Saving the Ogallala: Water Rights, Incentives, and the Future of Dryland Agriculture

Tillery Timmons-Sims welcomes back Ladonna Clayton for a conversation about groundwater conservation, agricultural transition, and what it takes to protect the Ogallala Aquifer before the well runs dry. Ladonna shares how her work in eastern New Mexico is helping producers voluntarily retire irrigation wells, conserve water, and transition to new forms of agricultural production without leaving families or communities behind. The episode explores incentive-based water conservation, conservation easements, aquifer rebound data, the role of state and federal funding, and the possibility of a “CRP for water” approach that could help farmers, ranchers, municipalities, and rural economies adapt for the future. More about our guest:  Ladona Clayton, Executive Director, Ogallala and & Water Conservancy Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Dr.LKC/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladona-clayton-8a98a423/ Website - ogalwc.org 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.