Conservation Stories

Sandhills Area Research Association
  • 4.7 (7)
  • 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. 2h ago

    From Local Food to Field to Fork: Dana Dykema’s Journey into Hunting

    Dusty Timmons visits with Dana Dykema of the Ignite Podcast and Women Hunt to talk about her path into hunting as an adult, beginning with a desire to better understand where her food comes from. Dana shares how her work connecting local farmers with consumers led her into conversations about regenerative agriculture, conservation, and eventually hunting as a deeper expression of food responsibility. The conversation follows Dana’s first hunt, her family’s growing interest in the outdoors, the challenges of learning as an adult-onset hunter in Canada, and the community she has found through Women Hunt, the Wild Sheep Foundation, and the Ignite Podcast. It’s a story about food, family, courage, and finding your place in the conservation world.

    From Local Food to Field to Fork: Dana Dykema’s Journey into Hunting

  2. Jul 14

    The Heart of UMC: Healthcare, Stewardship, and Serving a Region

    Tillery Timmons-Sims visits with Mark Funderburk, president and CEO of UMC Health System, to talk about healthcare, leadership, service, and the role UMC plays across Lubbock and the surrounding region. Mark shares his personal path into healthcare, UMC’s mission as a public hospital, and the importance of building a sustainable culture where employees, patients, and communities feel supported. The conversation explores rural healthcare, regional medical access, trauma and burn care, EMS, cancer treatment, urgent care, employee well-being, and the long-term investments needed as Lubbock continues to grow. It’s a meaningful look at how healthcare, community, stewardship, and service intersect in West Texas. More about our guest:  Mark Funderburk, President & CEO, UMC Health System 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.

    The Heart of UMC: Healthcare, Stewardship, and Serving a Region

  3. Jul 7

    Protecting the Flats: Redfish, Oyster Reefs, and the Fight for Texas Coastal Conservation

    Dusty Timmons sits down with longtime Texas fly fishing guide and conservation advocate Chuck Naiser to talk about the decades-long work of protecting the Texas Gulf Coast. From the early fight to stop commercial gill netting of redfish and trout to Chuck’s current work with FlatsWorthy and oyster reef preservation, this conversation explores what it takes to defend a natural resource before it reaches the tipping point. Chuck shares the history, hard lessons, and persistence behind coastal conservation efforts, including the creation of oyster reef sanctuary areas, the importance of healthy bay ecosystems, and why responsible stewardship matters for anglers, communities, and future generations.

    Protecting the Flats: Redfish, Oyster Reefs, and the Fight for Texas Coastal Conservation

  4. Jun 30

    Turning Salty Water Into a Soil Health Solution

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery sits down with Marshall Tolleson of HSI Water to talk about irrigation water, soil salinity, and the chemistry behind healthier fields. Marshall shares his path from ag research and extension work to helping bring sulfur-based water treatment technology to Texas, explaining how sulfurous acid systems can help reduce salt buildup, improve infiltration, support nutrient availability, and make every inch of irrigation water work harder. More about our guest: Marshall Tolleson Website Text SALTY to 9792322528 Email 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.

    Turning Salty Water Into a Soil Health Solution

  5. Jun 23

    On the Road for Conservation: Dusty’s Field Notes from the Lodge

    Tillery Timmons-Sims is joined by her brother, Dusty Timmons, for a behind-the-scenes introduction to a new series of interviews recorded at a hunting and fishing lodge gathering conservation leaders, outdoor advocates, podcasters, and nonprofit voices from across the country. Dusty shares stories from his weekend of recording 11 conversations, covering everything from great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico and desert bighorn sheep in Texas to oyster reef restoration, women in hunting, veterans on the water, family fishing programs, and the power of simply getting people outdoors. This episode sets the stage for an upcoming run of conversations about conservation, community, access, and the ripple effects that happen when people see a need and decide to do something about it.

    On the Road for Conservation: Dusty’s Field Notes from the Lodge

  6. Jun 9

    Pesticide Labels, Endangered Species & What Growers Need to Know

    Leah Duzy returns to Conservation Stories for a practical conversation about the changing intersection of pesticides, endangered species protections, and EPA label requirements. Leah and Tillery discuss new herbicide, insecticide, and rodenticide strategies, what growers may start seeing on pesticide labels, and how mitigation practices like buffers, cover crops, no-till, and runoff management can help keep farms compliant. They also talk through the challenges of managing requirements field by field, the role of state enforcement, and why reading the label matters whether you’re farming hundreds of acres or spraying weeds in your own backyard. More about our guest:  Leah Duzy, Principal Consultant, Compliance Services International Email - lduzy@complianceservices.com Website - www.complianceservices.com 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.

    Pesticide Labels, Endangered Species & What Growers Need to Know

  7. May 26

    Data Centers, Water, and Responsible Development in West Texas with Kassandra McQuillen

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery Timmons Sims is joined by attorney, Texas Tech professor, and renewable energy consultant Kassandra McQuillen for a conversation about the rapid development of data centers in West Texas. Together, they unpack what data centers are, why they require significant energy and water resources, and what proposed projects could mean for communities, landowners, and the Ogallala Aquifer. Using the proposed Fermi data center project near Amarillo as a case study, Kassandra explores questions surrounding land use, water rights, public accountability, energy infrastructure, and informed community decision-making. This episode is not about telling listeners what to believe, but about providing the facts needed to better understand the potential impacts of large-scale development in a water-limited region.

  8. May 12

    FFA, Agriculture, and the Next Generation of Leaders

    In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Texas FFA state officers Madison Diezi and Kinley Hoelscher to explore the impact of FFA on students, agriculture, and future leadership. They discuss how FFA goes far beyond livestock shows and farming, helping students build communication skills, professionalism, advocacy, and lifelong community. From rural roots to urban agriculture, this conversation highlights why FFA continues to play an important role in preparing young people for careers in agriculture and beyond. More about our guest:  Maddison Diezi, Texas FFA State Officer (Area XI) Kinley Hoelscher, Texas FFA State Officer (Area I) Instagram - @TexasFFA Facebook - Texas FFA Association Website - TexasFFA.org 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.

    FFA, Agriculture, and the Next Generation of Leaders
See All (102)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
7 Ratings

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
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Conservation Stories