Secretary Rollins announces Rural Veterinary Action Plan in Mississippi

Date:2025-08-29 06:12:26 Category:US Views:1 Comment:0

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WJTV) – During a visit to Mississippi State University (MSU) on August 28, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan to address critical needs relating to food animal health and large animal care in rural areas.

While visiting MSU with U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, Rollins was briefed on the university’s leading research on Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, as well as its groundbreaking work in the area of agriculture autonomy. She viewed the fleet of UAS in academic use and also learned about university advancements in the areas of antimicrobial resistance, aquaculture and fisheries, poultry and laminitis research.

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During her time at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Rollins observed an equine emergency surgery in progress before making her announcements regarding the nationwide shortage in rural veterinary practice.

“Limited access to vet care is more than an inconvenience, it’s a direct threat to herd health and livelihoods. That’s why the USDA will continue to build significant partnerships with states, universities and farm groups to increase the number of veterinarians across rural America,” Rollins said.

In the Rural Veterinary Shortage Action Plan, Rollins said they will enhance and streamline USDA’s veterinary grant programs.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins outlines strategies to combat the nationwide shortage of rural veterinarians, an issue with direct connections to food security, farm security and national security, she said, during her Aug. 28 visit to Mississippi State University. (Photo by Beth Wynn via MSU)
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins is pictured during her Aug. 28 visit to Mississippi State University while holding a press conference at MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. (Photo by Emily Grace McCall via MSU)
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins was briefed on Mississippi State University’s leading research on Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, as well as its groundbreaking work in the area of agriculture autonomy. She viewed the country’s largest and most capable fleet of UAS in academic use. MSU is the lead university for the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence, or ASSURE, and is also home to Raspet Flight Research Laboratory, a key partner in ASSURE, and the nation’s leading academic research center dedicated exclusively to the advancement of UAS. (Photo by Beth Wynn via MSU)

“We’re making an additional $15 million available for the veterinary medicine loan repayment program and streamlining the application process to collect less information and allow submission via an online portal. Second, we are commissioning new economic research to analyze and project veterinary shortages in rural areas, especially for food animal veterinarians. Third, USDA is pursuing strategies to make federal service more attractive for our vets to create a direct pipeline into public service. And lastly, we will work with veterinary schools—including the great one right here in Starkville and across the country—to increase recruitment from rural America. Our ranchers can’t do their jobs without skilled veterinarians,” she said.

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