TORONTO, Oct. 19, 2026 /CNW/ -- During and after the Second World War, an estimated 40,000 young women stepped forward to answer the call to serve and help bring in Ontario's harvest. Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust unveiled a new provincial plaque to commemorate them — the Farmerettes who planted, cultivated and harvested fruit and vegetable crops from 1941-52. Their recognition comes in 2026, during the United Nations' International Year of the Woman Farmer.

The Farmerettes formed the largest division of the Ontario Farm Service Force (OFSF), which addressed farm labour shortages. The OFSF originally set out to recruit 10,000 workers but 23,041 quickly signed up, outpacing the province's plans. Some Farmerettes came out of patriotism, others sought adventure and many had never worked on a farm. A 1945 poem in the Niagara Falls Review captured the eventual purpose of their work: "We can feed poor hungry Europe/Get her once more on her feet!"

The first Farmerette camps opened in Niagara in 1941. By 1947, camps at Beamsville, Jordan and Vineland, all now part of the Town of Lincoln, were among 20 listed across Southern Ontario. Workdays ran eight to 10 hours, six days a week. The program ended in 1952, when newly arrived immigrant families, including many from the Netherlands, had met the demand for farm labour.

The Farmerettes' story survives through the recorded memories of the women who participated. Shirleyan English gathered more than 300 recollections from fellow former Farmerettes, which she and Bonnie Sitter brought together in Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario Farmerettes (2019). A documentary based on the book, Colin Field's We Lend a Hand, was screened before the unveiling. This new provincial plaque adds to these efforts by creating a permanent, physical and public marker of their story.

Installed in the places where history happened, the Trust's provincial plaques connect people with carefully researched stories of the people, places and events that have shaped Ontario. Visit the Farmerettes plaque at Charles Daley Park, read its full text and explore the research by Dr. Linda Ambrose that informed it.

Quotes

"Victory on the battlefield depended on vital efforts on the home front. These young women answered the call, taking on hard, unfamiliar work to serve their country. As Remembrance Day approaches, we honour their service — and its worthy place in how we remember the war." — John Ecker, Chair, Ontario Heritage Trust

"When Ontario needed them most, thousands of young women stepped forward to help our farms through sheer determination and resilience. By recognizing their story, we are ensuring their contributions are remembered and continue to inspire future generations." — Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism

"Raised on a farm in an area of the province rich in the history and legacy of Farmerette wartime efforts, I applaud the unveiling of this new provincial plaque. The location of this historical marker in Niagara West is especially meaningful for local families who hosted and laboured along with the thousands of women who served on the homefront. The Farmerettes helped lend a hand to victory on the battlefield across the Atlantic and prepared the way for thousands of immigrants who would follow in their footsteps after the liberation of Europe." — Sam Oosterhoff, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and MPP for Niagara West

"Service comes in many forms. The Ontario Farmerettes have waited decades to be recognized for their vital contributions to food production during and after World War II. I am both proud and deeply moved to see this historic plaque unveiled. A single, tiny photograph — one that easily could have been discarded because it lacked names on the back — has ultimately brought a beautiful but forgotten story back to life. Let us continue to 'Lend A Hand.'" — Bonnie Sitter, co-author of Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz: Memories of Ontario Farmerettes and historical producer of the We Lend a Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes documentary

Learn more
Find out more about the Ontario Heritage Trust and the Provincial Plaque Program.

Stay connected

Follow the Ontario Heritage Trust on Facebook, X, Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. Subscribe to the Heritage Matters ... more! e-newsletter. #ONheritage

About the Ontario Heritage Trust

The Trust is committed to preserving Ontario's cultural and natural heritage and ensuring its continued relevance for future generations. We are working towards an Ontario where heritage is not only preserved and valued, but is celebrated, enjoyed and used as a source of inspiration. The Trust will be a beacon in an Ontario where heritage is preserved, protected and promoted in ways that are sources of pride for all Ontarians.

SOURCE Ontario Heritage Trust