IFB Expands Search for Future Farm Vets

IVET, Illinois Veterinary Education & Training, offers interest-free loans while in vet school, up to $20,000 for food-animal vet students. In return, the students make a commitment to work as a farm veterinarian during the life of the loan.

In the past, the program has been limited to students at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, the only vet school in the state.

“In a class of 120 U of I students, only about a dozen of them will go on and treat food animals,” said IFB Livestock Program Director Jim Fraley. “The IVET program helps improve those numbers, but to be the most effective, we’ve decided to reach as many students as possible.”

IFB recently agreed to extend the program to include students attending out-of-state veterinary schools and who commit to returning to Illinois to practice food animal medicine. This action is expected to increase the number and diverse knowledge of students completing the program.

“Illinois Farm Bureau is dedicated to growing livestock farming in our state,” added Fraley. “Making sure farmers have the right tools, including veterinarians, is a critical part to our plan for success.”