Advertise on podcast: Beyond the Fence Line

In this episode of Beyond the Fence Line, Texas Agricultural Land Trust CEO Chad Ellis and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agricultural law specialist Tiffany Dowell Lashmet discuss the urgent need for succession planning as Texas experiences one of the largest transfers of agricultural land and wealth in history. They emphasize that successful transition planning involves more than deciding who inherits the land. Families must also intentionally pass down stewardship knowledge, operational experience, and management skills to ensure the long-term success of farms and ranches. Lashmet encourages landowners to start these conversations early, noting that succession planning is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. The conversation also explores common planning mistakes, including avoiding difficult decisions, failing to update beneficiary designations, and overlooking tax and ownership issues that can threaten the future of family land. Ellis and Lashmet discuss creative tools such as conservation easements, LLCs, life insurance, long-term leases, and alternative income streams that can help families balance fairness, conservation goals, and economic realities. The episode concludes with a discussion on mental health in agriculture and the importance of supporting farm and ranch families through life’s challenges. Their central message is clear: start planning now, have honest family conversations, and take proactive steps to protect both the land and the legacy it represents.

Private land stewardship plays a critical role in protecting Texas landscapes, water resources, and working lands. In this episode of Beyond the Fence Line, Chad Ellis sits down with Andy Sansom to explore the public benefits of private land stewardship and why landowners are essential to the future of conservation in Texas. Together, they discuss: How private landowners support water conservation and natural infrastructureThe role of ecosystem services and market-based conservationWhy philanthropy and public-private partnerships are critical for long-term impactThe connection between land, art, and conservation awarenessChallenges and opportunities facing today’s landownersFrom water infrastructure to conservation easements, this conversation highlights how stewardship on private lands delivers lasting benefits for communities, economies, and natural resources. Whether you are a landowner, policymaker, conservation partner, or advocate for working lands, this episode offers valuable insight into the future of Texas conservation. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Conservation and Stewardship 02:58 The Importance of Private Land Stewardship 06:13 Water Infrastructure and Conservation 09:02 Art and Conservation: A New Approach 11:58 Ecosystem Markets and Conservation Innovation 14:51 The Role of Philanthropy in Conservation 17:55 Challenges Facing Landowners 21:02 Connecting Youth to Nature 24:11 Future of Conservation and Land Stewardship Resources: https://www.txaglandtrust.org/ https://www.txaglandtrust.org/additiveconservation https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-sansom-3b77988/

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.