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| Macphail farmstead in Artemesia |
Farm Representation
Agnes Macphail grew up surrounded by groups of farmers talking over
the issues of the day, but during her time in Sharon, Ontario, she was
caught up in the increasing enthusiasm of the agrarian community who
were feeling that their plight and needs were inadequately represented
in Parliament. It wasn't long before Agnes Macphail became involved in
local farmer's organizations and
soon joined the United Farmers of Ontario (UFO).
In the early 1900s, the war effort meant Canadian farmers were urged to
produce crops and foodstuff as well as give up their young men to
conscription. By 1917, ineffective political volleying about farmer's
obligations brought 5,000 farmers to Ottawa demanding reform. Shortly
thereafter, the UFO rose to meet that demand by formally entering politics in 1919 with
a landslide vote. Agnes Macphail's represented her County by representing farmers honestly and clearly,
demanding that their hard work and productivity be recognized and valued
accordingly. As in her home life, Agnes Macphail maintained strong ties with farmers and cooperative organizations, and transferred the core
humanitarian values to many other causes.
See
Farmer's Groups,
Farmers,
Farmhouses...
