October 15

In 2001, the member's of South Vancouver Island Women's Institutes took the message of World Rural Women's Day to heart. The contribution of women to agriculture and food production has not been acknowledged, even though this aid has been given for many centuries. When the United Nations declared October 15 as the day to honour women for their efforts, the members decided they wanted to play a role.

Establishing the Award

Criteria was designated, including the requirement "to honour a woman resident of the South Vancouver Island area who has made a notable contribution to agriculture". Nominations could come from any of the Insitutes, or from any group or resident of the region.In 2002 the first recipients were Helen Allison of Pender Island, and Jessie Anderson of Cobble Hill.Helen Allison was an active farmer, and also worked with veterinarian services to the Farmer's Institute. She coordinated a monthly clinic with a veterinarian, making the appointments and provided space in her home for the clinic. Her Avondale Farm was also a showplace of sustainable, practical farming, raising sheep and growning fruit trees going back to the turn of the century.Jessie Anderson was cited for her advocacy for agriculture and for her efforts in raising agriculture awareness. Devoted to the rural family and the need for good wholesome food, Jessie and her husband David, always tried to be self-sufficient in food production, establishing a vegetable garden and keeping animals in their various places of abode. At the time of the award, they were raising turkeys and some cattle on their rural property in the Cobble Hill area.The 2003 winner was Anthea Archer. Anthea, her husband and family, maintained a century old farm through the sale of fruit from their orchard, timber from their land, and through the operation of a notable Bed and Breakfast service.Anthea and her husband Darrell, fought a courageous battle to maintain their herd of Murrah River Water Buffalo - this running concurrently with the dreadful scare of the BSE disease, furor that encompassed the world at that time.Anthea was also actively involved in the Farmer's Institute where she was a strong advocate of organic crops, striving to have their farm self-sustaining through organic gardening. Today the Archer's have a thriving herd of River Water Buffalo, and a prosperous cheese making venture.The 2004 World Rural Woman of the Year was Janet Docherty - cited for her service and contributions to the wine and cider industries. Over the years she held the offices of President, Secretary - Treasurer, Marketing Chairperson and also headed up the Wine Festival. Her fellow vintners have saluted her efforts.Janet has also been acknowledged for her vision and support for agri-tourism. She is one of those dedicated people who back up their comments with effort - at the time she was given the Rural Woman of the Year Award, she was serving as the President of the British Columbia Agri-Tourism Alliance.Julia and Susan Grace were the 2005 winners. This pair of sisters retired from their government jobs and moved to Salt Spring Island where they bought a 15 acre parcel of land. Then Susan met Charlotte, a soft-eyed Jersey cow, and their lives changed! Soon they were the first licensed producers of organic milk in British Columbia and by 1998, they were making organic cheeses. In 2005 Julia and Susan owned 12 cows, and their company, Moonstruck Organic Cheese was producing 75 pounds of cheese daily, of four different varieties.Anny Scoones took a different route to winning this award. She was honoured for her contribution to agriculture and her community through her efforts to restore the Glamorgan Heritage Farm and then made it available for community events. These events included supporting Future Farmers, and the Horticulture Enterprises and Related Training (HEART) group who utilize the greenhouses and gardens to offer occupational opportunities for mentally challenged individuals. Here they have grown heritage vegetables and flowers which they sell in the community, thereby learning to provide for themselves.Anny also served as a Councillor in the North Saanich area, and has written a number of books. She also raises heritage pigs, chickens, ducks and harbours a heritage horse.Watch for future columns on more of the winners of the World Rural Women's Day Award - and join us in celebrating their diversity and their determination!The above article was submitted by Ruth Fenner - A Member of Somenos Women's Institute