A survey of more than 2,000 agricultural and allied sciences employers found a need for new hires who had completed internships and practicums. College students need quality, in-depth practicums to build or refine skills in understanding career pathways and making career decisions. We propose a Food Animal Practicum, a capstone residency for NC State undergraduate and graduate students. The Food Animal Practicum will provide a transdisciplinary, systems-based approach to modern animal agriculture. Students will engage in experiential learning in multiple disciplines, supervised by faculty experts and other qualified professionals. Using the Forefront Farm, students will gain practical experiences in animal health, animal nutrition, financial management, problem-solving, and communicating with the public. We will establish a plan for the Food Animal Practicum reflective of current strengths and gaps in human resources, feasibility, funding, curriculum, and facilities. Our plan of work includes: (a) a comprehensive needs analysis, (b) engagement with experts and industry leaders, and (c) case studies to delineate student learning objectives and curriculum alignment. Our plan of action will capitalize extramural funding for the Food Animal Practicum. The ultimate goal is to produce a highly skilled workforce for optimizing North Carolina’s food animal systems and future proofing the food system.