The Rancher, the Restaurant, and the Ag Commish Race

Guest: Lee Wells

Wildfires are burning across the Texas Panhandle again — and the conditions feel all too familiar.

In this episode, Suzanne sits down with rancher, restaurateur, and filmmaker Lee Wells to talk about:

• What wildfire recovery really looks like for cattle families
• The unseen logistics of feeding livestock on burned ground
• Why the cattle market is out of balance — and what could fix it
• The long-term risks to rural Texas if herd numbers don’t recover
• The Texas Agriculture Commissioner race and why leadership matters
• Rural economic development and the farm-to-table model

Lee shares firsthand stories from the 2024 Panhandle wildfires and explains why he believes rebuilding herd supply is critical to stabilizing beef prices and protecting ranchers long-term.

This conversation connects fire, food, markets, and policy — and what it all means for the future of rural Texas.

Wildfire Relief Efforts

Lee and his team are actively coordinating hay, feed, transport, and on-the-ground support for ranchers impacted by current wildfires.

If you would like to donate, volunteer, or learn more about the ongoing relief efforts:

Wildfire Documentary & Updates:
https://wereheredoc.com/

Community Impact & Disaster Relief Donations:
https://leewellsofficial.com/community-impact/

Funds help cover:

• Hay and feed for displaced cattle
• Fuel and transportation costs
• Equipment and fencing repair
• Coordinated relief logistics in fire-affected counties

Every contribution helps keep cattle fed and families afloat.

About the Documentary – We’re Here

Lee’s award-winning documentary We’re Here captures the human side of the 2024 Texas Panhandle wildfires — neighbor helping neighbor, ranchers rebuilding, and the resilience of rural communities.

The film has received multiple independent film festival awards and continues to gain national attention.

Learn more or watch the trailer at:
 https://wereheredoc.com/

Partner With The Texas Rural Reporter

If you believe rural Texas deserves serious coverage and honest conversations about agriculture, markets, and public policy, consider sponsoring the Texas Rural Reporter podcast.

We partner with businesses and organizations that support:

• Rural enterprise
• Local journalism
• Agricultural leadership
• Community resilience

Contact Suzanne to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.  

Email: [email protected]

Suzanne Bellsnyder
Texas Rural Reporter
Bringing a voice to rural Texas — because rural Texas is the BEST Texas.

In this episode of Texas Rural Reporter, Suzanne Bellsnyder sits down with Travis Ransom, County Judge of Cass County, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of rural Texas—and who gets to shape it.

The discussion tackles one of the most urgent but underfunded issues in rural Texas: roads. With nearly 1,000 miles of county roads and limited revenue, Ransom lays out the reality of maintaining critical infrastructure, argues for redirecting a portion of the motor fuels tax, and shares ideas for innovative funding tools to keep rural Texans safe—especially during economic downturns.

Suzanne brings the conversation back to the people behind the policy, reflecting on town halls, grassroots advocacy, and the responsibility communities have to speak up for their water, land, and future. Together, they explore why small towns matter, how private property rights intersect with development, and what it will take to build a durable network of rural advocates.

This is a grounded, practical conversation about roads, resources, and representation—rooted in rural Texas and focused on what it takes to protect communities for the long haul.

In this episode of the Texas Rural Reporter, Suzanne Bellsnyder sits down with Roger Estlack, editor of the Clarendon Enterprise, to talk about what it takes to keep a rural newspaper—and a rural town—alive.

Roger shares how local journalism runs in his blood, tracing his family’s newspaper roots back to 1929, and explains why rural newspapers still matter: they record local history, hold government accountable, and provide context and perspective in a world flooded with misinformation. He makes a clear case for how communities can support local papers: subscribe—but more importantly—advertise, because local business support keeps the newsroom running.

The conversation also moves beyond the newsroom into Roger’s work in economic development, including projects like the Mulkey Theater restoration, downtown revitalization efforts, and quality-of-life investments that help small towns compete. Suzanne and Roger discuss rural policy frustrations with Austin, emphasizing that democracy works best closest to the people—what Suzanne calls “dirt democracy.”

Finally, Roger weighs in on AI/data-center development in the region, arguing rural communities should negotiate smartly for benefits and protections while welcoming good-paying jobs that could bring young people home. He closes with a heartfelt picture of Clarendon—and why rural Texas is still “the real Texas.”

The voucher fight in Austin is underway and my guest Glenn Rogers is someone who knows first hand what is at stake for Rural Republican Legislators, our rural schools and communities. Rogers says we can’t lose hope because the fight is not over, and Austin needs to hear from those of us in Rural Texas who support our public schools. Be sure to listen, take action, and help me share Glenn’s important message.

Watch the Video: https://texasruralreporter.substack.com/publish/post/156690036

Sign up for our Texas Rural Reporter Newsletter: www.texasruralreporter.substack.com

I sat down earlier this Fall with Michael Lee who is the Superintendent of Booker ISD in the Texas Panhandle.  Michael is a former advocate for small schools in Austin, so a lot of our conversation focuses on the landscape around public school vouchers and other issues that negatively impact rural communities, such as taxpayer-funded lobbying.   Lee is an expert in small schools and public education and an excellent Superintendent, Booker ISD was recently named a Blue Ribbon School for 2024.

Mark Garcia is a Texas Panhandle Native and a Former Border Patrol Agent and Trainer living in Eagle Pass. Mark talks with me about the impact of Trump's Deportation orders on Texas, especially our Rural communities, and breaks down what it all means.

• Follow on Twitter @sbellsnyder
• Sign up for more Podcast videos and Suzanne's writings at: www.texasruralreport.substack.com

I sat down this week with Wade Callaway, the Superintendent of Gruver ISD in Hansford County. Gruver is a very small rural school that is doing great things for their kids. Gruver ISD is Growing Greatness and a shining example of a Rural Texas School District. 

In this first episode #1 of the Texas Rural Report Podcast Callaway and I talk about our local educational goals, his amusing spat with Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, the interesting politics of Texas education, and we share some ideas on how the #txlege can help rural communities.

Links:

• Gruver ISD
• Wade Callaway on Twitter
• ww.SchoolDigger.com