SANFORD, N.C. - Central Carolina Community College has received a $196,800 grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC). The money is being used to outfit the college's new, state-of-the art, 3,690-square-foot large animal facility with equipment to support training of Veterinary Medical Technology students on common domestic large animal species.

The CCCC Veterinary Medical Technology program is one of five VMT programs in North Carolina and is the longest running and oldest VMT program in the state. The only other large animal dedicated teaching facility in North Carolina is located at N.C. State University.

The new large animal facility will allow students to learn basic husbandry and handling of large animal species, while simultaneously understanding the importance of pasture management and the nutritional requirements of livestock species. Completion of the facility will facilitate training of approximately 105 students per year with an estimated 83 percent of new full-time students receiving credentials within three years. These students will help address the dire need for large-animal veterinary services in rural areas.

Grant funding will be utilized for: large animal medical equipment; repro ultrasound; microscopes; CBC/Chemistry Blood Analysis machines; thermography camera; shockwave; pasture improvements, maintenance and equipment; manure spreader; pasture drag; hay feeders and field water troughs; pasture maintenance; cross fencing gates; large animal handling equipment; bovine alleyways; bovine squeeze chutes; equine and bovine stalls, exterior housing and shelters; teaching equipment; interactive projection system; and tablets for students to utilize while in labs.

CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman is grateful for the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission grant. "While our Vet Tech program has included instruction in handling large animals for many years, until now, we have not been able to provide this learning experience on campus," said Dr. Chapman. "With the support of the Tobacco Trust Fund dollars, our faculty have designed our new facility to provide the best learning experience for our students, so that they can provide the best large animal care as our graduates."

Dr. Kim Browning, CCCC VMT Instructor, notes: "For the past 30-plus years, the CCCC VMT program has leased a barn which has been retrofitted to become a teaching facility. Having the opportunity to design a facility with student, instructor, and animal safety in the forefront will allow us to continue serving our students and our communities with the tools and learning opportunities to succeed in their future endeavors."

Justin Pedley, CCCC VMT Animal Facilities Manager, adds: "I am excited to see what opportunities this facility brings not only to our college and students, but also to our community. The space will give us the ability to partner with stakeholders, business, industry, and professional agencies to provide more community engagement opportunities."

The North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission was created to assist current/former tobacco farmers, former quota holders, persons engaged in tobacco-related businesses, individuals displaced from tobacco-related employment, and tobacco product component businesses in N.C. that have been affected by the adverse effects of the MSA (Master Settlement Agreement). The NCTTFC can disburse funds through compensatory programs and qualified agricultural programs.

The CCCC Veterinary Medical Technology Department is looking to host a future open house of the new large animal facility.

To learn more about the CCCC Veterinary Medical Technology program, visit www.cccc.edu/vetmed.