Wisconsin Farmers Raise Awareness of Rural Healthcare Needs

By Blake Jackson

Robyn Calvey and Noah Ryan share a deep commitment to farming, rooted in their connection to the land, family traditions, and a passion for producing locally grown food. Together, they bring more than 25 years of farming experience and understand both the rewards and challenges of operating a small-scale farm.

They work at Park Ridge Organics, a diversified vegetable farm in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The farm supplies fresh produce to wholesale customers while also operating a seasonal on-site farm store with online ordering available for local shoppers.

Running a small farm requires balancing many competing priorities. Farm owners must provide fair wages for employees, maintain a profitable business, and ensure access to healthcare while continuing to invest in sustainable food production.

Robyn oversees a team that supports crop production, deliveries, retail operations, and other daily farm activities.

Earlier this year, Robyn welcomed her brother-in-law, Noah Ryan, back as a full-time employee. Noah returned to farming after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in August 2025.

Although Noah previous public-sector job offered health insurance benefits, he chose to return to agriculture because he believed it would improve his overall quality of life, despite the financial uncertainty surrounding healthcare coverage.

Access to affordable health insurance remains a major concern for many farm families. In Wisconsin, 14% of farm families have no health insurance, while another 17% carry only catastrophic coverage for severe work-related injuries.

The challenge is even greater among dairy producers, with 41% of dairy farmers nationwide lacking health insurance.

Recognizing these concerns, Wisconsin Farmers Union has identified access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare as a top legislative priority for 2026.

As voters prepare for the August primary elections, the organization encourages residents to consider the healthcare challenges facing farmers and rural communities when casting their ballots.

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