health insurance

Michelle M. Miller (mmmille6@facstaff.wisc.edu)
Sat, 08 May 1999 17:36:46 -0500

Mark was looking for information on health insurance for farmers....
National Farmers Union offers health insurance, usually through its state
affiliates. They have a website where you can access the state offices - I
think MA has one, Mark.

The National Farmers Union is a progressive, grass roots family farm
organization concerned about all aspects of life on farms and all members
of farm families. There are sister NFUs in other countries, as well. Here
in the US, NFU started in Point, Texas in 1903. In the 40s / 50s it worked
with the Highlander Institute. The organization has benefited family
farmers since its beginning as a voice in the national and state policy
arenas, in helpping farmers start cooperatives, and keeping its members
and their children educated on farm issues. I went through the youth
program, where I learned how to start a coop, self-govern, and write my
legislators, and where I learned about concentration in agriculture and
corporate control of the food system. Lots of the organic growers in
Wisconsin purchase their insurance through Farmers Union. NFU also
participates in the Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture.

The NFU site, which represents 300,000 US family farmers and ranchers in 24
states, takes on farmers' issues and legislation from the average farmer's
point of view. The organization also works for rural community legislation.
You can find out about the organization, browse the newsletter, and have a
look at the issues it is currently
dealing with. Included is a state-by-state organization directory.

The URL is http://www.nfu.org.

Progressive Farmer listed this as a "best of the internet" site.

Best -

Michelle Miller
Pesticide Use and Risk Reduction Project
Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems
University of Wisconsin - Madison

U.S. Mail: 146 Agriculture Hall 608.262.7135
Campus: 1535 Observatory Drive 608.262.5200
Madison, WI 53706 fax 265.3020
www.wisc.edu/cias/ mmmille6@facstaff.wisc.edu

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