Conservation Stories

Send SARA a text In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews brothers Mark & Jim Kleinschmit, CEO and COO of Other Half Processing and Growing GRASS. Other Half Processing (OHP) is the leading supplier of traceable hides, leather & byproducts from verified regeneratively raised livestock. They share they're history and what led them to start this organization. Their ideas on how to de...

Send SARA a text In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Dr. Jim Mazurikiewicz, Professor Emeritus & Ag Leadership and Program Director at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension of Texas A&M University. Tillery had the priviledge of learning under Dr. Mazurikiewicz and the conversation reflects the comradery she and he still have today. He walked us through his history in agriculture an...

Send SARA a text In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Stephen Rockwood, Conservation Specialist with Ducks Unlimited about the Climate Smart Grant that has been implemented in Texas for Rice producers. We discussed how methane production in growing rice crops can be addressed and he taught us about the suite of conservation practices to choose from.  More about our guest:  Stephen Rock...

Send SARA a text In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Dusty Timmons, Vineyard Manager for Lost Draw Vineyards, Former Viticulturist for AgriLife Extension Service and Tillery's brother. The episode is jam-packed with history and wine knowledge. We discussed the gamble of grape growing, how to make good wine and why people are now drinking less wine. More about our guest:  Dusty Timmons...

Send SARA a text In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Jennifer Bremer, Executive Director of the Texas Land & Mineral Owners Association. Jennifer goes over the ins and outs of mineral ownership and teaches us about some proposed legislation. We were excited to discuss the Texas Produced Water Consortium and farming in the panhandle.  More about our guest:  Jennifer Bremer, Executi...

Send SARA a text In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Blair Krebs, Executive Director and Publisher for Pecan South Magazine and Texas Pecan Growers Association. Blair educates us on the role nuts and pecans specifically play in agriculture. She shares her specialized knowledge as the Executive Director of Texas Pecan Growers Association. This episode covers Agriculture Research Servic...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Dr. Darryl Dirkenfeld the Deputy Director of Ogallala Commons. We dive into an exciting event: the OC Playa Field Days. Discover how you can get involved and learn more about these impactful initiatives. Plus, we sit down with Dr. Darryl to explore his vision for helping us use our aquifer responsibly, ensuring it's preserved for future generations....

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Stephen Rockwood, Conservation Specialist with Ducks Unlimited. Stephen shares the history of Ducks Unlimited Conservation and the impact they have on the Texas wetlands. If you have always known Ducks unlimited as a hunting goods company, you'll be surprised to find how interconnected the worlds of conservation and hunting really are. He teaches us...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Ladona Clayton the Executive Director of the Ogallala Land & Water Conservancy. Ladona shared the ways she and her team are pionerring water conservation in New Mexico. She outlined 5 plans including voluntary well shut downs, pumping surface water and the reuse of millions of gallons of water. Playas play a significant role but creating a conse...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Sarah Burnett, Owner of Texas Earth. Sarah is a second generation owner of Texas Earth. Her dad who started the business was on a mission to heal the soils of the earth. Sarah taught us about regenerating the microbes in the soil, how many microbes we have, and what they do. We also discussed cover crops and the benefits those cover crops have on yo...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Gabriel Rio, President and CEO of Milestone Environmental Services. SARA is thrilled to partner with Milestone Environmental Services to make landowners aware of proposed common-sense regulations for energy waste. Why Should You Care? The Railroad Commission of Texas oversees the energy industry in Texas. Current regulations for energy waste have no...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Program Specialist and Texas Well Owner Network Project Coordinator. Joel provides education on common water well issues and your oportunity to get your water tested for those. We discuss the important information about water across the state, name some specific bacteria to look out for and where t...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Heather Johnson, Project Coordinator for the TXPCI program and Migratory Game Bird Specialist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife. Heather oversees the Playas Work for Texans initiative in which SARA is partnering to educate our community about Playas and their importance to the future of our water. The episode provides a closer look into playa lakes,...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Layton Schur, owner and founder of Frontier Market in Plainview, Texas. Frontier Market is a family-owned and operated endeavor, with a cooperative approach to tend to their land, animals, and crops. Frontier Market is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10am-6pm and have an array of produce and products from local farmers and ranchers.  More about...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Taylor McAlpine, a facilitator with Leading EDG and the owner of Local LBK. As a proud Lubbock native and Texas Tech grad, Taylor's interest in business and marketing has created multiple avenues to support his community.  Having evolved through a few iterations, Local LBK helps connect people to businesses and activities within their own community....

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews  Rexie  Hargus, the Natural Resource Specialist – Planner with Texas Climate Smart Initiative Project and the Texas State Soil & Water Conservation Board. Through a grant funded by the TSSWCB, Rexie is helping connect farmers in the panhandle area with programs and funds available for practices like prescribed grazing, cover crops, and permanent...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Rhett Kerby, the owner, Principal Soil Scientist, and Natural Resource Consultant at KerTec, LLC. Rhett is a pioneer in soil remediation. Rhett oversees the design and implementation of native ecological restoration and reclamation post-construction activities. This includes soil stabilization, native species selection, hydroseeding, drill seeding,...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Jessica Tullar Caroom, the executive director of Growing Together Texas. With a background in public health, Jessica's work focuses on the helping people in the Lubbock area source local produce and integrate healthier options into their daily lives. To that end, Jessica also runs LBK Grown, a platform that allows local growers to sell their product...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Matt Campbell, the owner and proprietor of West Texas Meats in Seagraves, Texas. West Texas Meats processes both livestock and wild game with special attention paid to processes that yield the best possible products. In the episode, Matt details his journey to reviving the family business by returning to the meat processing industry.  More about our...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Jeremy Brown, owner of Broadview Agriculture. Jeremy discusses his path to becoming an organic farmer, his work to regenerate the land, and how his faith informs his farming practice. Jeremy Brown is certified by Regenified for his work in land stewardship.  More about our guest:  Jeremy Brown, Broadview Agriculture Inc  •   Facebook   •  Website  ...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Kyle Bingham, a second generation farmer from Binham Family Vineyards in Meadow, Texas. The Binghams are a wine growing family that produces 100% Texas-grown and crafted estate wines & CBD. Kyle and his father Cliff are well known in the region for their pioneering spirit and diversified adoption of farming practices.  More about our guest:  Bin...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Christina Reid, a horticulture agent for Agrilife based in Lubbock, Texas. Christina's work is to develop and deliver information that helps horticultural development in the Lubbock, Texas region. She leads community gardens, school gardens, instructional courses, and other activities in the area. Be sure to listen until the end of the episode, when...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Kyle Bingham, Jeremy Brown, and Lacy Cotter-Vardeman. Each guests share their varying opinions on agriculture practices best suited for their climate, the importance of sustainability, and how producers can implement regenerative farming practices.  More about our guests:  Kyle Bingham, Bingham Family Vineyards  •  Instagram   •  Facebook   •  Websi...

In this episode, Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Lacy Cotter-Vardeman, the founder of SARA. Lacy shares about how her family's history in agriculture has shaped her love for the sandhills area region and her passion for regenerative farming.  Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews. Upcoming Episodes Include:  Ag...

Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews. Upcoming Episodes Include:  The History of SARA with Lacy Cotter-Vardeman Agriculture Round Table Discussion with Jeremy Brown, Kyle Bingham, and Lacy Cotter-Vardeman Bingham Family Winery with Kyle Bingham West Texas Meats with Matt Campbell Broadview Agriculture Inc with...