The Cost of Convenience: Farming, Water, and the Future of West Texas

Data Centers, Water, and Responsible Development in West Texas with Kassandra McQuillen

In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery Timmons Sims is joined by attorney, Texas Tech professor, and renewable energy consultant Kassandra McQuillen for a conversation about the rapid development of data centers in West Texas. Together, they unpack what data centers are, why they require significant energy and water resources, and what proposed projects could mean for communities, landowners, and the Ogallala Aquifer. Using the proposed Fermi data center project near Amarillo as a case study, Kassandra explores questions surrounding land use, water rights, public accountability, energy infrastructure, and informed community decision-making. This episode is not about telling listeners what to believe, but about providing the facts needed to better understand the potential impacts of large-scale development in a water-limited region.

FFA, Agriculture, and the Next Generation of Leaders

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Texas FFA state officers Madison Diezi and Kinley Hoelscher to explore the impact of FFA on students, agriculture, and future leadership. They discuss how FFA goes far beyond livestock shows and farming, helping students build communication skills, professionalism, advocacy, and lifelong community. From rural roots to urban agriculture, this conversation highlights why FFA continues to play an important role in preparing young people for careers in agriculture and beyond. More about our guest:  Maddison Diezi, Texas FFA State Officer (Area XI) Kinley Hoelscher, Texas FFA State Officer (Area I) Instagram - @TexasFFA Facebook - Texas FFA Association Website - TexasFFA.org [https://TexasFFA.org]https://texasffa.org/ For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com Support the Conservation Stories Podcast [https://www.sara-conservation.com/donate] Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sandhillsarearesearch_assoc/]  •  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SandhillsAreaResearchAssoc]  •  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandhills-area-researchassociationassociation/] •  X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/SARA_assoc] Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Rain Bees: Rethinking Water, Wells, and Rainwater Harvesting with Larry Sunn

In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery Timmons-Sims talks with Larry Sunn of Rain Bees about rainwater harvesting as a practical water solution for drought-prone areas like West Texas. Larry breaks down how much water can be collected from a roof, what kind of tank size a family might need, how filtration works for potable and non-potable use, and why shifting away from wells and water-hungry landscapes may become increasingly important. The conversation also explores the economics of rainwater systems, public water concerns, aquifer recharge, and how education can help communities rethink the way they value and manage water. More about our guest:  Larry Sunn, Rain Harvesting Consultant Email [Texsunn@gmail.com] Website [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://calendly.com/url?q%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.rainbees.com%252F%26user_uuid%3D7c88d231-3546-4506-89c3-7ee0e1f6da7b%26stage%3D1%26hmac%3D0ffa6f47aab8b29b2b0d9ab90d8dc2a19af6a38f8e9ae23ee5471aa5e8af5829&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1770652797663520&usg=AOvVaw2S4w8GekvRAIBpu0yFEtcu] For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com Support the Conservation Stories Podcast [https://www.sara-conservation.com/donate] Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sandhillsarearesearch_assoc/]  •  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SandhillsAreaResearchAssoc]  •  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandhills-area-researchassociationassociation/] •  X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/SARA_assoc] Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Housing, Hope, and Human Dignity With Chase Head

In this episode of Conservation Stories, Tillery Timmons-Sims visits with Chase Head about the connection between housing, poverty, dignity, and community care in Lubbock. Drawing from his work with the South Plains Food Bank and Yucca Properties, Chase shares how his real estate business has become a way to provide stable housing, practical support, and renewed hope for people facing homelessness, fixed incomes, and difficult transitions. The conversation explores empathy, the fragile realities many families face, and the ways ordinary people can make a real difference through generosity, relationships, and a willingness to see the humanity in others. Conservations Stories will be releasing earlier in the week so you no longer have to wait til friday! Subscribe to be notified when the next eposode drops. Dry Side Dispatch, a radio show centered around conservation, agriculture, hunting, and news in West Texas was recently launched. You can tune into Tillery Timmons-Sims, Andy Timmons, and Dusty Timmons' discussions and interviews on KRFE 95.9 FM on Fridays. More about our guest:  Chase Head, Owner and CEO, Yucca Properties LLC and West Sage Real Estate Email [chase.b.head@gmail.com] Website [https://www.google.com/url?q=http://westsagerealty.com&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1770743442140884&usg=AOvVaw000w0D9j4zC8Boh-s5bHNf] Phone: (806)905-7565 For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com Support the Conservation Stories Podcast [https://www.sara-conservation.com/donate] Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sandhillsarearesearch_assoc/]  •  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SandhillsAreaResearchAssoc]  •  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandhills-area-researchassociationassociation/] •  X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/SARA_assoc] Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.

Allison Childress on GLP-1s, Food Culture, and Chronic Disease

In this episode of Conservation Stories, the conversation stretches beyond traditional ag topics and into the growing intersection of nutrition, health, and the future of food. Host Tillerry Timmins-Sims sits down with Allison Childress, a registered dietitian, Texas Tech faculty member, and co-founder of a culinary medicine startup, to talk about how food can be used to manage chronic disease, how their app helps people navigate complex dietary needs, and why GLP-1 medications may be reshaping not just personal health, but consumer behavior, grocery buying habits, and even agricultural markets. It’s a wide-ranging discussion about obesity, stigma, food choice, produce culture, and the ways health trends may influence what farmers grow and how communities eat. Conservations Stories will be releasing earlier in the week so you no longer have to wait til friday! Subscribe to be notified when the next eposode drops. Dry Side Dispatch, a radio show centered around conservation, agriculture, hunting, and news in West Texas was recently launched. You can tune into Tillery Timmons-Sims, Andy Timmons, and Dusty Timmons' discussions and interviews on KRFE 95.9 FM on Fridays. More about our guest:  Dr. Allison Childress RDN, CSSD, LD Associate Professor of Practice, Clinical Dietitian and CEO of 3 CulinaryMed Docs Website [https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.mypartnersam.com&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1770743442140884&usg=AOvVaw3AaacJRWthPobJ2A98fwv-] LinkedIn [https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-childress-3-culinarymed-docs&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1770743442140884&usg=AOvVaw2qTXzOXVT9cWpLlKqdnUTa] For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com Support the Conservation Stories Podcast [https://www.sara-conservation.com/donate] Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sandhillsarearesearch_assoc/]  •  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/SandhillsAreaResearchAssoc]  •  LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/sandhills-area-researchassociationassociation/] •  X/Twitter [https://twitter.com/SARA_assoc] Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews.