By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

Four students pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree were awarded Rural Veterinary Scholarships from Texas Farm Bureau (TFB).

The scholarship was established in 2022 to help alleviate the financial demands of veterinary school and support the students’ focus on food animal species.

“Texas Farm Bureau created this scholarship to help support veterinary students who wish to pursue a career focused in rural mixed and/or food animal veterinary medicine and help meet the need for veterinarians in rural areas of Texas,” McKenna Bush, TFB Youth Outreach coordinator, said.

This year’s recipients include Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine students LeAnne (Paige) Jones and Maggie Moe and Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences students Lindsay Irvin and Alexis Tillett.

Each recipient received a $20,000 scholarship.

Four additional finalists were recognized with $2,500 scholarships. They were Texas Tech students Kullen Sorrels, Mackenze Brister and Kennedy Evans and Texas A&M student Cooper Stanley.

Animal agriculture is a major part of Texas’ economy, but the state faces a growing shortage of rural veterinarians. As experienced veterinarians retire, many rural communities are left without accessible veterinary care.

“There is a clear need for veterinarians in rural areas. Texas Farm Bureau members across the state depend on veterinary services, especially in emergency situations,” Bush said. “The recipients of this scholarship exemplify hard work and strive to fill the gap and need in rural areas.”

The Rural Veterinary Scholarship is open to second- and third-year veterinary students in a Texas DVM professional program. Applicants must plan to enter a rural and/or food animal practice in Texas upon completion of their degree.

To view the full list of 2025 Texas Farm Bureau spring scholarship recipients, visit texasfarmbureau.org/scholarships.