The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently awarded $2.3 million to various universities, veterinary associations and other groups in an effort to help relieve shortages of rural veterinary services. The money will be used for education, extension, training and support for new or existing veterinary practices in designated rural shortage areas. “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.” The fiscal year 2016 competitive grants are funded through the new Veterinary Services Grant Program, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The grants include: Colorado State University, “A Holistic Approach to Expanding Rural Veterinary Services and Improving Retention of Rural Practitioners,” for $238,251. University of Georgia, “Senior Veterinary Pathology Residency Program at the UGA Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory,” for $236,243. Kansas State University, “Enhancing Rural Practitioner Aptitude for Endemic, Transboundary and Emerging Diseases of Production Animals,” for $239,656. University of Minnesota, “Support for Further Development and Implementation of Web-based Educational Materials in Dairy Production Medicine and Food Safety,” for $238,346. Utah State University, “Collaborative Diagnostic Methods to Enhance Capabilities of Early Career Rural Veterinary Practitioners,” for $236,619. University of Wisconsin, “Advanced Training in Dairy Cattle Wellbeing to Provide Different Models of Veterinary Practice in Rural America,” for $237,327. Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, “Food Armor Veterinary Student Educational Program: Optimizing Food Safety and Proper Drug Use in the Dairy Industry,” for $238,429. American Association of Bovine Practitioners, “Next Generation Veterinary Practice Analysis Workshops,” for $224,136. Betsy the Vet Inc. in Hardin, Mont., “Expansion of Veterinary Services to Cattle Producers Using Portable Equipment,” for $124,462. Lewistown Veterinary Service in Lewistown, Mont., “Veterinary Service Rural Enhancement Project for Lewistown Veterinary Service,” for $116,036. Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in Auburn, Neb., “NE152: Mobile Veterinary Service Expansion in Rural Southeast Nebraska,” for $124,760. Squared Circle Veterinary in Evanston, Wyo., “Rural Practice Enhancement for Shortage Area UT165,” for $104,000. For detailed information on each grant, visit website.
