OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS, Contact: Amanda Thompson, 804.371.6002, www.vdacs.virginia.gov

For Immediate Release: Oct. 31, 2025

Large Animal Veterinarians Receive Grants to Expand Services in Rural Virginia

~ VDACS and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission award $890,000 to seven veterinarians serving livestock, poultry and equine industries ~

Richmond, Va. – The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission (TRRC) today announced seven veterinarians have been awarded Large Animal Veterinary Grants totaling $890,000 to help boost large animal veterinary services across the Commonwealth.

            VDACS launched the Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program on July 1, 2025. VDACS funds were available for four recipients to receive up to $110,000 each, while TRRC funded three recipients in Southern and Southwest Virginia with grants of $150,000 each. The grant awards will be used to expand and sustain existing practices as well as open new operations, like a standalone large animal clinic and a haul-in facility.

            There is an ongoing shortage of large animal veterinarians in Virginia and across the country, which has serious implications for animal health, farm operations, food safety, and the agricultural economy. The Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program, established by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin in 2025, is intended to incentivize veterinarians who primarily care for livestock, poultry, and equines, to establish or grow a large animal veterinary practice in the Commonwealth. The goal of the TRRC program is to increase the availability of veterinary services available to livestock producers in Southern and Southwest Virginia.

            “We are committed in the Commonwealth to helping large animal veterinarians succeed, so they can continue providing such vital services to our farmers and rural communities,” said Dr. Charlie Broaddus, VDACS State Veterinarian. “There is clearly a great need for these funds, with the state receiving 43 strong and deserving applications this grant period from dedicated veterinarians across the state. These providers are integral to our food supply and rural economies, and we are proud to invest in top quality care and long-term practice viability.”

            “Livestock, especially cattle, are the primary drivers of the agricultural economy of Southern and Southwest Virginia,” said TRRC Chairman, Delegate Will Morefield. “This is a prime example of the Commission listening to our producers and the communities we serve and utilizing our unique flexibility to generate solutions that will make a real difference. I am thrilled to see these veterinarians increase their capacity to serve those who form the foundation of our rural economy.”

Recipients of the 2025 VDACS Large Animal Veterinary Grant are:

• Dr. Nathaniel Burke of Luray, Va.
• Dr. James Cassell of Galax, Va.
• Dr. Keagan Clevenger of Rockbridge Baths, Va.
• Dr. Sherri Gard of Suffolk, Va.

Recipients of the 2025 TRRC Large Animal Veterinary Incentive Program are:

• Dr. Travis Gilmer of Scott County, Va.
• Dr. Mary Tomlinson of Galax, Va.
• Dr. Suzanne Newcombe of Gretna, Va.

            Grant recipients were chosen by a panel of industry representatives using a standardized scoring rubric that considered applicants’ ability to have significant impact on their communities. The judging panel included the State Veterinarian as well as representatives from TRRC, Virginia Farm Bureau, Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Academy of Food Animal Practitioners, and the Virginia Veterinary Medical Association.

            “Farmers have long struggled with a shortage of large animal vets—and we’ve been working hard to change that,” said Virginia Farm Bureau President Scott Sink. “Partnering with Senator Travis Hackworth and Delegate Alfonso Lopez, we helped create a grant program to support these vital professionals. The first awards have been announced, providing essential funding to veterinarians who serve our agricultural communities. These grants will strengthen practices and expand services, ensuring farmers have the support they need to keep their livestock healthy and their operations thriving.”

            Funds will be disbursed over a multi-year period, helping to keep large animal veterinarians committed to their local communities and able to sustain their practice. Grant funds may be used for a variety of business expenses, from practice establishment and expansion, to student loan repayment, technician salaries, equipment, and more.

            For more information on the grant program, visit the VDACS website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/animals-large-animal-veterinary-grant.shtml.

# # #

Amanda Thompson   she/her Assistant Director of Communications Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Phone: 804.371.6002 Mobile: 804.944.0654 Website: www.vdacs.virginia.gov E-mail:  amanda.thompson@vdacs.virginia.gov Address: 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219