University of Minnesota Expands Rural Veterinary Training

New recruitment programs aim to increase the number of veterinarians practicing in rural Minnesota communities.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Veterinary Medicine

Screen-print poster illustration of leather medical bags resting on a fence post overlooking a rural landscape, in a vintage poster register. — The University of Minnesota is expanding recruitment programs to address a rural veterinary shortage, aiming to better support the state's livestock industries. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is expanding its specialized recruitment programs to mitigate a growing shortage of rural veterinarians. These initiatives aim to better support Minnesota's significant turkey and pork production industries by encouraging more graduates to practice in rural communities.

Why it matters

Rural areas currently face a disproportionate shortage of veterinary care compared to urban settings, largely due to differences in salary and typical working hours. Increasing the number of rural practitioners is vital for maintaining the health and safety of livestock in a state that leads the nation in agricultural output.

While 41% of the 2023 graduating class expressed interest in rural practice, only 11% of food animal graduates recently entered the field. The college graduates 125 veterinarians annually, with the 2+2 partnership transferring up to 20 students from Brookings to St. Paul each year.

The players

University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine

An academic institution that provides veterinary training and leads the state in agricultural animal health education.

South Dakota State University

An academic partner that hosts the first two years of a joint veterinary degree program.

The details

The college operates the VetFAST program, which allows undergraduate students to seek early-decision admission to the DVM program. Additionally, the Native American Talent in Veterinary Education program offers priority consideration for qualified applicants to improve professional representation. These pathways are specifically designed to build a pipeline for food animal veterinary students before they complete their undergraduate degrees.

2020: The Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine partnership with South Dakota State University began.
2023: 41% of the graduating class indicated a professional interest in rural practice.
Most recent year: 11% of food animal graduates officially entered rural practice.

The Home Front

These initiatives address a documented rural veterinarian shortage that affects the stability of local agricultural food supplies. The program represents a targeted shift toward reversing the national trend where few graduates pursue food animal medicine.

Residents in rural Minnesota who rely on large-animal veterinary care should verify the credentials of their current practice to ensure they are receiving consistent support. If you are an undergraduate student interested in food animal medicine, contact the university to confirm eligibility requirements for the VetFAST program.

The takeaway

The university's efforts aim to bridge the rural-urban care gap through early-admission pathways for dedicated food animal students. Aspiring veterinary students should review the priority admission criteria for the VetFAST program on the college website to plan their academic timeline.