For IVC Evidensia, AgDiversity has provided accessible, relevant training that challenges perceptions while also helping to attract and retain veterinary talent in the farming sector.
IVC Evidensia is the UK’s largest employer of veterinary professionals, with over 1,000 practices and more than 3,500 vets across the country. Within its farm animal division, the organisation operates 52 practices with around 400 farm vets. But alongside clinical excellence, the business is committed to fostering a more inclusive and forward-thinking approach.
Recruitment and retention within the veterinary profession, particularly in farm animal care, has become increasingly challenging. According to Paul Horwood, Head of Farm at IVC Evidensia, the issue is compounded by a perception that the agricultural sector isn’t always welcoming to underrepresented communities.
“If we already have a recruitment problem and a perception problem, then we’re at risk of ruling out people before they’ve even had a chance to try,” Paul explains. “That’s a huge concern.”
To address this, IVC Evidensia has invested in a range of outreach activities, including student scholarships, on-farm boot camps and educational talks at vet schools. But the business was also seeking a structured, accessible way to help its teams engage with diversity and inclusion.
Paul was introduced to AgDiversity through colleague Navaratnam Partheeban OBE, who helped to develop the course following his Nuffield Farming Scholarship report, ‘Encouraging and Supporting Black and People of Colour in Agriculture’.
The course, developed by and for people in agriculture, offers an easy-to-access, online learning experience focussed on inclusion and increasing understanding about diversity in the sector. “One of the key reasons we liked the course is that it’s positive and uplifting. It’s not about blame. It’s carrot, not stick, and focuses on celebrating progress rather than pointing out failures,” says Paul.
AgDiversity uses real-world scenarios that resonate with vets and farmers: “It speaks our language. When the course starts by talking about crop rotation to explain diversity, it immediately connects with people. It gets them thinking and that’s what matters.”
At IVC Evidensia all farm vets are encouraged to take the course, with the business covering the cost to remove any barriers to participation. AgDiversity is also being recommended to farmers, particularly those who work directly with vet students and early-career professionals during lambing and calving seasons.
So far, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “There’s been no pushback,” says Paul. “People have said it opened their eyes, helped them see things differently. And that’s exactly what we want.”
Beyond internal training, the course is also used as a recruitment tool to attract new talent: “It shows we’ve thought about these issues, that we’re open to change. It doesn’t mean we’re perfect, but it shows we care.”
Once participants have completed the course, they also have the opportunity to be included on the AgDiversity Database. This database serves as a resource for those looking for placements or work opportunities where steps have been taken to improve awareness and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion.
“For veterinary students from underrepresented communities who are looking for a placement within agriculture, the AgDiversity database is a vital resource.”
Paul believes that it is crucial for employers, and the wider sector, to stay up to date with issues, problems, concerns and worries faced by employees and potential employees: “AgDiversity will open your eyes and get you thinking.”
