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Available Episodes

5 of 71

Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis
More about our guests: DeLinda Hicklen, Relationship Agent at Capital Farm Credit Website 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. Upcoming Episodes Include: • Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis• Liz Hershfield, Executive Director Cotton Council International• Laura Seals, Assistant Director, Community Resilience Corps
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58:59
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58:59
Crop Insurance, Food Security, and the Real Cost of Farming
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons Sims sits down with crop insurance expert and lifelong cotton industry advocate Delinda Hicklin to unpack one of agriculture’s most misunderstood topics — crop insurance. Together, they explore how the program evolved from the 1980s farm crisis into today’s vital safety net for U.S. farmers, protecting not just individual livelihoods but the nation’s food and fiber security. Delinda explains how the shared-risk model between farmers, private insurers, and the federal government works, why crop insurance is essential for securing operating loans, and how misconceptions about “farm subsidies” distort the public’s understanding of agriculture. The two also discuss the economic pressures on modern farmers, stagnant commodity prices, and how international competitors like Brazil and EU countries benefit from even larger government supports. Beyond economics, the conversation broadens into global trade, sustainability, and conservation — highlighting farmers’ role as stewards of the land and innovators in adapting to changing climates and consumer expectations. The episode closes with reflections on the generational evolution of farming technology and the ongoing need for public awareness of where our food, fiber, and agricultural security truly come from. More about our guests: DeLinda Hicklen, Relationship Agent at Capital Farm Credit Website 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. Upcoming Episodes Include: • Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis• Liz Hershfield, Executive Director Cotton Council International• Laura Seals, Assistant Director, Community Resilience Corps
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42:48
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42:48
Beefy: The Brisket Chip Changing the Way We Think About Snacks
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Navy veteran Billy Knox and barbecue pitmaster Ian Timmons to share the story behind Beefy, a Lubbock-based startup transforming brisket into an innovative, healthy snack. Born out of Ian’s legacy at Tom & Bingo’s Barbecue and fueled by Billy’s logistical expertise, Beefy is creating high-protein, preservative-free meat chips that are winning fans for their unique texture and flavor—crispy like a chip, buttery like bacon. The conversation dives into much more than food. Billy and Ian reflect on the importance of roots, community, and building something lasting for their families and region. They discuss rethinking distribution models, favoring local farmers’ markets and community ecosystems over traditional grocery chains, and emphasize their mission to keep jobs and production local by building their own USDA facility from the ground up. Beyond snacks, they wrestle with larger issues: broken food systems, school nutrition, the dangers of “low-fat” dogma, and the power of parents and communities to demand healthier options for kids. They connect food choices to broader cultural themes—valuing family, questioning “business as usual,” and restoring agency in local economies. This episode blends entrepreneurship, conservation, and cultural reflection, reminding listeners that everything is connected—from microbes in the soil to the snacks in our schools to the way we build community resilience. More about our guests: Ian Timmons & Billy Knox, founders of Beefy Meat Chips Website 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. Upcoming Episodes Include: • DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit• Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis
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1:17:03
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1:17:03
Cotton, Cattle, and Conservation: Research and Resilience with Todd Baughman
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Todd Baughman, director of the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock, to explore how cutting-edge research connects directly to the challenges and opportunities facing High Plains producers. Todd reflects on this year’s unusual weather patterns—cooler nights and timely rains—and what they mean for cotton crops, plant stress, and yield potential. He highlights the center’s expanding drip irrigation research, as well as projects in fertility, cropping systems, regenerative agriculture, and integrating livestock into row-crop systems. The conversation dives into soil health, compaction concerns, and innovative practices like short-term grazing, which can reduce costs, improve cover crop viability, and create new opportunities for younger producers. Tillery and Todd also tackle big-picture themes: the importance of trustworthy, unbiased research in an age of information overload, the evolving role of GMOs, and how U.S. agriculture underpins not only local economies but also national security. They discuss challenges in global competitiveness, the burden of innovation on American farmers, and the potential for direct farmer-to-buyer models that strengthen local economies and reduce middlemen in the supply chain. Blending science, economics, and on-the-ground experience, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how research, resilience, and collaboration keep agriculture moving forward in West Texas and beyond. More about our guests: Todd Baughman Website 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. Upcoming Episodes Include: • Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit• Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis
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51:30
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51:30
Ecosystem Services and Farmer-Led Conservation with Brian Gilvesey
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Canadian rancher and conservation leader Brian Gilvesey about the ALUS (Alternative Land Use Services) program, a farmer-driven initiative that pays landowners for producing ecosystem services like clean water, biodiversity, soil health, and carbon storage. Brian shares his personal journey from raising Texas Longhorn cattle in Ontario to helping expand ALUS across 41 communities in North America, empowering farmers to take ownership of conservation without burdensome easements or government red tape. The program’s grassroots model gives communities autonomy to set priorities while attracting funding from corporations, municipalities, and nonprofits eager to invest in environmental outcomes. Together, Tillery and Brian discuss how ALUS redefines farmers as solution providers—not just food and fiber producers, but stewards of landscapes that benefit all of society. They explore real-world examples, from buffer strips that recycle nutrients through cattle, to wetland restoration, pollinator habitats, and regenerative grazing pilots. Brian emphasizes the importance of valuing ecosystem services, keeping programs voluntary, and telling agriculture’s story in a way that reclaims the environmental agenda. This episode highlights a new model of conservation—farmer-led, community-based, and market-supported—designed to reward stewardship, strengthen rural communities, and create a more resilient planet. More about our guests: Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch. Website 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. Upcoming Episodes Include: • Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit• Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis
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37:33
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37:33