Conservation Stories podcast | Listen online for free

Available Episodes

5 of 73

Building Capacity, Building Communities: How AmeriCorps Strengthens the Panhandle
In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Laura Seal, Assistant Director of the AmeriCorps program housed at West Texas A&M University in Canyon. Laura explains how AmeriCorps operates as a federally funded service program that places members with nonprofits across the Texas Panhandle to strengthen community resilience in areas like health, wellness, education, land stewardship, and economic opportunity. Together, they discuss how AmeriCorps members build the capacity of nonprofits by taking on vital roles that organizations often can’t afford to staff on their own. Laura shares insights into recruitment, training, the diversity of members—from first-time job seekers to retirees—and the real value AmeriCorps brings to both nonprofits and the members themselves through skill-building, certifications, and education awards. The conversation highlights success stories, unique member roles (including wildlife TV segments!), and how AmeriCorps can serve as a stepping-stone into meaningful careers. Tillery emphasizes the positive impact the program has had on her own organization and encourages more nonprofits—especially in rural communities—to explore becoming partners. The episode wraps with practical guidance on how interested organizations can get involved and why AmeriCorps is a powerful tool for growing community-driven work across the region. More about our guests: Laura Seals, Assistant Director, Community Resilience Corps 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 Peter Dot• Liz Hershfield, Executive Director Cotton Council International• Brandon Lipps, Co-Founder & Principal, Caprock Strategies
--------
25:40
--------
25:40
Biochar, BioNectar, and the Backyard: Microbes That Scale
Host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with repeat guest Sarah Burnett of Texas Earth for an update on her microbial soil products and a third-party “Proving Ground” trial run through Agrelis. The blind test—on a 46-acre watermelon farm in Sampson County, North Carolina. Sarah explains why mixed bacterial/fungal inoculants and carbon sources matter, how overreliance on synthetic N can dull natural nutrient cycling, and why “place-based” regenerative practices work for both organic and conventional growers. They also cover biochar inoculation projects with Oklahoma rancher Susan Bergen, Texas Earth’s home-gardener line (Bio Floof) for moisture retention, past produce partnerships (e.g., leafy greens), and emerging demand in arid regions like the UAE. Threaded through is a defense of small, community-rooted businesses and a nod to Sarah’s late father’s early microbial insights. More about our guests: Sarah Burnett, owner of Texas Earth 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 Peter Dot• Liz Hershfield, Executive Director Cotton Council International• Laura Seals, Assistant Director, Community Resilience Corps
--------
46:19
--------
46:19
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
--------
58:59
--------
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
--------
42:48
--------
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
--------
1:17:03
--------
1:17:03