Farm Medicine, Rural Health & Safety
National Farm Medicine Center
Celebrating 25 Years
The National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006.
Established in 1981 in response to occupational health problems seen in farm patients coming to Marshfield Clinic, the NFMC
has focused on evolving issues in agricultural health and safety encompassing behavioral, laboratory and clinical research.
Its laboratories focus on infectious disease, antibiotic resistance of pathogens in livestock and humans, transmission of pathogens
via groundwater, and understanding the factors that alter the virulence level of certain pathogens.
Twenty-five years ago, a group of Marshfield Clinic physicians and other professionals employed at the Clinic had a vision
to dedicate a segment of their medical commitment and expertise to providing health care for the rural population of central Wisconsin.
Through the support and nuturing from the Clinic and others, there arose from a meager beginning a state-of-the-art center of excellence
dedicated to those individuals who live and work in the agrarian environment that has long been the backbone of this great country of ours.
(excerpt taken from "Promoting agricultural health and safety: A history of the National Farm Medicine Center")
NFMC goals for the future include expansion of its competency in infectious disease research and rural
and agricultural health and safety, as well as becoming an excellent resource for professional training in agromedicine
and agriculture-related research.
