Veterinary Support Services introduces FarmVet Connect, a 12-month, pilot program commencing July 2026 to support lasting cross-sector relationships between young veterinarians and the broader agriculture industry, ensuring strong network development and positive, collaborative working relationships.
FarmVet Connect will partner 12 early career veterinarians who work with livestock in regional Victoria with at least two local Victorian beef and dairy producers who are well connected to their industry sector. Over the 12 months, when opportunities arise, producers will actively support their matched vets to engage with their own farming operations, share farm insights and practices, and invite them to discussion groups, industry events, and social activities.
Purpose
By providing early career livestock veterinarians with opportunities to engage, learn and network with local producers in low-stakes environments, graduates can build confidence and competence, enhance effective farm communication skills and develop a more comprehensive understanding of agriculture and local production systems. Likewise, through regular low-pressure interactions, producers develop a better understanding and connection with local graduate vets and the profession fostering lasting connections and strengthening working relationships. Ultimately, the program deepens the mutual understanding between vets and producers thus improving our collective capacity to manage animal health, welfare, productivity, biosecurity, and disease response.
Timeline
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | ||||||||||||||||
| Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun |
| Recruitment, screening, matching | Active FarmVet Connect program participation | |||||||||||||||||
| Vet recruitment | Screening | Matching | Introductions; Provision of tools | Program start | ¼ check in | ¼ check in | ¼ check in | Program end | ||||||||||
| Farmer recruitment | ||||||||||||||||||
Program Plan
- Recruitment, screening and matching suitable producers and veterinarians (Oct 2025-June 2026).
- Provision of tools, training and recommendations for all parties in how to actively and safely engage with one another (June-July 2026).
- Program commencement (July 1st 2026) – graduates must be employed as a veterinarian in rural/regional Victoria and participating in livestock animal work before program commencement to be eligible to participate.
- Quarterly check-ins facilitated by VSS management to ensure active participation and provide direction as needed (Oct 2026, Jan and Apr 2027)
- Financial support of the partnerships enabling social engagement and including remuneration for enrolment/participation in discussion groups and industry-led education events (Jul 2026 – Jul 2027)
- Program Completion (June 30th 2027)
Participant Expectations
Participant Expectations
It is expected that all participants of FarmVet Connect will make a concerted effort to attend and engage in as many suitable opportunities as possible. It is fully understood that all parties are actively employed and hold responsibilities to their employers first. Consequently, participation in any FarmVet Connect activities will need to be undertaken in the participants own time or pre-arranged and approved by their employer using available leave. Employers are not obligated to provide time off for graduates to participate however reasonable facilitation, when possible, is appreciated.
The impacts of FarmVet Connect must be monitored and measured to meet the grant provider requirements. This will involve:
- Participant Program Evaluations
Completed pre-and post-program by all participants to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate cross-sector knowledge, confidence, connectivity and overall project satisfaction and performance. - Participant Engagement Logs
Submitted quarterly by each partnership collaboratively to quantitatively and qualitatively assess active program participation and document key learnings. - Evaluation meetings
Quarterly check-ins by VSS management with participants to evaluate project progression including the ability to successfully meet and engage, assess engagement activities, time management, project efficacy and logistics.
How To Apply
If you are keen to participate, application forms for vets and farmers are now open and close 18/3/26 and will be active on the veterinarysupportservices.com.au website. Should you require any further information on this program, please contact Becky Dickinson.