm Fresh Produce in Appin , Ont. ( Jessica Singer / CBC )

Diane Janssens , owner of Janssens Farm Fresh Produce in Appin , Ont., has been farming since 1984. New forms of technology , including tapping credit cards instead of cash for purchases , are changes Janssens never expected decades ago. However , she enjoys serving customers any way she can.

The Masonville Farmers’ Market honored 16 women including Janssens with certificates recognizing their contributions to their communities.

“It’s a nice feeling , yeah,” said Janssens. “I’ll frame it and hang it up in my farm market at home.”

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