Attendees of Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, July 14-16 at Redetzke’s No Joke Dairy Farm in Stratford, will have access to a wide range of free health screenings.
These screenings are part of a broader effort by Marshfield Clinic to bring accessible, preventive healthcare directly to rural communities – meeting farm families where they are. Marshfield Clinic is a Platinum Sponsor of this year’s event.
Screenings and services will be located in an interactive area called, “FRESH: Farm Rescue Education, Safety, and Health,” at the corner of First Street and Technology Avenue, and will include:
- Blood pressure checks
- N95 respirator fit testing
- Hearing and audiology education
- Skin cancer screenings
- Mammogram education
- Sleep study education
Each of these services plays a critical role in early detection and prevention – especially in agricultural communities, where individuals often delay care due to time constraints, distance from providers or the demands of farm work.
High blood pressure is often called a “silent condition” because it can go unnoticed while increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Hearing loss is another common but underdiagnosed issue in agriculture, where prolonged exposure to loud equipment can lead to permanent damage. Skin cancer risks are elevated for people working long hours outdoors, while proper respirator fit testing is essential for protecting lung health in environments with dust, chemicals and other airborne hazards.
“Preventive care is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve long-term health outcomes,” said Dr. Jennifer Meece, senior vice president, research scientific officer, Sanford Research. “By offering these screenings in a setting that is already part of farmers’ routines, we can remove barriers and make it easier for individuals to take that first step.”
Serving rural regions across Wisconsin and beyond, Marshfield Clinic is deeply committed to improving community health. Through community outreach, research, and partnerships, Marshfield Clinic works to ensure that rural populations have access to the care and information they need.
Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of as many screenings as they would like during the event. No appointments are necessary.
“Healthcare should be accessible and convenient,” Meece said. “This is an opportunity for farm families to prioritize their health in a way that fits their lives.”
Live demonstrations in the FRESH area will take place on a near-continuous, rotating basis, and include:
- Tractor rollover prevention and rescue
- Grain bin rescue
- Stop the Bleed training
- Confined space and manure pit rescue (Wednesday only)
A Life Link III Helicopter Landing Demo is scheduled to occur each of the three days, weather and emergency calls permitting. Exact times of the helicopter landings are to be determined.
Wisconsin Farm Technology Days will take place July 14–16, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day, at Redetzke’s No Joke Dairy Farm, 216601 Wescott Ave., Stratford, Wis.
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