Beyond the Fence Line

Debbie Reed is the Executive Director of the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium and is an expert on the topic. She joins TALT CEO Chad Ellis for our latest podcast.

TALT is focused on helping landowners make the most of ecosystem services by providing resources to help them understand the topic and explore what might work for them. In our most recent podcast, TALT CEO Chad Ellis is joined by Terry Anderson and Greg Simons to discuss new and innovative strategies that are emerging to help landowners make the most out of their working lands.

The Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University in Alpine has been deeply involved with the Respect Big Bend effort. BRI’s Associate Director of Stewardship Services Billy Tarrant has been the primary liaison with stakeholders involved in the effort. Chad Ellis caught up with Billy recently for a wide-ranging conversation about Respect Big Bend and BRI’s research efforts.

TALT supports the conservation of the working agricultural lands in Texas with guidance from its board of directors. As any TALT board member will tell you, it’s a working board made up of men and women from across Texas who are passionate about TALT’s mission. In this month’s podcast, TALT CEO Chad Ellis checks in with TALT board chairman David Crow.

May is mental health awareness month, and a good time for reflection about one’s own mental health, and how friends and family are faring. Farmers and ranchers experience a lot of stress over economic uncertainty, and being at the mercy of weather and the markets. In this month’s podcast, Nebraska Rancher Ryan Sexson shares his story with Chad Ellis, and what folks can do to get help if they need...

The science of agriculture is at the forefront of good policy, and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research is doing cutting edge research to deepen our knowledge about agriculture. Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy food, fiber and land. Listen in on a conversation with soil health expert Lakisha Odom and Chad Ellis on our latest “Beyond the Fence Line” podcast.

The concept of resilient landscapes is one that has often been discussed in context of responding to natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. Last month’s statewide hard freeze added another element to the conversation. With more than 95% of land in Texas privately held, Texas farmers and ranchers play a critical role in ensuring resilient landscapes that benefit us all. Listen in to our late...

It happens once every two years, with an occasional special session thrown in for good measure. Yes, it’s that time again, and the Texas Legislature’s 87th session is well underway. Ag policy is top of mind for many legislators, and a variety of agricultural organizations that have policy agendas they want to advance. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear from Texas agricultural policy experts....

The reasons landowners decide to put family land under a conservation easement are as varied as the landowners who make them. TALT closes several conservation easements a year, forever protecting the wide-open spaces of Texas. In our latest podcast, Chad Ellis explores conservation easements with several landowners who recently went through the easement process.

Texas rancher Meredith Ellis is championing the importance of working lands in every way she can. She’s been featured in a film produced by the National Grazing Lands Coalition, and TALT CEO Chad Ellis caught up with her recently for a conversation about why she has become such an outspoken advocate. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear more.

Sustainability has become a focus for many organizations and industries, including within the agricultural space. Dr. Myriah Johnson is the Senior Director of Beef Sustainability Research with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and is a thought leader in the conversation about sustainable cattle ranching. Listen in on our latest podcast to learn more.

Si Cook knows the Texas Farm Bureau like the back of his hand. He’s spent his entire professional career there, and now serves as the Texas Farm Bureau’s chief operating officer. Listen in on our latest podcast as TALT CEO Chad Ellis discusses Texas farm issues and trends with Si Cook.

The Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M is a nationally recognized think tank that provides information to federal and state policymakers about agriculture policy. It is staffed with respected experts, including the former chief economist for the U.S House Committee on Agriculture, Bart Fischer. Fischer has been the chief architect of the last two Farm Bills, and will now offer his ex...

Beyond the Fence Line: Episode #3: Bob McCan by Texas Agricultural Land Trust

The Texas Land Trends series of reports from Texas A&M’s Natural Resource Institute is a trusted source of data that informs land policy decisions across the state. Dr. Roel Lopez leads the institute, and also serves as board member for the Texas Agricultural Land Trust. Listen in on our latest podcast as TALT CEO Chad Ellis and Dr. Lopez delve into key land trend findings and what they mean for T...

For the inaugural episode, TALT’s new CEO and podcast host Chad Ellis does a deep dive into the history of the Texas Agricultural Land Trust with founding CEO Blair Fitzsimons. -- “Beyond the Fence Line” will explore topics of interest to landowners and those interested in land conservation -- with a uniquely Texan point of view.