1

Threshing on the farm was a huge event in the lives of the prairie farmer. This event was the harvest that allowed him to carry his family through another year. It was also a social time for the community. The cost of a steam engine and threshing machine was large and every farmer could not afford one, so often groups would buy a unit together and hire a crew of workers for the season. The crews would move from farm to farm until the threshing was over. Threshing preparations included tasks for the women and older children as the large work crews had to be fed and everyone helped in whatever way they could. The quality of the meals was also a determining factor in securing the return of the crew for next year. Many farmers relied on the threshing outfit, so as long as the weather held out work continued. The days were long and the workers became extremely tired. The promise of good food to help sustain their energy encouraged the men to continue.

2

Threshing crew
20th Century, Circa 1905
Rural Municipality of North Norfolk, Manitoba, Canada

3

Mid afternoon lunch would be delivered to the field by the women and children. The children enjoyed seeing all the activity happening and listening to the stories, even the family dog got to come along for a visit.

4

Threshing crew lunch break
Rural Municipality of North Norfolk, Manitoba, Canada

5

Threshing crew
20th Century, Circa 1908
Rural Municipality of North Norfolk, Manitoba, Canada

6

Threshing crew
20th Century, Circa 1912
Rural Municipality of North Norfolk, Manitoba, Canada

7

Women on the threshing crew
Rural Municipality of North Norfolk, Manitoba, Canada

8

Steamer and thresher
Rural Municipality of North Norfolk, Manitoba, Canada

9

Threshing crew
Rural Municipality of North Norfolk, Manitoba, Canada