Clemson university will enhance south carolina's disease response capabilities and surge capacity by incorporating trained south carolina veterinary reserve corps (SCVRS) members into the state's…

Clemson University's Division of Research received a $314,461 Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective November 1, 2025, through October 31, 2027. The agreement funds Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health (CULPH), also known as the Office of the South Carolina State Veterinarian, to enhance South Carolina's animal disease response capabilities by integrating the South Carolina Veterinary Reserve Corps (SCVRC)—a 23-member Medical Reserve Corps unit consisting of licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians—into the state's official disease response plans and procedures.

The primary deliverables include: (1) building operational capacity within CULPH's animal health programs to expand outreach and surge capacity for disease response procedures, with increased veterinary support for poultry and livestock disease recognition and response statewide; (2) expanding South Carolina's disease response plans to formally incorporate surge capacity provided through the SCVRC; and (3) enhancing the state's licensed veterinarian capabilities and capacity for critical poultry and livestock disease response activities. These products directly support the program's mission to protect agriculture from economically injurious diseases by strengthening the state's rapid disease outbreak control capabilities, thereby minimizing economic impacts on farmers and ranchers while protecting food supply safety.

Clemson university will enhance south carolina's disease response capabilities and surge capacity by incorporating trained south carolina veterinary reserve corps (SCVRS) members into the state's disease response plans and procedures. The scvrc is an official medical reserve corps registered with and recognized by the U.S. Department of health and human services and currently consists of 21 licensed veterinarians and two veterinary technician volunteers. Scvrc is housed within the south carolina association of veterinarians (SCAV) and is led in partnership with clemson university livestock poultry health (CULPH), also known as the office of the south carolina state veterinarian. Project activities include 1) building operational capacity within CULPH animal health programs staff to focus on outreach and surge capacity-building for south carolina's disease response procedures and to pursue increased veterinary support for poultry/livestock disease recognition and response throughout the state, 2) expand south carolina's disease response plans to include surge capacity provided through the south carolina veterinary reserve corps, and 3) increasing south carolina's licensed veterinarian capabilities and capacity for critical poultry and livestock disease response activities. This project benefits south carolina's livestock producers by building the state's capacity to quickly control animal disease outbreaks and minimize economic or animal health impacts on farmers and ranchers. The project will ensure a safe food supply and protect the livelihoods of farmers a ND ranchers.