Beyond the Fence Line

In this candid video conversation, members of Texas Agricultural Land Trust’s land and stewardship teams share their perspectives on conservation easements in Texas and what it truly means to partner with landowners.From navigating the legal framework of conservation agreements to building long-term relationships rooted in trust, this episode offers a quick inside look at how TALT works alongside landowners to protect working lands for future generations.Whether you’re a rancher exploring conservation options, a policymaker interested in land stewardship, or simply passionate about preserving Texas landscapes, this discussion provides practical insight into the realities and responsibilities behind conservation easements.Learn more about Texas Agricultural Land Trust at www.txaglandtrust.org

In this episode of Beyond the Fence Line, host Chad Ellis speaks with James Clement and Ryan Dierking from Earth Optics about how ranchers can turn data into decisions—and decisions into dollars. The trio discusses emerging carbon markets, the value of soil health metrics, and how landowners can get paid for stewarding open space, biodiversity, and clean water. Whether you’re operating on acres in Missouri or in Texas, this conversation will equip you with practical tools to engage in the future of sustainable agriculture. Data might just be your most valuable asset. 🎧 Subscribe and listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, and YouTube. www.txaglandtrust.org

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 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.