Minnesota Farm Bureau Program Connects Future Doctors to Rural Communities

Launched in 2024, Minnesota Farm Bureau’s rural medicine partnership is helping remedy the shortage of primary care physicians in rural communities.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Zumbro Valley Medical Society in partnership with the Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation, and students from the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine.

It is the first rural health care program of its kind within a state Farm Bureau designed to help address the shortage of health care providers in rural communities. The program introduces and integrates medical students to life, agriculture and health care access in rural communities while building understanding, trust and long-term interest in serving rural populations.

“Minnesota’s rural communities face real challenges when it comes to accessing health care,” said Dan Glessing, president of the Minnesota Farm Bureau. “This program is about building relationships between future doctors and rural communities, so care is not only available, but delivered with care and trust.”

360° Insight into Rural Life

Originally launched as a one-time experience, the program has expanded into a year-long medical school experience. Students participate in immersive, hands-on experiences that include farm and agribusiness tours, visits with rural emergency services, health care screenings, and in-depth discussions with farmers, physicians and community leaders.

Programming focuses on issues critical to rural Minnesota, including farm safety and equipment injuries, mental health, addiction, rural emergency response, farm financial stress and the importance of building trust with patients.

Participating students, most without rural or farm backgrounds, are now expressing interest in practicing rural medicine. Rural Minnesotans benefit directly through health care screenings at farm shows and Farm Bureau events, educational outreach and open conversations about health care access, affordability and follow-up care. Feedback from these interactions continues to shape future program development.

“What makes this program unique is that it is community-informed and community-led,” said Ruth Linkenmeyer-Meirick, director of the Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture. “Farm Bureau members help shape the content, share their lived experiences, and engage directly with students. That collaboration ensures rural voices are heard as we work toward long-term health care solutions.”

New Horizon Award

Minnesota Farm Bureau’s rural medicine partnership earned the organization a 2026 New Horizon Award from the American Farm Bureau Federation. The award, which honors state Farm Bureaus with the most innovative new programs, is presented annually at the AFBF Convention.