Conservation Stories

 In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Todd Baughman, director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock, to explore how cutting-edge research connects directly to the challenges and opportunities facing High Plains producers.

Todd reflects on this year’s unusual weather patterns—cooler nights and timely rains—and what they mean for cotton crops, plant stress, and yield potential. He highlights the center’s expanding drip irrigation research, as well as projects in fertility, cropping systems, regenerative agriculture, and integrating livestock into row-crop systems. The conversation dives into soil health, compaction concerns, and innovative practices like short-term grazing, which can reduce costs, improve cover crop viability, and create new opportunities for younger producers.

Tillery and Todd also tackle big-picture themes: the importance of trustworthy, unbiased research in an age of information overload, the evolving role of GMOs, and how U.S. agriculture underpins not only local economies but also national security. They discuss challenges in global competitiveness, the burden of innovation on American farmers, and the potential for direct farmer-to-buyer models that strengthen local economies and reduce middlemen in the supply chain.

Blending science, economics, and on-the-ground experience, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how research, resilience, and collaboration keep agriculture moving forward in West Texas and beyond.

More about our guests: 

Todd Baughman

Website

Email

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

Support the Conservation Stories Podcast

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

Upcoming Episodes Include: 
• Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips
• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit
• Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Canadian rancher and conservation leader Brian Gilvesey about the ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services) program, a farmer-driven initiative that pays landowners for producing ecosystem services like clean water, biodiversity, soil health, and carbon storage.

Brian shares his personal journey from raising Texas Longhorn cattle in Ontario to helping expand ALUS across 41 communities in North America, empowering farmers to take ownership of conservation without burdensome easements or government red tape. The program’s grassroots model gives communities autonomy to set priorities while attracting funding from corporations, municipalities, and nonprofits eager to invest in environmental outcomes.

Together, Tillery and Brian discuss how ALUS redefines farmers as solution providers—not just food and fiber producers, but stewards of landscapes that benefit all of society. They explore real-world examples, from buffer strips that recycle nutrients through cattle, to wetland restoration, pollinator habitats, and regenerative grazing pilots. Brian emphasizes the importance of valuing ecosystem services, keeping programs voluntary, and telling agriculture’s story in a way that reclaims the environmental agenda.

This episode highlights a new model of conservation—farmer-led, community-based, and market-supported—designed to reward stewardship, strengthen rural communities, and create a more resilient planet.

More about our guests: 

Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.

Website

Email

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: 
• Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips
• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit
• Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Billy Tiller, a fifth-generation cotton farmer, entrepreneur, and data solutions innovator from West Texas. Billy shares his journey from farming and ag banking to launching technology ventures focused on ag data cooperatives and water management solutions. He explains how his work in Nebraska’s Twin Platte Natural Resource District helped pioneer a large-scale project using electric smart meters to track irrigation more accurately and encourage conservation—an approach now viewed as a model across the state.

The conversation expands beyond water to the challenges of dryland farming, the role of crop insurance, and the slim margins farmers face amidst rising input costs. Billy and Tillery also reflect on food systems, from international competition in cotton markets to the need for healthier diets in rural America. Billy shares personal insights on resilience, from cooking during COVID to innovations in chemical solutions through his new venture, the Grower Freedom Alliance, which promotes more efficient and sustainable ag inputs.

Closing with a heartfelt discussion on mentors and legacies, Billy honors those who shaped his path and emphasizes the importance of hope, second chances, and lifting up positive voices in agriculture. This episode blends innovation, faith, and community spirit—painting a vivid picture of how one farmer is working to secure the future of agriculture on the High Plains and beyond.

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims welcomes Tony Vorster and Nick Young, researchers at Colorado State University’s Natural Resource Ecology Lab, to explore how NASA’s remote sensing technology can directly support farmers and ranchers. With years of experience in applied research and the NASA Develop Program, Tony and Nick explain remote sensing in everyday terms—how satellites measure landscapes, track vegetation, and provide insights on soil moisture, biomass, flood risks, and long-term land changes.

The conversation highlights the NASA Acres initiative, which partners with producers to make taxpayer-funded satellite data more accessible and practical. From mapping cover crops and forage availability to helping ranchers use tools like the Rangeland Analysis Platform, the discussion emphasizes the importance of farmer feedback in shaping tools that actually work on the ground. The episode also previews an upcoming project in West Texas to refine cover crop mapping using satellite imagery, with local farmers invited to contribute simple but vital data.

Accessible, collaborative, and farmer-led, this episode shows how space technology can become a down-to-earth ally for agriculture—helping producers adapt to changing landscapes, improve decision-making, and shape the future of conservation.

More about our guests: 

Tony Vorster and Nick Young - research associates at CSU Natural Resource Ecology Lab

Website

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: 
• Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.
• Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips
• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit

 In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with agricultural law expert Jim Bradbury to unpack the complexities of conservation easements—what they are, how they work, and why they’re gaining popularity across Texas. Together, they explore how easements provide landowners with tools to preserve property for future generations, manage estate planning, and protect against fragmentation, all while maintaining agricultural productivity.

Jim explains the mechanics of easements, the financial structures behind them, and how compensation can come through tax deductions, grants, or direct payments. The discussion also addresses skepticism in rural communities, the fears tied to government overreach, and the role of misinformation in shaping public opinion. Jim emphasizes the importance of good communication, intergenerational planning, and understanding easements as a voluntary tool rather than a threat.

The conversation expands to broader conservation and water law issues, touching on produced water, Playa Lake protection, and emerging land-use research initiatives. Tillery and Jim highlight how local solutions, transparency, and farmer-led initiatives build trust and lasting impact. This episode provides landowners, policymakers, and conservation advocates with a clear-eyed look at how easements can balance economic needs, environmental stewardship, and family legacy.

More about our guests: 

James D. Bradbury, PLLC

Email

Website

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: 
• Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.
• Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips
• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims speaks with Joe Martinez, founder of a nonprofit dedicated to helping U.S. farms legally recruit agricultural workers through the H-2A, H-2B, and TN visa programs. With decades of agricultural labor challenges as the backdrop, Joe explains how his organization connects farmers with trained, reliable laborers from Mexico, Guatemala, and beyond—offering not just workers, but long-term relationships that support both farm productivity and community development.

The conversation explores the history of undocumented farm labor, the pressures of immigration enforcement, and how the formal visa system provides a more sustainable solution for farmers facing rising costs and uncertainty. Joe shares how professionalizing the workforce benefits everyone: farmers gain consistency, retailers strengthen their supply chains, and workers’ home communities thrive as wages are reinvested in land, businesses, and infrastructure.

Together, Tillery and Joe highlight the bigger picture—how consumer choices, corporate accountability, and labor reform intersect to shape the future of American agriculture. This episode reveals a powerful truth: feeding and clothing the world depends not only on crops and livestock, but also on the people whose hands harvest and sustain them.

More about our guests: 

Joe Martinez, CEO, Cierto, H2A H2B TN Visa Recruiter

Email

LinkedIn

Website

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: 
• Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.
• Jim Bradbury, Attorney

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Dr. John Beusterien, professor at Texas Tech and founder of the Lubbock Waters project. With a background in literature and history, John shares how his curiosity about the land, culture, and ecology of West Texas led him to water—our most vital and fragile resource.

They explore the hidden history of the Southern High Plains, from ancient peoples and mammoths to early farming practices, and discuss how water has shaped settlement and survival in the region. John highlights the unique urban water reuse system designed in the 1970s by Jim Bertram, which transformed Lubbock’s canyons into a six-mile lake system that both filters water and provides recreational space. The conversation also acknowledges tensions between development and preserving archeological sites, as well as the need to reclaim underutilized public spaces like Yellow House Canyon.

John’s vision for Lubbock Waters is part museum, part community hub, and part research center—a place where families can engage with water in fun, hands-on ways while learning about conservation, and where innovators can collaborate on future water solutions. This episode blends deep history, present challenges, and bold imagination, reminding listeners that water connects culture, conservation, and community.

More about our guests: 

Dr. John Beusterien, Founder of Lubbock Waters, Professor at Texas Tech

Email

Lubbock Waters Website

Texas Tech Faculty Information Page

Heaven's Harsh Tableland Book

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: 
• Todd Baughman Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center
• Joe Martinez, CEO, Cierto, H2A H2B TN Visa Recruiter
• Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmins Sims sits down with Leah Doozy from Compliance Services International (CSI) to dive into the world of pesticide regulation and its complex relationship with environmental and agricultural practices. Leah shares her extensive background in agricultural economics and conservation, shedding light on the intricate process of getting pesticides approved by the EPA, the importance of labels in regulating chemical use, and the growing concern for endangered species. The conversation highlights the balance between using chemicals for agricultural efficiency and the potential environmental impacts, such as pesticide resistance and soil health. Leah also discusses the evolving nature of regulation, from EPA's early struggles with endangered species protection to their current strategies for mitigating the risks posed by pesticides. This episode offers a unique perspective on the intersection of science, policy, and agriculture, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of how decisions made in the regulatory space affect the environment, farmers, and consumers.

More about our guests: 

Leah, Duzy, Principal Consultant, Compliance Services International

[email protected], www.linkedin.com/in/leahmooreduzy

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: 
• Todd Baughman Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center
• Joe Martinez, CEO, Cierto, H2A H2B TN Visa Recruiter
• Dr. John Beisterien, Lubbock Waters

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with agricultural legend Jane Dever to explore her remarkable journey from a small West Texas cotton farm to leading agricultural research in South Carolina. Jane shares her family’s deep immigrant roots, the legacy of her grandfather’s 160-acre farm, and the powerful story of how her parents opened their home to foster and refugee children. She reflects on decades in the cotton industry—from improving West Texas fiber quality through public breeding programs to working with FiberMax and championing underserved growers. Their conversation also explores agricultural transitions, from hemp fiber’s challenges to innovative uses of indigo, and the importance of connecting end buyers with producers. Now directing Clemson University’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center, Jane discusses managing diverse research programs, adapting to new crops, promoting pollinator habitats, and seeing conservation in action through wildlife and habitat health. This episode blends history, science, and heart—showcasing how stewardship, innovation, and community shape the future of agriculture.

More about our guests: 

Jane Dever, Professor and Director, Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center

Facebook 

Email

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: 
• Leah Duzy, Principal Consultant, Compliance Services International
• Todd Baughman Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center
• Joe Martinez, CEO, Cierto, H2A H2B TN Visa Recruiter

In this thought-provoking episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims welcomes hydrologist and University of Texas researcher Dr. Bridget Scanlon, whose global perspective and deep technical insight offer a compelling look at water’s future in West Texas and beyond. Originally from southwest Ireland and now based in Austin, Dr. Scanlon shares her journey from farming roots to cutting-edge research in groundwater recharge, produced water reuse, and climate-smart resource management.

The episode dives into challenges and innovations around water quantity, quality, and treatment—especially as they relate to agriculture and energy production in the Permian Basin. From reusing produced water to recharge aquifers, to expanding local horticulture models like Leighton’s sustainable strawberry farm, Dr. Scanlon and Tillery discuss practical solutions that balance environmental stewardship, economic realities, and community resilience.

With refreshing candor, the conversation also highlights the disconnect between federal programs and local needs, the growing awareness of aquifer depletion, and the importance of farmer voices in policy discussions. This episode serves as both a cautionary tale and a hopeful roadmap for sustainable water use across rural America.

More about our guests: 

Bridget Scanlon Research Professor University of Texas at Austin

Contact Bridget

Water Resources Podcast

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: 
• Jane Dever, Professor and Director, Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center
• Leah Duzy, Principal Consultant, Compliance Services International
• Todd Baughman Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center