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I am women’s groups face challenge The emergence of groups like \‘omen for the Survival/Support of \ariculture in the early '80‘s was a :Emtatic illustration that the needs of ural women had changed as Molly 1 chhee documented in her report \‘omen in Rural Life-The Changing 'cene. Because of the increasing complexity ~t‘ farm operations, the stress of farmâ€" ng with high interest rates and low ommodity prices, farm women felt a need to meet with others to educate nemseives about the legal, financial ind emotional aspects of living in a ugh tech rural society. They also needed peer support and opportunity in air mutual concerns. Many farm tomen wanted to be involved in the ,- ccision making of the farm business ‘ ut needed more information. Playing the triple role of home- taker, career woman and mother. the oung farm woman today has limited ime to pursne attracurricular activities. ler priority has become continuing ducation, not social get togethers or und-raising activities. The scope of the other rural 'omen's groups is much narrower hart the broad general objectives of he Women's Institute. Rural self-help roups emerged because action was i ceded immediately. To compete with raditional organizations was never lie intent of the new rural women‘s roups. The goals of WSA are very specific 0 the needs of farm women. WSA trives to encourage more farm ~ omen to become active in farm v rganization work. To motivate omen to become effective communi- ators in order to develop a strong ublic relations outlet and lobbying roup for agriculture. To work in armony and cooperation with exist- g farm and rural organizations. To evelop an effective communication etwork among Canadian farm mum and speak with one voice on ssues that concern us. in the beginning. the major activi- ies of WSA were monthly meetings ' Ith speakers on agricultural issues. hort courses and seminars open to all ta] women. It wasn't long before Carolyn Murray the concept of Agriculture in the Classroom, a program with its root» in the U.S. caught the imagination of WSA who developed and sponsored RA. days for teachers and rcsourt‘c kits for classroom use. They are no“ organizing the first National Ag in the Classroom conference to he held in April 1987. WSA has dealt with important issues like Rural Child Care. Right to Farm and Debt Rot-ion legislation. They have written briefs. organich projects in cooperation with other groups and represented farm women on liaison committees. learnt uomcn Itmc nchmrkctl mlh other group norms tho otmnlrt. [lit-ti status hm improxcd and lhc) dlL' mm TCCthlliICti;1\llldiHcitlLtlx.litil illxl .Iappendages of their itttximiids. Tht‘ prime I'lit‘llHtlli‘ll i‘CiliiiLi .tii the rcct‘nti} formed I‘llltli \\t1tll\.‘ll'groups is the [trust-nation til lilc iumil) form and the timm .lti\.l|lltl‘;L‘that rural lift- has to ulit‘l tin-n childrcn. Farm \tomcu todm .uc [mind of the contribution tins) and iliL'H families make to the ttiiitttlittn .igi l’ood industry. 1 here \iiii tt-mninx .1 great llL‘L‘d for dcdicttlion. httttl \ttitlx nnd political mil to |1|L'\L'l\L‘ liit' dignin and \itlniiil) ol [iiL' i.tll!lifarm and tin: rural Mouth Ii tuprcscnls. ('nrolyrt Murray is Ihc cltnirnmn nt' Sonllmcslcrn Unturin “unit-n for Iilt' Support of .A\t:rii:ultnre. H & C Jan. l-ch. iVl'dt'. Wit? 1*)