EXHIBIT 23.1

COOPERS                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
&LYBRAND                                         a professional services firm


                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the inclusion in this registration statement on Form S-1 (File No.
333-4446) of our reports dated February 13, 1996, on our audits of the financial
statements of Farm Family Mutual Insurance Company and Subsidiary and our report
dated April 19, 1996 on our audit of the balance sheet of Farm Family Holdings, 
Inc.. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" 
and in the tables "Summary Consolidated Financial Data" and "Selected 
Consolidated Financial Data."

                                                COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.




Albany, New York
July 16, 1996