Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a new initiative to address the shortage of large animal veterinarians in Southwest Virginia. Russell County will receive a Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Planning Grant, combined with funding from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, to develop an incentive program aimed at attracting these professionals to the region.
“Large animal veterinarians are indispensable to our agricultural communities and food supply chain,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “As communities across the country face shortages of these professionals, Virginia is taking strategic steps to build a strong, sustainable pipeline of large animal veterinarians in rural areas. I’m pleased to support Russell County and regional partners in addressing this need.”
The initiative includes a $20,000 AFID Planning Grant paired with $20,000 from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. The funds will be used for recruitment efforts, enhancing veterinary services’ availability and quality, providing financial and logistical support to new veterinarians, and creating an education program with regional veterinary schools. Russell County will also donate 2.3 acres for facilities and equipment leasing.
“Agriculture in Virginia is innovative. We’re excited to see Russell County use the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development Fund to develop a multi-faceted plan to solve a large-scale problem,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “This grant is a great example of local, regional, and state partners working together.”
“The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission is excited about this partnership as it works toward our goals of strengthening and revitalizing the economies of Southern and Southwest Virginia,” said Tobacco Commission Chairman Delegate Will Morefield. “We look forward to working with Russell County to expand large animal veterinary capacity, which is a vital service for our rural communities.”
“This incentive program will be a great benefit to Russell County cattle producers and other farmers in the area,” said Ernie McFaddin, Executive Director of Russell County IDA. “We are always looking for ways to support the local agricultural community, and this program will fill a significant need.”
Earlier this year, Governor Youngkin signed HB 2303 and SB921 directing the State Veterinarian to establish a large animal veterinary grant program by July 1, 2026. This initiative aims at increasing or stabilizing the number of practicing veterinarians in areas facing shortages like Russell County.
The AFID Planning Grant program administered by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services accepts applications on an ongoing basis from interested localities demonstrating clear needs supported by proposed solutions.
For more information on these programs or how they can assist localities in economic renewal efforts including agribusiness development contact:
– Virginia Department of Agriculture: (804) 786-6911
– Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization’s Southwest Program: (804) 894-9652
