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Available Episodes

5 of 65

From Satellites to Soil: Bringing NASA Remote Sensing to West Texas Farms
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims welcomes Tony Vorster and Nick Young, researchers at Colorado State University’s Natural Resource Ecology Lab, to explore how NASA’s remote sensing technology can directly support farmers and ranchers. With years of experience in applied research and the NASA Develop Program, Tony and Nick explain remote sensing in everyday terms—how satellites measure landscapes, track vegetation, and provide insights on soil moisture, biomass, flood risks, and long-term land changes. The conversation highlights the NASA Acres initiative, which partners with producers to make taxpayer-funded satellite data more accessible and practical. From mapping cover crops and forage availability to helping ranchers use tools like the Rangeland Analysis Platform, the discussion emphasizes the importance of farmer feedback in shaping tools that actually work on the ground. The episode also previews an upcoming project in West Texas to refine cover crop mapping using satellite imagery, with local farmers invited to contribute simple but vital data. Accessible, collaborative, and farmer-led, this episode shows how space technology can become a down-to-earth ally for agriculture—helping producers adapt to changing landscapes, improve decision-making, and shape the future of conservation. More about our guests: Tony Vorster and Nick Young - research associates at CSU Natural Resource Ecology Lab Website 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: • Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.• Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit
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47:36
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47:36
Conservation Easements: Opportunities, Misconceptions, and Legacy Planning with Jim Bradbury
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with agricultural law expert Jim Bradbury to unpack the complexities of conservation easements—what they are, how they work, and why they’re gaining popularity across Texas. Together, they explore how easements provide landowners with tools to preserve property for future generations, manage estate planning, and protect against fragmentation, all while maintaining agricultural productivity. Jim explains the mechanics of easements, the financial structures behind them, and how compensation can come through tax deductions, grants, or direct payments. The discussion also addresses skepticism in rural communities, the fears tied to government overreach, and the role of misinformation in shaping public opinion. Jim emphasizes the importance of good communication, intergenerational planning, and understanding easements as a voluntary tool rather than a threat. The conversation expands to broader conservation and water law issues, touching on produced water, Playa Lake protection, and emerging land-use research initiatives. Tillery and Jim highlight how local solutions, transparency, and farmer-led initiatives build trust and lasting impact. This episode provides landowners, policymakers, and conservation advocates with a clear-eyed look at how easements can balance economic needs, environmental stewardship, and family legacy. More about our guests: James D. Bradbury, PLLC Email Website 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: • Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.• Ian Timmons, Beefy Meat Chips• DeLinda Hicklen, Capital Farm Credit
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45:57
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45:57
Securing Farm Labor: Legal Pathways and Lasting Impact with Joe Martinez
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims speaks with Joe Martinez, founder of a nonprofit dedicated to helping U.S. farms legally recruit agricultural workers through the H-2A, H-2B, and TN visa programs. With decades of agricultural labor challenges as the backdrop, Joe explains how his organization connects farmers with trained, reliable laborers from Mexico, Guatemala, and beyond—offering not just workers, but long-term relationships that support both farm productivity and community development. The conversation explores the history of undocumented farm labor, the pressures of immigration enforcement, and how the formal visa system provides a more sustainable solution for farmers facing rising costs and uncertainty. Joe shares how professionalizing the workforce benefits everyone: farmers gain consistency, retailers strengthen their supply chains, and workers’ home communities thrive as wages are reinvested in land, businesses, and infrastructure. Together, Tillery and Joe highlight the bigger picture—how consumer choices, corporate accountability, and labor reform intersect to shape the future of American agriculture. This episode reveals a powerful truth: feeding and clothing the world depends not only on crops and livestock, but also on the people whose hands harvest and sustain them. More about our guests: Joe Martinez, CEO, Cierto, H2A H2B TN Visa Recruiter Email LinkedIn Website 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: • Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.• Jim Bradbury, Attorney
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49:51
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49:51
Lubbock Waters: History, Conservation, and a Vision for the Future with Dr. John Beusterien
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Dr. John Beusterien, professor at Texas Tech and founder of the Lubbock Waters project. With a background in literature and history, John shares how his curiosity about the land, culture, and ecology of West Texas led him to water—our most vital and fragile resource. They explore the hidden history of the Southern High Plains, from ancient peoples and mammoths to early farming practices, and discuss how water has shaped settlement and survival in the region. John highlights the unique urban water reuse system designed in the 1970s by Jim Bertram, which transformed Lubbock’s canyons into a six-mile lake system that both filters water and provides recreational space. The conversation also acknowledges tensions between development and preserving archeological sites, as well as the need to reclaim underutilized public spaces like Yellow House Canyon. John’s vision for Lubbock Waters is part museum, part community hub, and part research center—a place where families can engage with water in fun, hands-on ways while learning about conservation, and where innovators can collaborate on future water solutions. This episode blends deep history, present challenges, and bold imagination, reminding listeners that water connects culture, conservation, and community. More about our guests: Dr. John Beusterien, Founder of Lubbock Waters, Professor at Texas Tech Email Lubbock Waters Website Texas Tech Faculty Information Page Heaven's Harsh Tableland Book 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 Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center• Joe Martinez, CEO, Cierto, H2A H2B TN Visa Recruiter• Bryan Gilvesy, Chief Strategy Officer at ALUS, Owner Y U Ranch.
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33:49
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33:49
Navigating Pesticide Regulations: Understanding the Science, Impact, and Process with Leah Duzy
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmins Sims sits down with Leah Doozy from Compliance Services International (CSI) to dive into the world of pesticide regulation and its complex relationship with environmental and agricultural practices. Leah shares her extensive background in agricultural economics and conservation, shedding light on the intricate process of getting pesticides approved by the EPA, the importance of labels in regulating chemical use, and the growing concern for endangered species. The conversation highlights the balance between using chemicals for agricultural efficiency and the potential environmental impacts, such as pesticide resistance and soil health. Leah also discusses the evolving nature of regulation, from EPA's early struggles with endangered species protection to their current strategies for mitigating the risks posed by pesticides. This episode offers a unique perspective on the intersection of science, policy, and agriculture, providing listeners with a deeper understanding of how decisions made in the regulatory space affect the environment, farmers, and consumers. More about our guests: Leah, Duzy, Principal Consultant, Compliance Services International [email protected], www.linkedin.com/in/leahmooreduzy 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 Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center• Joe Martinez, CEO, Cierto, H2A H2B TN Visa Recruiter• Dr. John Beisterien, Lubbock Waters
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53:49
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53:49