MDARD Partners with MSU Michigan FFA Foundation to Strengthen Michigans Veterinary Workforce

New Programs Address Barriers to Recruitment and Retention of Veterinary Professionals, Especially in Rural Areas

LANSING, Mich.-The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) today announced two grants worth nearly $1.4 million to improve access to veterinary science education and support early career veterinary professionals who practice in rural areas. The investments come as the country is experiencing a significant veterinary shortage, particularly in rural areas and large animal practice.

"MDARD is partnering with Michigan State University and the Michigan FFA Foundation to give young Michiganders more and better opportunities to pursue careers in veterinary science, especially in rural Michigan communities," said MDARD Director Tim Boring. "These new programs will help protect animal health and the future of Michigan's food supply by giving students more exposure to veterinary medicine, equipping more teachers to provide instruction in veterinary science and helping early career veterinary professionals overcome the challenges of practicing in rural areas."

MDARD is providing a $900,000 grant to Michigan State University (MSU) to implement the Michigan Rural Veterinary Workforce Model. This evidence-based model addresses three major barriers to recruiting and retaining veterinary professionals in rural communities:

• Exposure to Veterinary Careers - MDARD and MSU will establish partnerships in which rural veterinary practices host veterinary and veterinary nursing students at multiple points throughout their education. These students will complete community impact projects that address locally relevant animal health or public health needs.

• Financial Accessibility - MSU's Rural Professional Support Network will provide rural commitment incentives to help veterinary professionals who demonstrate sustained service in rural areas.

• Retention and Professional Support - MSU's Rural Professional Support Network will provide structured mentorships and continuing education for early-career rural veterinary professionals, including resources to navigate student loan repayment and the financial challenges of owning a rural practice.

MDARD is also providing a $492,633 grant to help fund the Michigan FFA Foundation's efforts to educate the next generation of veterinary science professionals. The funding will support the implementation of:

• Veterinary Science Training for Educators - FFA will develop and implement a statewide Veterinary Science Training Track to help prepare high school agriscience teachers to provide instruction in veterinary science.

• Veterinary Science Classroom Resource Kits - FFA will procure, assemble and distribute veterinary science curriculum kits to high school agriscience teachers.

• Improvements to FFA's Veterinary Science Skill Contest - FFA will add activities relevant to rural veterinary practice to their organization's veterinary science skill competition for middle and high schoolers.

• Michigan FFA Careers Conference Veterinary Career Track - FFA will add a dedicated veterinary careers track to the annual Michigan FFA Careers Conference to introduce interested students to veterinary career paths and opportunities in rural areas.

MDARD is investing in these partnerships as the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns of a nationwide shortage of veterinarians. Today's grants are intended to increase access to veterinary science education while helping early career rural veterinary professionals navigate growing challenges posed by high student loan debt, the high costs of starting a practice, demanding workloads and professional isolation.

These grants are part of MDARD's ongoing efforts to support early career agriculture professionals. In September, MDARD announced 14 new grants to support local food production, 13 of which were awarded to first-generation farmers. The department is also strengthening support for new and beginning farmers through its regenerative agriculture education and outreach grants, its partnership with the VFW National Home to train veterans at a demonstration farm and other measures.

Learn more about MDARD grants and how MDARD protects animal health in Michigan.

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