ATHENS/TIFTON, Ga. — On September 2, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine signed a Memorandum of Understanding to combat the shortage of veterinarians in Georgia’s rural areas and the food-animal agriculture sector. The agreement establishes the Georgia Rural Practice Veterinary Incentive Program, aimed at guiding undergraduate students toward careers in rural and food-animal veterinary medicine.
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According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the percentage of clinical veterinarians in the U.S. dedicated to food-animal practice has declined, dropping to 3.1% in 2025 from 3.4% in 2024. This trend poses challenges for agricultural operations and rural farming communities in Georgia, where the need for food-animal and mixed-animal veterinarians is critical.
Under the program, selected ABAC students will receive specialized advising from faculty in the Animal Science track and mentoring from UGA College of Veterinary Medicine faculty specializing in food-animal care. Candidates must be Georgia residents with a strong interest in animal agriculture and must complete their first academic year in ABAC’s Animal Science track within the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major.
ABAC President Dr. Tracy Brundage emphasized the program’s long-term impact. "The success of today’s agreement will not be measured by the signatures on this memorandum. It will be measured by the students who choose to answer this calling and the veterinarians serving our rural communities," he said.
Dr. Henry Young, UGA's vice provost for academic and community engagement, noted the importance of this collaborative effort. "This program represents a vital partnership between ABAC and the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine," Young stated, highlighting the need for improved veterinary services in rural Georgia.
Maylee Barnes from Bartow, Ga., and Lainey Kate Harris from Folkston, Ga., are the first students accepted into the initiative. Both cited personal experiences that inspired their interest in animal care. Harris shared how an incident with a family pet sparked her desire for veterinary training, while Barnes mentioned her background working on her family’s farm as a pivotal influence.
The Memorandum of Understanding took effect on June 1 and is set for a five-year duration, concluding on June 1, 2031, unless mutually renewed. Graduates of the program will also have the opportunity to apply for the Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program.