Marg
Rempel
Long-time hog producer with
a diversified operation and a
history of industry involvement
BY BILL REDEKOP
Don’t ask Marg Rempel what it’s like being a woman in a traditionally
male sector like hog farming.
That’s all she’s known and it’s not something she gives
much thought to.
Rather, ask her what changes she’s seen for women in
agriculture over the last four decades. She still recalls the day
when women weren’t allowed to obtain crop insurance until Manitoba Crop
Insurance Corp. couldn’t take anymore of being chastised by Minnedosa farmer
Sandi McNabb and finally changed its discriminatory policy.
Today, more women run farms, more are active partners in the farm business
side, and more are in support services like research, extension services, and
veterinarian services.
As well as farming, Marg is involved in the University of Manitoba (U of
M) agriculture school where she sits on a tribunal that hears presentations by
graduate students.
“A good 50 per cent of the classes are women and that wasn’t the case 40
years ago,” she said.
Marg didn’t end up running a hog farm on her own by choice. She farmed
with husband Ron and raised three children before Ron lost a lengthy battle to
a brain tumour. That was 16 years ago. Jason, the couple’s oldest child, now 42,
was in university studying international development at the time with an eye to
farm extension work in developing nations.
He never doubted his mom would continue farming. Marg grew up on
a dairy farm in western Manitoba and being around livestock just brings
her joy.
“In terms of enjoying caring for livestock, I always have, and I can honestly
say one of my favourite parts of farming is just taking care of the pigs,” she said.
“The management stuff is crucial and challenging, and I enjoy those challenges,
but vacation time for me is being in the barn caring for the animals, feeding
them. I really enjoy it. It probably became part of my DNA because of the farming
situation I was born into.”
There was never pressure for Jason to join the farm in his father’s absence,
but he eventually did 10 years ago after obtaining his degree in international
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2 § Manitoba Farmers’ Voice § Fall 2019