This project introduces the use of virtual reality (VR) as a hands-on, interactive tool to teach livestock farming practices to veterinary and high school students

Colorado State University's Sponsored Programs Division received a $250,000 Project Grant from the Institute of Food Production and Sustainability under the Veterinary Services Grant Program (CFDA 10.336) effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2028. The project develops and delivers virtual reality (VR) educational modules designed to teach livestock farming practices, biosecurity protocols, infection prevention, and farm management to veterinary and high school students. By creating interactive, game-like VR simulations, the project addresses traditional training limitations related to resource constraints, safety concerns, and student engagement while providing a cost-effective learning environment that protects both animal and human safety.

The initiative aims to increase student interest in food animal veterinary careers and improve knowledge of safe farming practices among veterinary and secondary education students, with particular emphasis on addressing the documented shortage of food-animal veterinarians in rural areas. The project involves designing, testing, and evaluating VR modules to ensure their effectiveness as hands-on educational tools that complement traditional training methodologies while reducing barriers to practical livestock farming instruction.

Traditional training is often limited by resources, safety concerns, and student interest, especially in rural areas where more food-animal veterinarians are needed. By creating engaging, game-like VR modules, students can practice biosecurity, infection prevention, and farm management in a safe, cost-effective environment. The project will design, test, and evaluate these modules to enhance student interest in livestock careers while improving knowledge of safe farming practices that protect both animals and food supply.