OHIO — A new report released Monday by the Ohio Department of Agriculture, The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Farm Journal Foundation addressed the growing shortage of rural and food-system veterinarians within the Buckeye State.
According to the report, nearly one-third of the state’s 88 counties are USDA-designated rural veterinary shortage areas.
The goal of the report was to identify new potential pathways to strengthen the workforce. Titled “Ohio Rural & Food Systems Veterinary Shortage Solutions,” the report analyzes veterinarian demographics, workforce trends, educational pathways and youth engagement programs to get a better idea of what is contributing to the shortage.
“Rural veterinarians are essential partners in protecting animal health, responding to disease threats, and helping ensure a safe and secure food supply,” said ODA Director Brian Baldridge. “This report confirms what many producers and veterinary professionals are already experiencing: demand is growing while a significant portion of our veterinary workforce is nearing retirement. Understanding the factors driving this shortage is the first step toward developing meaningful, long-term solutions for Ohio agriculture.”
The report highlights that one-third of Ohio’s licensed vets, or 1,418 or 32.4% are at or within 10 years of retirement. Of those, 699 are already 65 or older. Ohio stakeholders rated the severity of the shortage at 7.9 out of 10 today when surveyed, but it rose to 9.1 when looking 10 years into the future. According to forecasts, Ohio could face a shortage of 600 to 1,000 vets by the early 2030s.
“There is a critical shortage of rural and food-system veterinarians across the United States, including here in Ohio,” said Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, Rita Jean Wolfe Endowed Dean, Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “To solve this challenge, we first need a clear understanding of the factors contributing to it. This assessment provides that foundation and will help guide the college’s broader Protect OHIO initiative, shaping evidence-based solutions that strengthen the veterinary workforce and protect the interconnected health of Ohio’s animals, people, food systems and communities.”
4-H logged over 70,000 animal science projects last year, and FFA exposed over 83,000 students to animal or veterinary science
Ohio continues to invest, committing $9.6 million to The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s operating budget in FY26-27. These funds are to create the Protect One Health in Ohio, or Protect OHIO, initiative designed to strengthen Ohio’s veterinary workforce, public health and agricultural economy.
“Through collaboration with Ohio’s veterinary and agricultural stakeholders, this assessment provides a data-driven understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing food-animal veterinary practice in the state today,” said Farm Journal Foundation’s Director of Rural Programs Maddie Skellie. “This report establishes a foundation for self-help readiness models that can strengthen the long-term sustainability of veterinary practices and rural communities, while supporting the well-being and career satisfaction goals of veterinarians.”
To read the full report, click here.
Madison MacArthur
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