Beyond the Fence Line

Michael Vance has learned a lot about farming and ranching during his lifetime. He grew up on a small cattle and farming operation in Mississippi and earned a Bachelor of Science in animal science, followed by an MBA. Now he is the VP of Agriculture for an investment firm specializing in farms and ranches. Listen in on our latest podcast as he and TALT CEO Chad Ellis continue the conversation about Next Generation Land Stewards: the barriers to entry, resources available, and the future outlook.

Ecosystem services markets are an evolving landscape with much left to be discovered. Join Brandon Bennett, TALT Director of Additive Conservation and General Counsel, as he gives an overview of who's who in this new world of markets. Stay tuned in the coming months as we dive deeper into what opportunities there are for landowners in Texas to participate.

Dive deep into the nitty-gritty of Texas conservation on "Beyond the Fence Line" podcast. Andy James, TALT Land Transactions Manager teamed up with Thomas Janke, the Texas state coordinator for Quail Forever and Pheasants Forever. From the challenges wildlife faces during drought to the innovative strategies that protect Texas's incredible ecosystems – this podcast is your backstage pass to the wild world of Texas conservation. Tune in where ever you listen to hear the tough questions, discover ingenious survival tactics of our native species, and what it looks like to champion conservation efforts. Thank you for listening to Beyond the Fence Line. Each episode we may mention something that you are curious about – check here in the show notes for links to items we mentioned. Visit our website: www.txaglandtrust.org Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/TXAGLANDTRUST https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-agricultural-land-trust/ https://www.instagram.com/txaglandtrust/ https://twitter.com/TXAgLandTrust Join our mailing list: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/WokdU7B/taltsubscribe

The population of Texas is projected to increase by nearly 73 percent in most of our lifetimes. Dr. Roel Lopez and Alison Lund at Texas A&M's Natural Resource Institute have authored a recently released report that seeks to better understand the benefits and needs for financial investment in our state's natural resources to best support our growing state population, the stewards of the land, our thriving economy, and healthy landscapes. Listen in on our latest podcast as they discuss the report's findings and how they could impact conservation work in Texas.

For this edition of Beyond the Fence Line, listen in on a conversation that took place during a recent broadcast of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association Cattleman to Cattleman television show. The topic was conservation easements, and how they can be used to keep working lands working. Participants in the discussion are CEO Chad Ellis, former TALT Chairman David Crow, Michael Delbar, CEO of the California Rangeland Trust and Steve Wooten of the Colorado Land Trust.

Thank you for listening to Beyond the Fence Line. Each episode we may mention something that you are curious about – check here in the show notes for links to items we mentioned. Texas Land Trends Data: https://txlandtrends.org/ Kelly Langdon, TALT Board Member: https://www.txaglandtrust.org/about/board-of-directors/langdon/ Fall Creek Ranch Easement: https://www.txaglandtrust.org/portfolio/fall-creek-ranch/ Visit our website: www.txaglandtrust.org Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/TXAGLANDTRUST https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-agricultural-land-trust/ https://www.instagram.com/txaglandtrust/ https://twitter.com/TXAgLandTrust Join our mailing list: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/WokdU7B/taltsubscribe

You as the landowner have set the parameters you want the conservation easement to cover. Our commitment at TALT is to forever ensure those parameters are upheld. As always, thanks for listening to Beyond the Fence Line. Visit our website: www.txaglandtrust.org 12 Step Process: https://www.txaglandtrust.org/ourprocess/ Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/TXAGLANDTRUST https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-agricultural-land-trust/ https://www.instagram.com/txaglandtrust/ https://twitter.com/TXAgLandTrust Join our mailing list: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/WokdU7B/taltsubscribe

Conservation easements generate a lot of questions, and TALT's two resident experts, Darren Clark and James Oliver have the answers. On today's podcast, Darren and James ask and answer the most frequently asked questions they field about conservation easements.

The Partnership of Rangeland Trusts recently wrapped up their annual meeting in Denver, where ecosystem services was a hot topic. TALT CEO Chad Ellis connected with Michael Delbar, who is the executive director of California Rangeland Trust. Like TALT, the California organization shares information though podcasts. Ellis and Delbar teamed up for a podcast that has been co-published by both organizations.

Official photographer of the Lone Star State - Wyman Meinzer

As the holiday season approaches, families gather and likely some farm and ranch families will be discussing the future of their working lands and how to protect the family legacy. Conservation easements might be part of those conversations. On our latest podcast, TALT's James Oliver and Darren Clark discuss what it means to take a phased approach to conservation easements, and what steps a family can take in that direction.

October is National Estate Planning Awareness Month which provides a perfect opportunity to discuss some important basics of estate planning for Texas private landowners wanting to protect Texas working lands and family legacies. Listen to our most recent podcast and learn more from Tiffany Dowell Lashmet, who is an attorney and agricultural law specialist at the TAMU Research and Extension Center in Amarillo.

One of the hallmarks of the Birdwell and Clark Ranch is that Emry Birdwell and Deborah Clark have opened their gates to anyone who wants to learn about their regenerative ranching philosophies and how they've used intensive grazing management to improve the health of their land. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear more from Deborah Clark.

“Every seed for your need” is the catch-phrase for Bamert Seed, a well-known and respected business within ag industry circles. Rob Cook is Bamert's Director of Business Development and joins TALT CEO Chad Ellis for our latest podcast. Listen in as they discuss the “Forever Texas” seed blend, some stewardship tips on range recovery from drought….and more.

Dr. Dale Rollins is one of the most highly regarded quail experts in America. He founded the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch in 2007, and served as its first executive director until 2021. Now he's the outreach director for the ranch. Listen in on our latest podcast as we take a deep dive into all things quail.

Jimmy Emmons has been farming and ranching in Oklahoma since 1980. He follows in the footsteps of generations of his family who have been working the land for more than a century. He's seen it all, through good times and bad, including times of drought and fire. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear the realities of fires and advice to landowners dealing with today's heightened risk due to our devastating drought.

Navigating the intricacies of carbon credits and other ecosystem services can be bewildering. Fortunately, there are experts at hand including Texas Attorney Anson Howard. Listen in to learn about the questions you should be asking to determine if carbon markets are right for you.

Do you have questions about how conservation easements can help you protect your land? Join TALT staff this month as we explore the basics of conservation easements and dive into some of the most common questions from landowners about this voluntary conservation tool.

Connecting with landowners across the state and building trust is job number one for TALT's regional stewards. In our latest edition of Beyond the Fence Line, TALT's Land Stewardship Manager Hannah Blankenship leads a discussion with Ken Cearley, Brad Pfeil and Clay Miller about what they do and why.

Farmers and ranchers across Texas are experiencing significant drought conditions. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, 96.8 percent of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, and another 21.9 percept of the state is in extreme drought conditions. Listen in our latest podcast with San Pedro Ranch manager Chase Currie as we discuss the impacts of current conditions, ranch management during times of drought, and where to find resources to support landowners.

Chad Ellis sits down with Brad Pfeil, TALT's Gulf Coast Regional Steward, and Jaclyn Roberts, TALT's Director of Communications and Strategic Partnerships, to recap a successful year and the National Grazing Lands Coalition Conference.

Championing the rights of private landowners in Texas is job number one for Jessica Karlsruher. She's the executive director of the Texas Real Estate Advocacy Defense coalition, and joins TALT CEO Chad Ellis for our latest podcast.

Debbie Reed is the Executive Director of the Ecosystem Services Market Consortium and is an expert on the topic. She joins TALT CEO Chad Ellis for our latest podcast.

TALT is focused on helping landowners make the most of ecosystem services by providing resources to help them understand the topic and explore what might work for them. In our most recent podcast, TALT CEO Chad Ellis is joined by Terry Anderson and Greg Simons to discuss new and innovative strategies that are emerging to help landowners make the most out of their working lands.

The Borderlands Research Institute (BRI) at Sul Ross State University in Alpine has been deeply involved with the Respect Big Bend effort. BRI's Associate Director of Stewardship Services Billy Tarrant has been the primary liaison with stakeholders involved in the effort. Chad Ellis caught up with Billy recently for a wide-ranging conversation about Respect Big Bend and BRI's research efforts.

TALT supports the conservation of the working agricultural lands in Texas with guidance from its board of directors. As any TALT board member will tell you, it's a working board made up of men and women from across Texas who are passionate about TALT's mission. In this month's podcast, TALT CEO Chad Ellis checks in with TALT board chairman David Crow.

May is mental health awareness month, and a good time for reflection about one's own mental health, and how friends and family are faring. Farmers and ranchers experience a lot of stress over economic uncertainty, and being at the mercy of weather and the markets. In this month's podcast, Nebraska Rancher Ryan Sexson shares his story with Chad Ellis, and what folks can do to get help if they need it.

The science of agriculture is at the forefront of good policy, and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research is doing cutting edge research to deepen our knowledge about agriculture. Healthy soil is the foundation for healthy food, fiber and land. Listen in on a conversation with soil health expert Lakisha Odom and Chad Ellis on our latest “Beyond the Fence Line” podcast.

The concept of resilient landscapes is one that has often been discussed in context of responding to natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. Last month's statewide hard freeze added another element to the conversation. With more than 95% of land in Texas privately held, Texas farmers and ranchers play a critical role in ensuring resilient landscapes that benefit us all. Listen in to our latest podcast with TALT CEO Chad Ellis and the Noble Research Institute's Jeff Goodwin to learn how conservation helps protect natural resources impacted by these events.

It happens once every two years, with an occasional special session thrown in for good measure. Yes, it's that time again, and the Texas Legislature's 87th session is well underway. Ag policy is top of mind for many legislators, and a variety of agricultural organizations that have policy agendas they want to advance. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear from Texas agricultural policy experts. Stay in the know by following our partner organization's podcast below: Texas Ag Today: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/texas-ag-today/id1528446942 TSCRA Talk: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tscra-talk/id1495549799

The reasons landowners decide to put family land under a conservation easement are as varied as the landowners who make them. TALT closes several conservation easements a year, forever protecting the wide-open spaces of Texas. In our latest podcast, Chad Ellis explores conservation easements with several landowners who recently went through the easement process.

Texas rancher Meredith Ellis is championing the importance of working lands in every way she can. She's been featured in a film produced by the National Grazing Lands Coalition, and TALT CEO Chad Ellis caught up with her recently for a conversation about why she has become such an outspoken advocate. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear more.

Sustainability has become a focus for many organizations and industries, including within the agricultural space. Dr. Myriah Johnson is the Senior Director of Beef Sustainability Research with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association and is a thought leader in the conversation about sustainable cattle ranching. Listen in on our latest podcast to learn more.

Si Cook knows the Texas Farm Bureau like the back of his hand. He's spent his entire professional career there, and now serves as the Texas Farm Bureau's chief operating officer. Listen in on our latest podcast as TALT CEO Chad Ellis discusses Texas farm issues and trends with Si Cook.

The Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M is a nationally recognized think tank that provides information to federal and state policymakers about agriculture policy. It is staffed with respected experts, including the former chief economist for the U.S House Committee on Agriculture, Bart Fischer. Fischer has been the chief architect of the last two Farm Bills, and will now offer his expertise about agriculture policy from a different direction. Listen in on our latest podcast to hear his insights.

Beyond the Fence Line: Episode #3: Bob McCan by Texas Agricultural Land Trust

The Texas Land Trends series of reports from Texas A&M's Natural Resource Institute is a trusted source of data that informs land policy decisions across the state. Dr. Roel Lopez leads the institute, and also serves as board member for the Texas Agricultural Land Trust. Listen in on our latest podcast as TALT CEO Chad Ellis and Dr. Lopez delve into key land trend findings and what they mean for Texas' working lands.

For the inaugural episode, TALT's new CEO and podcast host Chad Ellis does a deep dive into the history of the Texas Agricultural Land Trust with founding CEO Blair Fitzsimons. -- “Beyond the Fence Line” will explore topics of interest to landowners and those interested in land conservation -- with a uniquely Texan point of view.