In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons Sims sits down with crop insurance expert and lifelong cotton industry advocate Delinda Hicklin to unpack one of agriculture’s most misunderstood topics — crop insurance. Together, they explore how the program evolved from the 1980s farm crisis into today’s vital safety net for U.S. farmers, protecting not just individual livelihoods but the nation’s food and fiber security.

Delinda explains how the shared-risk model between farmers, private insurers, and the federal government works, why crop insurance is essential for securing operating loans, and how misconceptions about “farm subsidies” distort the public’s understanding of agriculture. The two also discuss the economic pressures on modern farmers, stagnant commodity prices, and how international competitors like Brazil and EU countries benefit from even larger government supports.

Beyond economics, the conversation broadens into global trade, sustainability, and conservation — highlighting farmers’ role as stewards of the land and innovators in adapting to changing climates and consumer expectations. The episode closes with reflections on the generational evolution of farming technology and the ongoing need for public awareness of where our food, fiber, and agricultural security truly come from.

More about our guests: 

DeLinda Hicklen, Relationship Agent at Capital Farm Credit

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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: 
• Todd Baughman and Katy Lewis
• Liz Hershfield, Executive Director Cotton Council International
• Laura Seals, Assistant Director, Community Resilience Corps