It was the outcome of more than a year of meetings involving farm families, the UW Extension, Agri-businesses, healthcare systems such as ThedaCare and Shawano Medical Center, public health, veterinarian services, school systems, and others concerned with the farming community.
In 2012, the Rural Health Initiative expanded services to Outagamie and Waupaca Counties. This is a partnership between private and public agencies. The Initiative is a 501(c)3 not for profit organization, and is a community supported program.
In 2021 The Rural Health Initiative dissolved its 501c3 status with a board of directors and became part of ThedaCare continuing the services as a community health program focused on the growing concerns and barriers related to the health and safety of today’s farm families; a concept we call Kitchen Wellness. While expanding its service area to 7 counties.