WASHINGTON, D.C. (WDNews) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins on Thursday announced new steps to address the nationwide shortage of rural food animal veterinarians, a challenge USDA says threatens both livestock producers and the nation’s food supply.
The Rural Veterinary Action Plan includes new pay incentives, scholarships, and expanded loan repayment opportunities designed to recruit and retain veterinarians in rural America. USDA will also increase funding for its Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP), study shortages through the Economic Research Service, and explore recruitment bonuses for federal veterinarians.
“Rural veterinarians are vital for the agricultural economy in the United States,” Rollins said. “With these new investments, USDA is not only strengthening our animal food production system but also listening to producers and veterinarians across the country to ensure our programs meet real-world needs.”
As part of the initiative, Rollins announced two new Veterinary Services Grant Program awards in Mississippi. Dr. Kimberely Klunk received $125,000 to expand reproductive services and farm outreach in Adams, Franklin, and Lincoln counties. Dr. Rachel W. McCurdy Veterinary Services also received $125,000 to update diagnostic tools and improve rapid disease detection on farms in Newton and Scott counties.
USDA also unveiled a new consolidated office space in Mississippi in partnership with the Farm Service Agency, Rural Development, and the Mississippi Farm Bureau, aiming to save taxpayer dollars and provide a one-stop shop for farmers and ranchers.
State leaders praised the plan. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said the effort will “go a long way in supporting veterinarians throughout Mississippi,” while Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith called the investment “real commitment to protecting animal health and supporting our American farmers.”
The agency will continue holding listening sessions with stakeholders through October 1 to gather input on recruitment strategies and ways to encourage veterinary students from rural backgrounds to enter food animal practice.
