Episode 55 • Precision and Possibility: Drip Irrigation, Produced Water, and the Future of Farming with Claude Corcos
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Claude Corcos of Netafim, a global leader in drip irrigation, about the evolution and future of precision water management in agriculture. Claude shares his journey from upstate New York to working with farms across North America and explains how Netafim has revolutionized irrigation with subsurface drip systems—designed to deliver water and nutrients directly to crop roots with unmatched efficiency.
Episode 54 • Banking on Agriculture: Hard Truths and Hope for Rural Communities with Sam Nesbit
In this candid episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Sam Nesbit, Senior Vice President at First United Bank, to explore the financial and emotional landscape of modern agriculture. With deep roots in the West Texas ag community, Sam shares insights from the front lines of agricultural lending, describing how small-town banks are helping producers navigate one of the most financially challenging periods in decades.
Episode 53 • Regenerating Agriculture: Principles, Proof, and Practice with Dr. Allen Williams
In this powerful episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Dr. Allen Williams—co-founder of Understanding Ag and Regenified, and a pioneer in the regenerative agriculture movement. With roots in six generations of farming and a former academic career in conventional ag science, Dr. Williams shares how a shift in perspective led him to question the effectiveness of mainstream methods and ultimately to redefine what sustainable land stewardship means.
Episode 52 • Cotton, Community, and Change: Leading Through Drought with Kelli Inge
In this compelling episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims speaks with Kelli Inge, general manager of Wall Co-Op Gin in Tom Green County, Texas. With a surprising background in opera and vocal performance, Kelli shares her journey into agriculture and how she rose to lead one of the region’s key cotton gins during one of the most challenging drought periods in recent history.
Episode 51 • Strong Roots, Heavy Loads: Mental Health in Agriculture
In this deeply resonant episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons Sims leads a heartfelt and informative discussion about mental health in the agricultural community—a subject often burdened by stigma and silence. Joined by Tiffany Lashmet, an ag law specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and psychologists Michaela Smith and Dr. Mikayla Spooner, the group unpacks the unique stressors facing farmers and ranchers, including geographic isolation, economic instability, and generational pressure.
Episode 50 • Growing Forward: Innovation, Grit, and Good Food on the Texas Plains with Layton Schur
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims reconnects with Layton Schur of Frontier Market, highlighting his innovative work in sustainable and diversified agriculture on the Texas plains.Layton shares updates on his thriving farm operation, including the success of their subscription produce boxes, year-round planting and harvesting, and advancements in cattle genetics using predictive tools from Neogen. He discusses the growing local demand for fresh, high-quality produce, particularly strawberries and lettuce, and the benefits of using efficient irrigation and farming technologies.Layton also introduces his expanding storefront, which now includes products like beef tallow skincare items and milled grains, and teases upcoming offerings from a new commercial kitchen. Throughout the conversation, his emphasis on practicality, community collaboration, and adapting to West Texas challenges illustrates a fresh, forward-thinking approach to modern agriculture.
Episode 49 • Trust, Traceability, and the Future of U.S. Cotton with Daren Abney
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Daren Abney, Executive Director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, about the evolving world of cotton production, sustainability certification, and the challenges facing today’s growers.
Episode 48 • From Farmland to Future Plans: Navigating Real Estate and Rural Shifts with Evan Stone
In this wide-ranging episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillary Timmons-Sims welcomes Evan Stone, founder of Clear Rock Farm and Ranch, for an insightful conversation on agriculture, real estate, land use, and the evolving landscape of rural America.
Episode 47 • From Runway to Row Crop: Connecting Fashion and Farming with Liz Hershfield
In this insightful episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims chats with Liz Hershfield, sustainability veteran and founder of Greenish, about bridging the gap between global fashion brands and U.S. cotton farmers. Drawing from over 30 years in the fashion industry—including her work at Bonobos, Walmart, J.Crew, and Madewell—Liz shares how she transitioned from traditional supply chain roles into sustainability leadership, championing regenerative agriculture and water conservation through real, farm-level relationships.
Episode 46 • Beyond Overproduction: Rethinking the Future of Agriculture with Damian Mason
In this provocative and forward-looking episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims interviews Damian Mason—agricultural economist, author, speaker, and host of The Business of Agriculture podcast—for a big-picture discussion about the future of farming. With humor and candor, Damian challenges long-held agricultural assumptions, especially around the culture of overproduction and the outdated belief that demand will always rise to match supply.
Episode 45 • Innovation in Action: Empowering West Texas Entrepreneurs with Taysha Williams
In this inspiring episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Taysha Williams, Managing Director of the Texas Tech Innovation Hub, to explore how the Hub is fueling innovation and entrepreneurship in West Texas. Taysha shares her unique journey from nonprofit work to leading a powerhouse of startup development, and how her passion for community building translates into helping founders turn ideas into successful companies.
Episode 44 • Weathering the Storm: Life, Loss, and Hope After Farm Bankruptcy with Doug Sims
In this heartfelt episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims is joined by her husband, Doug Sims, for an open and deeply personal conversation about their journey through farm bankruptcy, family hardship, and rebuilding life after loss. Doug shares his history in agriculture, the deep ties to land and identity that made walking away so painful, and the emotional, financial, and spiritual challenges they faced as their farm operations came to an end.
Episode 43 • Rooted in Resilience: Tillery Timmons-Sims on Faith, Farming, and the Future of Conservation with Guest Host Nicholas Bergfeld
In this special episode of Conservation Stories, the script is flipped as host Tillery Timmons-Sims takes the guest seat, interviewed by friend and fellow storyteller Nicholas Bergfeld. Tillery opens up about her deep West Texas roots, her journey through personal and professional adversity, and how her lived experiences—from bankruptcy and homeschooling to hemp research and nonprofit leadership—shaped her passion for rural revitalization and conservation.
Episode 41 • Building Resilient Agricultural Systems with Garrett Couts
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Garrett Couts, Partner at Brady & Hamilton, LLP. Garrett dives into the challenges and opportunities in modern agriculture, focusing on building resilient systems that can withstand economic and environmental pressures. He shares insights on technological advancements, sustainable farming practices, and policy changes that impact the industry. The conversation explores the importance of adaptation, collaboration, and long-term planning for farmers and agricultural professionals. Garrett’s expertise offers valuable perspectives on navigating the future of agriculture with innovation and sustainability at the forefront.
Episode 40 • Navigating Land, Water, and Energy: Legal Insights with Calloway Huffaker
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Calloway Huffaker, a seasoned attorney from Tahoka, Texas, to discuss the evolving landscape of land ownership, energy development, and agriculture. Huffaker, whose family has practiced law in the region for generations, shares his expertise on topics ranging from mineral rights and renewable energy leases to the complexities of water ownership and land use.
Episode 39 • Farming, Family, and Fashion: The Story Behind Acre & Rust
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Ty and Chelsea Criswell, a farming couple from the Plainview area, to discuss their life in agriculture and their creative venture, Acre & Rust—a clothing brand that celebrates the farming way of life.
Episode 38 • Regenerative Viticulture: Blending Grapes, Livestock, and Conservation with Kelly Mulville
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims and co-host Dusty Timmons sit down with Kelly Mulville, Vineyard Director at Paicines Ranch, to discuss innovative approaches to vineyard management through regenerative agriculture. Mulville shares how he integrates livestock grazing, biodiversity, and sustainable vineyard design to improve soil health, reduce irrigation needs, and enhance overall vineyard resilience.
Episode 37 • From Waste to Wealth: Unlocking the Value of Produced Water with Aric Denton
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Aric Denton, a chemical engineer and co-founder of DJR Labs, to discuss innovative ways to transform produced water—a byproduct of oil and gas extraction—into valuable resources.
Episode 36 • Bringing Space Tech to the Farm: NASA's Role in Agriculture with Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft
In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims speaks with Dr. Alyssa Whitcraft, a research professor at the University of Maryland and a leader in NASA’s agricultural initiatives. They discuss how satellite technology is revolutionizing farming, providing real-time data on crop conditions, weather patterns, and soil health.