Farming, Family, and Fashion: The Story Behind Acre & Rust

In this episode of Conservation Stories, host Tillery Timmons-Sims sits down with Ty and Chelsea Criswell, a farming couple from the Plainview area, to discuss their life in agriculture and their creative venture, Acre & Rust—a clothing brand that celebrates the farming way of life. Ty, a lifelong cotton farmer, shares his journey back to the family farm and the challenges of dryland and irrigated farming in the High Plains. The discussion covers sustainability, water conservation, and the economic pressures shaping the future of agriculture. Chelsea, originally from North Texas, talks about her transition to farm life and her role in education, where she integrates agricultural literacy into her curriculum. The Criswells also dive into the inspiration behind Acre & Rust, a brand designed to reflect the values and traditions of rural America. They share how the business started as a creative outlet and evolved into a way to connect people to the agricultural community. The conversation touches on the importance of cotton as a sustainable fiber, the misconceptions surrounding modern agriculture, and the need for farmers to be part of the conversations shaping the industry’s future. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of farming, creativity, and sustainability.   More About Our Guest: Ty and Chelsea Criswell - Acre and Rust  Instagram Website Facebook TikTok   For more information about SARA, please visit sara-conservation.com Support the Conservation Stories Podcast Follow SARA for more updates  •  Instagram  •  Facebook  •  LinkedIn •  X/Twitter Conservation Stories is presented by The Sandhills Area Research Association (SARA). Subscribe now to hear all the interviews. Upcoming Episodes Include: • Calloway Huffaker, attorney, partner at Huffaker & Harris, LLP• Garrett Couts, Partner, Brady and Hamilton, LLP• Tina Siemens, Author and Owner of West Texas Living Heritage Museum