LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced two state grants worth nearly $1.4 million to expand veterinary science education and keep early-career veterinarians practicing in rural Michigan communities.
MDARD Director Tim Boring said the partnerships with Michigan State University and the Michigan FFA Foundation will give young people more pathways into veterinary careers while protecting animal health and the food supply amid a rural workforce shortage.
A $900,000 grant to Michigan State University will launch the Michigan Rural Veterinary Workforce Model. It aims to boost exposure through rural practice placements and community impact projects, offer rural commitment incentives through a Rural Professional Support Network, and provide mentorship plus continuing education for early-career rural practitioners facing student debt and practice-startup costs.
A separate $492,633 grant will help the Michigan FFA Foundation train high school agriscience teachers in veterinary science, distribute classroom resource kits, strengthen the veterinary science skill contest with rural-practice activities, and add a veterinary careers track to the annual Michigan FFA Careers Conference.
Officials said the investments come as the country is experiencing a significant veterinary shortage, particularly in rural areas and large animal practice, and as the U.S. Department of Agriculture warns of a nationwide shortage of veterinarians. The grants continue MDARD efforts that recently included new local-food production awards and regenerative agriculture outreach.
