Recorded in Washington, D.C. during the 2025 Farm Credit Fly-In, this episode of Capital Roots feature Skylar Sowder, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Farm Credit Council.

In this episode, Skylar shares how her West Texas roots shaped her passion for advocating for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. She breaks down what's happening with the Farm Bill, why bipartisan cooperation still matters, and how she approaches policy through the lens of the customer. Tune in for a grounded look at agriculture advocacy in action.

In this episode of Capital Roots, host Clint Cryer welcomes Christy Seyfert, President & CEO of the Farm Credit Council, for a timely conversation recorded during the 2025 Farm Credit Fly-In. With the government now reopened, Christy reflects on the momentum of the week, Farm Credit’s unified advocacy efforts, and the policy priorities shaping Farm Bill 2.0.

She also shares her first-year perspective as CEO, her deep agricultural roots, and why strong relationships across the system make Farm Credit’s mission so powerful. A must-listen for anyone following ag policy, leadership, or the future of rural America.

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In this episode of Capital Roots, we sit down with Dr. Donna McAllister, Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University and member of the leadership team for the Texas Alliance for Water Conservation (TAWC). Dr. McAllister shares how researchers and producers are working together to preserve the Ogallala Aquifer—one of our region’s most valuable, yet finite, resources.

From changing cropping practices to evaluating the economics of water use, she offers insight into how science, policy, and stewardship intersect to secure the future of Texas agriculture.