VDACS Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program

VDACS Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program is sponsored by Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS). This annual initiative provides an incentive through grant awards to large animal veterinarians who will provide veterinary services in areas of the Commonwealth facing critical shortages of veterinary services for livestock, poultry, or equines.

VDACS Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program CONSERVATION & ENVIRONMENTAL FOOD, FOOD SAFETY & CONSUMER INSPECTION & GRADING SERVICES MARKETING & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Virginia Food Access Investment Fund Grants PLANT, PEST, FEED, FERTILIZER & SEED The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) launched the Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program on July 1, 2025, pursuant to 3. 2-5901. 2 of the Code of Virginia.

This annual initiative is intended to provide an incentive through grant awards to large animal veterinarians who will provide veterinary services in areas of the Commonwealth facing critical shortage of veterinary services for livestock, poultry, or equines. Veterinarians who primarily care for livestock, poultry and equines, and already practice, or will practice in Virginia are invited to apply.

The State Veterinarian has currently identified all areas of the Commonwealth as having a shortage of large animal veterinarians. This may change in future years if service capacity stabilizes in certain areas. In 2025, four recipients will be awarded grants up to $110,000, disbursed over a three-year period.

These funds must be used to enhance the veterinarian's ability to serve large animal clients in shortage areas. Target large animal veterinary support toward areas of greatest need. Maximize impact on the community.

Enhance the availability of large animal veterinary services in shortage areas. Enhance the quality of large animal veterinary services in shortage areas. Develop and maintain sustainability of these services.

Support efforts to develop and maintain a future supply of large animal veterinarians. Incentivize multiple veterinarian practice/cooperative models that enhance sustainability through shared on- call duties, mentorship, and partial ownership. Open Application Period: July 15 – September 1, 2026 Application Deadline: September 1, 2026 by 11:59 p.

m. EST Find more details about the VDACS Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program in the grant application form . Step 1: Download and Complete the Large Animal Step 2: Gather Required Application Materials (see below) Step 3: Attach completed application form and required materials in Send to: vastatevet@vdacs.

virginia. gov Subject Line: Large Animal Veterinary Grant Application Attach completed application in PDF format VDACS Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program All large animal veterinarians are invited to apply. “Large animal veterinarian” means a person who is actively engaged in and is licensed to practice veterinary medicine pursuant to § 54.

1-3800 et seq. and whose specialties include livestock, poultry, or equines (as defined in § 3. 2-6200 ).

Required Application Materials Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV) Grant proposal description and essays (1200 words or fewer each) One Letter of Recommendation (professional training and competency) Two Letters of Support (from community members) Proposed Budget (see Grant Documents below for template) Acceptable Use of the Grant Funds Grant funds may be used for: Practice establishment or expansion Equipment and supply purchases Service area travel expenses Salary/stipend support for associate veterinarians or technicians Other expenses related to supporting large animal practice, as outlined by the applicant and approved by the State Veterinarian Grant Disbursement Options Grant awards may total up to $110,000.

Recipients may choose: Standard Disbursement Schedule: Custom Disbursement Schedule: Propose an alternative disbursement plan based on need, not to exceed $110,000 total over three years. Urgent Challenge of Large Animal Veterinarian Shortage The ongoing shortage of large animal veterinarians has serious implications for animal health, farm operations, food safety, and the agricultural economy.

This problem is particularly acute in rural and agricultural regions, where livestock producers rely heavily on veterinary services for herd health, emergency care, reproductive management, disease prevention, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

In Virginia, a shortage of large animal veterinarians can cause delayed or inaccessible veterinary care leading to increased animal health risks, production losses, and higher treatment costs for preventable issues; difficulty meeting regulatory requirements for health certificates, disease surveillance, and interstate movement of animals, which increases compliance burdens for producers; reduced emergency response capacity to disease outbreaks or natural disasters which jeopardizes herd health and biosecurity; and increased animal welfare concerns from the inability to access timely veterinary services.

For complete program details, eligibility criteria, or general questions, please contact the State Veterinarian's Office. vastatevet@vdacs. virginia.

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