U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced Aug. 28^th, a commitment to new actions  to increase the number of rural food animal veterinarians across the U.S. and recruit new veterinarians to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in their role to protect American ranchers, animals, and our food supply.

“Rural veterinarians are vital for the agricultural economy in the United States. Our farmers and ranchers rely on these critical services to prevent the transmission of animal disease, protect our food supply, and support America’s rural economy. As the number of rural food animal veterinarians continues to decline, USDA is putting Farmers First to ensure we build back our first line of defense in our animal food production system – the rural veterinarian. With these new investments in scholarships and pay incentives, 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. Together, we will keep America’s food supply strong, safe, and secure,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins.

The Rural Veterinary Action Plan

The USDA’s new Rural Veterinary Action Plan outlines five key strategies:

1. Enhancing grant programs: Expanding the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and VSGP with streamlined applications and more funding.
2. Analyzing rural shortages: Launching a USDA Economic Research Service study on rural veterinary shortages, with findings due in 2026.
3. Recruiting and retaining USDA veterinarians: Exploring special pay rates, tuition reimbursements, and recruitment bonuses to make federal service more competitive.
4. Cataloging resources for new practices: Educating graduates about USDA programs to help finance rural veterinary clinics.
5. Engaging stakeholders: Hosting listening sessions with schools, producers, and communities to identify barriers and boost recruitment from rural backgrounds.