The Rural Veterinary Workforce Task Force has released a five-year impact summary highlighting progress in strengthening the pipeline and retention of veterinarians serving Kansas’ rural communities. The coalition includes representatives from KLA, the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Farm Bureau, Livestock Marketing Association, Kansas Department of Agriculture and Kansas State University.
“KLA members rely on veterinarians for both routine and emergency animal care and are increasingly concerned about access to those services in rural Kansas,” said KLA Chief Executive Officer Matt Teagarden. “Through collaboration on the Rural Veterinary Workforce Task Force, we have made meaningful progress in expanding the number of large-animal veterinarians serving rural communities.”
From 2020 to 2025, the task force mapped 446 large- and mixed-animal veterinarians across Kansas and identified coverage gaps. A survey of more than 200 livestock producers found nearly 60% perceive a veterinary shortage.
The task force also has strengthened K-State’s Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas, which provides financial incentives for graduates to practice in rural communities. Since 2006, more than 100 students have participated, with 86% remaining in a qualifying county after completing their required service. Recent improvements include increasing loan repayment support to $25,000 annually and expanding program capacity.
Additionally, the coalition supported creation of the proposed Developing Veterinary Medicine in Rural Kansas program. If approved, the program would provide up to $75,000 in financial support to early-career large-animal veterinarians who commit to three years of practice in qualifying rural communities or food-animal-focused practices.
The task force continues to collaborate with state and national partners to identify strategies to improve rural veterinary practice sustainability, retention and workforce readiness.