Canada Post honours Farmerettes with new stamp, Sitter thrilled
BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN
On Monday, Canada Post issued a new commemorative stamp collection ahead of Remembrance Day that honours, in part, the work done by Canada’s Farmerettes, a cause near and dear to the hearts of many in Huron County.
“During both World Wars, Canada played a lead role in producing food for Britain and the Allied troops. The need for increased production, along with labour shortages (due in part to men leaving for military service), led to the creation of programs that recruited young people from across the country to work on farms. Among the programs created, teenaged boys participated in the national Soldiers of the Soil initiative during the First World War. Young women joined programs such as the Ontario Farm Service Force’s Farmerette Brigade in the Second World War,” reads a press release issued by Canada Post on Monday.
“Many recalled these farming summers with fondness, despite the hard work, and in later years, recognized that they had made invaluable contributions to the war effort. These acts of service are commemorated in this stamp issue. The Soldiers of the Soil stamp features an archival photograph, while the Farmerettes stamp bears a snapshot taken by Mary Barnaby Fountain during her time as a Farmerette,” the release continues. The image on the stamp is one and the same that was used by the Blyth Festival for its production image for Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: The Farmerettes this past summer.
“This stamp issue reminds us of the enormous contributions made by ordinary Canadians who chose to give their all when their country called on them. It carries on a Canada Post tradition of recognizing the courage, service and sacrifice of Canadians who fought on the battlefield and those who served at home to support our military overseas.”
The Farmerette stamp can now be purchased in books of 10 or panes of six, split evenly with the Soldiers of the Soil stamp. They are also available to purchase online, directly from Canada Post.
Senator Rob Black, a long-time advocate for the Farmerettes, was scheduled to deliver a statement on the stamp release on Thursday.
More locally, author Bonnie Sitter e-mailed The Citizen and said she is pleased to see this special group of women recognized in this way. She was part of a group that was advocating for the Farmerettes to be recognized via postage stamp for years, in addition to her work in co-writing Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz and bringing this chapter of history, one many had never even heard of, to light.
“I am thrilled that my dream of having a Canadian stamp issued to recognize the volunteer efforts of the Farmerettes has come true. Food production was essential to win the war. [The year] 2025 marks 80 years since World War II ended, but the Farmerettes continued their effort for seven additional years,” she said. “Before you can fire bullets and drop bombs, you need food and the Farmerettes stepped up and did their bit to ensure our military and allies were fed. I am proud of every one of them.”