Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation recently awarded Kenny Price of Columbia and Carter Clark Hill of Kosciusko with the prestigious David Waide Veterinary Scholarship during Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine graduation ceremony.
The recipients each received a $5,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic excellence, moral character, and commitment to serving Mississippi’s livestock and rural communities through production or mixed-animal veterinary medicine.
Established in 2015, the scholarship honors former MFBF President David Waide and underscores the organization’s mission to support the future of agriculture in Mississippi.
“We are proud to invest in these students as they begin their careers in rural veterinary medicine,” said Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation President Mike McCormick. “Kenny and Carter exemplify the kind of dedication and work ethic that’s needed to care for Mississippi’s livestock and ensure the success of our farm families for years to come.”
Price, a 2020 graduate of MSU’s Animal and Dairy Science program, grew up on his family’s cattle farm in Marion County and began showing livestock in 4-H at a young age. He will be joining Pine Belt Veterinary Hospital in Hattiesburg, where he will focus on large animal medicine.
“This scholarship will help me get my foot in the door and set myself up for success as a veterinarian,” Price said. “I’ve always enjoyed working with people and animals, and look forward to serving the farmers and ranchers in South Mississippi.”
Hill completed both her undergraduate (2019) and master’s (2021) degrees at MSU before entering vet school. The Attala County native’s passion for the equine industry has shaped her journey, and she will soon begin her career in mixed-animal services at Crooked Creek Animal Hospital in Pelahatchie.
“I’m grateful to Farm Bureau for this scholarship, which has taken a weight off me and will help with my student loans,” said Hill. “There is a need for more large animal and rural veterinarians, and I am proud to use my education to help fill that need in my home state.”
With more than 180,000 member families, MFBF is Mississippi’s largest general farm organization and plays a vital role in advocating for the state’s farmers and rural communities. The David Waide Veterinary Scholarship is just one example of how the organization invests in the next generation of agricultural professionals.
“As the Voice of Agriculture in Mississippi, we believe in helping to build strong rural communities,” McCormick said. “Providing scholarship support for future ag leaders and veterinarians like Kenny and Carter is an important way we can contribute to and safeguard that future.”
