The Hill Country Podcast

Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places and their activities of the Texas Hill Country.  

It’s no secret that Texas farmers and ranchers are facing a variety of challenges. But thanks to the progress made during the 89th Texas Legislature, some of these issues are being addressed. In this episode of the podcast, Tom Fox speaks with Carter Keating, the founder and executive director of Texas Agriculture Connection, a nonprofit advocacy organization, about the progress made during the recent legislative session.

Keating explains how House Bill 1750 and House Bill 23 Eight strengthened the existing right to Farm statute, and how House Bill Nine used fiscal policy to access federal resources for Texas to develop and operate broadband infrastructure. Additionally, he talks about the New Water Supply for Texas Fund, which was established to finance water supply projects and develop 7-million-acre feet of new water supplies over the next ten years. He also discusses the Texas Water Fund, which provides funding for repair and replacement of water infrastructure, awareness programs, and rural political subdivisions.

Keating also explains the importance of broadband access. He points out that 7 million Texans across 3 million households lack quality, high speed broadband Internet access, which can have a negative impact on education access, health care outcomes, and businesses’ ability to compete. House Bill Nine made use of some very smart fiscal policy to put up matching funds to get access to federal resources for Texas to develop and operate broadband infrastructure.

The organization also worked on House Bill 2851, which would increase the maximum size of a grant under the Young Farmer Grant Program from twenty thousand dollars to thirty-five thousand dollars. House Bill One, the general appropriations bill, appropriated $500,000 to the Young Farmer Grant Program over the next two years.

Keating also talks about his plans to travel across the state to solicit the opinions of farmers and ranchers and other agricultural producers. He explains that the issues for farmers are fairly consistent across the state, with water, broadband, and infrastructure being important issues that span across the state of Texas.

In addition to the legislative progress made, there are 14 proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot in November. Texas Agriculture Connection and TAC are in support of voting yes on three proposed constitutional amendments: HJR 126, HJR 125, and SJR 75.

Finally, Keating discusses the 18-month period between the end of one regular session and the start of the next regular session. He explains that Texas Agriculture Connection and other organizations will be focusing on hearing from farmers and ranchers about their issues over the next 18 months.

This episode provides an insightful look into the progress made in the Texas Legislature and the issues that are important to Texas farmers and ranchers. It’s clear that the right to farm, broadband infrastructure, water infrastructure, and young farmer funding and support are all important issues for Texas farmers and ranchers. With the progress made during the 89th Texas Legislature and the upcoming constitutional amendments, Texas farmers and ranchers can look forward to a brighter future.

Key Highlights

·       Assessment of Agricultural initiatives in the 88th Legislature

·       Right to Farm

·      Water Infrastructure

·      Broadband Infrastructure

·      Constitutional amendments

 Resources

Carter Keating on LinkedIn

Texas Agriculture Connection

Tom Fox

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Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places and their activities of the Texas Hill Country.  In this episode Tom visits with Loren Steffy about the controversy regarding the announcement of the hiring of Kathleen McElroy to head the School of Journalism and how it all went sideways.

This matter involves a recent controversy at Texas A&M University and highlighted the need for universities to embrace inclusion and create an environment where all students feel welcome and respected. The controversy began when the school attempted to hire Kathleen McElroy, an A&M graduate, to head the journalism program. The job offer was changed from a tenured position to a one-year position with the possibility of being fired at any time, leading to the resignation of the school's president. This incident has caused a stir, prompting discussions about the importance of diversity and inclusion in higher education and the unique culture of A&M, which is both inclusive and exclusive. It has also raised questions about the university's hiring practices and whether they have been giving potential employees and students from diverse backgrounds a fair chance.

 Key Highlights

·       Kathleen McElroy's Initial Hiring

·       It all goes sideways

·      A&M Culture

·      A&M Hiring Issues

·      What does it all mean?

 Resources

Loren Steffy

Stoney Creek Publishing

Texas A&M’s Journalism Fiasco Has Roots in the School’s Conformist Culture by Loren Steffy in TexasMonthly.com

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places, and activities of the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom is joined by co-host Andrew Gay to find out more about the 2023-24 class for Leadership Kerr County.

Are you looking for a way to develop your leadership skills and make an impact in your community? Look no further than Leadership Kerr County! This nine-month program is designed to provide leadership training and development for people in the Kerr County area. With an August 1 deadline for applications, now is the perfect time to apply.

Today’s guest is Leadership Kerr County co-chair Zach Riffett and Andrew Gay is part of the steering committee. Zach is a financial planner with Edward Jones and has been in the Kerr County area for the past 10 years. He is passionate about making an impact in the community and is involved in several boards and committees, including PTO, United Way, and Chamber committees.

The program is highly regarded by other leadership programs in contiguous counties, and people in the Kerr County area can ask their peers and coworkers if they have been through the program. Last year's Leadership Kerrville class was mostly women and had some amazing leaders. This year, the Chili Cook-Off is changing hands and there may be some shuffling of the days. The application has been updated to ask different questions and dig deeper into why people want to participate. However, the leadership, committee, and basic structure of the class remain unchanged.

Participants in the program will learn about the community and its ins and outs. There are 8 days in the program: Education Day, Local Government Day, Trip to Austin, Government Day, Economic Day, Tourism and Travel Day, Nonprofit Day, and Retreat. The retreat is a great opportunity for team building activities and breaking down guards and is held at Mo Ranch and takes place in the third week of September. Remember the deadline for application is August 1. 

Resources

Andrew Gay on LinkedIn

Tom Fox on LinkedIn

Leadership Kerr County-Information and Registration

Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places and their activities of the Texas Hill Country.  In this episode Tom visits with Chris Stevenson, at Educational Partnership Coordinator at Schreiner University.

Beginning with the captivating detail that Schreiner University is working to reconnect with high schools and private schools in the area to help serve those communities, this podcast episode discussed the opportunities that Schreiner University provides for students in rural communities. Chris Stevenson, a Hill Country boy born and raised, is passionate about helping families and students learn more about the university and has been hosting many schools in the past year. He is willing to meet with families and students one-on-one to discuss what Schreiner has to offer.

Schreiner has started new initiatives such as the AG science program and banking program to focus on rural schools and communities, and has partnered with banks in Kerrville, Bandera and other Hill Country communities to develop a banking minor program and certification program. Additionally, FFA Development Day was held in Schreiner to promote the idea of surrounding university and the program of Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences. Schreiner has created a partnership with the Texas Rural Schools Association called the TARS Association, and Schreiner is looking to meet the needs of the students and the community by developing new programs such as football, AG programs, and banking programs.

 Key Highlights

·   Schreiner University Recruitment

·   Rural Education Opportunities

·   Schreiner’s Rural Strategy

·   Schreiner University Visits

·   Schreiner’s FFA Events

 Resources

Schreiner University

Chris Stevenson

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the unique area of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places, and activities of the Texas Hill Country.

Join host Tom Fox in this exciting episode of The Hill Country Podcast as he speaks with Jane Ragsdale, the director of Heart O’ the Hills Summer Camp for Girls, who shares her inspiring story of how she started a tutoring program for underprivileged children in Guatemala City, eventually founding the non-profit organization “Guatemala Scholarships.” From there, the podcast turns to the struggles the people of Guatemala faced, including food insecurity and lack of access to basic amenities like electricity, running water, and healthcare.

Discover the heroic efforts of a group of volunteers from various denominations who travel to Guatemala to provide aid, including medical consultations, EMT kits, and basic healthcare and eye tests. Learn about their work in training people in first aid, CPR, and maternity assistance and their efforts to provide education in the area, including building a house for teachers and pre-k programs. Hear Jane’s inspiring story of building a retaining wall by hand in a village in Guatemala and how an organization called Let Hope Begin Here, Guatemala, is helping local students attend high school. Take advantage of this opportunity to open your Heart and learn about the real challenges facing communities in other parts of the world. Email Jane at [email protected] or visit the website. Let hope begin here dot org to get involved! And stay tuned for a future conversation on running the camp with Jane.

 Key Highlights:

Resources

Heart of the Hills

Tom Fox

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Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique area of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places, and their activities of the Texas Hill Country.

In this episode, the "Cookie Lady" Julia Cardoshinsky from Kerrville shares her delicious preparations for Father's Day weekend as well as the secrets to her bakery's success over the past 18 months. Julia talks about her new extended hours for the weekend and giveaways they plan to offer their customers for the country's birthday. She shares their extensive menu, which includes not only cookies but lemon bars, turnovers, muffins, and cakes. The bakery also provides wholesale to local restaurants in the hill country. The podcast hosts talk about their involvement in charitable organizations and their desire to give back to the community. Listen further as Julia reveals how she plans to inspire others to share in her passion for baking, grow her business, and maintain relationships with her customers. Don't miss out on the delectable treats at the Kerrville location and satisfy your sweet tooth cravings now!

 Key Highlights

·       Types of baked goods offered 

·       Bakery Events and Challenges

·      Growth of a Passionate Cookie Store

·      Delegating tasks and building customer relationships

 Resources

The Cookie Store on Facebook

Tom Fox

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Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places and their activities of the Texas Hill Country.  

Join Tom Fox in this heart-warming interview with Kathy Ragsdale, the owner of Camp Stewart, in the beautiful Hill Country. Discover the magic of Camp Stewart, which has been running since 1966 under the same program developed by Kathy's late husband, Si Ragsdale. With over 725 campers this year, the camp offers an array of sports, crafts, music, and more, with the boys assigned to cabins based on their age groups. Kathy reflects on last year's session, which surprisingly saw an increase in interest, despite COVID-19 restrictions. Discover the creative aspect of the camp's activities, where boys can develop their skills and imaginations. Experience the laughter of young boys, the beauty of nature and the significance of the 100th summer of Camp Stewart in 2023 with different logos and honoring its traditions. Kathy believes that camp experiences make a real difference in shaping people's lives- such as her son and her late husband. Listen now and learn more about the magic of Camp Stewart and its generational ties and memories!

 Key Highlights

·      Benefits of summer camp during pandemic

·      Summer camp activities and diversity

·      Camp Stewart's Natural Charm and Upcoming 100th Summer

·      The impact of summer camp

 Notable Quotes 

“While initially, everyone thought COVID would be bad for camping, it was very good for camping because parents realized when they couldn't go to school and they weren't getting the socialization. How much their children had missed it.”

“Last summer, a couple of boys, 1 made a violin, a couple made guitars, And they worked. I mean, they made some amazing things.”

“Our ceramics program dates back to 1967 when Jay brought Miller, doctor Miller, was Dean of the College of Final Arts at Texas Woman University, came down and spent a month and set up our kilns and the ceramics program.”

Resources

Camp Stewart

Tom Fox

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Tom Fox takes things in a different direction today as he cross-posts Episode 1 of an exciting new podcast series entitled "From Last to First: The John Aceti Story." In this podcast series, Tom Fox tells the story of one of Kerrville's most interesting residents, John Aceti, who has lived a life well-lived.

What is the measure of a man? What is a life well lived? Tom has often thought about those questions, and with John Aceti's help, he had the opportunity to explore them through John's amazing life. Spry and vibrant at 93, Tom met John after he had published his 7th book in 92. As he got to know him and his life story, he wanted him to share his amazing and inspiring journey from Niagara Falls in the 1930s to his current life in the Hill Country of Texas. Overcoming a humiliating incident at age 8, John was the first in his family to go to college, served in the Air Force, became a teacher and the principal, and retired from his first career. In his second career, he and his wife traveled internationally and ended up in Kerrville, Texas, where John began another career as an author. Join Tom on this fascinating journey From Last to First with John Aceti.

From Last to First is an inspiring podcast that shares how difficult events in childhood can shape one's professional career. Host Tom Fox visits with guest John Aceti, who talks about growing up in Niagara Falls, New York, working as a shoe shiner for tourists, and his family values of education. In a heartfelt conversation, John opens up about a third-grade traumatic experience that impacted him for years. He also shares how he overcame it and became a teacher, using his experiences to help his students. Listeners will be captivated by the engaging dialogue and inspirational story that reminds us of the importance of perseverance and resilience.

Join Tom and John each week for their next conversation in this must-listen podcast. You can check it out here.

Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places, and their activities of the Texas Hill Country.

Are you interested in the ins and outs of Texas’ agriculture industry? You have to check out this episode of the Hill Country Podcast, which features Carter Keating, the founder of Texas Agricultural Connection. They discuss how his interest in public service led him to a master’s degree in international affairs and a passion for agriculture. Carter shares his advocacy work on water infrastructure and farmer funding solutions, as well as legislative advocacy, community support, and a scholarship program for high school seniors pursuing education in agriculture. With Texas’ growing population, the state’s water resources have become strained, but Carter and Tom discuss legislative priorities for funding water access programs and incentivizing young people to enter the agriculture industry. Additionally, they explore the potential impact of the Chinese purchase of American agriculture and land on the American food supply system. Start listening to Hill Country Podcast now to learn all about Texas’ agricultural landscape and the issues it faces!

Key Highlights

·      Carter Heating’s journey to Texas Agricultural Connection

·      Agricultural Commodity Associations and Water Infrastructure

·      Agricultural Water Challenges and Solutions

·      Legislation improving rural life in Texas

·      Agricultural Regulations and National Security

·      Crafting foreign investment legislation in Texas

·      Balancing Agriculture and Other Concerns

 Notable Quotes 

“ Our mission is to promote support and strengthen Texas agriculture, educating the general Texas public about why agriculture is important, why it matters, and why it matters to the general Texas public even if you’re not directly involved in that industry.”

“In my research, it seems like just about every issue has water at its core. Last year, in 2022, we had more than 3000 boil water notices in the state of Texas.”

“Evidence suggests that broadband access improves health outcomes. It increases the educational opportunities that are available in rural communities. It makes farms and ranches more profitable and more competitive.”

“Right now, only 7 or 8 percent of our producers are under the age of 35, and the average age of the farmer is right around 60 years old.”

Resources

Carter Keating on LinkedIn

Texas Agricultural Connection

Tom Fox

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LinkedIn

Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Podcast. The Texas Hill Country is one of the most beautiful places on earth. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with the people and organizations that make this the most unique areas of Texas. Join Tom as he explores the people, places and their activities of the Texas Hill Country.  In this episode, host Tom Fox and Andrew Gay visit with Karen Taylor, Executive Director of the West Kerr County Chamber of Commerce about their upcoming annual fundraiser, the Shadow of the Moon. 

 Key Highlights

·      What is the event?

·      Sponsors and raffle items

·      Keynote Speaker-Jeff Stone

 Resources

West Kerr County Chamber of Commerce

Shadow of the Moon