USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced 12 awards in 10 states totaling $2.3 million to help relieve shortages of veterinary services through education, extension, training and support for new or existing veterinary practices in designated rural shortage areas. These fiscal year 2016 competitive grants are funded through the new Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

NIFA awards $2.3 million to relieve shortages of rural veterinary services. (Photo: Zoonar O. Kovach/Thinkstock)

“The new Veterinary Services Grant Program will enable training and retention initiatives to support veterinarians and veterinary technicians so they can continue to provide quality services in rural areas,” said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy. “It also supports the expansion of existing veterinary educational programs and facilities, including mobile services.”

VSGP grants fund work by universities, veterinary associations, and state, local or Tribal agencies to help relieve veterinary workforce shortages in the U.S. food and agriculture sector. Funds may also be used to support the establishment or expansion of veterinary services in eligible rural areas.

Fiscal year 2016 grants include:

-American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Opelika, Ala., $224,136

-Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo., $238,251

-University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., $236,243

-Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., $239,656

-University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn., $238,346

-Betsy the Vet, Inc., Hardin, Mont., $124,462

-Lewistown Veterinary Service, Lewistown, Mont., $116,036

-Town and Country Veterinary Clinic, Auburn, Neb., $124,760

-Utah State University, Logan, Utah, $236,619

-University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc., $237,327

-Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, Madison, Wisc., $238,429

-Squared Circle Veterinary, Evanston, Wyo., $104,000

More information on these and other projects is available on the NIFA website.

Source: USDA NIFA