Saskatchewan farm activist Noreen Johns dies at 79

Noreen Johns, Pioneering Saskatchewan Farm Activist, Dies at 79

Noreen Johns, a prominent farm activist in Saskatchewan, has passed away at the age of 79.

Johns played a key role in the Saskatchewan Women’s Agricultural Network (SWAN) during the 1980s and 1990s. This period was challenging for farmers due to high interest rates, low commodity prices, and drought, which led many to bankruptcy.

SWAN was established in 1985 as more families sought off-farm jobs and women took on additional farm responsibilities. The organization aimed to enhance farm women’s knowledge, skills, and assertiveness, according to the Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan.

Impact of SWAN on Farmers

Vicky Dutton, a farmer from Paynton, about 227 kilometers northwest of Saskatoon, noted the difficulties farmers faced during that time. She stated that SWAN provided essential support.

“Noreen was a fabulous organizer. She and her whole board were very organized and dedicated to providing conferences for farmers,” Dutton said. She attended several SWAN conferences during that period.

Key Issues Addressed by SWAN

Johns was instrumental in addressing various issues, including the Canadian Wheat Board, farmers’ rights to sell their grain, the elimination of the Crow Rate, and the formation of the farm debt mediation act.

“She was a spokesman, she was a leader, and she was very able to manage the business of the day for SWAN,” Dutton told Saskatoon Morning’s Theresa Kliem.

Recognition and Legacy

Johns was part of SWAN’s efforts that led to the provincial NDP government recognizing the first Saskatchewan Farm Women’s Week in 1996. Her obituary highlights her passion for advocating for farm women and the needs of farmers and rural communities.

Johns farmed in the Zelma district, located 48 kilometers southeast of Saskatoon, with her husband, Lloyd Johns. She passed away on December 22 at Manitou Lodge in Watrous.