The demographic composition of the Canadian agriculture industry is undergoing significant changes as many farm operators are approaching an age when they may retire. The most recent Census of Agriculture found that farms where the oldest operator was 55 years or older represented more than half of all farms, compared to 37.7% in 1991.
That means 100,000 family farms in Canada will change ownership in the next 10 years. The main reason is retirement age of the farmer and no sons/daughters willing to take over.
What will retired farm folks do when they move off the farm? Will they travel some? What are their interests besides work? Do they have hobbies that keep them active? A hobby is an activity, interest, enthusiasm, or pastime that is undertaken for pleasure or relaxation, typically done during one’s own time.
In 2002, I put that question to 60 farmers — 30 men and 30 women. And for an update to see what farmers do in the winter months of 2016, 60 farm folk, mostly those over the age of 60, were quizzed.
Now you’re probably wondering how I managed to get all those farmers to answer a nosey question about their private life. No problem. They were probably as curious as I was about the results.
Women have hobbies. Men don’t. Women read, knit, scrap booked, bead, skate and cross-country ski, visit, walk, watch TV, do puzzles, do crafts, make jewelry, be a hockey mom, re-furbish antiques, sew, paint and so on. One woman said she catches up on sex –with her husband.
Doing the 2016 poll I found many country folk people had to think long and hard if there is something they enjoy doing that could be considered a hobby. In fact, very few even had a hobby. As for a relaxing favourite, here are the results:
Women who have raised a family enjoy doing relaxing things in the house such as cuddling with their man while watching television, decorating, visiting, going to a movie, being with grand kids, and going on tours and cruises.
Busy young farmers enjoy playing hockey, watching sports, family things with wife and kids, and going to farm shows.
Farmers (and retirees) over 60 have some expensive habits. Can you believe many go to town daily for breakfast and go there for coffee? And no late breakfasts either. Bright and early, between 6 and 8 a.m. Some go to a coffee shop a few times a day. One guy never drinks coffee at home. His wife doesn’t drink coffee. He gets in his pickup truck and drives to get a coffee. It’s also a social thing.
Another favourite pastime with this age group is playing cards –euchre. Curling is another activity. Working in the bush or cutting and splitting firewood is also a popular winter project. Keeping the wood stove or furnace fired up is a fulltime occupation with numerous guys, which they enjoy immensely.
Other interests include volunteering, going to farm events, hunting coyotes, working in their shop. One farmer enjoys snowplowing, another collects vintage snowmobiles. One enjoys cuddling up with his significant other (girlfriend) by the fireplace and Jacuzzi.
I’m sure there are many more men cuddling with their spouse and taking afternoon naps in bed with her, but men are hesitant to admit to that.
In concluding this poll I’ve realized that whatever it is that farmers and their wives do with extra time on their hands, it keeps them close to their work and close to their families. They know what’s important.
Maynard van der Galien has been writing agricultural columns for 30 years.
