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.

They dive into the complexities of farm finance, from rising input costs and volatile crop prices to the growing strain on farmers without clear exit strategies. Sam outlines the growing need for financial planning, succession strategies, and mental health support, particularly as drought, inflation, and market oversupply push many producers to the brink. The conversation also tackles rural community decline, the importance of local banking, the misconceptions around corporate farms, and the shared fate of rural and urban economies.

Honest and compassionate, this episode underscores the need for community-based solutions, cross-sector support, and a renewed understanding of the human cost behind our food and fiber systems. Whether you're in ag, finance, or just care about the future of rural America, this episode delivers a powerful message about resilience, responsibility, and the urgent need for connection.

These opinions are solely of Sam Nesbit and does not reflect 1st United Bank.

More about our guests: 

Sam Nesbit
Senior Vice President at 1st United Bank

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: 
• Bridget Scanlon Research Professor University of Texas at Austin
• Todd Baughman Center Director Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center
• Jane Dever, Professor and Director, Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center