The National Farm Medicine Center (NFMC) was established in 1981 in response to occupational health problems seen in farm patients coming to Marshfield Clinic. The center continues to focus its research and outreach on rural populations, especially the agricultural sector, which is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States. Farm Medicine is part of Marshfield Clinic Research Institute and a collaborator in the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center. 

Current Farm Medicine priorities include preventing injuries and fatalities, injury surveillance, community outreach and education, farm microbiome and human immunology, and evaluation research. Farm Medicine scientists and staff address these issues with special expertise in injury prevention, public health, bioinformatics, nursing, sociology, anthropology, education and communications.

Since 1997, the National Farm Medicine Center has been home to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety (NCCRAHS), one of 11 agricultural centers funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Children’s Center strives to enhance public-private partnerships in order to improve childhood agricultural injury prevention.

Farm Medicine also houses the editorial offices of the Journal of Agromedicine. The journal is the world’s No. 1 source of peer-reviewed agricultural safety and health information.

Farm Medicine is a charter member of the Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America (ASHCA), a national collaborative effort of agricultural producers, NIOSH and researchers to improve translational research in agricultural safety and health.

Farm Medicine leverages all these assets to help secure the success of every kind of farm.

Mission
“With the ultimate goal of improving human health, wellbeing and safety of rural and agricultural communities, the National Farm Medicine Center acts as a national resource by conducting high quality research, developing and delivering health and safety information, exploring innovative intervention models, and leading initiatives and networks.”

NFMC Turns 40

National Farm Medicine Center turns 40

Marshfield center dedicated to health and happiness of farm owners, families and workers.

Above the late Dean Emanuel, M.D., and Barbara Lee, Ph.D., at 2011 Wisconsin Farm Technology Days.