United Farmers Historical Society

10/14/2026

Today is Day! 📁

Archives hold records, evidence and stories, while archivists acquire, preserve, and share these records with the public. Through outreach, education, and access services, archivists help people connect with and understand the value of historical records.

Have a look at these images to see some of the FAQs that we receive. Is there anything else you would like to know?

The United Farmers Historical Society acquires, preserves and makes available the historical records and artifacts of the United Farmers of Alberta, showcasing the Co-operative's contributions to agriculture and life in Alberta and Canada.

We encourage you to explore our online database and see how UFA history contributes to our shared history. Find the link in the comments below ⬇

10/13/2026

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Did you have pumpkin pie? 🥧

For inspiration, take a look at this recipe from the 1927 issue of The U.F.A.

09/29/2026

Our Archivist is on vacation 🌴 See you October 13!

09/24/2026

This month's is to acknowledge and celebrate the importance of public demonstrations and protests to enact change.

In our collection is a photo of the "On to Ottawa" employment protestors from 1935. This was a massive movement where unemployed men took the trains toward Ottawa to speak to the Prime Minister at the time, R. B. Bennett, to protest against the lack of jobs in Western Canada.

When the train stopped in Calgary, the strikers held demonstrations and were joined by hundreds of Alberta men who hopped aboard the boxcars to join the journey.

There were Alberta farmers who also took part in this movement, as the 1930s spurred very difficult farming conditions, forcing many to look elsewhere for work. The impact of reduced job opportunities and unemployment had many repercussions for both rural and city folk.

📸 UF 2005.0049.35

09/22/2026

Read all about this exciting new space at the Kneehill Historical Museum in our latest blog post ⬇

We’re thrilled to celebrate and share the new UFA Theatre and Seminar Room at the Kneehill Museum in Three Hills, Alberta. Made possible in part by a $15,000 UFA Foundation Rural Communities Grant …

09/17/2026

It's !

Here's a photo of attendees at University Week for Farm Young People in 1921.

University Week for Farm Young People began in 1919 when United Farm Women of Alberta president Irene Parlby approached the University of Alberta with the idea of creating an annual opportunity for rural youth to gather, learn, and experience university life.

Among attendees were Junior UFA members for a week-long event that combined practical education with personal development. Participants attended lectures, demonstrations, and tours covering agricultural subjects such as crops, livestock, machinery, and veterinary science, while girls were initially offered courses focused on household economics, nursing, cooking, and domestic skills. Over time, programming evolved to include leadership, co-operatives, citizenship, photography, dramatics, career planning, and other subjects that reflected changing educational needs and opportunities.

By its final recorded year in 1968, the program welcomed more than 6,500 young Albertans.

📸 UF 2005.0049.04

09/15/2026

Thank you so much to the Conrich-Chestermere UFWA for inviting us to their recent centennial celebration 🎉

The Conrich United Farm Women of Alberta local was founded in 1926 and became an important centre of rural life. Members participated in projects such as the UFWA cookbook, Junior UFA sponsorships, and a wide variety of community initiatives during the Great Depression and Second World War.

The women saw many changes over the years, including the transition to the Farm Women's Union of Alberta (FWUA) and later Women of Unifarm, before disbanding in 1990. This did not mark the end of the friendships, memories, and sense of community they had built. These connections endure today through the members, their daughters, and granddaughters, who continue to meet for annual get-togethers and luncheons. The spirit of the Conrich-Chestermere UFWA lives on, and we were so pleased to be included in their 100th anniversary.

Watch for a new blog post later this year detailing more of the history of the Conrich-Chestermere UFWA.

09/10/2026

It’s !

Who remembers this 1960s Farm Planning and Building Guide? Published by the U.F.A. Co-op Building department to provide farmers with modern solutions for hay bale storage, quonsets, watering equipment, and farmstead mechanization.

📁UF 2002.0065.149

09/08/2026

We’re putting a spotlight on the U.F.A. Central Co-operative Association records 🔎

In 1932 the U.F.A. Central Co-op was incorporated as a subsidiary of U.F.A. for the purpose of coordinating wholesaling and marketing.

In 1940 the co-op established a central office, warehouse, and retail outlet in the 100-block 11th Avenue SE in Calgary. By the mid-1940s the U.F.A. Central Co-op had sufficient capital to operate a network of hardware and grocery stores and service stations with a presence in most regions of Alberta.

This collection contains meeting minutes, annual reports, publications and advertising materials, photographs and more.

Our U.F.A. Central Co-operative Association Fonds is fully described and available in our online database!

09/03/2026

It's !

This photo was recently digitized and came with the title "UFA Exhibition"

It was photographed by Goertz Studios in Edmonton. We notice that the sign on top of the building says 1939, but Goertz Studios was founded in 1942, so we have questions!

We'd love to know more about this photo, such as why they were gathering, who's in the photo, and what is with all the signs?! Is there anything you can tell us?

📸UF 2003.0144.16