Loan repayment program addresses critical shortage of rural veterinarians 

To help address a critical shortage of rural veterinarians identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has established a Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program to attract and retain veterinarians in rural Iowa.   

The Iowa Farm Bureau Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program will award four individuals who practice, or will practice, veterinary medicine in Iowa up to $25,000 in loan repayment incentives.  IFBF will begin accepting applications in March 2025.  

In 2020, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law to create the Rural Iowa Veterinarian Loan Repayment Program to address the critical veterinarian shortages in rural Iowa communities.  IFBF was one of several partners who led the push for the legislation.  Since its inception, the state’s loan repayment program has been met with enthusiasm and a growing number of applications.   However, with intensified veterinary shortages and the strong demand for existing veterinarian loan repayment programs, additional support and stability for Iowa farmers are necessary.  

“Veterinarians are valuable partners for Iowa’s livestock farmers who prioritize the health and wellbeing of their animals,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson.   “IFBF’s establishment of the Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program will assist in addressing the veterinarian shortages in Iowa and guaranteeing future funding incentives, while also advancing the mission of Iowa Farm Bureau to support farm families and rural communities.”  

Due to specific veterinarian shortages identified in Iowa by USDA, and to best align with IFBF’s charitable giving priorities, preference would be given to applicants who are: in their final year of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program; large animal veterinarians and/or those in a shortage area as identified by the UDSA; graduates from an Iowa high school, technical school, college, university and/or institution; and individuals with demonstrated leadership skills, community involvement and/or a commitment to rural Iowa.  

To learn more about IFBF’s Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program or to apply, visit Iowa Farm Bureau Rural Veterinarian Loan Repayment Incentive Program.