Project Grant 20237002440668

** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** LOUISA VETERINARY SERVICE, A FOOD-ANIMAL EXCLUSIVE AMBULATORY PRACTICE, SERVES SHORTAGE AREA 234 AND ELEVEN OTHER RURAL COUNTIES IN CENTRAL VIRGINIA. THE PRACTICE RECENTLY ADDED A SECOND FULL-TIME VETERINARIAN, BUT BECAUSE OF THE CURRENT 60-MILE PRACTICE RADIUS, SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING IS NECESSARY TO MAXIMIZE USE OF NEW STAFFING AND IMPROVE SERVICES TO THE SHORTAGE AREA. GRANT FUNDS WOULD BE USED TO PURCHASE A MORE FUEL EFFICIENT PRACTICE VEHICLE WITH A VET BOX TO CARRY EQUIPMENT TO DISTANCES OVER 60 MILES AWAY, ALONG WITH SOME CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES FOR OUR NEWLY ADDED VETERINARIAN. WE ALSO EXPECT TO PURCHASE ADDITIONAL COMPUTER AND VIDEO EQUIPMENT ALLOWING US TO DEVELOP VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS AND TELEMEDICINE. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE FOOD SUPPLY VETERINARY SERVICES AND CLIENT EDUCATION TO ENHANCE THE HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF THE HERDS AND FLOCKS WITHIN THIS FOUR-COUNTY AREA, AS WELL AS THE ELEVEN OTHER COUNTIES WE SERVE. WE INTEND TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH AT LEAST 200 NEW CLIENTS IN THE THREE-YEAR PROJECT PERIOD AND TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO FOSTER THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND EDUCATE HUNDREDS OF PRODUCERS AND STUDENTS IN THE AREA. LOUISA VETERINARY SERVICE WILL WORK WITH LOCAL EXTENSION AGENTS, PRODUCER GROUPS, AND TEACHERS TO PROMOTE THE JUDICIOUS USE OF ANTIBIOTICS, ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH, AND HELP OUR FOOD SUPPLY CONTINUE TO BE THE MOST INEXPENSIVE AND SAFEST FOOD SUPPLY IN THE WORLD.