Conservation Stories

Sandhills Area Research Association
  • 5.0 (5)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Conservation Stories chronicles the ongoing work of the Sandhills Area Research Association along with old and new friends in the agriculture space.

  1. Living History on the High Plains

    6D AGO

    Living History on the High Plains

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Julie Hodges, Helen DeVitt Jones Endowed Director of Education at the National Ranching Heritage Center on the campus of Texas Tech University, to explore one of the South Plains’ greatest treasures. Together, they unpack what a ranch really is — not just in history books, but as a living, breathing part of life on the Great Plains today. From 27 acres of preserved historic ranch structures to cutting-edge interactive exhibits, Julie shares how the museum bridges past and present, connecting visitors to the land, livestock, grasslands, and the people who steward them. They also dive into the wildly popular Ranch Life Learning Center inspired by Hank the Cowdog, created in partnership with author John Erickson. Through immersive exhibits, hands-on STEM learning, panoramic ranch footage, and playful storytelling, the center answers the big question: What is a ranch? — and why does it matter? From prairie fires and water conservation to grass as the foundation of ecosystems and livelihoods, this conversation celebrates West Texas heritage while reminding us that ranching isn’t just history — it’s happening right now. Whether you’re a lifelong South Plains native or brand new to the region, this episode will inspire you to see the land — and the stories rooted in it — with fresh eyes. Resource: The Ranching Heritage Center More about our guests:  Julie Hodges, Helen DeVitt Jones Endowed Director of Education, National Ranching Heritage Center at Texas Tech University Email: julie.hdoges@ttu.edu Facebook 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:  • Hugh Aljoe, Director of Ranches Outreach and Partnerships, Noble Research Institute • Lee Lancaster, Author, Lee Lancaster Books

    40 min
  2. Farm Economics 101: What “Subsidies” Really Mean

    FEB 6

    Farm Economics 101: What “Subsidies” Really Mean

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Andrew Wright, an agricultural economist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, to unpack the real-world economics driving farm decisions on the Texas High Plains. From enterprise budgets and input costs (seed, fertilizer, chemicals, and energy) to crop insurance, price risk, and the difference between “subsidies” and risk-management safety nets, Andrew breaks down complex topics in a practical, accessible way. The conversation also looks ahead—exploring long-term water constraints tied to the Ogallala Aquifer, how producers adapt through new cropping systems and technology, and why sustainable solutions must pencil out for farmers to adopt them. For more information about AgriLife Extension Service, contact Andrew Wright:  email: andrew.wright@ag.tamu.edu phone: 806-723-8458 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.

    56 min

  3. JAN 26

    More Than Bison: The Hidden Wildlife of West Texas

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Levi Heffelfinger to explore the often-overlooked wildlife of the Texas Panhandle and the applied research shaping its future. Levi shares his work with the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and explains why he’s based in Lubbock, diving into real-world research on mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and the changing relationship between wildlife, agriculture, and land management. Together, they discuss how irrigation changes, grazing practices, and conservation programs influence wildlife behavior—and why applied, on-the-ground science is essential for landowners, researchers, and conservationists navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. 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.

    37 min
  4. Regional Expo Center: Agriculture, Economy, and the Long Game

    JAN 23

    Regional Expo Center: Agriculture, Economy, and the Long Game

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, hosted by Tillery Timmons-Sims, Tillery sits down with Randy Jordan and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz to unpack the long road behind the proposed Lubbock County Expo Center and why it matters for West Texas. Drawing on Dr. Jim’s decades-long experience helping bring the Brazos County Expo Center to life and Randy’s leadership in guiding Lubbock’s effort, the conversation explores vision, persistence, funding strategies, public trust, and the real economic impact these facilities create beyond their walls. Together, they discuss how community buy-in, phased development, and long-term thinking can turn a bold idea into a generational investment that supports agriculture, drives regional growth, and strengthens the entire South Plains. 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.

    53 min
  5. Guayule: West Texas’ Rubber Plant

    JAN 16

    Guayule: West Texas’ Rubber Plant

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Dr. Kathryn Simpson, Associate Professor of Urban Horticulture and Sustainability at Texas Tech, to talk about an unexpected West Texas opportunity: guayule (pronounced “why-YOO-lee”)—a desert shrub that produces natural rubber and latex. Dr. Simpson explains why guayule matters right now, from global supply-chain disruptions to the growing need for hypoallergenic latex that doesn’t carry the proteins that cause many allergic reactions. She breaks down how guayule is grown, where the rubber lives in the plant, and what it takes to move a crop from research plots to a real-world supply loop—seed, cultivation, processing, and end-use products. The conversation also explores “rubber dandelion,” how Texas Tech fits into a multi-university research effort, and why West Texas may be a perfect testing ground for the next generation of water-smart, high-value crops. More about our guests:  Dr. Kathryn Simpson, Associate Professor of Urban Horticulture and Sustainability at Texas Tech Email Catherine LinkedIn 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:  • Randy Jordan and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz

    44 min
  6. Protecting Cotton: Research, Pests, and Practical Solutions

    JAN 9

    Protecting Cotton: Research, Pests, and Practical Solutions

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Kerry Siders, Extension Program Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife, about the critical role applied research plays in West Texas agriculture. Drawing on decades of experience at the Barker Research Farm, Kerry shares how extension bridges the gap between university science and on-the-ground decision-making for producers. The conversation covers cotton production, integrated pest management, emerging threats like the cotton jassid, and how research and education help farmers adapt to changing conditions while balancing innovation and conservation. This episode offers a concise look at how practical research supports resilient farms and rural communities across the South Plains. Resource: About the Cotton Jassid More about our guests:  Kerry Siders, Extension Program Specialist, IPM Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Email Kerry 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:  • Randy Jordan and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz

    43 min

  7. 12/19/2025

    Behind the SNAP Program: Hunger, Policy, and Real People

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Brandon Lipps to unpack the realities of hunger, food insecurity, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the lens of Brandon’s extensive experience in agricultural policy and public service. Drawing from his work on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, leadership at USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, and ongoing involvement with Midwest Food Bank, Brandon offers a balanced, firsthand perspective on how SNAP works, who it serves, and why it remains both essential and deeply complex. The conversation explores misconceptions around fraud, the challenges faced by families living on the economic edge, the role of food banks during crises like government shutdowns, and the difficult policy tradeoffs surrounding benefit levels, work requirements, and long-term solutions. Grounded in both data and compassion, the episode emphasizes the human impact behind policy decisions and the importance of thoughtful, solutions-driven leadership when addressing hunger in America. More about our guests:  Brandon Lipps, Co-Founder & Principal, Caprock Strategies 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:  • Kerry Siders • Randy Jordan and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz

    44 min
  8. The Social Side of Ag: Connecting Consumers, Producers, and Community

    12/12/2025

    The Social Side of Ag: Connecting Consumers, Producers, and Community

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery sits down with Dr. Jason Headrick, a Kentucky-born farm kid turned leadership professor in Texas Tech’s Department of Agricultural Education & Communications. From growing up on a tobacco and timber farm to researching civic leadership in rural communities, Jason shares how his roots shaped his passion for people, place, and the “social side” of agriculture. Together, they dig into the importance of bridging the gap between consumers and producers, tackling misinformation about agriculture and food systems, and teaching students how to think critically about the news they consume. Jason also introduces his “We Love West Texas” project—an ambitious study across 41 counties looking at rural strengths, challenges, mental health, access to healthcare, and the surprising tension around cost of living. The conversation turns to who holds power in rural communities, how to make room for new and underrepresented voices at the table, and practical ways people of all ages can get involved—through surveys, local committees, festivals, and simply showing up. If you care about the future of rural communities, leadership, or what it really means to belong and participate where you live, this episode is for you. More about our guests:  Dr. Jason Headrick, Assistant Professor of Leadership & Community Development, Texas Tech University, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications Instagram  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 and Peter Dot • Brandon Lipps, Co-Founder & Principal, Caprock Strategies

    52 min
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About

Conservation Stories chronicles the ongoing work of the Sandhills Area Research Association along with old and new friends in the agriculture space.

Information

  • Creator
    Sandhills Area Research Association
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Conservation Stories

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