New Report Outlines Coordinated Efforts Needed to Solve Rural U.S. Veterinary Shortages
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Washington, D.C. (Feb. 13, 2025) – The national shortage of rural, food systems veterinarians continues to threaten U.S. food security, public health, and economic growth, but Farm Journal Foundation’s work over the past four years shows that progress can be made through coordinated efforts across government, industry, and academic sectors.
FJF’s new comprehensive report, “Solving Workforce Challenges in the Rural Veterinary Sector: What We’ve Learned After Four Years of Progress,” dives into the headway made through the organization’s system-wide approach to tackling the veterinary shortage issue. According to the report, authored by FJF Program Consultant Dr. Clint Neill, and Veterinary Ambassador Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, tackling this issue requires a coordinated approach encompassing four key areas: data and analysis to understand the shortage issue, educational resources tailored for each point of the student career journey, community and stakeholder engagement, and federal and state policy alignment to sustain progress over time.
"This program has been a success because the veterinary and agricultural industries are passionate about working toward real solutions. Students, educators, universities, state and federal government officials, farmers/ranchers, commodity groups, and so many others are all coming together for a better future,” said Dr. Clint Neill, Ph.D., who is also Managing Partner of Applied Economics Consulting, LLC, and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Cornell University.”I can't wait to see the program continue to evolve."
FJF’s Veterinary Workforce Solutions Program began in 2022 and has grown to encompass four key program areas. This includes a Veterinary Solutions Mapping Group of industry stakeholders that serve as advisers on the shortage issue, a Veterinary Education Pipeline Program that has developed a number of educational modules for aspiring and early career veterinarians, a State Readiness Program that helps state governments analyze local shortage issues and develop action plans, and a Veterinary Ambassador Program that involves a core group of influencers to serve as champions and educate stakeholders about solutions to the shortage issue.
FJF’s new report outlines lessons learned from each of its four programmatic areas, along with overarching learnings that include:
The veterinary shortage is multi-dimensional.
Education is the foundation for solving this issue, but it must expand beyond curriculum.
Multilevel policy engagement works, but progress takes time.
State-level coordination is critical.
Retention is urgent, but it is often the least addressed area within this issue.
In addition, FJF found that while educational debt from veterinary school continues to be a source of rural workforce shortages, other factors, such as inadequate mentorship, limited exposure, lack of business training and risk management support, insufficient state-level coordination, and misaligned federal and state policies also contribute.
“The rural veterinary shortage isn’t just a workforce issue-it’s a systems issue. This report shows that sustainable solutions require coordination across education, policy, and community support, not isolated efforts,” said Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, DVM, who is also the Director of the Center for Rural Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University.
From its Solutions Mapping Group, FJF has learned student engagement must begin earlier than college; from the Education Pipeline Program, it was found retention in rural practice depends heavily on business confidence and community connection; through FJF’s Veterinary Ambassadors the organization found strong bipartisan recognition of the veterinary shortage issue; and with the State Readiness Program, FJF learned about the importance of tying education, policy, and economic development together at the local level.
“This persistent issue will not be solved without coordinated efforts across government, industry, and academic sectors. Our program provides the blueprint and pathways for those efforts,” said Todd Greenwood, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Farm Journal Foundation.
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About Farm Journal Foundation
Farm Journal Foundation is a farmer-centered nonpartisan organization working to advance agricultural innovation, global food and nutrition security, conservation, and rural economic development. The Foundation believes in a future where agriculture works for everyone – supporting strong farmer livelihoods, business growth, consumer access to nutritious, affordable foods, and the preservation of our country’s natural resources. Achieving this vision starts with conversations – bringing all voices to the table to discuss industry challenges and how innovation can unlock solutions that serve us all. To learn more, visit www.farmjournalfoundation.org.