Agriculture and the Home Front

Harvesting, Rationing and Propaganda

The offensives and artillery shells left behind devastated countryside and French farmers were left to cultivate their fields in the midst of the conflict. British and Canadian military authorities first provided assistance to these farmers and later established army farms near the front. As a result of farming the French countryside near the front lines, fresh produce could be more easily supplied to cookhouses and supply depots, helping feed the men in the trenches.

Image: “Canadian Cavalry ploughing and harrowing ground on Vimy Ridge where potatoes etc., are to be planted. April, 1918.” Canada. Dept. of National Defence/Library and Archives Canada/DAPDCAP459121 / Item ID number 3522447

Agriculture and the Home Front

As the demand for agricultural products grew throughout the course of the war, military authorities relied on production from Canada and other British territories to supply the Imperial armies. In Canada, wheat production skyrocketed, as did exports of cheese and meat. With the advent of the Military Service Act and conscription, increasing numbers of farm workers were recruited to fight overseas, and national and provincial initiatives such as ‘Soldiers of the Soil’ and the Farm Service Corps recruited young men and women to work on farms.

Image: “Buy Fresh Fish: Canada Food Board sensitive campaign. 1918.” Canada. National Archives Poster Collection/Library and Archives Canada/3635511

Did you know?

While the production and exports of wheat from the Prairies skyrocketed during the Great War, it came at the price of soil exhaustion and inflation, which drove up the price of wheat and flour for the local population.

Did you know?

The Canadian government initially did not impose rationing during the Great War and instead, appealed to the civilian population to reduce their consumption of key products. Fuel, meat, wheat flour were among the targeted products that were necessary for the war. Propaganda posters urged the population to reduce their consumption of meat, or fuel, and newspapers published “war menus” with alternative ingredients.

Image: “Are You breaking the Law? Patriotic Canadians will not hoard Food : Canada Food Board sensitive campaign. 1918.” Canada. National Archives Poster Collection/Library and Archives Canada/3635512

Harvesting, Rationing and Propaganda