Can solar energy and ag coexist? August 21 webinar takes up ‘agrivoltaics’

By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Does large-scale installation of solar panels on farms make the land unusable for other purposes?

Agrivoltaics, which is agricultural production under or around solar panels, will be discussed during the National Ag Law Center's webinar on Aug. 21, 2024. (U.S. Department of Energy photo by Merrill Smith)

“Solar energy development is increasing rapidly, which commonly involves large-scale solar projects on rural and agricultural lands that can take that land out of agricultural production,” Harrison Pittman, director of the National Agricultural Law Center, said. “Agrivoltaics offers the potential of keeping the land in production while also using it for solar.”

“Agrivoltaics,” as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy, is agricultural production under or adjacent to solar panels. This agricultural production can include crop production, livestock production or pollinator habitats.

In September 2021, the DOE released its Solar Futures Study, which looks at the role of solar in decarbonizing the U.S. electric grid. One finding from the study is that much land for ground-based solar development is needed to accomplish this: approximately 0.5 percent of contiguous U.S. surface area. The report notes that to meet this need, photovoltaic systems, or solar panels, could be installed on farming or grazing areas.

Key principles of agrivoltaics, including the impact of agrivoltaics on agricultural production, is the focus of the Aug. 21 NALC webinar, “Can Agriculture and Solar Co-Exist? Exploring the Promise and Challenge of Agrivoltaics.” The webinar will be presented by Peggy Kirk Hall, director of The Ohio State University Extension Agricultural and Resource Law Program, and Jesse Richardson, professor of law and lead land use attorney at West Virginia University College of Law.

The webinar begins at 11 a.m. Central/Noon Eastern. Registration is free of charge and available online.

“We’ve seen initiatives and mandates across the country geared toward boosting renewable energy to meet energy demands,” Hall said. “Solar energy is often a part of those initiatives, which raises many concerns for producers and communities as well, such as cost, impact on agricultural production, loss of prime and unique soils, and community land use goals. The installation of large-scale solar panels can limit that land’s ability to be used for other agricultural needs, but it doesn’t necessarily have to.”

In 2023, the agrivoltaic market size was valued at $5.5 billion, according to Global Market Insights, and that number is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of almost 6 percent from 2024 to 2032.

Richardson said that he and Hall will explore agrivoltaics from a variety of angles, shedding light on its opportunities and challenges.

“As renewable energy is an increasingly popular topic at local, state and federal levels, these conversations will inevitably become more frequent,” Richardson said. “We aim to inform the discussion on agrivoltaics, looking at how things are now and possible impacts for the future.”

All webinars in the NALC Webinar Series are recorded and archived on the NALC website.

For information about the National Agricultural Law Center, visit nationalaglawcenter.org or follow @Nataglaw on X. The National Agricultural Law Center is also on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For updates on agricultural law and policy developments, subscribe free of charge to The Feed, the NALC’s twice-monthly newsletter highlighting recent legal developments facing agriculture.

UAMS Researchers Discover Cholesterol Drug’s Potential as Treatment for Alzheimer’s, Other Dementia

By Chris Carmody

Researchers from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) have discovered that an FDA-approved cholesterol drug holds the potential to disrupt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

The research team published its findings in the journal Aging Biology. Akshatha Ganne, a postdoctoral fellow in the UAMS College of Medicine’s Department of Geriatrics, is the lead author. Srinivas Ayyadevara, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Medicine, and Robert J. Shmookler Reis, Ph.D., professor in the College of Medicine, are the corresponding/senior authors of the paper.

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002, ezetimibe is a prescription medication that reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the intestines.

UAMS Researchers Discover Cholesterol Drug’s Potential as Treatment for Alzheimer’s, Other Dementia

Researchers Meenakshisundaram Balasubramaniam (from left), Ph.D.; Srikanth Vallurupalli, M.D.; Robert J. Shmookler Reis, Ph.D.; Srinivas Ayyadevara, Ph.D.; and Akshatha Ganne are shown in their research laboratory at the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging. Ganne was the lead author of the study published in the journal Aging Biology.

Armed to Farm programs help military veterans, establish connections

By Drew Viguet
National Agricultural Law Center
U of A System Division of Agriculture

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Veterans and other beginning farmers face numerous challenges getting into agriculture. Much goes into the development and management of any kind of agricultural business: from planning the business entity, to liability considerations, to marketing and running the operation.

Rusty Rumley, senior staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center, is a frequent presenter at Armed to Farm events, which provide training to military veterans as they get started in agriculture. (U of A System Division of Agriculture image)

In the U.S., more than 289,000 farms have producers with military service, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture. These farms account for more than 108 million acres of land throughout the country.

Veterans pursuing agriculture as a business may require training and want support as they get started in their new journey. A program from the National Center for Appropriate Technology fills that need: Armed to Farm.

Launched in 2013, Armed to Farm’s purpose is to provide training, resources and opportunities to military veterans as they get started in agriculture, connecting them to invaluable resources.

“Across the country, there are veterans who want to start a new business opportunity in farming,” Margo Hale, Armed to Farm program director, said. “Our program provides not only a solid foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farming enterprise, but also a support system they can rely on throughout their farming journey. We want to see them succeed in reaching their goals.”

Armed to Farm training events are hosted frequently at locations across the U.S. At the events, veterans learn about farming and sustainable agriculture, develop goals for their business and connect with other veterans and farmers.

Rusty Rumley, a senior staff attorney for the National Agricultural Law Center, or NALC, is a frequent presenter at Armed to Farm events, having spoken at trainings nationwide over the past decade. He said there is a lot of ground to cover in these presentations, as getting started in agricultural business is no small feat.

“I talk about business entities, landowner liability, ag leasing and more with veterans at these events,” he said. “I always receive great questions, too. Helping these veterans learn about the process of starting an ag business and connecting them to other resources is something the NALC is very proud to be a part of.”

Rumley’s presentations utilize research materials published on the NALC website, which is regularly updated. Much of this research is stored in the NALC’s numerous “Reading Rooms.” The Reading Rooms cover a range of agricultural subjects, many of which Rumley has developed over the years. These include topics of interest to new farmers, such as business organizations, agritourism, and landowner liability. Information on topics such as these is crucial in helping veterans in their new endeavor.

“There’s so much to cover, it’s important we have resources available on our website to help those who need it, too,” he said.

Hale said that while the workshops conclude after a week, their impact lasts much longer.

“It’s amazing to see veterans from our program go on to build up and improve their agricultural businesses,” Hale said. “The connections they make during Armed to Farm workshops last well beyond the workshops themselves, too.”

Rumley will next speak at an Armed to Farm workshop in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Aug. 14-15.

A full list of upcoming Armed to Farm events can be found online.

Alliance forms with $250,000 Walton gift to support doulas, seek coverage

by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

A newly formed group will seek Medicaid and other insurance coverage for doulas, who provide nonmedical support for women going through pregnancy and the birthing process.

The Doula Alliance of Arkansas (DAR) announced Aug. 7 that had it been formed with help from a $250,000 grant from Ingeborg Initiatives, a group seeking to improve maternal health that was founded by Olivia Walton, granddaughter-in-law of Walmart founder Sam Walton. DAR will use that seed money, which will be spread over two years, to hire an executive director.

That part-time position, the search for which was launching that day, will work to gain state recognition of doula certification and work toward coverage of the service by Medicaid and other insurance providers. The grant also will pay for a fall conference, continuing education, and other expenses.

Alliance forms with $250,000 Walton gift to support doulas, seek coverage

Nonprofit serving Arkansas' Hispanic community opens new building

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

A nonprofit serving members of Central Arkansas’ Hispanic community has opened a new building in North Little Rock. On Wednesday, representatives of Seis Puentes cut the ribbon at the nonprofit's new home on MacArthur Drive.

Seis Puentes, which translates to ‘six bridges,’ provides resources and support for newcomers to Arkansas’ Spanish-speaking community. The organization's roots date back to 1998, and Executive Director Raúl Fernández says he wants more people to understand that Hispanic immigrant communities in Arkansas are not new.

“I think that one thing that people don't realize is that the Hispanic and immigrant community— we're everywhere. You know? We're part of your community already, and we have been already. Not for the last four or five years, but for the last 20 or 30 years.”

Nonprofit serving Arkansas' Hispanic community opens new building

Nathan Treece/Little Rock Public Radio

Seis Puentes Executive Director Raúl Fernández speaks at the grand opening of the nonprofit's new home

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin leads 14-state amicus in support of Texas suit against Biden-Harris overtime rule

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Tim Griffin today issued the following statement after filing an amicus brief on behalf of himself and 13 other state attorneys general in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas supporting Texas’s motion for summary judgment in its suit against the U.S. Department of Labor and its rule regulating overtime pay for exempt employees:

“The rule is another example of the Biden-Harris administration trying to rewrite laws passed by Congress. The new rule drives up costs for private businesses and forces state governments to increase budgets—hitting Americans’ pocketbooks twice.

“Texas has already secured a preliminary injunction stopping this rule, and I am proud to lead this coalition of states in supporting our neighbor asking to vacate this latest effort by the Biden-Harris administration to go around Congress in an election-year giveaway.”

Federal law exempts workers with “executive, administrative, and professional” duties from receiving overtime pay. For decades, the Labor Department has used salary as one factor in deciding when that applies. The new rule requires employers to provide overtime pay to salaried professional, administrative, and executive employees who are already highly paid and were previously exempt from overtime requirements by conditioning overtime exemptions primarily on workers’ pay rather than their duties.

Griffin is joined in the amicus brief by the attorneys general of Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and West Virginia.

To read the brief, click here.

For a printer-friendly version of this release, click here.

Governor Sanders Joins AEDC’s Rural Services Division to Award $334K to 33 Arkansas Communities

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– Governor Sanders, along with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services, awarded $344,728.69 in grants to 33 Arkansas cities and counties. 

“These grants go a long way toward making sure that every corner of Arkansas – not just a few big cities – is taken care of,” said Governor Sanders.“These 33 recipients come from across our state, from Yellville to Mulberry. Each one of these grants provides their communities with the tools they need to make Arkansas the best place to live, work, and raise a family.”

“Rural communities play a major role in the economic success of our state,” said Executive Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Clint O’Neal.“The grants awarded by AEDC’s Division of Rural Services will help rural communities throughout the state improve their infrastructure and quality of life amenities to benefit Arkansans.”

“We are committed to working with and supporting rural communities in Arkansas to help them succeed,” said Director of the Division of Rural Services Becca Caldwell. “With the latest Rural Community Grant Program awards, thirty-three Arkansas cities and counties have additional resources and funding for important projects that will increase quality of life in their communities.”

The Rural Community Grant Program is one of the Division of Rural Services’ programs, which is used to fund projects such as fire trucks, fire protection equipment, community centers, storm sirens, community parks, walking trails, and baseball fields. Applicants from incorporated towns of less than 3,000 in population and unincorporated rural areas are eligible for up to $15,000 in matching funds under the program.

The grants are part of the Division of Rural Services’ second cycle of Fiscal Year 2024 grants. AEDC previously awarded $806,125 in grants to 29 Arkansas cities and counties during the 2024 Rural Development Conference in May. 

These are the Arkansas communities receiving grants:

• Center Hill Fire Department, $15,000

• City of Foreman, $15,000

• City of Lakeview, $1,946.78

• City of McNeil, $6,160.36

• City of Mulberry, $3,847.84

• City of Strong, $15,000

• City of Sulphur Springs, $8,588.60

• City of Winthrop, $15,000

• City of Yellville, $6,098.75

• Cord Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000

• Cotter-Gassville Rural Fire Protection District, $14,433.08

• Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, $14,801.93

• Etowah Volunteer Fire Department, $3,002

• Grayson Fire Department, $15,000

• Highfill Volunteer Fire Department, $14,915.92

• Highway 250 Volunteer Fire Department, $5,718.31

• Huntsville Fire Department, $6,562.50

• Keo Fire Department, $13,244

• Lake City Fire Department, $7,169.97

• Leslie Volunteer Fire Department, $13,724.85

• Lincoln Fire Department, $15,000

• Lutherville-Holman Community, $11,162

• Luton-Pelsor Volunteer Fire Department, $9,750

• Norfork Fire Department, $14,406.04

• Oakland Promise Land Fire Protection District, $15,000

• Pangburn Volunteer Fire Department, $7,124.25

• Pike County, $4,041.52

• Prim Fire Department, $14,630

• Stone County, $15,000

• Town of Franklin, $8,347.80

• Tyronza Volunteer Fire Department, $3,832.20

• Waldron Rural Fire Protection District, $1,250

• Washington Volunteer Fire Department, $15,000

Sanders Appoints Colonel Chad Bridges as Secretary of the Military and the 55th Adjutant General

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. –Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today announced that she has appointed Colonel Olen Chad Bridges to serve as Arkansas’ Secretary of the Military and the 55th Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard. 

“Arkansas’ National Guard are the finest our state has to offer, and there’s no one better prepared to lead them than Colonel Chad Bridges,” said Governor Sanders. “Throughout his 32-year military career that includes leading Arkansas’ soldiers in three overseas deployments, Colonel Bridges has led troops in the Middle East, served several important assignments in the Pentagon, and been a loyal public servant to our state and nation. I know he will excel as Adjutant General and ensure our men and women in uniform are ready to support the great state of Arkansas and the entire country.”

“I am profoundly honored and deeply grateful to Governor Sanders for the extraordinary opportunity to join her cabinet and serve as the Secretary of the Military and the 55th Adjutant General of the Arkansas National Guard,” said Colonel Chad Bridges. “As a proud Arkansan, leading the exceptional men and women of the Arkansas National Guard in our mission to serve our state and nation is a lifetime privilege. I acknowledge our servicemembers’ families and employers whose support and sacrifice enable our mission success. We will continue to make the great state of Arkansas proud by upholding the highest standards of service and commitment to our state and nation.”

Colonel Chad Bridges Bio:
Colonel Bridges enlisted in the Arkansas Army National Guard in August of 1991 and commissioned in August of 1998. He assumed command of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in September 2021, leading the brigade headquarters’ deployment to Grafenwoehr, Germany. 

Colonel Chad Bridges (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Stephen Wright)

Colonel Bridges’ three previous assignments before brigade command were in the Pentagon. He was the Chief of the National Guard Bureau’s representative on the 2022 National Defense Strategy Core Development Team. Before that, he served in colonel assignments in the Office of Secretary of Defense and Headquarters Department of the Army. Colonel Bridges has served in various other national, state, and tactical level assignments as a full-time Active Guard Reserve officer since 2006.  

He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, U.S. Army Command and Staff College, U.S. Air Force Command and Staff College, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the Joint Forces Staff College. In 2017, he completed the United States Army War College as a distinguished graduate obtaining a Master of Strategic Studies degree.

He is an MIT Seminar XXI fellow, a Harvard Kennedy School fellow for Leadership in Homeland Security, and a Syracuse University Maxwell School National Security Studies fellow. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Defense Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges, and various other awards and badges.

Most importantly, Colonel Bridges is married to the former Kari Zaccanti of Fayetteville, Arkansas. They reside in Conway, Arkansas with their two children: Carsten and Chloe.

'Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience' arrives in Little Rock

KUAR | By Nathan Treece

Even if you have studied the life and work of a particular artist in-depth, there is something to be said for getting a new perspective on even the most well-known works of art.

You could say the artist Vincent van Gogh has become somewhat of a rockstar of the art world. Iterations of the impressionist's works can be found in museums, on mouse pads, and everywhere in between. The man himself has become the poster child for the troubled genius archetype.

The legend of van Gogh has even been adapted into a full-length movie animated entirely using stills painted in his signature style.

'Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience' arrives in Little Rock

Will Newton/2024 Will Newton

Two visitors enjoy the Van Gogh Immersive Experience at its soft opening in Little Rock.

Arkansas Children’s Research Institute receives $3 million to study deadly fungus

by Talk Business & Politics staff (staff2@talkbusiness.net)

A pair of infectious disease experts are establishing an emerging research program at Arkansas Children’s Research Institute (ACRI) to address a germ considered to be the leading cause of death for patients with weakened immune systems.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have awarded grants worth more than $3 million to ACRI principal investigators Praveen Juvvadi and William Steinbach, who also serves as chief pediatrician at Arkansas Children’s and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Medicine. Juvvadi is also an associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at UAMS.

Aspergillus fumigatus is a relatively common fungus found in the environment in places like decaying leaf litter. It is a leading cause of death among people with compromised immune systems, a population that includes children with chronic illnesses. The fungus’ mortality rate exceeds 40%. Health care teams have trouble fighting Aspergillus fumigatus because the germ adapts and becomes stronger against currently available treatments.

Arkansas Children’s Research Institute receives $3 million to study deadly fungus

UAMS Achieves Fundraising Milestone with $40.8 Million Received in Fiscal Year 2024

By Andrew Vogler

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) reported the second highest fundraising year, raising more than $40.8 million through gifts and philanthropic grants in the 2024 fiscal year. It is only the second time in UAMS’s history that fundraising has exceeded $40 million. In total, 4,711 donations were received in the fiscal year.

“In light of challenging economic times, this is a remarkable achievement that displays an abundance of generosity in Arkansas and beyond,” said Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, UAMS chancellor and CEO of UAMS Health. “This is also an amazing effort by our dedicated fundraising team who have overcome many challenges to secure critical funds that support UAMS’ programs throughout the state.”

The Division of Institutional Advancement integrates donor and alumni relations with fundraising to secure resources and support for the UAMS Foundation Fund for the benefit of the UAMS mission.

UAMS Achieves Fundraising Milestone with $40.8 Million Received in Fiscal Year 2024

From left, Cam Patterson, M.D., MBA, and John Erck at the 2024 Society of the Double Helix reception celebrating philanthropy at UAMS. Image by Evan Lewis

Lawsuit filed over Arkansas casino amendment

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

Oklahoma-based Cherokee Nation Businesses is challenging a recently approved ballot amendment in the Arkansas Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State John Thurston approved an amendment to stop a casino from being built in Pope County. The amendment had enough approved signatures to go on the ballot for voters in November.

The amendment being pushed by a group called Local Voters in Charge would prevent a casino from being built in any community that did not vote for it. Cherokee Nation Businesses and a new group called the Arkansas Canvassing Compliance Committee are opposing the amendment.

Lawsuit filed over Arkansas casino amendment

Legends Resort & Casino

A rendering of the proposed Legends Resort and Casino in Pope County. A new lawsuit says signatures collected for an amendment to repeal the Pope County casino license were illegally gathered.

Womack Introduces Bill to Protect Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services

Washington, DC—August 6, 2024…Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) introduced the Protecting Veteran Access to Telemedicine Services Act of 2024. This bill would permanently extend a current pandemic related exemption that allows health care professionals employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to deliver, distribute, and dispense medically necessary controlled substances to veterans via telemedicine under certain conditions regardless of whether that health care professional has conducted the one in-person medical examination required under the Ryan Haight Act.

Telemedicine-Wikimedia Image

Congressman Womack said, “Our veterans deserve accessible health care, regardless of where they live. Millions of veterans—particularly in rural communities—rely on the VA's successful use of telehealth services. This bill acknowledges and meets their needs by permanently authorizing the delivery of care right to their homes. America is indebted to our veterans for their service, and it’s our duty to ensure they have the resources to live a healthy life.”

Background:

• The Ryan Haight Online Pharmacy Consumer Protection Act of 2008 was enacted on April 13, 2009. This bill was designed to combat the rogue internet pharmacies that proliferated in the late 90s, selling controlled substances online.

• Under this Act, a practitioner is required to have conducted at least one in-person medical evaluation of the patient, in the physical presence of the practitioner, before issuing a prescription for a controlled substance.

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, requirements under the Ryan Haight Act for a patient to meet with a practitioner in-person for the prescription of a controlled substance were temporarily waived.

• On October 6, 2023, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the continuation of temporary extension of flexibilities around telemedicine prescribing of controlled substances from the COVID-19 public health emergency through December 31, 2024.

Bill Impact on Veterans in Rural Areas:

• According to the VA’s Office of Rural Health, there are more than 2.7 million veterans in rural communities who are enrolled in and rely on the VA’s health care system.

• Veterans residing in rural areas do not have the same access to VA health care as those in more suburban and urban areas, which can result in poor long-term health outcomes.

• Due to lack of immediate access to VA clinics, veterans residing in rural areas often have difficulty complying with the requirement for one in-person visit to their health care provider under the Ryan Haight Act.

• This bill would reduce disparities and improve access to VA health care for veterans in rural areas by allowing VA health care professionals to prescribe controlled substances via telemedicine.

• If the current exemption expires at the end of the year, veteran access to certain medications classified as a controlled substance will be severely restricted.

Representatives French Hill and Haley Stevens respond to the release of four Americans wrongfully detained in Russia

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. French Hill (R-AR) and Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Co-Chairs of the Hostage Task Force in the House, commended the release of Americans Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, along with U.S. Green Card holder Vladimir Kara-Murza, from Russia. 

“I am overjoyed that Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir are coming home,” said Rep. Hill. “After being wrongfully detained by Russia for far too long, our fellow Americans are going to reunite with their families and loved ones. Putin has a pattern of wrongfully detaining Americans, and this cannot continue. Russia must be held accountable, and the U.S. must do more to stop this trend that you can take and wrongfully hold an American with impunity. As Co-Chairs of the Hostage Task Force in the House, we remain committed to being a voice for Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained around the world.” 

“Paul, Evan, Alsu, and Vladimir, welcome home! For too long, each of you was held as a political pawn, with your liberty stripped away,” said Rep. Stevens. “You have each lost so much, but we are looking forward to helping you rebuild your lives. Thank you to President Biden and our allies who made this remarkable exchange possible.”

UAMS Colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Professions, Public Health, Make List of Top Graduate Schools for 2024

By News Staff

LITTLE ROCK — U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of Best Graduate Schools for 2024 ranked the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Professions and Public Health highly among their peers nationwide.

The UAMS College of Pharmacy was ranked 31st nationwide among all pharmacy colleges. It has produced more than 5,000 graduates since making UAMS its home in 1951. The college offers several dual degree programs, as well as experiential opportunities in specialties from oncology pharmacy to toxicology and solid organ transplant, as well as one of the nation’s few nuclear pharmacy programs.

“I am proud that the UAMS College of Pharmacy continues to rank among the nation’s best,” said Cindy Stowe, Pharm.D., dean of the College of Pharmacy. “This recognition reflects the positive impact that our students, alumni and faculty have here at home and across the country. They lead by example through their passionate commitment to improving the health of all. A high ranking in U.S. News is a strong endorsement of that fact.”

UAMS Colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing, Health Professions, Public Health, Make List of Top Graduate Schools for 2024

Nationwide, U.S. News & World Report ranked the UAMS College of Pharmacy 31st; the UAMS College of Nursing 45th; the UAMS College of Health Professions' occupational therapy program 79th and its physical therapy program 74th; and the UAMS Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health 88th among all graduate schools.

Machine learning leads to a first in forestry management tools

By Jenifer Fouch
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A new dataset is providing a bird’s-eye view of Arkansas’ forests 1 meter at a time.

An Arkansas researcher has developed the first high-resolution forest canopy cover dataset for an entire state, providing valuable insights for forest management and conservation to a major economic sector in Arkansas.

“I had this vision of creating something that we can rely on,” said Hamdi Zurqani, assistant professor for the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and researcher with the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. “No data of this kind existed before for an entire state. Usually, people only create similar data for site-specific projects.”

FOREST CANOPY COVER — Hamdi Zurqani developed the first high-resolution forest canopy cover dataset for an entire state. (College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello photo by Lonnie Tegels.)

The 1-meter measurements are unique. Until now, the most common forest measurements and datasets have come from satellite imagery at 30-meter spatial resolution, said Zurqani, who conducts research as part of the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a partnership between the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and UAM. The experiment station is the research arm of the Division of Agriculture.

Forest canopy cover measures the coverage of tree crowns from an aerial view. It shows how much a forest’s uppermost layer of branches, leaves and vegetation forms a continuous cover over the ground. This detailed information is crucial for tracking forest health, as canopy cover is essential for carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat and water regulation.

Zurqani says accurate mapping of tree coverage helps scientists monitor and manage forest resources effectively, ensuring the sustainability of these ecosystems. This information can also assist with wildfire risk assessments, tracking forest health threats from pests and climate, and urban planning.

Zurqani’s research was published late last year in the academic journal Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment. The article was titled “High-resolution forest canopy cover estimation in eco-diverse landscape using machine learning and Google Earth Engine: Validity and reliability assessment.”

According to the latest Arkansas Agricultural Profile, forests cover 57 percent of the state, and timber was one of the state’s top commodities in 2021 with about $409 million in cash farm receipts.

Machine learning

To create the Arkansas forest canopy cover dataset, Zurqani used machine learning techniques and the Google Earth Engine.

Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence that allows computers to “learn” from data and improve their performance over time without being programmed. Machine learning algorithms identify patterns in data, make predictions and adapt to new information.

The Google Earth Engine is a cloud-based platform designed for processing and analyzing large-scale geospatial data. It provides access to a vast repository of satellite imagery and geospatial datasets.

Zurqani’s research utilized high-resolution National Agriculture Imagery Program aerial imagery to apply and test his methods.

The National Agriculture Imagery Program, administered by the United States Department of Agriculture, captures high-resolution aerial imagery of agricultural areas during the growing season. The imagery is used for monitoring crop conditions, assessing land use changes, and supporting various agricultural and environmental applications.

Room for growth

A finer spatial resolution of Arkansas forests provides a more accurate assessment of canopy structure and composition. Zurqani says this precision is essential for monitoring changes in forest dynamics, identifying vulnerable areas and implementing targeted conservation strategies. Zurqani hopes his 1-meter dataset could become the new standard for measuring forest canopy cover.

HEALTHY FORESTS — Aerial view of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station's Livestock and Forestry Research Station in Batesville (U of A System Division of Ag photo by Ben Aaron).

“So, in the future, we can use this dataset to cover all forest areas and see which trees are healthy and which ones are diseased,” Zurqani said. “Because it's high-resolution imagery, we can detect the location of the trees within urban areas.”

There are 502 cities and 75 counties in Arkansas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, and Zurqani said he evaluated forests and tree-covered areas within those cities and counties. While initially focused on the state of Arkansas, Zurqani envisions expanding this innovative approach to cover all 50 states.

“The studies demonstrate that machine learning and cloud computing technologies can produce reliable, high-resolution forest cover datasets,” Zurqani said. “These methods can be applied to other regions globally, enhancing forest management and conservation efforts worldwide.”

To learn more about Division of Agriculture research, visit the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station website. Follow us on X at @ArkAgResearch, subscribe to the Food, Farms and Forests podcast and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. Follow us on X at @AgInArk. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.

Boozman Pushing to Restrict Legislation Restricting Bonuses to Senior VA Executives

WASHINGTON –– U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, joined Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) in introducing legislation to prohibit funding for veterans benefits to be used to pay bonuses to senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) in Washington, D.C. 

The Stop Government Rewards Enriching Executives in the District – or Stop GREED Act – comes on the heels of a VA Office of Inspector General report that found the VA’s Under Secretaries of Health and Benefits improperly approved $10.8 million in PACT Act Critical Skill Incentive (CSI) payments to VACO’s senior executives rather than rank-and-file employees across the country. 

Last month, VA announced a budgetary shortfall of $3 billion in Fiscal Year 2024 and nearly $12 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 that may cause a delay in veterans benefits without action from Congress by September 20. VACO senior executives involved with this budget mismanagement were approved for CSI bonuses worth tens of thousands of dollars. The VA has been recovering the improper CSI payments since the scandal became public but without legislative action, it would be able to use these bonus payments to reward VACO executives again in the future.

“The PACT Act was intended to expand benefits to the men and women who wore our nation’s uniform now living with toxic exposure-related illnesses as a result of their service,” Boozman said. “This legislation will ensure funds will be used to support the needs of veterans, not VA executives.”

“The critical skills incentive payments that were included in the PACT Act were meant to improve recruitment and retention for difficult-to-fill positions across VA, not to increase the salaries of senior executives in Washington, D.C.," Moran said. “The bonuses to executives were a gross misuse of funds, especially in light of the VA’s budget shortfall failure, and we must make certain it does not happen again.”

“The VA must be held accountable for its egregious mishandling of the critical skill incentives that were included in the PACT Act,” said Blackburn. “We must restore integrity and trust within the VA, and the Stop GREED Act would help ensure such a failure does not happen again.”

The CSI authority from the PACT Act was intended to strengthen the delivery of health care and benefits to veterans by providing incentives to retain highly-skilled, rank-and-file employees across the country, including human resources staff, police officers and housekeepers in the VA. 

The full text of the bill can be found here.

Cotton, Colleagues to Garland: Investigate schools with ties to Chinese communists

Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), along with seven of his colleagues, today sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland to urge him to investigate cases of American institutions of higher education having ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). In addition to investigating the current cases, the senators asked AG Garland for written responses on how the Department of Justice is working to mitigate the threat the CCP poses to the U.S. education system.

Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) co-signed the letter.

In part, the senators wrote:

“Undisclosed and unmonitored financial relationships between U.S. academia and the CCP are glaring national security risks. Such relationships leave the U.S. vulnerable to intellectual property theft, improper influence, and even espionage. It is imperative that DOJ take additional steps to swiftly address this concern.”

Full text of the letter may be found here and below.

August 5, 2024 

The Honorable Merrick Garland
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Attorney General Garland,

We write regarding reports that American institutions of higher education (IHEs) are failing to disclose financial ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Efforts to conceal CCP attempts to influence American students and steal intellectual property threaten our national security.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has disclosed multiple cases where U.S. universities collaborated illegally with the CCP. On July 16, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of Maryland announced that the University of Maryland paid $500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by failing to disclose funding from Chinese companies, including Alibaba. On October 2, 2023, the same office announced that Stanford University paid $1.9 million to resolve allegations related to faculty’s ties with the CCP. In both cases, the universities knowingly defrauded federal agencies critical to national security.

Undisclosed and unmonitored financial relationships between U.S. academia and the CCP are glaring national security risks. Such relationships leave the U.S. vulnerable to intellectual property theft, improper influence, and even espionage. It is imperative that DOJ take additional steps to swiftly address this concern.

For those reason, please answer the following questions by September 2, 2024.

1. Has the frequency of IHEs committing False Claims Act violations as result of failing to disclose funding from CCP-affiliated entities increased since January 1, 2020?

2. What is the current assessment of the threats posed to American students and federal research initiatives by CCP involvement?

3. What steps does the DOJ take to mitigate CCP attempts to influence the U.S. education system?

4. How does the DOJ work with the rest of the interagency, including the Department of Defense, to evaluate and mitigate these threats?

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

UAMS Breast Cancer Program Earns Fourth National Accreditation

By Marty Trieschmann

The Breast Cancer Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has earned reaccreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC) for the fourth time in 10 years.

The UAMS Breast Cancer Program first received accreditation from NAPBC in 2014 and was reaccredited in 2017 and 2020. NAPBC is a program of the American College of Surgeons and represents a consortium of national professional organizations dedicated to improving of the quality of care and monitoring of outcomes for patients with diseases of the breast.

“Being recognized again by NAPBC distinguishes the UAMS Breast Cancer Program as one of the leading breast cancer treatment programs in the United States,” said Ronda S. Henry-Tillman, M.D., chief of breast oncology at UAMS and the Muriel Balsam Kohn Chair in Breast Surgical Oncology at UAMS.

UAMS Breast Cancer Program Earns Fourth National Accreditation

Tyson Foods rolls out ‘Razorback Nuggets’ ahead of football season

by Kim Souza (ksouza@talkbusiness.net)

Research and development workers at Springdale-based Tyson Foods wanted to develop a Razorback-inspired food that might be a hit at tailgating events for University of Arkansas fans. The result is a nugget that looks like a pig but tastes like chicken.

Niki Mann, director of product development for Tyson’s retail business, said she and her team sought to bring the product to market about four months ago, inspired by the excitement around Razorback sports, especially with the hiring of Hall of Fame basketball coach John Calipari. Tyson Foods Chairman John Tyson played a role in the Calipari hiring.

The “Razorback Nuggets” shaped like the hog mascot are breaded frozen white meat chicken similar to the company’s popular dinosaur-shaped nuggets but about twice the size and sold only in a larger family-size bag.

Tyson Foods rolls out ‘Razorback Nuggets’ ahead of football season