Sandhills Stories

Project Coordinators

Join Cody as he sits down with Ashley and Tevyn the project coordinators for the Sandhills Task Force. They discuss what type of projects they work on and how they help partner with ranchers in the Sandhills to improve the land.

Downing Ranch

Tim, Bonnie and Brett Downing own and manage Downing Ranch near Dunning Nebraska. Join the conversation as Cody, Tim and Brett sit down to talk about ranching, Tim's journey to their current operation, and Brett's role since returning from college.

A.B. Cox 4-O Ranch

A.B. Cox is a rancher, stockman, conservationist and cowboy. A.B is in the Nebraska Sandhills Cowboy Hall of Fame, a past Leopold Conservation award winner, past board member for the Sandhills Task Force and a great storyteller. Listen in as A.B and Cody talk about conservation, success and failures, tough winters, life lessons and of course ranching the Sandhills. Enjoy the first episode of season 3!

Switzer Ranch

The Switzer ranch near Burwell Nebraska has been in the family for over 100 years. It was started by Sarah Sortum's great grandfather who came to the Sandhills as a grouse and prairie chicken market hunter. Using the Kinkaide and Homestead Act he staked his claim and began the ranch. Currently the ranch is home to the 3rd 4th and 5th generations. Over the years their business has changed but Ranching, Conservation, and good cattle are a top priority along with a few new enterprises. Join Cody and Sarah as they sit down and talk about the history of the ranch, how it has changed over the years, and how their most recent endeavour Calamus Outfitters plays a role in the business.

A Sandhills Poet

Natalie G'schwind grew up near Calloway Nebraska working on her family's ranch. From a young age she enjoyed writing and didn't get into poetry until college. She is currently a Range specialist in Halsey Nebraska where she works with ranchers and continues to write poetry. She recently returned from a trip to Elko Nevada where she presented some of her poems at The National Cowboy Poetry Gathering. Many of her poems are about The Sandhills, Cowboys and the western way of life. Listen to the end where you can learn how to get entered to win a free signed copy of Natalie's book, a collection of her poems "Bays and Prairies".