By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Veterinary students who are going into rural areas are invited to apply for Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Rural Veterinary Scholarship.

Every year, fewer veterinary graduates are choosing to go to rural areas, leaving rural veterinarians with no successors. This leaves farmers and ranchers without a veterinarian within reasonable distance.

TFB is once again offering the $20,000 scholarship to ease the financial burden on veterinary students seeking further experiences and education with food animal species.

“There is a pressing need for rural veterinarians in Texas,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said. “This scholarship helps support those veterinary students pursuing careers in rural mixed and/or food animal practice who will one day work in rural communities.”

Applicants must be a second- or third-year veterinarian student in a Texas DVM professional program at Texas A&M University or Texas Tech University. The applicant must also plan to enter a rural and/or food animal practice in Texas after graduation.

“Fewer veterinarians are choosing to work in rural areas after graduation. Combine that with an aging workforce, the challenge grows,” Bush said. “Large animal veterinarians are vital to our food system. Farm Bureau is using this scholarship as a way to help ensure farmers and ranchers have access to quality veterinary care for their livestock.”

Four scholarships valued at $20,000 each will be awarded.

Four finalists will also be selected and receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Eligible students must be a Texas Farm Bureau member at the time of application and maintain an active membership throughout the duration of the scholarship.

Applications are due online March 3.

For more information and eligibility requirements, a scholarship checklist and the link to apply, visit texasfarmbureau.com/scholarships.

Email youthactivities@txfb.org for questions or assistance related to the scholarship application.

Additional scholarships for high school seniors, enrolled college students and students pursuing technical degrees are also available on the scholarship webpage.