Kansas State Joins Program to Tackle National Vet Shortage – See How They’re Supporting Rural Communities!

Kansas State University has joined the Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program, a new pilot initiative launched by Farm Journal Foundation to support veterinary students and address the critical shortage of veterinarians in rural areas. This program, backed by the Zoetis Foundation, seeks to equip veterinary students with essential skills, including financial planning, business management, and community engagement, to prepare them for careers in food animal veterinary practice.

Clint Neill, PhD, Veterinary Program Manager at Farm Journal Foundation, explained, "This program was designed to advance students' careers, and we value their feedback to continuously improve the educational components. We're excited to see how this resource evolves and helps build strong future careers."

The U.S. currently faces a shortage of veterinarians in over 900 rural counties, with only 3-4% of new veterinary graduates entering food animal practice. The program aims to reverse this trend by offering mentorship from experienced veterinarians through Farm Journal Foundation’s Veterinary Ambassadors. Kansas State professor and program ambassador Dr. Brad White emphasized the importance of this effort, stating, "A robust supply of food-systems veterinarians is critical to rural agricultural production."

To date, the pilot program has reached 450 students and early career professionals, with 60% expressing interest in post-graduation mentorship and 70% aiming to start their own businesses. By expanding opportunities for veterinary students, Kansas State University and its partners hope to strengthen the pipeline of rural veterinary professionals.