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National MS Society: Targeted Funding Opportunity: Innovative Screening Approaches for Early Detection of MS
NEW YORK, Nov. 3 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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November 2, 2026
Targeted Funding Opportunity: Innovative Screening Approaches for Early Detection of MS
The National MS Society is pleased to announce the opening of a request for applications (RFA). The goal of this targeted funding opportunity is to support development and validation of scalable, clinically practical, and implementable MS screening technologies that can be used across a wide variety of healthcare settings (e.g., primary care, specialty care, or community-based settings). Successful
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NEW YORK, Nov. 3 -- The National Multiple Sclerosis Society issued the following news:
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November 2, 2026
Targeted Funding Opportunity: Innovative Screening Approaches for Early Detection of MS
The National MS Society is pleased to announce the opening of a request for applications (RFA). The goal of this targeted funding opportunity is to support development and validation of scalable, clinically practical, and implementable MS screening technologies that can be used across a wide variety of healthcare settings (e.g., primary care, specialty care, or community-based settings). Successfultechnologies will improve the identification of individuals who should undergo comprehensive neurological evaluation for MS, ultimately accelerating time to diagnosis.
This is a global initiative, and investigators from a broad range of disciplines are encouraged to apply, including (but not limited to) those with expertise in multiple sclerosis, neurology, neuroimmunology, autoimmune disease, imaging, ophthalmology, artificial intelligence, digital health, biomarker discovery, diagnostics development, and data science.
Applications are open to academic institutions, nonprofit research organizations, and commercial organizations. Multidisciplinary collaborations are welcome, but we only recognize a single principal investigator as the individual responsible for the management of the award.
Learn more about the opportunity and how to apply on our website.
View the full RFA here (https://cdn.sanity.io/files/y936aps5/production/09496be6bfc8be72169e79a234c9e270238ed720.pdf).
This is one of two opportunities that will be administered through the FIRST-MS initiative. By supporting the development of innovative risk identification and screening technologies, FIRST-MS (Faster Identification, Recognition, and Screening for Timely MS Diagnosis) aims to enable earlier diagnosis, thereby shortening time to treatment, and improving long-term outcomes for people with MS.
A second funding opportunity on innovative approaches to risk classification will support development of scalable, low-cost approaches that identify individuals at elevated risk of MS and enrich populations for further evaluation. We anticipate sharing more details in January or February of 2027.
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About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. Currently there is no cure. Symptoms vary from person to person and may include disabling fatigue, mobility challenges, cognitive changes, and vision issues. An estimated 1 million people live with MS in the United States. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to minimize disability. Significant progress is being made to achieve a world free of MS.
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About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National MS Society, founded in 1946, is the global leader of a growing movement dedicated to creating a world free of MS. The Society funds cutting-edge research for a cure, drives change through advocacy and provides programs and services to help people affected by MS live their best lives. Connect to learn more and get involved: nationalmssociety.org, Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, YouTube or 1-800-344-4867.
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Original text here: https://www.nationalmssociety.org/news-and-magazine/news/rfa-screening-for-early-detection-of-ms
[Category: Health Care]
The Griffith Foundation and APCIA Honor John C. Roche with 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award
CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 2 [Category: Insurance] -- The American Property Casualty Insurance Association posted the following news release:
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The Griffith Foundation and APCIA Honor John C. Roche with 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award
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The Hanover Insurance Group President and CEO recognized for distinguished industry leadership and commitment to insurance education
MALVERN, Pa. -- The Institutes Griffith Foundation and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) today honored John C. "Jack" Roche, president and chief executive officer of The Hanover Insurance Group, with
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CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 2 [Category: Insurance] -- The American Property Casualty Insurance Association posted the following news release:
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The Griffith Foundation and APCIA Honor John C. Roche with 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award
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The Hanover Insurance Group President and CEO recognized for distinguished industry leadership and commitment to insurance education
MALVERN, Pa. -- The Institutes Griffith Foundation and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) today honored John C. "Jack" Roche, president and chief executive officer of The Hanover Insurance Group, withthe 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award during the APCIA Annual Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.
Presented by Katherine Horowitz, CPCU, president of The Institutes, the award recognizes Roche's longstanding commitment to insurance education, his support of the missions of the Griffith Foundation and APCIA, and his contributions to the property and casualty insurance industry.
For more than two decades, the Griffith Foundation and APCIA have partnered to recognize industry leaders whose commitment to education and service has helped advance the missions of both organizations.
"Jack's career embodies the leadership this award was created to honor," said Horowitz. "Across more than four decades in property and casualty insurance, he has made education a priority, generously sharing his knowledge and opening doors for others to learn and grow. It is an honor to celebrate that commitment."
"Jack has earned the respect of colleagues across our industry through his thoughtful leadership, deep experience, and commitment to the people and organizations he serves," said David A. Sampson, president and chief executive officer of APCIA. "He has always understood that leadership extends beyond any one company. It's also about giving back, sharing what you know, and helping prepare the next generation to lead. Jack has done that throughout his career, and he is very deserving of this honor."
Roche has more than 40 years of experience in the property and casualty insurance industry. He joined The Hanover in 2006 and was appointed president and CEO in 2017, following several senior leadership roles across the company's personal and commercial insurance businesses.
Under his leadership, The Hanover has strengthened its position in the independent agency channel, delivered strong financial performance, and continued to invest in the capabilities needed to serve its agents and customers.
Beyond his executive responsibilities, Roche has been an active contributor to the broader insurance community. He serves as a member of The Institutes Board of Trustees, on APCIA's board of directors, and on the board of overseers of St. John's University Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science.
Roche announced earlier this year that he will retire as president and CEO of The Hanover at the end of 2026, concluding a distinguished career spanning more than four decades.
About The Institutes Griffith Foundation
The Institutes Griffith Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-advocative educational organization dedicated to providing unbiased information about risk management and insurance through educational programs for public policymakers. The Griffith Foundation is affiliated with The Institutes, a leading provider of risk management and insurance education. For more information, visit GriffithFoundation.org.
About The Institutes
The Institutes(r) are a not-for-profit dedicated to helping people and organizations succeed in the essential disciplines of risk management and insurance. Through numerous affiliated business units and brands, we educate, elevate, and connect students, professionals, and organizations by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and collaboration they need to tackle the most complex risk management and insurance challenges. Backed by more than 115 years as a trusted knowledge partner, we empower people and organizations to create a more resilient world. Learn more at Global.TheInstitutes.org.
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Original text here: https://www.apci.org/media/news-releases/release/91574/
Rural residents faced nearly 3x higher risk of heart attack death before reaching a hospital
DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 2 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Heart Association posted the following news release:
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Rural residents faced nearly 3x higher risk of heart attack death before reaching a hospital
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Research Highlights:
* Compared to city residents, people living in rural areas who had a heart attack had a nearly threefold higher risk of dying before they got to a hospital, according to an analysis of 20-years of national U.S. hospital data from the CDC's WONDER database.
* Heart attack-related death prior to hospital arrival, or death while in outpatient or emergency care
... Show Full Article
DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 2 [Category: Health Care] -- The American Heart Association posted the following news release:
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Rural residents faced nearly 3x higher risk of heart attack death before reaching a hospital
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Research Highlights:
* Compared to city residents, people living in rural areas who had a heart attack had a nearly threefold higher risk of dying before they got to a hospital, according to an analysis of 20-years of national U.S. hospital data from the CDC's WONDER database.
* Heart attack-related death prior to hospital arrival, or death while in outpatient or emergency caresettings were also more common among Black adults than white adults in rural settings.
* Young adults, particularly those between ages 20 and 44, also disproportionately died from heart attacks outside of the hospital. This may be attributable to delayed recognition of heart attack among younger adults, researchers noted.
* Note: The study featured in this news release is a research abstract. Abstracts presented at American Heart Association's scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, and the findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
Embargoed until 4 a.m. CT/5 a.m. ET, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026
DALLAS, Nov. 2, 2026 -- People living in rural areas who experienced a heart attack were nearly three times more likely to die before reaching hospital care, compared to those living in large, metropolitan areas, according to new, independent, preliminary research to be presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026. The meeting, Nov. 6-9, in Chicago, is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science.
In the U.S., someone experiences a heart attack every 40 seconds, according to the American Heart Association's 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics, with about 50% of fatal heart attacks occurring outside of the hospital.
Previously, there was limited data on exactly which populations and demographics were at greater risk of death before reaching hospital care. This study explored participants' location at the time of heart attack and death, distance to the nearest hospital and whether deaths differed according to their age, sex, race, Hispanic ethnicity, and urban or rural residency.
"Getting emergency care as soon as possible can make a major difference in a life-threatening situation," said study author Darshan Shivanne Gowda, M.B.B.S, a medical student at Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences in Karnataka, India. "We found that people who live in rural areas and certain other populations were more likely to die before receiving urgent care for a heart attack that would improve their chances of survival."
What are the study's main findings?
* Rural residents were nearly three times more likely to die before hospital arrival, as well as about 89% more likely to die at home and 58% more likely to die in outpatient or emergency care settings than people who live in large, metropolitan areas.
* Black adults who experienced heart attacks were about 16% more likely to die prior to arrival at the hospital and 25% more likely to die at outpatient facilities compared to white adults, which may reflect racial inequities in pre-hospital care.
* In contrast, Hispanic adults who died from heart attacks were more likely to die in the hospital than non-Hispanic adults.
* Overall, men were 20%-40% more likely to die from a heart attack before hospital arrival than women.
* Adults older than age 65 were up to six times more likely to die in a long-term care facility after a heart attack.
* Young adults, particularly those between ages 20 and 44, disproportionately died from heart attacks that occurred outside of the hospital, potentially because of delayed recognition of heart attacks among this age group.
"The message for patients and families is simple: know the warning signs of a heart attack and do not wait to seek help," Gowda said. "Call 9-1-1 immediately when symptoms occur. At the same time, our findings show that communities need reliable emergency medical services and timely access to specialized heart attack care, regardless of where people live."
"We were also struck by the higher likelihood of out-of-hospital death among younger adults," he said. "Heart attacks are often perceived as primarily affecting older adults, so the finding that younger adults had the highest relative odds of death by the time they reached the hospital underscores the importance of recognizing heart attack symptoms across all age groups."
The American Heart Association has identified the rural health crisis as one of the top three barriers to achieving health care access and improving care for all people, everywhere. Recognizing the gaps in healthcare for rural Americans, the Association has funded a multi-pronged approach to improving health in rural America. Projects include delivering resources (such as self-measured blood pressure monitors, CPR education, addressing nutrition insecurity and youth engagement program) to strengthen rural and tribal communities by training a public health workforce; funding a scientific research initiative comprised of a network of special projects focused on advancing the understanding of the factors that impact health in rural America; and creating a Rural Health Care Outcomes Accelerator to expand rural hospital participation in Get With The Guidelines(r), the American Heart Association's proven, evidence-based, in-hospital approach to improving patient outcomes by promoting consistent adherence to the latest research-driven guidelines and measurement.
"Heart attack is a time-sensitive emergency," said Johanna Paola Contreras, M.D., FAHA, a member of the American Heart Association's International Committee and Community Engagement Committee and founder of the association's National Hispanic Latino Cardiovascular Collaborative. "Rural communities may face longer distances to hospitals, fewer emergency and specialty cardiovascular services, and challenges with transportation and access to timely care. Although this study cannot tell us which of these factors explains the difference, the findings reinforce the importance of strengthening emergency medical services, prevention, early recognition and access to specialized cardiovascular care in rural communities. Our goal should be simple: where someone lives should not determine whether they survive a cardiovascular emergency."
Contreras, who was not involved in this research, is an associate professor of medicine (cardiology) at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; director of Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy Clinical and Research Network at Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and medical director of the Hispanic Heart Center at Mount Sinai Health System in New York City. She noted that the responsibility for improving outcomes among rural patients belongs to families, healthcare professionals and policy makers.
"Everyone must know the warning signs of a heart attack and act quickly," she said. "If symptoms suggest a heart attack, call 9-1-1 rather than trying to drive yourself to the hospital. And importantly, being young does not exclude the possibility of a heart attack. The disproportionate number of out-of-hospital deaths among younger adults in this study reminds us that serious cardiovascular symptoms need to be recognized at every age. Communities and health systems must also provide reliable emergency medical services and pathways that allow people to reach appropriate cardiovascular care quickly, particularly when they live far from a hospital."
Study details, background, design and limitations:
* Researchers reviewed death certificate data from the CDC WONDER database for deaths occurring in the U.S. between 2003 and 2023.
* The study analyzed the place of the heart attack and death for more than 2.5 million adults (ages 20 or older) who died from heart attack.
* Rural areas were defined as counties outside metropolitan areas and classified as either micropolitan or noncore areas. Micropolitan areas center around small urban clusters of 10,000-49,999 residents, whereas noncore areas lack a substantial urban center and represent more geographically isolated rural communities, Gowda explained.
* Place of death was categorized as upon hospital arrival, outpatient or emergency setting, home, hospice or nursing home/long-term care facilities.
* The retrospective, observational study cannot prove direct causation among social demographic factors, location and death.
* Place of death is an indirect measure of emergency care access because it does not directly account for when heart attack symptoms began, emergency response and transportation times, distance to hospitals, proximity to heart attack specialty care, or other delays in seeking or accessing care.
Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the abstract.
Statements and conclusions of studies that are presented at the American Heart Association's scientific meetings are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. Abstracts presented at the Association's scientific meetings are not peer-reviewed, rather, they are curated by independent review panels and are considered based on the potential to add to the diversity of scientific issues and views discussed at the meeting. The findings are considered preliminary until published as a full manuscript in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content and policy positions. Overall financial information is available here.
Additional Resources:
* Multimedia is available on the right column of the release link.
* Spanish news release
* Link to abstract and the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 Online Program Planner
* American Heart Association health information: Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
* American Heart Association health information: Rural Health | American Heart Association
* American Heart Association news release: Deaths from cardiovascular disease increased among younger U.S adults in rural areas (Nov. 2024)
* American Heart Association news release: Original YouTube TM docuseries focuses on health inequities and challenges in rural America (May 2024)
* About Scientific Sessions 2026
* For more news at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2026, follow us on X @HeartNews, #ScientificSessions26
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Original text here: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/rural-residents-faced-nearly-3x-higher-risk-of-heart-attack-death-before-reaching-a-hospital
ICBA Names Melissa Marsal Senior Executive Vice President, Strategic Alignment and Execution
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Independent Community Bankers of America posted the following news release:
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ICBA Names Melissa Marsal Senior Executive Vice President, Strategic Alignment and Execution
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New role to strengthen alignment and execution across innovation, strategic partnerships and enterprise initiatives
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced that Melissa Marsal has joined the organization in a newly created role as senior executive vice president, strategic alignment and execution. She will provide executive leadership in
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Independent Community Bankers of America posted the following news release:
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ICBA Names Melissa Marsal Senior Executive Vice President, Strategic Alignment and Execution
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New role to strengthen alignment and execution across innovation, strategic partnerships and enterprise initiatives
The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced that Melissa Marsal has joined the organization in a newly created role as senior executive vice president, strategic alignment and execution. She will provide executive leadership inadvancing ICBA's innovation strategy, working closely with the innovation team to build on its work. She will also lead ICBA's digital assets solutions efforts, coordinate its external partners group, and oversee enterprise project management and strategic planning execution.
"Melissa's role reflects our commitment to ensuring that ICBA's work in innovation, emerging technologies and strategic partnerships moves forward as a coordinated effort centered on our members' needs," ICBA President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey said. "Her work will help align and prioritize our efforts, strengthening organization-wide collaboration, and helping us execute our strategic priorities for the benefit of community banks and their customers."
Throughout her career, Marsal has led large-scale technology and core system conversions, developed fintech partnerships, directed mergers and acquisitions integration efforts, and driven operational and digital transformation initiatives that enhanced organizational effectiveness and growth.
"I'm excited to build on my work with ICBA and help connect the people, partnerships and priorities that advance its mission," Marsal said. "By aligning strategy with execution, we can strengthen our impact and deliver meaningful results for the community banks and communities we serve."
Prior to joining ICBA, Marsal served as senior vice president and head of commercial banking operations at Capital Bank, N.A., providing strategic oversight for loan and deposit operations, digital banking, product development and customer service functions. Previously, she spent 15 years with Integrated Financial Holdings and West Town Bank & Trust, and was one of the bank's founders, serving in a variety of executive positions before assuming the role of president and CEO.
Marsal earned a Bachelor of Arts from East Carolina University. She has served in numerous industry leadership roles, including board and advisory positions focused on banking, payments, risk management and community development.
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URL: Integrated Financial Holdings
Original text here: https://www.icba.org/w/icba-names-melissa-marsal-senior-executive-vice-president-strategic-alignment-and-execution
ICBA Expands Preferred Service Provider Relationship with Jack Henry to Include Treasury Management
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Independent Community Bankers of America posted the following news release:
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ICBA Expands Preferred Service Provider Relationship with Jack Henry to Include Treasury Management
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Washington, D.C. (Nov. 2, 2026) --The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced an expanded agreement with Preferred Service Provider (PSP) Jack Henry to include the JHA Treasury Management system. The platform helps businesses manage daily financial activities, while creating opportunities for community banks to grow deposits and generate
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 [Category: Financial Services] -- The Independent Community Bankers of America posted the following news release:
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ICBA Expands Preferred Service Provider Relationship with Jack Henry to Include Treasury Management
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Washington, D.C. (Nov. 2, 2026) --The Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) announced an expanded agreement with Preferred Service Provider (PSP) Jack Henry to include the JHA Treasury Management system. The platform helps businesses manage daily financial activities, while creating opportunities for community banks to grow deposits and generatefee income.
"As businesses scale and become more complex, they need a banking partner that can solve for their evolving needs," ICBA Senior Vice President of Innovation Operations Adam Mahone said. "Through this arrangement with Jack Henry, community banks can pair their trusted financial guidance with treasury management tools to help businesses manage payments, monitor cash flow and make informed decisions, while helping community banks strengthen these key relationships and create new opportunities for growth."
The platform brings payments, account and transaction management, and reporting into a centralized workflow. Businesses can process ACH and wire payments, manage and transfer funds across multiple accounts, and access customizable reports on transactions and balances. Fraud mitigation and security capabilities include positive pay, account reconciliation, two-factor authentication, and security alerts
"Our longstanding relationship with ICBA reflects our shared commitment to helping community banks compete and thrive," said Jack Henry Head of Strategy Erica Pilon. "Adding Treasury Management to the PSP program gives community banks another way to pursue larger commercial relationships and deepen existing ones with technology and one-on-one consulting to support their treasury management strategy."
Jack Henry has been an ICBA Preferred Service Provider for 17 years. Its offerings in the PSP program span digital banking, payments, lending, commercial banking, information security and technology, and operations solutions.
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Original text here: https://www.icba.org/w/icba-expands-preferred-service-provider-relationship-with-jack-henry-to-include-treasury-management
Alzheimer's Association Marks National Family Caregivers Month by Honoring the Millions Whose Caregiving Changes Everything
CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 2 [Category: Health Care] -- The Alzheimer's Association posted the following news release:
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Alzheimer's Association Marks National Family Caregivers Month by Honoring the Millions Whose Caregiving Changes Everything
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November recognition highlights the love, dedication and impact of family caregivers supporting those living with Alzheimer's and other dementias
CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2026 -- An Alzheimer's disease or dementia diagnosis affects more than just the person living with the disease. It changes the lives of spouses, children, grandchildren, friends and family
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CHICAGO, Illinois, Nov. 2 [Category: Health Care] -- The Alzheimer's Association posted the following news release:
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Alzheimer's Association Marks National Family Caregivers Month by Honoring the Millions Whose Caregiving Changes Everything
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November recognition highlights the love, dedication and impact of family caregivers supporting those living with Alzheimer's and other dementias
CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2026 -- An Alzheimer's disease or dementia diagnosis affects more than just the person living with the disease. It changes the lives of spouses, children, grandchildren, friends and familymembers who step into the role of caregiver.
During National Family Caregivers Month, the Alzheimer's Association is recognizing the nearly 13 million Americans who provide unpaid care and support to a loved one living with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. Together, these caregivers provided more than 19 billion hours of unpaid care in 2025.
The Association is using the theme "Caregiving Changes Everything" to recognize both how a dementia diagnosis transforms family life and how caregivers, through their love, patience and support, help shape that journey every day.
"Every day, family caregivers demonstrate remarkable compassion, resilience and love," said Elizabeth Edgerly, Ph.D., vice president of Care & Support, Alzheimer's Association. "While Alzheimer's changes the course of a family's life, caregivers have a profound impact on that journey. They provide comfort, advocate for their loved ones and create moments of connection that matter deeply."
"Caregiving is for a season, and unfortunately, it is temporary. I think we would all do well to remember that one day, we will no longer have the privilege of caring for that loved one," said Diane Smith, 62, a caregiver from Oakland, Maryland. "Do it with grace. Do it with compassion. Do it with no regrets or 'I wish I hads.' And give yourself some grace when you get tired or impatient. We are all doing the best we can."
Family caregivers often take on responsibilities that extend far beyond helping with daily activities. They coordinate medical appointments, manage medications, navigate financial and legal decisions, monitor safety, provide transportation and offer emotional support. Many sandwich generation caregivers do so while balancing careers, raising families and managing their own health needs.
Despite their critical role, many caregivers report feeling isolated, overwhelmed and underrecognized.
"Caregivers are often the unsung heroes of the Alzheimer's journey," Edgerly said. "Their dedication helps loved ones remain connected to the people and experiences that matter most. This month is an opportunity for all of us to recognize their contributions and remind them that they do not have to navigate this journey alone."
Throughout November, the Alzheimer's Association will share stories of spouses, adult children, grandchildren and friends whose caregiving experiences reflect both the challenges and rewards of supporting someone living with dementia. Communities, employers, friends and family members are encouraged to recognize caregivers and offer practical support, whether through workplace flexibility, respite opportunities or everyday acts of kindness.
Sometimes, support can be as simple as delivering a meal, helping with errands, providing respite care or checking in with a phone call.
In addition to recognizing caregivers, the Association is reminding families that resources and support are available. These include caregiver education programs, support groups, care planning tools and the Alzheimer's Association's free 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. The Association also offers ALZ Talks, a monthly webinar series available on demand that covers practical caregiving topics ranging from finances to daily care, as well as a new library of short educational videos for those supporting someone who is newly diagnosed.
This National Family Caregivers Month, the Alzheimer's Association is calling on communities across the country to recognize, support and celebrate the caregivers whose compassion, resilience and dedication help families navigate Alzheimer's every day.
Because while Alzheimer's changes everything, caregivers do, too.
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Original text here: https://www.alz.org/news/2026/national-family-caregivers-month-caregiving-changes-everything (TNSmrp)
AFT Expands National Soil Health Demonstration Trial Network with nearly $5 Million from USDA
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 [Category: Agriculture] -- The American Farmland Trust posted the following news release:
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AFT Expands National Soil Health Demonstration Trial Network with nearly $5 Million from USDA
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Farmer-led trials will test how biochar combined with other soil health practices can improve farm profitability, water resilience and overall soil health
(Washington, DC) The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding American Farmland Trust (AFT) nearly $5 million over five years through its Conservation Innovation Grants
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2 [Category: Agriculture] -- The American Farmland Trust posted the following news release:
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AFT Expands National Soil Health Demonstration Trial Network with nearly $5 Million from USDA
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Farmer-led trials will test how biochar combined with other soil health practices can improve farm profitability, water resilience and overall soil health
(Washington, DC) The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is awarding American Farmland Trust (AFT) nearly $5 million over five years through its Conservation Innovation GrantsOn-Farm Trials program to help expand AFT's national network into a coordinated Soil Health Management Systems (SHMS) Network. Working with 35 trial host farms across 14 states in five regions, and more than 20 partners, the project will demonstrate and evaluate biochar application and its performance when integrated with complementary soil health practices on working farms. Through farmer-led trials, technical and financial assistance, decision-support tools, and peer networks, the project will help farmers and ranchers adopt systems that fit their operations, while generating regionally relevant soil, water, economic, and social data.
"Biochar has the potential to build more resilient agroecosystems by improving soil health, stabilizing and increasing yield and profitability, increasing beneficial microbial communities, improving soil water availability, and providing an efficient means to immediately improve degraded soils, particularly in high disturbance and water-limited systems," said AFT Climate and Soil Health Director and Principal Investigator Dr. Bianca Moebius-Clune. "And when low-value biomass, like forest debris, is turned into biochar, that can also reduce wildfire risk for communities while benefiting both ecosystems and farm resilience. But farmers and ranchers want to see how new practices perform on farms like theirs before they invest in significant change."
The project builds AFT's existing biochar and cover crop trial networks in eight states (California, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, and Washington) into a coordinated national 2.0 Soil Health Management Systems Network, expanding into Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
"This network puts locally adapted, biochar-integrated soil health systems to the test across diverse U.S. production systems and connects farmers with each other through peer networks. To address adoption barriers, AFT and partners will continue to develop coordinated soil health transition support. We do that through on-farm trials, trainings and resources, decision support tools, supply chain connections, and a network that expands access to technical and financial assistance, so that healthy soil becomes the norm, not the exception. This vision is what we call a New Conventional Agriculture: profitable, resilient farming built on healthy soil across all agricultural systems," Moebius-Clune said.
The project will demonstrate and evaluate the integration of biochar within full SHMS transitions, including practices such as clover living mulch and other cover cropping opportunities, reduced disturbance, microbial inoculation, compost, manure management, agroforestry, diversified rotations, and livestock integration for resilience to water limitations, and improved nutrient and water management. The network will particularly focus on opportunities to tackle challenges in water-limited and high-disturbance systems, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, peanuts, cotton, leafy greens and other vegetables, corn, soybeans, wheat, almonds, dairy, and forages.
Over five years, the network will collect more than 1,500 soil samples along with yield, economic, water, soil microbial, and nutrient density data. Trial hosts will receive financial assistance, including a net-returns guarantee that protects them if a trial reduces their income. The network will engage in at least 100 events, including hosting 20 field days and regional Growing with Biochar trainings, and will publish at least 30 practical resources, from case studies to decision tools to the next National Biochar Survey; the baseline survey report will be out shortly. AFT's Prosperity Partners team of certified Technical Service Providers will help at least 20 additional farmers and ranchers put biochar to work through NRCS conservation programs, and 5 to 20 partner-led trials will further extend the network. In all, the project expects to reach 3,000 to 5,000 farmers, ranchers, and agricultural advisors.
The USDA NRCS Conservation Innovation Grants On-Farm Trials program award agreement is anticipated to be in place by spring 2027, with new trials to be established from fall 2027 to fall 2028. Partners and supporters include the American Biochar Institute (ABI), Cornell University, University of Louisville, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, Virginia State University, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Dry Farming Institute, Kilimo, Momentum Ag, Lactalis USA (exploring biochar integration into Stonyfield(r) supplier farm dairy systems), EarthOptics (soil mapping), a growing number of biochar producers (Olympic Biochar, Qualterra, Standard Biocarbon, NY Carbon, Soil Carbon Innovations, PyroNexus, BiocharXchange, Plantd, Cold Steppe, and (Re)wilding Biochar Co.), microbial inoculant producers, Edacious (nutrient density testing services), Salt River Project (biochar from forest-thinning biomass), and Virginia Department of Forestry. More partners are expected to join as the network grows.
Partners agree that farmers need to see evidence close to home and recognize the network's value in the evidence it will generate to enable farm-adapted change.
"Biochar shows real promise for soil health, but farmers want to see how it performs on working farms close to home, alongside the practices they already use," said American Biochar Institute Executive Director Myles Gray. "This network will generate that evidence across regions and farm types, and it gives ABI the practical, farm-tested data we need to build sound standards and markets that farmers and ranchers can trust."
"The Dry Farming Institute is very excited for this soil health network to go through," said Dry Farming Institute Executive Director Dr. Gabrielle Roesch-McNally. "We are deeply interested in how biochar applications can improve soil water-holding capacity and support farmers to thrive with less water."
"Biochar and integrated soil health systems hold real promise for farmers, but adoption depends on proof," said EarthOptics CEO Lars Dyrud. "Growers need trusted, regionally relevant data showing what works on their ground and what it means for their bottom line. EarthOptics is proud to partner with American Farmland Trust to bring consistent, defensible soil intelligence across this national network, turning field-level data into insights that help farmers make confident decisions about resilience and profitability."
"We are excited to continue our partnership with American Farmland Trust, combining on-farm research, precision agriculture, biochar, and nitrogen management to improve profitability and sustainability for Nebraska growers. Our four large-scale trials, totaling 20 acres, will demonstrate these practices under real farming conditions," said Dr. Guillermo Balboa, Nebraska Project Lead, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
"I'm thrilled to see the USDA supporting this AFT initiative to develop and evaluate evidence-based solutions to healthier soils. Our research group at the University of Louisville is proud to partner with AFT to work on how biochar's benefits to soil can be enhanced even further by microbial inoculation." said Dr. Natalie Christian, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Louisville.
"As American producers navigate unprecedented soil health challenges, we must leverage every tool we have to provide practical, research-driven solutions. Virginia State University is excited to partner with American Farmland Trust to evaluate biochar-integrated soil health management systems and help producers address these challenges," said Dr. Tiffany Carter of Virginia State University's College of Agriculture.
"Salt River Project is proud to partner with American Farmland Trust to explore how biochar can improve soil health, enhance water resilience and support a sustainable future for agriculture in Arizona," said Elvy Barton, Senior Manager of Water and Forest Sustainability at Salt River Project.
"Cold Steppe is proud to partner with American Farmland Trust, the nation's leader in protecting farmland and promoting sound farming practices for more than four decades. We look forward to serving the farmers in AFT's network and to showing how biochar, built into full soil health management systems, can help keep working lands in working hands through improved economics and agronomics," said Matt Freniere, Co-Founder and President of Cold Steppe.
"It is so important for suppliers like NY Carbon to be involved in these long-term field trials as it gives us a chance to prove out our model of utilizing local Hudson Valley biomass waste by upcycling it into a valuable soil amendment along with guidance from the brilliant researchers at Cornell University and the national reach and dedication of American Farmland Trust to build resilient soils and sustainable food systems that farmers can rely on," said NY Carbon Director of Business Development and Product Bill Hilgendorf.
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Original text here: https://farmland.org/blog/aft-expands-national-soil-health-demonstration-trial-network-with-nearly-5-million-from-usda (TNSmrp)
