ABAC and UGA leadership gathered to commemorate the establishment of the Georgia Rural Practice Veterinary Incentive Program. From left to right: Dr. Mary Ellen Hicks, professor of Animal Science; Dr. Jason S. Goodner, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Dr. Tracy Brundage, president; Dr. Henry Young, vice provost for Academic and Community Engagement; Dr. Lisa K. Nolan, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. Andrew Parks, associate dean for Academic Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine.
TIFTON, Ga. — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine formalized a partnership Wednesday, Sept. 2, to help address Georgia’s shortage of veterinarians serving rural communities and the state’s food-animal agriculture industry.
The institutions commemorated the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding at Tift Hall on the ABAC campus, establishing the Georgia Rural Practice Veterinary Incentive Program, or Georgia Rural Practice VIP. The five-year agreement creates a collaborative pathway for ABAC students interested in pursuing mixed animal and food-animal veterinary medicine and ultimately serving rural communities in Georgia. Food animals are domesticated or farmed animals raised primarily for human consumption and animal-derived food products.
The need for veterinarians who specialize in food-animal medicine is significant. According to statistics reported by the American Veterinary Medical Association, of the 90,219 veterinarians in the United States involved in clinical practice in 2025, only 3.1% were dedicated solely to food-animal practice. The percentage of veterinarians dedicated to food-animal practice also declined from 3.4% in 2024.
In Georgia, the shortage of food-animal and mixed-animal veterinarians presents a challenge for rural communities and the agricultural industry.
“Years from now, the success of today’s agreement will not be measured by the signatures on this memorandum,” ABAC President Dr. Tracy Brundage said. “It will be measured by the students who choose to answer this calling. It will be measured by the veterinarians serving our rural communities, supporting Georgia agriculture, and caring for the animals that sustain one of our state’s most important industries.”
The Georgia Rural Practice VIP will provide selected ABAC students with specialized advising and mentoring throughout their undergraduate education. Students will be advised by an ABAC faculty member in the Animal Science track and mentored by a UGA College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member with expertise in food-animal medicine.
Eligible applicants must be Georgia residents, demonstrate a strong interest in animal agriculture and pursuing the practice of mixed- or food-animal veterinary medicine, and have completed their first full academic year in ABAC’s Animal Science track within the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major.
Students accepted into the program will be expected to complete the required coursework for ABAC’s Animal Science track, the prerequisites for admission to the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine and specific hands-on experiences designed to prepare them for careers in rural veterinary medicine.
“We recognize that the viability of Georgia’s food-animal agriculture industry depends directly on having skilled veterinarians who can meet the demands of our rural farming communities,” said Dr. Lisa K. Nolan, dean of UGA VetMed. “By aligning ABAC’s strong undergraduate program in animal science with UGA’s clinical veterinary education, we are establishing a sustainable source of veterinarians dedicated to serving our rural regions for years to come.”
The first students accepted into the program are Maylee Barnes of Bartow (town), Ga. and Lainey Kate Harris of Folkston, Ga. Both students have experiences that fostered their love of caring for animals.
“My love for animal care began with one of my family’s animals, a pot-belly pig named Rosie,” Harris said. “Rosie got in an accident with a neighbor’s dog and was really hurt. We went to my papa, and he told us to put burnt motor oil on its back to help with the infection. That inspired me to learn as much as I can so I can provide better care for animals and not have to rely on homemade remedies.”
“I grew up in Florida but moved up to Georgia and my family’s farm during COVID,” Maylee said. “Working on the family farm started my love for animal care, and over the past three years I’ve gotten to work at a veterinary practice, which has strengthened my love for animals.”
Participation in the Georgia Rural Practice VIP does not guarantee admission to the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine. Students who choose to apply must complete the regular UGA VetMed admissions process and meet all application requirements. However, the program is designed to provide students with focused preparation, advising, mentoring and experiences that align with careers in rural veterinary medicine.
The partnership also is intended to help participating veterinarians pursue additional financial assistance. Veterinarians who complete the program will be eligible to apply for the Georgia Veterinary Education Loan Repayment Program, according to the MOU.
The MOU became effective June 1, 2026, and has a five-year term through June 1, 2031, unless canceled or renewed by mutual agreement.
“This program represents a vital, collaborative partnership between ABAC and the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine,” Dr. Henry Young, UGA vice provost for academic and community engagement, said. “Together our institutions are addressing a critical, unmet need: the shortage of food-animal and mixed-animal veterinary services in rural Georgia.”
About ABAC
Founded in 1908, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College provides a personalized, hands-on learning experience for students across Georgia and beyond. With a strong focus on academic excellence, affordability and student success, ABAC offers more than a dozen bachelor’s degrees and is recognized for its leadership in agriculture, business, humanities, nursing, sciences and education. ABAC serves as a vital resource for the region, preparing graduates who are ready to lead their communities and careers.
