In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Brandon Lipps to unpack the realities of hunger, food insecurity, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the lens of Brandon’s extensive experience in agricultural policy and public service. Drawing from his work on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, leadership at USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, and ongoing involvement with Midwest Food Bank, Brandon offers a balanced, firsthand perspective on how SNAP works, who it serves, and why it remains both essential and deeply complex. The conversation explores misconceptions around fraud, the challenges faced by families living on the economic edge, the role of food banks during crises like government shutdowns, and the difficult policy tradeoffs surrounding benefit levels, work requirements, and long-term solutions. Grounded in both data and compassion, the episode emphasizes the human impact behind policy decisions and the importance of thoughtful, solutions-driven leadership when addressing hunger in America.

More about our guests:

Brandon Lipps, Co-Founder & Principal, Caprock Strategies

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Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Upcoming Episodes Include:
• Kerry Siders
• Randy Jordan and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz

In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery sits down with Dr. Jason Headrick, a Kentucky-born farm kid turned leadership professor in Texas Tech’s Department of Agricultural Education & Communications. From growing up on a tobacco and timber farm to researching civic leadership in rural communities, Jason shares how his roots shaped his passion for people, place, and the “social side” of agriculture.

Together, they dig into the importance of bridging the gap between consumers and producers, tackling misinformation about agriculture and food systems, and teaching students how to think critically about the news they consume. Jason also introduces his “We Love West Texas” project—an ambitious study across 41 counties looking at rural strengths, challenges, mental health, access to healthcare, and the surprising tension around cost of living. The conversation turns to who holds power in rural communities, how to make room for new and underrepresented voices at the table, and practical ways people of all ages can get involved—through surveys, local committees, festivals, and simply showing up.

If you care about the future of rural communities, leadership, or what it really means to belong and participate where you live, this episode is for you.

More about our guests:

Dr. Jason Headrick, Assistant Professor of Leadership & Community Development, Texas Tech University, Department of Agricultural Education & Communications

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For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

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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
• Brandon Lipps, Co-Founder & Principal, Caprock Strategies

In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery Timmins-Sims sits down with Chase Head, Chief Development Officer of the South Plains Food Bank, to unpack what hunger really looks like across their 19-county service area. Chase shares his journey from cotton R&D and agribusiness into professional fundraising, and explains how the food bank leverages the national Feeding America network and its own buying power so that every donated dollar can provide roughly three meals.

They dig into the realities behind SNAP and TFAP, who actually needs help (often working families), and how recent USDA cuts and the government shutdown have created a “perfect storm” of higher demand and less federal support. Chase also highlights the Food Bank’s youth leadership program (formerly GRUB) and five-acre garden, where local teens gain agricultural, kitchen, and workplace skills while growing fresh produce that now goes directly to client families. Throughout, Tillery and Chase return to a central theme: community generosity—through financial support, partnership, and smarter systems—is essential to keeping neighbors fed and helping the next generation break cycles of poverty.

More about our guests:

Chase Head, Chief Development Officer, South Plains Food Bank

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For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

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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
• Brandon Lipps, Co-Founder & Principal, Caprock Strategies

In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery Timmins-Sims visits with Dr. Peter Dotray, a weed scientist with a rare three-way appointment split between Texas Tech University, AgriLife Extension, and AgriLife Research, alongside regular guest Dr. Todd Bauman. Peter shares how his role bridges research, classroom teaching, and on-the-ground extension, helping ensure that new science actually reaches producers and is shaped by their real-world questions. The conversation walks through how weed populations change over time, how herbicide resistance develops, and why overreliance on a single chemistry is so risky—especially in cotton-centric West Texas.

They unpack what a “weed” really is, the ecological roles weeds can play, and how modern plant breeding and GMOs compare to the kinds of crosses farmers and breeders have been making in fields for decades. Peter and Todd explain herbicide-resistant crops, the strict regulation around new chemistries, and how today’s products use far lower rates with much lower mammalian toxicity than the highly toxic pesticides of previous generations. They also get into drift and volatilization concerns, temperature inversions, and how better nozzles, equipment, and training are improving on-target applications.

The episode closes by looking at reduced-input weed management, integrating tools like cover crops, precision tillage, flame cultivation, electrocution, and more competitive crop varieties alongside herbicides—always with economics and soil health in mind. Throughout, the three reflect on the cultural and relational side of these decisions in small farming communities, the mounting financial pressure on today’s producers, and the importance of praying for and supporting farmers as agriculture faces challenges reminiscent of the 1980s.

More about our guests:

Todd Baughman Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center Director

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For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

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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
• Brandon Lipps, Co-Founder & Principal, Caprock Strategies

In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery welcomes back a returning guest in a brand-new role — Liz Hirschfield, now Executive Director of Cotton Council International. Liz shares her journey from J.Crew/Madewell to consulting, and now to leading CCI’s global mission of expanding demand for U.S. cotton across more than 15 countries.

Liz explains how CCI works under the National Cotton Council to promote U.S. cotton as the world’s most consistent, traceable, and sustainably grown fiber — and how their teams collaborate with mills, spinners, brands, and U.S. government offices to break down trade barriers and increase adoption. She highlights a major strategic push to grow markets beyond China and strengthen sourcing relationships across Latin America, where demand and manufacturing interest are rapidly rising.

The conversation dives deep into:

• Why U.S. cotton’s quality and consistency outperform global competitors

• How CCI’s “solutions team” helps mills improve yields and reduce cost through better processing

• The growing interest in regenerative cotton vs. traditional organic

• Global misconceptions about GMOs, sustainability, and the realities of modern farming

• How brands are reevaluating synthetics due to microplastic pollution and health concerns

• The economic importance of raising cotton prices to reflect real production costs

• Emerging policy efforts like the Buy American Cotton Act and how listeners can support it

Liz and Tillery also explore labor issues, H2A programs, and how smarter, safer labor pipelines can strengthen agricultural communities both in the U.S. and abroad. The episode closes with a conversation on cotton’s biodegradability, consumer labels like BCI, and why everyday choices in fiber content matter for environmental and human health.

This episode gives growers, brands, and consumers alike a grounded look at where cotton stands today — and where U.S. cotton is headed next.

More about our guests:

Liz Hershfield Executive Director Cotton Council International

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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
• Brandon Lipps, Co-Founder & Principal, Caprock Strategies

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

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For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com

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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

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

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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

More about our guests:

DeLinda Hicklen, Relationship Agent at Capital Farm Credit

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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