The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has partnered with the Farm Journal Foundation in a new initiative to combat the state's rural and food animal veterinary shortage. The collaboration, spearheaded by Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, aims to strengthen the veterinary workforce in rural areas, ensuring support for farmers, rural communities, and the broader agricultural economy.

Secretary Arthur emphasized the impact of the veterinary shortage on agricultural livelihoods, rural economic growth, and public health. “We are working to create a path forward to address the critical shortage and build support for veterinary livelihoods in rural communities,” she stated.

In a virtual meeting hosted by Secretary Arthur, more than 50 stakeholders, including representatives from the livestock industry, rural veterinary practices, educational institutions, and state government, participated in launching the project. The next steps involve collecting data and resources, which the Farm Journal Foundation will analyze to develop targeted strategies.

Farm Journal Foundation’s Program Consultant Keith Rogers highlighted the importance of collaboration between the agriculture and veterinary communities, stating that the initiative will focus on educational outreach to these stakeholders based on the data collected.