On May 23, seven NYS Rural Health Networks and the Finger Lakes Migrant Health Project, Inc. sponsored a timely and successful one-day conference, Planning for the Unique and Growing Health Care Needs of CNY Agricultural Workers. The conference presenters representing agriculture, migrant health, immunization, human resources, public and community health care providers, provided the 100+ attendees with a historic and cultural perspective - infused with personal stories from former migrant farm workers - about this emerging NYS rural health services population.

A summary of the conference (pdf format), conference brochure (pdf) and a new NYSARH blog (join below) are now available to facilitate and promote continued discussion about migrant worker health care, based on a need expressed by a majority of the conference attendees.

We invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions either about the conference material or your ideas about how we, as a society, can best meet the changing and growing needs of our agricultural workers. Ms. Valerie Polletta, coordinator of the Migrant Immunization Project for the NYS Department of Health and a NYSARH member since 2004, is moderating the contributions from our members and other site visitors.

If you are interested in participating in a discussion on this topic, please complete the information below and hit "Join Blog." An invitation to register on the blog will be sent by e-mail within a few days.