Conservation Stories

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Eric Yates of NoFence about how virtual fencing technology is changing livestock and land management. Their conversation explores how GPS-enabled collars for cattle, sheep, and goats can help producers contain animals, rotate grazing areas, protect sensitive land, respond more quickly to emergencies, and even reduce labor demands in large or difficult terrain. Eric explains how the collars use audio cues and mild corrective pulses to train animals to respect invisible boundaries, while also giving producers real-time location and movement data that can help with everything from gathering livestock to spotting abnormal behavior. Overall, the episode highlights virtual fencing as a practical, conservation-minded tool that could make grazing management more flexible, efficient, and resilient for producers in Texas and beyond.

More about our guest: 
Eric Yates
National Sales Director, Nofence
nofence.com

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

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Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmins-Sims sits down with Erin Irwin, co-founder of The Daisy Project—a new Lubbock-based nonprofit launched in April 2025 to help families feed their household pets during tough times, with the goal of preventing rehoming and abandonment. Erin shares the personal story behind the organization—created in honor of her daughter Haley and inspired by Haley’s love for animals—along with what it’s been like building a “baby nonprofit” from the ground up. They talk about the real-world impact The Daisy Project is already making (including thousands of pounds of food distributed), the boundaries required to keep services sustainable, and how local partnerships—like their space inside Missy’s Resale—help meet needs across the community.

More about our guests: 

Erin Irwin, Founder, The Daisy Project

Email: [email protected]

Phone #: 806-901-3363

Facebook

We are active on the NextDoor app as The Daisy Project

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include: 

•Andrew Wright, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

• Darren Hudson, Combest Endowed Chair and Associate Dean, Davis College, Texas Tech University

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Hugh Aljoe of the Noble Research Institute to talk about the “why” behind Noble—and how the organization evolved from early soil testing and plant research into a national leader focused on regenerative ranching. Hugh shares his own journey from West Texas roots and range science at Texas A&M to three decades at Noble, then breaks down what integrated resource management looks like in practice: pairing grazing, economics, and animal science to help producers reach their goals. The conversation digs into drought cycles, soil health, profitability, peer-to-peer learning, and why lasting change is less about chasing an “easy button” and more about principles, local context, and outcomes that keep people on the land.

More about our guests: 

Hugh Aljoe, Director of Ranches Outreach and Partnerships, Noble Research Institute

Website

YouTube

Facebook

Instagram 

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include: 

•Andrew Wright, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

• Darren Hudson, Combest Endowed Chair and Associate Dean, Davis College, Texas Tech University

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Lee Lancaster to uncover a largely forgotten chapter of agricultural history: the 1970s farmer protests that sent tractors rolling toward state capitals and Washington, D.C.

Lee shares how a passing reference to modern-day protests led him to research the American Agriculture Movement, a time when farmers organized through phone trees, rallied by the thousands, and demanded “parity, not charity” — simply a fair price for what they produced. Drawing from personal family connections and firsthand accounts, this conversation explores the grit, determination, and quiet resolve of farm families who fought to protect their livelihoods and why their story still matters today.

More about our guests: 

Lee Lancaster, Author, Lee Lancaster Books

Email: julie.hdleelancasterbooks.com

Facebook

Instagram 

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include: 

• Hugh Aljoe, Director of Ranches Outreach and Partnerships, Noble Research Institute

• Darren Hudson, Combest Endowed Chair and Associate Dean, Davis College, Texas Tech University

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Julie Hodges, Helen DeVitt Jones Endowed Director of Education at the National Ranching Heritage Center on the campus of Texas Tech University, to explore one of the South Plains’ greatest treasures.

Together, they unpack what a ranch really is — not just in history books, but as a living, breathing part of life on the Great Plains today. From 27 acres of preserved historic ranch structures to cutting-edge interactive exhibits, Julie shares how the museum bridges past and present, connecting visitors to the land, livestock, grasslands, and the people who steward them.

They also dive into the wildly popular Ranch Life Learning Center inspired by Hank the Cowdog, created in partnership with author John Erickson. Through immersive exhibits, hands-on STEM learning, panoramic ranch footage, and playful storytelling, the center answers the big question: What is a ranch? — and why does it matter?

From prairie fires and water conservation to grass as the foundation of ecosystems and livelihoods, this conversation celebrates West Texas heritage while reminding us that ranching isn’t just history — it’s happening right now.

Whether you’re a lifelong South Plains native or brand new to the region, this episode will inspire you to see the land — and the stories rooted in it — with fresh eyes.

Resource: The Ranching Heritage Center

More about our guests: 

Julie Hodges, Helen DeVitt Jones Endowed Director of Education, National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University

Email: [email protected]

Facebook

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include: 
• Hugh Aljoe, Director of Ranches Outreach and Partnerships, Noble Research Institute

• Lee Lancaster, Author, Lee Lancaster Books

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Andrew Wright, an agricultural economist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, to unpack the real-world economics driving farm decisions on the Texas High Plains. From enterprise budgets and input costs (seed, fertilizer, chemicals, and energy) to crop insurance, price risk, and the difference between “subsidies” and risk-management safety nets, Andrew breaks down complex topics in a practical, accessible way. The conversation also looks ahead—exploring long-term water constraints tied to the Ogallala Aquifer, how producers adapt through new cropping systems and technology, and why sustainable solutions must pencil out for farmers to adopt them.

For more information about AgriLife Extension Service, contact Andrew Wright: 

email: [email protected]

phone: 806-723-8458

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Levi Heffelfinger to explore the often-overlooked wildlife of the Texas Panhandle and the applied research shaping its future. Levi shares his work with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and explains why he’s based in Lubbock, diving into real-world research on mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and the changing relationship between wildlife, agriculture, and land management. Together, they discuss how irrigation changes, grazing practices, and conservation programs influence wildlife behavior—and why applied, on-the-ground science is essential for landowners, researchers, and conservationists navigating a rapidly evolving landscape.

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

In this episode of Conservation Stories, hosted by Tillery Timmons-Sims, Tillery sits down with Randy Jordan and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz to unpack the long road behind the proposed Lubbock County Expo Center and why it matters for West Texas. Drawing on Dr. Jim’s decades-long experience helping bring the Brazos County Expo Center to life and Randy’s leadership in guiding Lubbock’s effort, the conversation explores vision, persistence, funding strategies, public trust, and the real economic impact these facilities create beyond their walls. Together, they discuss how community buy-in, phased development, and long-term thinking can turn a bold idea into a generational investment that supports agriculture, drives regional growth, and strengthens the entire South Plains.

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Dr. Kathryn Simpson, Associate Professor of Urban Horticulture and Sustainability at Texas Tech, to talk about an unexpected West Texas opportunity: guayule (pronounced “why-YOO-lee”)—a desert shrub that produces natural rubber and latex.

Dr. Simpson explains why guayule matters right now, from global supply-chain disruptions to the growing need for hypoallergenic latex that doesn’t carry the proteins that cause many allergic reactions. She breaks down how guayule is grown, where the rubber lives in the plant, and what it takes to move a crop from research plots to a real-world supply loop—seed, cultivation, processing, and end-use products.

The conversation also explores “rubber dandelion,” how Texas Tech fits into a multi-university research effort, and why West Texas may be a perfect testing ground for the next generation of water-smart, high-value crops.

More about our guests: 

Dr. Kathryn Simpson, Associate Professor of Urban Horticulture and Sustainability at Texas Tech

Email Catherine

LinkedIn

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include: 
• Randy Jordan and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Kerry Siders, Extension Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife, about the critical role applied research plays in West Texas agriculture. Drawing on decades of experience at the Barker Research Farm, Kerry shares how extension bridges the gap between university science and on-the-ground decision-making for producers.

The conversation covers cotton production, integrated pest management, emerging threats like the cotton jassid, and how research and education help farmers adapt to changing conditions while balancing innovation and conservation. This episode offers a concise look at how practical research supports resilient farms and rural communities across the South Plains.

Resource: About the Cotton Jassid

More about our guests: 

Kerry Siders, Extension Program Specialist, IPM
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service

Email Kerry

For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include: 
• Randy Jordan and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz