The Shadow
RICHMOND, VA (VR) – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Russell County will receive a Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund Planning Grant, which will be combined with funding from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission to support the development of a comprehensive incentive program to help bring large animal veterinarians 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.”
A $20,000 AFID Planning Grant paired with $20,000 from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission will create a long-term incentive program that includes recruitment of large animal veterinarians to Southwest Virginia; enhancement of availability and quality of veterinary services; financial and logistical support to new veterinarians; and creation of a corresponding education program with regional veterinary schools. In lieu of a cash match, Russell County is donating 2.3 acres to house facilities and equipment leased to prospective veterinarians. Having access to the facilities and equipment will allow new and relocating large animal veterinarians to build a practice quickly and deliver services promptly.
“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.”
In addition, earlier this year, Governor Youngkin signed HB 2303 and SB921, which direct the State Veterinarian to establish a large animal veterinary grant program no later than July 1, 2026. The program established by these bills will provide grants to increase or stabilize the number of large animal veterinarians practicing in areas of the Commonwealth that currently have a shortage including Russell County.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services administers the AFID Planning Grant program and accepts applications for the program on a rolling basis. Successful applications demonstrate a clear need, a proposed solution, and strong support from local government and the agriculture and forestry community. The AFID Planning Grant program requires a one-to-one match however, allowances for a reduced match are available for economically distressed localities. Interested localities should contact the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (804) 786-6911 for more information.
The Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization’s Southwest Virginia Program focuses on projects critical to the economic renewal of the region, including agribusiness, business development, industrial sites and infrastructure, tourism, and more. More information on this program can be obtained by calling (804) 894-9652.
